MILLIYET- Columnist Taha Akyol writes on Republican People Party Chairman (CHP) Deniz Baykal's work to host an important international academic and political conference in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal had a talk yesterday with Bernard Lewis, a famous historian specializing in the Middle East and Islam, who will speak at an international conference entitled 'Civilization and Adaptation' organized by the Foreign Ministry. The panel Lewis will address is called 'The Prevention of Political Fault Lines.' During his talk with Professor Lewis, Baykal put forth the argument for a dialogue between civilizations in contrast to the 'clash of civilizations' theory. Baykal and Lewis share similar views on Turkey's important role regarding the dialogue between civilizations. Recently, the CHP has been preparing for an important international academic and political conference. This conference will be called 'The Model of Turkey for a Dialogue Between Civilizations.' The conference will probably be held in the spring, or in autumn at the latest. Baykal will also invite sociologist Samuel Huntington, the originator of the 'clash' view, to the conference. Respected Turkish scholars such as Halil Inalcik, Serif Mardin and Zafer Toprak will also be invited to the conference. In addition to Lewis and Huntington, the participation of important figures from the Socialist International in the conference will be an important achievement for the CHP if it succeeds in its efforts. Baykal says that Ottoman and even Seljuk experiences have great significance for humanity. 'The Islamic world today has a lot to learn from the modernization efforts of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Republic has presented the most successful modernization model to the Islamic world. It is in the interest of all humanity to spread and further Turkey's successes.' This vision not only demonstrates the important function of cultural legacies in the age of globalization, but also the positive signs that the CHP is breaking out of its shell and opening up to wider horizons and new ideas.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION