ARTICLE PENNED BY DR ZEYNEL ABIDIN ERDEM PUBLISHED IN “STAR” A TURKISH DAILY NEWSPAPER CIRCULATED ON MARCH 13TH.

Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Prime Minister held a live interview broadcast from the Cape Town by Channel 7 on Friday evening during his visit to the South Africa, during which he made a very fine tune, which is actually a call to the nation. The interview included clear and explicit answers to the questions that highly concern the public in recent times.

It is the first time that a leader of a political party says that “he doesn’t care about the resignations; any Parliament member representing the Party of Enlightenment and Development (AKP) could go on in any side he wanted and if this is what will bring happiness and good to the nation then they should better resign” As a matter of fact, neither leader so far has been brave enough to make such a call and address the members and top executives of his party in a fearless manner. This is a real statement of sacrifice, realism, lack of fear and confidence. In that case, it crystallized that no one will cry behind those who will leave the party. It was stated there is a point of no turning even at the level of Ministry.

Esteemed Prime Minister advised the ministers and top executives to work a little bit harder, requesting them to accelerate their works and to tell what was on their mind. He answered a wise “both no and yes” to the reporter’s question, which was actually a very fined and political answer. He gave his message with his real intention and it was what should be.

NO PROBLEM WITH THE USA

Prime Minister Erdoğan gave a very brave, clear and explicit message on the Turkish –US relations, as his comments were breathlessly expected from him: “There is not a problem. We will talk about, deal with and do whatever we need at the top level. The USA is a country that has been an ally and friend of us for a long time. We will sustain this system and the alliance.” The fact that we have heard a Turkish prime minister say these things is an indication that the future Turkish-USA relations will be discussed at the top level. It made all of us happy for Turkish and US people that this problem was overcome.

Our opinions that lots of problems which do not actually exist and third parties are willing to charge on Turkey will tire us in future is still valid. Turkey is a strategic ally of the USA. Turkey may choose not to like USA’s acts in Iraq or our citizens may criticize such acts on their personal opinions. But Turkey is not an enemy of the USA. Almost a 70% majority answered yes to the question “do you think the USA is an ally and a friend of Turkey”, and “no” to the Iraqi war. Certain comments which were certainly misunderstood, which third parties are willing to distort and package in the form of a “message”, such as “relations are at peril” or “Turkish-USA relations are almost over, will be over, is over” will be overcome as soon as possible via our Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s valuable contribution.

The USA has never been a single voice and unit. There are considerable Jewish lobby, Pentagon lobby and the Senate lobby. Then we have understood the essence of the things. I think that we are on action to reach a quick solution from every corner.

Prime Minister’s answer to the issue of International Travels

Mr. Prime Minister answered to the issue of his travels to foreign countries in simple words: “Sell your item and be spared from poverty; contact and increase your circle.” This was what Mr. Turgut Ozal applied in the past and was useful.

Republican Public Party and Dear Mr. Baykal

I heard Mr. Baykal the Leader of the Main Opposition Party in a TV channel on Friday. Mr Baykal made some worth criticisms about the Enlightenment and Development Party’s policies on poor people and agriculture, and made some striking and comprehensive explanations both on Turkish Monopoly’s privatization and other issues. According to me, these explanations should be taken into consideration and answered by Turkish government, ruling party leaders and even by the Prime Ministry. As a matter of fact, the function of the Opposition Party is an authority that makes warnings and points out and reveals things that we thought we overlooked. It serves as a radar and explicitly criticizes the policies. It reveals the suffering of the people, the steps taken, what the public has gained so far and what should be done next. In this way, a mutual dialogue and a consensus starts with the opposition party. As soon as the opportunity of a discussion and decision-making is attained between the ruling party and the opposition, the nation will certainly benefit from this.