BY FERAI TINC
HURRIYET- During the Rumeli Turks Culture and Solidarity Association’s congress in Istanbul yesterday, I saw that the association’s logo has a horseman bearing a green flag with three crescents. I heard that the three crescents represented the Ottoman victory over Istanbul (then Constantinople). Maybe this is the case. However, recently, the issue of Turks living outside Turkey has been evaluated only as part of nationalism. Don’t you think that it has an effect, because this image has been in the exclusive possession of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and its followers? Turks living in Balkan countries, mostly in Kosovo, have lost their status as a fundamental element. I believe the disorganization of Turks from the Balkans to Iraq has an impact on this situation. Lutfi Turkkan, a former chairmen of the association, said, “Turks are the only ethnic group whose language has been prohibited in Yugoslavia and whose rights aren’t recognized.’ These words prove this fact.
There were various important politicians, including those from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) at yesterday’s meeting. Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan and his wife came to the platform as Rumelis themselves. His wife promised that she would give out her phone number so people can call her if they have any problems. Such promises generally mean little; let’s see what will happen this time. Kemal Unakitan said, ‘We, the people of Rumeli, have always struggled to continue our unity and live humanely. However, now we should open a new chapter. We should change our point of view concerning the issue of ethnic nationalism. We should be stronger in countries where we live and increase our influence. We also have to think of the economic power of our kin living in other territories.” His approach reminded me of our late President Turgut Ozal’s vision, which was left uncompleted. CHP deputy leader Onur Oymen said, ‘It’s our responsibility to protect Turks’ rights.’ An ethnic nationalist approach has always been dominant concerning Rumeli Turks. Now there are other suggestions. Bulgarian and Macedonian Turks are working to play an effective role in the countries where they are citizens and help these establish a strong cooperation with Turkey. This must be the new vision, one not based on ethnic nationalism, and one which tries to make European values valid in Turkey as well. Former diplomat Mehmet Ali Bayar’s remarks were also important. He said, ‘Our history of being expelled from the Balkans became the reason for such evil actions as genocide which stained Europe’s conscience during the 20th century. We should warn Europe. Every order sought on the basis of provoking ethnic nationalism leads to disaster.’ It’s easy to follow ethnic nationalism but it’s a dead end, full of sorrow.