Turkey Analyst, 22 February 2008

NEWS DIGEST, February 2-18, 2008

OPERATION AGAINST ULTRA-NATIONALISTS
January 27
The largest operation in decades against ultra-nationalists was concluded with the arrest of thirteen people who carried out political murders and held obscure ties to the Turkish deep state. The ultra nationalist criminal group consists of three retired military officials and Kemal Kerincsiz, the neo-nationalist lawyer who had legal cases against Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. Mr. Pamuk was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 2006 and became increasingly popular by writing a book about the killings of one million Armenians and thirty thousand Kurds. The most well known of the detainees is Veli Kucuk, a former major general who is believed to have planned the assassination plot against Mr. Pamuk. Mr. Kucuk is also suspected of directing a secret unit within the police forces. The foremost issue is whether this criminal group has operated with the blessing of the state, or on its own. (International Herald Tribune)

PM ERDOGAN SAID THE HEADSCARF IS NOT EXPLOITATION; IT IS A RIGHT
January 27
Prime Minister Erdogan addressed the debate of the headscarf in the meeting of his party’s women’s branches. “The headscarf is not a problem of the public; it is a problem of the elite.” Mr. Erdogan said. In addition, Mr. Erdogan defended the removal by saying that it is not exploitation; it is a right. Mr. Erdogan blames the growing debate on the elite of the state. Mr. Erdogan concluded that the state is secular, not the person. The debate over the headscarf intensified due to the offer of the Nationalist Action Party, which offered to solve the problem by amending the constitution. The JDP and NAP agreed to make the essential changes in terms of solving the problem. The ban will be removed only in the universities, and not in the state institutions. (RADIKAL)

KURDIST DEPUTY OFFERED CONFEDERATION IN MEETING IN DIYARBAKIR
January 28
Emine Ayna, a Kurdish politician and deputy chair of the Kurdish-oriented Democratic Society Party, stated that the proposal by PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan for a confederation as a solution to the Kurdish question should be supported. She further accused Prime Minister Erdogan of implementing state policy over the Diyarbakir Municipality against Kurds and Kurdish municipalities. It is apparent that the Erdogan’s AKP acquired control over many municipalities in cities of Eastern Turkey where Kurds live, and decreased the vote potential of the Democratic Society Party. Therefore, the main fear of the Kurds is to lose the municipality of Diyarbakir to the AKP in the next election. (DHA- Milliyet)

OPPOSITION TO REMOVAL OF HEADSCARF BAN IN TURKEY
January 29
Prime Minister Erdogan has cooperated with the Nationalist Action Party. The AKP of Mr. Erdogan managed to realize its six year-old electoral promise to allow the Islamic headscarf in universities with two constitutional amendments. Many experts warn the government against the amendment. Lifting the ban could cause immense problems, because the highest courts in Turkey and the European Court of Human Rights uphold the ban. Secularists regard the headscarf as a symbol of political Islam and are skeptical despite the MHP leader Devlet Bahceli’s guarantee that it would only be allowed on campuses, and not in the bureaucracy and public service. High bureaucratic officials, rectors of universities and particularly the Republican Peoples Party, known to be social democrat and secularist, oppose the cooperation between Mr. Erdogan and Mr. Bahceli over the removal of the ban. (Middle East Online)

UNIVERSITY RECTORS OPPOSE HEADSCARF WHILE THE AMENDMENT IS PROCESSING
February 1
The amendment signed by 348 deputies of the AKP and the MHP concerning the abolishment of the ban over wearing headscarf in universities, will be debated today in the constitutional commission of the parliament. The first round of the vote for the amendment will be on February 6 and the second round on February 9. While the process continues, the constitutional amendment sparked a series of protests. Academics and rectors gathered to protest over the government’s move to allow women to wear headscarf in universities. More than 100 academics from Middle East Technical University and Gazi University visited the parliament to voice their protest and met with the opposing CHPs – Republican People’s Party – group deputy-leaders. They claimed that the AKP is targeting the secular order, starting with the universities. They state that the Turkish Republic’s founding principles are gradually being undermined. While secular academics gathered to protest against the amendment, some civil society organizations held a meeting in front of the parliament to demonstrate their support for the abolishment of the ban on the headscarf, carrying placards declaring “No to uniformity and imposition”. (Turkish Daily News)

