Europe's Schizophrenia Keeps Turkey Out

by Khaled Al-Maeena

The Turks are in a quandary. They desperately want to be a part of the European scene, but a large segment of the European political system doubts whether Turkey can fit into Europe's mosaic. The Turkish press always jumps for joy whenever any European, major or minor, gives encouraging signs for admitting Turkey to the European Union. What excites many in Turkey even more are statements by European leaders acknowledging Turkey's right to join the European Union. Hence the jubilation on hearing Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo say, "Turkey has a European future."

The Turks have been troubled by mixed signals. The anti-Turk lobby, moved by its obsession with "human rights violations," has objected to Turkey's membership in the European Union. Then there is the Greek lobby, which does not want Europe to have anything at all to do with Turkey. And of course there are those who fear Turkey's Islamic roots.

Alarm bells are ringing in Europe these days because of Necmettin Erbakan's government. In some quarters, it is perceived as drawing Turkey away from Europe and into the Islamic camp. The religious fervor in Turkey plus a call by a large number of Turks wanting a return to the country's Islamic roots is causing alarm and consternation.

The European Christian Democrats expressed their reservations and revealed their prejudices, both ethnic and religious, by rejecting a Turkish move into Europe.

Wilfred Martens, the former prime minister of Belgium, speaking in racist tones, dashed outright any Turkish hopes of practical support when he stated categorically "Turkey is not a candidate to become a member of the EU." He was echoing German as well as Spanish voices and was focusing on a European identity and civilization.

However much the Europeans may deny it, the fact remains that because of Turkey's ethnic and religious affiliation, its chances of entering the European Union are far less than Zimbabwe's.

The fact that countries like Bulgaria and Romania, perceived for decades as part of the "Evil Empire," are now being welcomed as Europeans reveals the schizophrenia of modern European political thought.

Turkey's different identity can be a connecting bridge.

That schizophrenia prevents European statesmen from perceiving a truth obvious to all but those who are determined not to see, that Turkey's different ethnic and religious identity and affiliation need not be a separating wall; it can be a connecting bridge. Though secular, Turkey is an important Muslim country, and so can serve as a wedge between Europe and the Muslim world. Turkey's membership in the European Union will not open, as one would assume from the hard-to-get posture of Europe, a one-way chute carrying benefits from Europe to Turkey. It will be two-way traffic, benefiting both.

The Turks are continuing their drive for membership, citing their role in NATO. It has, unfortunately, done little good for them. Even the United States cannot help. The EU now is planning the inclusion of 10 countries, mainly from Eastern Europe, and to Turkey's frustration, it is once again being left out.

Excuses offered by the Europeans are many. They include violations of human rights, the rise of religious extremism, army interference in political and economic life and a host of others.

The argument that an Islamist prime minister is at the helm of affairs does not stand up to inspection. All previous Turkish governments had the EU door slammed in their faces and they were the ones who rejected Turkey's Islamic roots and yearned for entry into the European club.

This is a clear indication of European prejudice. The Turks should now look elsewhere for comfort.

To Become Equal Partners in the World

By Khaled Al-Maeena

We commend the declaration adopted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in Islamabad. By the same token, we do not want it to be simply ink on paper. The OIC has rightly decided that it must deal with a world that is changing both rapidly and profoundly, complete with a full array of economic, military and social challenges. Newer and harsher realities than ever before are springing to life. The world is no longer cloistered; countries no longer crowd safely under the umbrella of one or the other of the two superpowers, as was previously the case.

Today, there is one self-proclaimed superpower, the United States. It has its own agenda which serves its own advantage. We have to learn how to deal with it.

The OIC member states have discussed frankly their ideas on promoting harmony, tolerance and understanding among all peoples by consciously eschewing exclusivity, domination, religious, racial or cultural prejudice and extremism.

This noble stand has to be met with equal enthusiasm by all others. To equate Islam and Muslims with hate and violence is far removed from reality. But this perception is adding a dark chapter to our already disorganized and disunited world.

To combat such wicked and incorrect impressions, the Muslim world, which comprises one-fifth of the world's population and exports 40 percent of the world's raw materials, must organize itself, putting its own house in order.

It is no use wallowing in self-pity. It does not serve our purpose to continue harping on the "conspiracy theory." While I do believe that there are instances of certain powers who wish to divide and create turmoil amongst our people, even changing the demography of certain countries, for example in occupied Palestine, we simply cannot go on singing this tune.

Why not a sincere session of self-evaluation and soul-searching? Why not analyze our present assets and pinpoint our liabilities? Why should not we be bold enough to admit that our failures and debacles are due to our own weaknesses, rather than any grand design? Instead of trying to suppress new ideas and impede the free flow of thought, we must create a mechanism where all voices can be heard and those worth listening to, heeded.

In the era of the Internet, cloning and undreamed-of technological advancement, we need ideas to implement, ideas that would answer our needs. We must realize that we are almost in the 21st century, with its uncertainties and challenges. Instead of burying our heads in the sand, we must face these truths, containing and modifying them to our own ends. We must be bold enough to speak the truth. "For the best amongst the believers is he who speaks the truth." Let us call a spade a spade and not a shovel.

Why don't we identify the problems that surround us and make a concerted effort to solve them, not by practicing fancy words for public consumption but by beginning the long hard march to solutions.

One of Islam's holiest shrines, Al Quds, is now under occupation. At the same time, the demographics of the city which holds it are being changed. No amount of persuasion or "chiding," even by Israel's American allies, is going to change the facts.

We don't want war. There has been too much war and too little solution. While negotiating is valuable, there are other means available to us. The United States cannot and will not help us. It is clearly under Israeli domination, and though many Americans will be upset by this, it is the bitter truth.

The Europeans have fewer constraints. They may be able to help. If not, they can be made to "understand" to help.

Why not apply sanctions? The United States, which is obsessed by "sanctionists," will be "happy" to note that the Arabs are applying this model. Why have sanctions on Muslim countries only? It is because of our disunity and weakness that fails to tell the U.S. and its European allies that enough is enough. Why do we not cease all trade with those who support Netanyahu's madness? Don't some of us have the guts of the child who asked for a second cup of soup in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist?

I am sure, among the billion Muslims around the world, there are quite a few who are not afraid to demand their rights and stop others from riding roughshod over them. The United States and Europe should know and note that all hell will break loose if continued provocations do not cease. They must be made aware that Israel is destroying the peace process.

Right now the Israelis are armed to the teeth, thanks to freely supplied American weapons, compliments of the gullible American taxpayer. Times are changing. There is a new breed growing up and that will, in the next century, ask why they are always on the receiving end.

We have to focus on our needs. The Muslim world should tackle the issues of education, the environment, food and water security. It should endeavor to promote greater cooperation among regional economic groupings. We should shed the feeling of "inferiority" and promote our own values, reaffirming our faith in God and in ourselves. Without a revival of these Islamic principles of justice and law where the right of the individual is guaranteed as enunciated in the Holy Qur'an, we can do nothing.

Only then will we become equal partners in the world of today and of the future as well.

This column was reprinted with permission from the March 25, 1997 issue of the Arab News of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.