Turkey as a member for EU?

Submitted by Omer (Turkey), Dec 19, 2005 at 07:15

In reply to the post submitted by Octavio Johanson, May 06, 2005 at 18:30

First of all I would like to thank you for expressing such a protest on Turkey becoming a member of EU so delicate. As I was surfing through the blogs and forums trying to understand why rest of the world hate Turkey so much I perceived that people doesnt only hate Turkey but they also abhor "Turkish people". It is something that can be easily understood to hate from a country because of some just or unjust historical facts. but such a hatred to every single Turk living on the planet; well that sounds racism by most kind expression. How we perceive politics, strategy, history and "others" is affected strongly by our national identity.

I can understand Greeks hating Turkey because there is a 500 years that they cannot explain to their children (no nation is that complex-free to teach "yes we were ruled by Ottoman for 500 hundred years"). I can understand Armenia hating Turkey because they claim genocide (no nation is that miserable to confess that they hit us from our back and what we did was not genocide but re-locationing -most of the Armenians died from harsh weather conditions, starvation and epidemic invasions- and thats something most humanitarian thing for the specific condition).

I can understand West Europe countries hating Turkey as they fear us as Turkey being Ottoman Empires extension, which was a powerful threat to their territories. As I understand this fear is not a past tense anymore. From the comments of Mr. Octavio Johanson, whom I believe is representing general oppinion of Europeans, I see that Turkey is perceived as a serious threat to what EU is all about, threat to a "well organised union" based on Anglo-Saxon Christianity doctrines, threat to all what ever you name...

Well as a Turk, my opinion on this subject is simple; Yes, Turkey does not fit to EU nation and I do not see myself as "European". We have totaly different cultural background (West Europe). West Europe is commonly refered with racism and colonialism . West Europe is more organised with the help of money exploited from colonies all over the world (remember the word "first we had the money and they had the bible a time passed and now we have the bible and they have the money"). Europe has witnessed and applauded the planets most disgracefull racism wave leaded by one so civilized Germany and now Europeans crown themselves as the cradle of humanrights and democracy. There is a new cover for wars nowadays; exporting democracy. Europe has no military power to export democracy (as America does) but is brazen-faced to export humanrights and civilization.

I'm speaking both for historical and cultural facts; Turkey, as an extension of the Ottoman Empire, as once ruled over numerious cultures on continents for over 800 years and to date still living in harmony with all different cultures and races within the boundaries of Turkey, has nothing to learn from Europeans which are self-deceived and blind to see themself as the center of civilization, democracy, human-rights and whatever you claim to be yours.

I can assume that you are now a little bit confused of how I can talk like this when we are so racist against the Kurds. Well thats because we are not. First of all I will have to explain what we understand from being a Turk. With a simplified explanation, every one living under the flag within the boundaries of The Turkish Republic is called Turk. The term Turk is independent from any race related expressions. There are hundreds of sub cultures and historical backgrounds under the name Turk (laz, çerkez, abaza, manav, jews, ermeni, kurds...etc) There is no discrimination among in constitution and in practice. It can't be. Even if we tried to isolate and discriminate , for instance Kurds from our community, our politics, our lands thats impossible.

No one really knows who is who and no one asks. But at this point I must add some information about my political stand towards Kurds. I have no problem with Kurds having no problem with being a Turk, as I described, and at least trying to be a good citizen like we all do. But there is a minority which has an ambition to take some part of Turkey (south east). And I'm sad to see that this minority has the loudest voice among the european media. A minority which has its formation from you Europeans.

Just because Europe has interest on this strategic area. Just for petrol and domination politics. You have no shame to shake those bloody hands, the murderer of 30,000 (not exaggeration). Among this number the most percentage is teachers, doctors, engineers, local authoroties, investers, journalists...and the list goes on). You may ask wether the conditions on that region is suitable for practicing humanrights. Well...then I shall ask you what measures did America took after 11/9 or Britain after the metro bombing or France after civil riots. How many men you have lost for these attacks. 10 maybe 20... If numbers count, try 30,000.

There is nothing more or less un-humanitarian going on at that region different from Belfast. In addition this minority is in an armed terrorist act against my people, which is sponsored from the taxes you pay. To every one who has a dream of taking away what's ours: Yes, we cannot stop people from dreaming a Kurdistan in our soils but there is a price for that, which we are ready to pay with our lives to defend it. Are you ready to pay the price. Well, thats something that you should decide. Enough of this patriotic speech of mine, consider it as a reminder.

Any way back to the question

Does Turkey fit to the EU?
No...definitly not.

But not because of we are radical islam ruled undeveloped country. Because we are not. Even our population is greatly dominated by muslims we are not an Islam oriented governy. We seperate religion from our politics, constitution, the way we live and everything else. That's why we are secular and you are not. We even dont consult to an institution equal to Vatican. We have a very wide range of relegion in our cultural mozaic and every relegion has its own and equal rights to practice.

Come and visit Hagia Sophia for instance. Many of you may think or beleive it is used as a mosque in Istanbul but it is not. We also celebrate new year as you do and it is an official holiday in Turkey. The most harsh criticisim directed towards the government nowadays in politics is because the government (AKP) is trying to allow using scarf in governmental institutions and universities (In Turkey it is not allowed to use or wear relegion related items, symbols or clothes in universities and governmental institutions). The examples on why we are secular far from any Europen country may be extended.

Now I'm asking again: Do you insist on to beleive what Mr. Octavio Johanson's observation "It doesn't. Turkish secularism doesn't exist, and we will soon welcome millions of Radical Islamists into Europe". Or do you still want to believe what you want to.

Are we the supporters of Radical İslamic movement?
Definitely not? We are trying to get rid of any bit of radicalism of any kind left.

Is there any anti-modernist radical islamists in Turkey?
Sure there is but not more than you do have radical christians.

Are we racist?
No we are not. There are traitors who have dreams to distort our borders and we are taking action on this situation. And your hands are as much covered with blood as the ones killed 30,000 people.

Are we a millitary threat to you?
No. We have no interest on Greeks or other EU members ground.

Did we invade Cyprus?
Yes we did. An action to be taken against Greeks genocide activity towards Turks in Cypres. If Britain was dignified enough to do what she was supposed to do that wouldn't be necessary.

Try to evaluate Turkey and Turkish people on real facts, on what have happened realy and what is realy going on. If you do not whant to...well it is your decision. But do not forget these things.

We can be a member or not to EU but EU needs us if she wants to have a vote on Middle East and petrol reserves. We have the regions most powerful military and you can be sure nothing can happen against our will. Or it can happen if the price is payed (for both). European age average is too high and idle she needs young blood and labourforce to maintain its industry. EU needs some gross consumer to sell its products.

I guess what your leaders are thinking are these facts not "I love Turkey and Turkish people, lets hug them". You dont want to see me on your streets...well get used to it. And try to learn more about the real Turkey.

And one more thing. You evaluate Turkish people with what you see on the streets of Europe. I can say that these people trying to adopt with your life style (and not good at it) are mostly the ones migrated from the most undeveloped part of SouthEast of Turkey, where you like to see as the Kurdish part. Now if you insist on that there are Turks and Kurds and they are seperate, I say the ones you call Turks on your streets are mostly Kurds and not Turks. You give a hug to them.

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