CONGRESS DEPUTY VIRGINIA FOXX REPEATED BUSH’S OPPOSITION TO THE RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE ARMENIAN ISSUE
February 1
Republican congresswoman Virginia Foxx, North Carolina, stated that the Bush administration opposed the bill recognizing the Armenian incidents as genocide. However she added that the bill might appear on the agenda again. She said “Nancy Pelosi would be acting against the will of the majority if she tries to bring the issue to the agenda again”. Foxx maintained that many congress people regret their initial decision to support the bill. Foxx stated that the visits by the Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Erdogan made a positive impact and helped shift the stance of United States towards the terrorist organization PKK. (The New Anatolian)

INCREASE IN TURKEY’S EXPORTS
February 2
According to the statistics of Turkish Exporters Union; Turkey’s exports increased by 49.27  percent and reached $US9,82 billion in January. In total, it became $US109.1 billion. Fiscal Policy Minister Kemal Unakitan expressed his confidence despite the global financial crisis.     Mr. Unakitan affirmed that 2008 would be the year of “the bests” with regard to increased privatization, foreign investment and discipline in fiscal policy. Mr. Unakitan also confirmed that the competition in real sector would rise. Foreign Trade Minister Kursad Tuzmen also emphasized the target of reaching $US125 billion in 2008 and held extensive speculation responsible for the global economic crisis. Lastly, it is informed that the effects of current recession in the United States on Turkey will be limited; more accurately, the Turkish economy is more receptive to fluctuations in the economy of the European Union. (Referans)

MEETING OF SECULARISTS IN ANITKABIR
February 2
Modern Life Supporting Charity and Republican Women Charity held a significant meeting today. Thousands of people gathered in Anitkabir, the tomb of Atatürk, in Ankara with the slogan of “222-A: 2nd month, 2nd day, and 2nd hour.” The protesters visited the tomb of M. Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The crowds marched the slogans against Prime Minister Erdogan and Nationalist leader Bahceli who are collaborating on the headscarf issue. The groups carried posters of M. Kemal and expressed their determination in the visitor notebook. Debates and polarization are increasing and are steadily spreading. (Hurriyet)

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES ON THE AGENDA OF THE WORLD PRESS
February 10
The voting for the amendments in the Turkish constitution to remove the headscarf ban became an important issue worldwide, and there are many comments on the contested issue in the world media. Numerous newspapers around the world mention the historical voting in Turkey. The Washington Post states that the “Turkish Parliament ratified the increase of Conservative Islam”, and emphasized the effect of emerging Islamist elements with the removal of the ban in the most secular country in the Islamic World. Moreover, the newspaper pointed out that the Turkish Army did not react to the result of the vote. El País, the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Spain, wrote that the Islamist government, by amending the constitution, crushed a pillar of the secular state.   The New York Times also claimed that the Turkish Parliament prepared a final debate with secularists. Many secular Turks suspect the AKP of imposing its conservative values on Turkey. According to the New York Times, when devout Turkish Muslims became a part of the elite instigated conflicts about sharing the public area.
Le Monde, the French daily evening newspaper, emphasized that the secularists, who are a minority in the Parliament, began organizing meetings on the streets. Moreover, the army has remained silent during the debate between the AKP and the Kemalists. Le Figaro wrote that Turkish deputies ratified the constitutional changes to legalize the Islamic headscarf and added that thousands of people protested in Ankara during the process of ratification. Meanwhile, the BBC discussed the massive division of the Turkish public owing to headscarf issue. German Deutsche Welle also remarked that the Turkish Parliament, in taking a historical decision, harmed the basic values of the state.
The Los Angeles Times wrote that the deputies challenged the protests of the secularists. This caused clashes between the secularists, who are powerful in the universities, high courts and the military; and the more devout Turks, who have gained political power during the last few years. (Anka News Agency)

PM ERDOGAN AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER OKASYAN DEBATE IN MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE
February 10
Prime Minister Erdogan argued with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan at the 44th Munich Security Conference meeting, in which he addressed the participants. Mr. Oskanyan queried Mr. Erdogan as to why two countries that are not at war, are unable to enter a diplomatic relationship and discuss problems in a constructive manner. Mr. Erdogan responded that Turkey opened doors for negotiation when he was appointed prime minister; he also pointed out that Akdamar Island on LakeVan was restored in order to instigate relations. Mr. Erdogan stated that Turkey is a nation of peaceful intentions and asked Mr. Oskanyan why 40,000 Armenians escaped their country of origin in order to reside in Turkey, despite that they are not Turkish citizens. Mr. Erdogan further condemned Mr. Oskanyan for not withdrawing from Nagorno-Karabakh, despite formally being declared an invader by the international community. (Milliyet)

ERDOGAN CRITICIZED EU OF INSINCERITY IN STRUGGLE AGAINST PKK
February 10
Prime Minister Erdogan made a statement concerning the PKK issue at the Munich Security Conference. Mr. Erdogan condemned the EU-members for not being sincere in the struggle with the PKK. Mr. Erdogan reminded the present parties about the release of DHKP-C militants by the Belgian court. He also discussed the European countries’ aid to the PKK, despite the formal declaration of the PKK as terrorist organization. He further emphasized the determination on behalf of Turkey in the struggle against the PKK. Mr. Erdogan stated that meetings were held with Jalal Talabani, president of Iraq, and keep in touch with Masoud Barzani at low levels. Mr. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s aspirations for membership in the UN Security Council by recalling Turkey’s position in the UN as a European and an Asian country for the past 47 years. In addition Erdogan criticized the UN’s attitude on the Annan Plan after the referendum in Cyprus. Mr. Erdogan claimed that the UN has waited for four years to make a decision over Annan Plan Report. Mr. Erdogan also mentioned the offer of a privileged co-partnership by Germany and France. He emphasized Turkey’s goal and determination on obtaining full EU membership and thus rejected the mentioned privileged co-partnership. (Radikal)

THE NEW HEAD OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS WARNED THE PARLIAMENT
February 10
Hasan Gerceker, the new head of the Supreme Court of Appeals, warns the Parliament not to further erode the secular order. After Hasan Gerceker was appointed, he made his first remarks in warning the Parliament about the constitutional amendments to the headscarf issue. Gerceker visited Atatürk’s mausoleum with other top judges in order to demonstrate their support to the secular order, whilst giving a message to the deputies who ratified the amendments in the constitution. “The problem is not only the issue of the headscarf. We should not allow efforts that aim to take us back to a system of superstitions. We are against all kinds of discrimination. We are respectful of beliefs” Gerceker said. (Turkish Daily News)

ALL EYES ON PRESIDENT GUL FOR ISLAMIC HEADSCARF FREEDOM AT UNIVERSITIES
February 13
Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of two constitutional amendments brought to the floor on Saturday, putting an end to a ban against Islamic Headscarf on university campuses; but President Abdullah Gul's ratification is still needed for the new amendments to go into force. Turkey did not have a Islamic Headscarf ban on paper, but Turkey's rectors, most of whom are staunchly secular, used a previous Constitutional Court ruling as an reason to disallow the Islamic Headscarf on their campuses. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, backed by the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), passed a bill last weekend amending Articles 10 and 42 of the Constitution to make sure that the ban that does not exist on paper is not imposed on Turkish universities. Saturday's vote resulted in 411 votes for headscarf freedom and only 103 against, but the president is yet to ratify the changes.
News reports on Monday quoted the president as having stated that he has not yet made a decision on what his action would be; but to expect a veto from Gul on Islamic Headscarf freedom would be unrealistic. Meanwhile, the AK Party and the MHP have plans to make further amendments – to Article 17 of the Higher Education Law. The two parties are planning to secure freedom for the Islamic Headscarf and counter an expected appeal from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to the Constitutional Court challenging the amendments passed on Saturday. The CHP claims the end of the ban is a violation of the principle of secularism. The AK Party plan envisages an amendment to the bylaws that regulate the dress code, instead of changing the law itself. This bylaw is to be prepared by the Higher Board of Education (YÖK). (Today’s Zaman)

