MILLIYET- Columnist Hasan Cemal comments on the recent list published by the EU regarding terrorist organizations. A summary of his column is as follows:
The confusion in the EU regarding what is terror and who is a terrorist continues unabated. It may be that this confusion is a choice made consciously. The Union may believe that he who doesn't harm the EU can be left alone. The PKK is a terrorist organization and so is the DHKP-C. However, the list the EU has released begs to differ. If the PKK or the DHKP-C are not terrorist organizations, what are they? The EU cannot defend this choice. It cannot answer the questions of the Turkish side behind closed doors and gives signs that these two organizations will be included in other lists, which will be published later. Did no one learn from the tragedy of Sept. 11? This stance is affecting Turkish-EU relations adversely and strengthens the hands of those who would like to keep Turkey away from Europe. In addition, it is hampering Turkey's democratization and reform process besides encouraging the PKK. Some issues, such as education in a mother tongue, cannot be solved through demonstrations in the streets. The solution for them needs time, and care. If you carry the issue to the streets this will only backfire. Turkey has entered a critical year. The importance of 2002 lies in the fact that there will be important developments regarding Turkish-EU relations. If the date for accession negotiations are finalized at the end of the year at the latest, a vital threshold will have been passed. Thus, Turkey's EU membership will get on a track with no return. There are many responsibilities falling upon everyone regarding the issue. We hope that the EU convinces Belgium and the Netherlands and puts the PKK and DHKP-C on its terrorist organizations list. We also hope it is realized that a sensitive issue like education in Kurdish needs care and patience and that it should not be carried to the streets. Otherwise, the hands of those who would like to keep Turkey away from Europe will be strengthened.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION