Turkey And The EU Versus Turkey And The Muslim World By Ali Al-Hail

Turkey And The EU Versus Turkey And The Muslim World

By Ali Al-Hail

Al-Jazeerah, December 22, 2006

Once upon a time during 2004, the European Commission's conscious all of a sudden, awakened. It had come up with a proposition to lift 'racist' sanctions off the Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Conspicuously, relaxing economic restrictions that, have been over 3 decades, biting hard at 'Muslim' Northern Cypriots whilst, their 'Christian' neighbor at the South having full benefit of the EU, including the membership. The European Cooperation (the EC) long time before the European Union's (the EU's) establishment, boycotted Northern Cyprus since 1974, as Cyprus was divided into Greek-backed Southern Cyprus, and Turkish-backed Southern Cyprus. The separation was a result of a Turkish invasion in 1974 ostensibly, to put an end to a long time suffering and deprivation to 'Muslim' Cypriots of the North by the 'Christian' Cypriots of the South.

The 'infamous' proposal included 259 million euro ($318 million, as was the rate in 2004). The 'promised' direct cash was reported to have Northern Cyprus undertaking domestic projects as well as, enabling it joining in with EU member states, to promote better development and trade. Covertly, the plan was thought to help open Northern Cypriot strategic ports for Southern Cypriot products whereas overtly, looked as an aid offer to Northern Cypriots.

One assumed, as did many then, the European Commission aimed at easing up tensions with Turkey over its controversial accession to the European Union (the EU), in view of its policy as regard to an enlargement to incorporate other states in Europe as member states in the EU. Since Turkey was and is still the only country that, recognizes the existence of the Republic of Northern Cyprus, as an independent and sovereign state, the EU had apparently, attempted to pretend that, (albeit both Turkey, and its ally, Northern Cyprus were not in the EU), Northern Cypriots weren't forgotten. Observers in the region, and beyond quite often referred to the premise that, the European Commission's move was attempting to incite Northern Cypriots against their Turkish-sponsored Northern Cypriot government. Whatever the intention was it had remarkably, failed.

Here one has to remember that, "road to hell quite often, is paved with good intentions"! Despite severe sanctions, Northern Cypriots, relying upon Turkey survived 32 years, and had never considered toppling their government.

Having said that, however, the European Commission made public that, its action had nothing to do with anything alteria. It was, as the EU had claimed merely, a symbolic gesture as the Northern Cypriots were in favour of a UN 'manifesto' to have the divided island united, with Greek-patronage-Southern Cyprus.

Knowing nonetheless, the Machiavellian nature of Western politics the European Commission's initiative towards Northern Cypriots, was conceived within this Machiavellian attitude especially, when it comes to Muslims, as many precedents evidently, demonstrate. This performance shouldn't be looked at in isolation of historical relations between Muslims and Westerners that has always, been subjected to emotions and moral panic. Therefore, the issue of Majority Muslim Turkey, and its ally, Northern Cyprus is a part of this outlook which is ingrained into Western mind.

According to the former EU enlargement commissioner Gunter Verheugen (2004) was circulated to have declared ;"As the Turkish Cypriot community expressed overwhelming support for the UN Plan to reunify Cyprus, it would have been unfair, to say the least, to leave it out in the cold."

Despite the fact that, both the UN and the EU put forward a consensus upon reunifying the island before 'Christian' Southern Cyprus became a member state in the EU on 1 May, 2004, accepting the 'Christian' Southern Cyprus, while at the same time neglecting 'Muslim' Northern Cyprus was widely, seen as provocative to Muslims allover the globe. Notably, the UN and the EU reunifying plan had the consent of the Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by the Greek Cypriot majority, though the plan gave Greek-Cypriots an upper hand over Turkish Cypriots.
As the EU Commissioner described the plan, had it implemented, would have brought up economic prosperity to Northern Cyprus and help narrow the gap between the two divides. The EU commissioner meanwhile, had fallen short of stating that, Southern Cyprus should've not been rewarded by joining the EU, for rejecting reunification. Oppositely, he should've rallied for Northern Cyprus to become a state member in the EU for agreeing to the UN, and the EU proposal to reunify the island.

Hence, 'Muslim' Northern Cyprus were punished by 'Christian' EU not just by not providing it with the financial grant that, promised by the EU, or by including it in the EU but also, by subjecting it to harsh embargo for the past 32 years. Despite the Turkish government's appeals to the EU, (the latest was only, last week) to terminate sanctions imposed upon Northern Cyprus, all these requests unfortunately, had fallen on dough ears in the EU.

Although the current Finnish EU Commissioner, Olli Rein comparatively, speaking is more sympathetic to Turkey's and Northern Turkish Cyprus's 'eagerness' to join the EU, there are and, have been key member states that, almost seem to overwhelm his compassion. The most recent attempt, in a long series of outwardly, an endless obstacles by the EU, to 'breaking up Turkey's further rows' in order to deadlock its chance to become a member state had recently, manifested itself in the seclusion of 8 chapters, and leaving 27 chapters in the 2010 negotiation accession agreement, according to the EU's commissioner. In an interview (Euro news TV, December 19th, 2006) Olli Rhine, the EU's Commissioner hinted to the possibility that, the 8 chapter seclusion could lead to losing Turkey, as a potential member state to be. Many argue that, the 27 chapters that, were left in fulfilled EU's interests including pressurizing Turkey, and Northern Cyprus on the ports issue, and bolstering trade links with Israel. While the 8 chapters that, were left out served Turkey's interests, and more to the very central core of Turkey's strategies, including the future of Kurds in Southern Eastern Turkey, and Northern Iraq particularly, the Kurds' likely dominance of Kirkuk oil rich city of Northern Iraq, and granting Turks an access to work permanent permit in EU's countries, mainly, U.K., France, and Germany.

As was always the case in 2004, and before, it is the case now, and will be so in the future. More pressures on both Turkey, and Northern Cyprus on issues such as, to open their ports for Southern Cypriot goods, amongst many other issues. It looks as, this matter very much, sounds like a hook, upon which all Turkey's and Turks' Islamic glorious history has to be hung.

Observably, it's not the ports, it's not all past, present, and future fabricated excuses, it's the Turkey's solidarity with Muslim Cypriots of the north, it's the fact that the majority of Turks are Muslims, it's the fact that, more than 75% of Turks are against Israel, it's the fact that, even if Turks' eyes seem to be on the EU, their hearts, and minds are always with their fellow Muslims, it's the fact that, Muslim Ottoman Turkey in WWI fought with Germany against the rest of 'Christian' West.

During the Gallipoli campaign in 1915, the Ottoman Empire was allied with Germany, and defended the peninsula so well against the British-French forces (who used soldiers from their colonial lands, mainly the ANZAC/ Australia - New Zealand Armed Corps) that their sea and land attacks were all huge failures. This was a front where the Ottoman-German alliance, which ultimately lost the war, won the battle at hand. So significant was the outcome that because the British forces could not bring war supplies to their Russian allies through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits, the Russian front fell and the Bolshevik Revolution took place. my argument of the West needing Turkish military assistance still holds, though, since Germany heavily relied on its Turkish partner to attain this victory.

Some could not believe it, but this legacy still leaves a bitter taste in the EU's Christian 'arrogant' WEST. If only our people in Turkey saw the 'cards' they hold more clearly, they would be much better playing them against the fabricated excuses I have earlier referred to (Ms. Ayse Ege Yildirim, City Planner, (MA).

Fulbright Visiting Researcher for Historic Preservation, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, Private.) Having clarified that, some other thinkers in Turkey see such an account as controversial. According to Izmir Tolga (2006, Private), Turkey's (then The Ottoman Empire )in 1915 involvement in the Gallipoli Battle was totally different from what is depicted in the statement above. In brief, the historical documents refer to Gallipoli as a joint effort of the British and the French forces mounted to capture Istanbul, the Ottoman Capital at the time. The attempt failed with tragic losses for both sides and is often labeled as the Allies' greatest disaster in WW1. Contrary to previously, mentioned comments, sizable German troops were not deployed in either Gallipoli or any part of Turkey during WW1. Only, German General Liman Von Sanders was stationed near the town of Gallipoli in his capacity as an advisor to the Ottoman Chief of Staff. This town of Gallipoli, even though carrying the same name as the battle grounds are misleadingly referred to, is located at quite a distance from the war grounds on the Dardanelles straits or Çanakkale. Dardanelles or Çanakkale is where the naval and ground battles took place; thus the name Çanakkale Zaferi, The Victory of Dardanelles, one of the greatest Turkish prides.

What if Turkey came to a conclusion, after all these series of humiliation which is enough is enough, and decided it would turn to its natural, organic and original world, where it still really, belongs, and that is the Muslim World, of which Ottoman Turkey was the leader until 1913. Turkey with all its capitals, potentials, modernity and technology assuredly, could well be a \ the backbone of a possible emergence of an economic cooperation with Muslim states. Some even argue for a bigger potential of Turkey, Russia, India and
Muslim World making a solid wall between West (US&EU)
and East (China). But a lot of steps necessary to bring
people together. it had been so many years of
isolation of people very alike (Umit Yigit, 2006, Private. )

Turkey is fully aware, so are Muslim countries of the verity that, in an absence of (an EU version), amongst Muslim states their future would always be ambiguous, and vague. Especially, as the age of globalization, and the WTO requires collective groupings, rather than individual entities.

Thus, Turkey can be a motivating force for an Islamic economic cooperation, capable of facing, and catching up with rapid challenges. Adamantly, working out a formula within which such a dream could come true, would be worth considering, to say the least.

Professor, Dr. Ali Al-Hail, Professor of Mass Communication, Twice Fulbright Award Winner, Fulbright Visiting Scholar, and Board Member of AUSACE ASC, IABD, NEBAA, BEA, IMDA and EAJMC American Associations. Can be contacted via: pdaah90@hotmail.com

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

Apartheid Wall


The Israeli Land-Grab Apartheid Wall built inside the Palestinian territories, here separating Abu Dis from occupied East Jerusalem. (IPC, 7/4/04).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03).

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