ERDOGAN SLAMS NEWSPAPERS FOR PUBLISHING PICTURES OF “NAKED WOMEN”
February 13
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan rejected criticism from the secular establishment and media that women who did not cover their hair might come under pressure to do so after parliament voted Saturday to lift a decades-old ban on wearing Islamic Headscarf on campus. "You are the ones who print pictures of totally naked women in newspapers against this society’s moral values. Have we interfered with that?" he said. Erdogan said secular women will remain free to dress in the way they like. "We guarantee their lifestyle," he said. Erdogan’s government says the measure is aimed at expanding democracy and freedoms as part of Turkeys EU membership bid. But secularists are suspicious about the real agenda of Erdogan, who tried to criminalize adultery before being forced by the European Union to step back. Critics have claimed that government is giving priority to issues that interest the country’s observant Muslims and delaying reforms related to free speech that would help the country’s troubled bid to join the EU. Erdogan said the ban had meant young Muslim women were forced to remove their traditional head scarves at campus entrances. Some resort to wearing wigs to class to cover their heads. The government was also expected to amend laws to specify what type of head covering will be allowed on campus to ensure that students do not attend classes in full-length Islamic garb called chadors or burqas. (Hurriyet)

TENSION RISING IN ANKARA
February 14
US Department of Justice's Michael Mukasey is on the way for 24 hour surprise visit. Mukasey, who is coming to Turkey on the invitation of Turkish Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, will spend only 24 hours in Turkey for talks expected to focus on the struggle against PKK terror. This trip to Ankara, which has been preceded by stops in both Iraq and Qatar, has special significance in that it is the first such foreign tour by Mukasey since his appointment to the position of US Attorney General last November. Authorities notes that Mukasey's visit to Ankara directly after his time in Baghdad might well indicate new efforts in either the return to Turkey of PKK terrorists captured in Iraq, or otherwise tougher sentencing for those same terrorists while actually in Iraq. Mukasey, who went on for meetings in Qatar after Iraq, will arrive in Ankara later today. While at the basis of meeting topics for Mukasey during his 24 stay in Ankara will be the subject of PKK terrorism coming out of Northern Iraq, the US Attorney General will also be talking with Turkish officials about shared legal moves that could be made between Ankara and Washington, in fighting global terror.
Within this framework, it is expected that particular focus will be put on the financial assets of people who have proven ties to the Al Qaeda terror organization in Turkey. One example of such a case is with Saudi Arabian citizen Al Kadi, whose financial assets in Turkey were originally impounded following a United Nations decision--Ankara later decided not to implement this United Nations-based decision. Statements from Prime Minister Erdogan about Al Kadi being a "dependable person" later caused wide reverberations in the press. (Hurriyet)

ERDOGAN TURNS HIS FIRE ON SECULARIST NEWSPAPERS
14 February
The escalating tension between the government and secularists over the headscarf ban has given rise to another battle of words between the government and the media. In a meeting with his party's provincial executives yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan defended the government's move to lift the ban on the Islamic headscarf in universities and rejected criticism that secular women who do not cover their head might soon face pressure to do so and said that those women will remain free to dress as they choose. Erdoğan also accused the media of creating social tension and polarization. Some secularist newspapers described Erdoğan's tone as being fierce and daily Hürriyet ran the headline “411 hands voted for chaos” just after Parliament passed a bill over the weekend to liberate headscarf in universities. Erdoğan said being fierce is part of the art of oratory.  “We aren't criticizing you for your criticism. But if you show 411 hands as the hands of chaos, you receive such criticism." he said. (Turkish Daily News)

US GENERAL DISCUSSES PKK TERRORISM
February 14
A senior United States general arrived in Ankara yesterday for talks with military officials on joint efforts to curtail outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists based in northern Iraq.
Gen. James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, will discuss “the ongoing cooperation to counter PKK terrorism” during the one-day meeting with Turkish counterparts. Cartwright, Turkey's Deputy Chief of Staff Ergin Saygun, and Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, are coordinating measures against the PKK.  Washington has been supplying its NATO ally Turkey with intelligence on PKK movements in northern Iraq, where the group enjoys a safe haven. The Turkish army has, since Dec. 16, conducted five air raids on PKK targets in northern Iraq and a cross-border land operation to stop terrorists from infiltrating Turkey. Ankara says an estimated 4,000 PKK terrorists take refuge in camps in the mountains of northern Iraq, which they use as a springboard for attacks in Turkey. (Turkish Daily News)

PRESIDENT GUL CALLS ON ALL TO REVIVE EU REFORM PROCESS
February 14
President Abdullah Gül has called on the government, parliament and political parties to cling to reform process related to the country’s European Union membership process at a time when a considerable part of intellectuals and public opinion have started questioning the government’s commitment to more reforms. “Nobody should assume that we have been in this reform process to persuade others … or to satisfy others. On the contrary, we have been in this reform process to make our own people happy, to show that we care more about our own people and to raise our own standards,” Gül said. “Policies of certain member [EU] states should not hold us back. If need be we should open and close chapters on our own initiative,” Gül stated, addressing the Foreign Ministry staff during his visit. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, also Turkey’s chief EU negotiator who recently admitted that there has been a considerable slowdown in the government’s activity concerning reforms necessary for the country’s accession to the EU, was in attendance. In his speech, Gül said that the government and the Foreign Ministry staff had made many achievements together and that opening the negotiation process between the EU and Turkey was achieved thanks to these joint and coordinated efforts. (Today’s Zaman)

US VICE PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEY IN MARCH
February 15
US Vice President Dick Cheney will pay an official visit to Turkey in March. Cheney will be accompanied by high-level military officials. The team will also include civilian officials, according to the sources. The visit is planned for one day. Cheney will meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul as well as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. He is also expected to hold talks with the Turkish General Chief of Staff Yasar Buyukanit His visit is expected to focus on the struggle against PKK, Turkey’s role in Iran’s nuclear standoff and Turkish army’s support to NATO forces in Afghanistan, the sources said. Throughout all of these meetings to take place in Ankara, authorities said a strong focus will be placed on the strategic partnership between Turkey and the US. In the meantime, the US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, is also expected to be making a visit soon to Ankara. According to sources, Gates may come as part of the Cheney delegation, or separately. The growing number of top level meetings between Turkish and American officials, particularly in the wake of last November's meeting between Erdogan and US President George W. Bush at the White House, is attracting attention in both capitals. (Hurriyet)

DEMONSTRATION IN HAKKARI
February 15
Hundreds of Kurdish protesters armed with stones battled police in southeast Turkey on Friday, leaving a young demonstrator dead and dozens of people injured on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist organization leader Abdullah Ocalan's capture. The clashes occurred in several towns across the southeastern Anatolia. Police detained scores of demonstrators, who had been protesting Ocalan's capture. Demonstrators hurled rocks at police and smashed the windows of shops that had opened for business, despite a call to join the protest. At least 15 people were hospitalized in Hakkari, and police rounded up around 50 protesters. Several shops across the region closed after being reportedly threatened by Ocalan's terrorist organization, PKK. The protests are called each year on the anniversary of Ocalan's capture to demand the terrorist leader be released.
Ocalan was captured in Kenya after being forced to leave a Greek diplomatic mission there in 1999. He was sentenced to death for leading an insurgency in Turkey's southeast that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 1984. His sentence was commuted to life in prison, which he is serving as the sole inmate on a prison island near Istanbul. (Sabah)

PALESTINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN ANKARA
February 15
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki arrived in Ankara on Thursday. Al-Maliki will chair a meeting of Palestinian ambassadors to European countries in Ankara on Friday.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will address the participants during opening session of the meeting. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with al-Maliki. Al-Maliki and ambassadors will also be received by Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (The New Anatolian)

EVERYONE WAITS FOR GUL’S DECISION ON HEADSCARF
February 16
The constitutional amendment, that proposes to abolish the ban on wearing the Islamic Headscarf in universities, is at the desk of president Abdullah Gul. So far, Gul was criticized for his immediate approval of all the laws and personnel appointments sent by the government. However for this crucial decision, surprisingly, Gul is keeping the amendment waiting for 5 days. According to public opinion, Gul was expected to sign the proposal in no time like he did in the previous examples. The reason behind Gul’s decision to wait is interpreted as being related to sharp criticisms coming from the academic and judiciary circles, and criticism for his immediate approval of proposals from the government. Also, it is said that Gul’s unexpected stance may be stemmed from a speech he made in parliament stressing that he will try to keep his neutrality by all means, and try to embrace all the people in order to be everyone’s president. Nevertheless, everyone thinks that waiting for a “no” to the amendment is not realistic. The AKP-MHP alliance is waiting for Gul’s decision because they are planning to enhance the amendment by changing the 17th paragraph of the Higher Education Board code. On the other hand, the opposition parties, CHP and DSP also wait for Gul’s decision to apply to the constitutional court if the expected approval comes from Cankaya. (Milliyet)

BAYKAL: TURKEY IS TURNING INTO A MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY
February 16
Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairman Deniz Baykal, stating that Turkey was rapidly turning into a Middle Eastern country, said “This process which was started from Islamic Headscarf will spread to all of society like an oil stain”. He claimed that the traditional route for Turkey towards the Europe was changed. Baykal underlined the social pressure that would most likely be affecting women. He strongly stressed that the process has nothing to do with democracy, respect for human rights and enhancing liberties. He expressed his admiration for the reactions of the universities, media, and judiciary bodies and said that CHP’s concerns do converge with theirs. Baykal stated that all these reactions are disturbing the prime minister, indicating Erdogan’s responses as proof of this. (Hurriyet) 

JOINT PLAN FOR THE RETURN OF THE PKK MILITANTS
February 16
The U.S administration sent Minister of Justice Michael Mukasey to Ankara after his contacts in Baghdad, in the context of the joint campaign against terror. Mukasey, who worked over the errors of the judicial system inherited from the Saddam era in Bagdad, also examined the situation of the PKK militants whom Turkey demanded extradited. American sources indicated that Mukasey, alongside with the PKK issue, was working on the “gaps of the judicial systems” that Al-Qaeda is benefiting from and in this study, Turkish lawyers were also playing an important role. The same sources stated that everything that can be done about the PKK militants was considered in the context of a joint plan and that they lay stress upon ways that can quickly give results. Mukasey met with Turkish Minister of Justice Mehmet Ali Sahin and Minister of Internal Affairs Besir Atalay. In the statements he made before leaving Ankara, Mukasey said that the U.S. is a keen ally of Turkey in the struggle against terrorism and that they are evaluating the issue of the return of PKK militants in this context. (Radikal)

PALESTINIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HELD DISCUSSIONS IN ANKARA

February 16
The Palestinian Authority’s ambassadors to European countries and foreign minister Malki hold discussions in Ankara concerning the Palestinian issue. Malki called on Ankara to use its influence over radical Hamas to help a peaceful resolution to the rift among Palestinians. “Turkey enjoys a very unique situation... a good working relationship with Israel but also good relations with Hamas, the American administration and the Palestinian Authority,” Malki said following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan in Ankara.
Malki stated the expectation of the Palestinian authority from Turkey in both convincing Hamas to step back to allow the Rafah crossing to be reopened which was closed by Israel to pressure Hamas after the Islamists seized power in Gaza and also to press the Israeli leadership to show more willingness to fully engage in negotiations over final status issues (on Palestinian statehood) and to take measures to alleviate the life of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
In his speech, Babacan welcomed the Annapolis process that re-launched the stalled peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians and warned that radicals will win if the peace process failed. Babacan also repeated the Turkish government's concerns about the Israeli blockade of Gaza. “The Israeli embargo and blockade of the Gaza Strip will worsen the humanitarian crisis,” he said, urging Tel-Aviv to stop its current policies that harmed the Middle East peace process and to lift the embargo on Gaza. (Turkish Daily News) 

PROTEST OF AMBASSADORS
February 17
President Abdullah Gul, who wanted to reward ambassadors who retired in recent years for their services, faced protests by the half of the invited diplomats. A number of the invited 70 ambassadors accepted to attend the program saying that one should not refuse to attend a call from the president, no matter who occupies the position.  However another group stating that during their service in the foreign ministry, in appointments and other various issues they faced injustices, refused to participate in the awards ceremony. On the other hand, another group refused to attend the meeting as they are protesting the presidency of Gul, hence there is no way that they will take plate from his hands. After these responses, the president’s office decided to postpone the date of the ceremony from 22 February to May, with the exact date be to be determined. Also, it is said that the ceremony could take place in the foreign ministry instead of the presidential residence. (Hurriyet)

ERDOGAN IS GOING TO THANK PUTIN FOR NORTHERN CYPRUS STATEMENT
February 17
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is going to thank Russian President Vladimir Putin for his words on Northern Cyprus. Erdogan evaluated Putin’s sentences as an important statement towards the recognition of the Northern Cyprus. Putin, in his annual press conference in the Kremlin, accused European countries of implementing double standards concerning their approach to Kosovo and Northern Cyprus. Advocating that recognizing the independence of Kosovo was “unethical”, in his speech Putin said “I do not want to say anything that will offend anyone; however Northern Cyprus is in fact independent for 40 years. Why don’t you recognize them? Are you not ashamed of double standards?” (Hurriyet)

AZERI PRESS: PKK IS SETTLING IN KARABAKH
February 17
In the Azeri newspaper Musavat it is claimed that PKK militants that had escaped from Northern Iraq were being settled in the Armenian occupied area Karabakh. Frank Urbanick, advisor of the Undersecretary of State for the struggle against terrorism, who came to Baku after Ankara 3 days ago, made contacts about the issue, the newspaper said. In the words of Azerbaijani deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, “PKK started to threaten Azerbaijan too”. Musavat also wrote that after taking heavy hits from the Turkish Armed Forces, PKK decided to change the location of their bases. As the basis of its claims, Musavat cited the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post’s intelligence sources. According to that, PKK militants are receiving aid from the Armenian intelligence agency and from Kurdish businessmen in the region. Musavat, stating that the “Debka File” that is known for its close relationship with MOSSAD also confirms these news, put forward that the PKK militants are given citizenship in Armenia. (Milliyet)

TOWARDS TURKIC UNION
18 February
The proposal that Prime Minister Erdogan made during the “Meeting of the Turkic States and Societies for Friendship, Brotherhood and Cooperation” in Baku about forming a Turkic Union is gradually coming to life. For the project to vitalize, an inter-parliamentarian council among the Turkish speaking states is going to be formed. On 20-22 February, a meeting between the speakers of parliament of Turkic speaking states will be held in Antalya, with the participation of Koksal Toptan, speaker of the Turkish parliament. In the meeting, representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are expected to be present. The topics to be discussed in the meeting will be the number of the members of the inter-parliamentarian council, the council’s seat, and its functions. (Radikal)

MILITARY IS GOING TO BRING THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF ISSUE TO THE AGENDA OF NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
18 February
The Turkish Armed Forces will express their concerns about the Islamic headscarf amendment to the government in the National Security Council (MGK) this week. It is planning to state that the Islamic headscarf is the “uniform of political Islam”, and that the implementation of the amendment is likely to cause social frictions.
The military, which kept its silence until the amendment was approved in parliament, will voice its opinions in a clear way that will present the seriousness of the problem both to the government and (in case he has not ratified the amendment by then) the president.
In the meeting, another topic in the agenda is expected to be PKK terrorism. The Armed Forces are expected to inform the council members about air operations against PKK camps in Northern Iraq. The military will also inform the council about its partnership with the US and a possible land operation in Spring. It is said that the military is going to share its opinion abut the operations, which they believe broke the spirit of the terrorist organization, however the generals are expected to suggest that this is not enough and that all economic and social potential should be mobilized as soon as possible. (Vatan)

The Turkey Analyst
The Turkey Analyst is a publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Joint Center, designed to bring authoritative analysis and news on the rapidly developing domestic and foreign policy issues in Turkey. It is published weekly, and includes a topical analysis, as well as translations and summaries of selected Turkish news reports. It is edited and compiled under the supervision of Svante E. Cornell, Halil M. Karaveli, and M. K. Kaya.

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