Cem: We Should Recreate The Afghan Identity And Make It Stronger

PARIS (A.A) - 02.05.2002 - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has said that the priority in Afghanistan should be to recreate an Afghan identity and make it stronger, during a recent interview with conservative La Croix newspaper published in France.
''It might be a little too ambitious to propose secular Islamic model to all Afghanistan,'' Cem said. ''I think that our priority should be to recreate an Afghan identity and to make it stronger and this is possible through setting up a central government. This is a very difficult task to accomplish. However, the Turkish force in this country could help to introduce some modern elements to Afghanistan.''
When asked why Turkey risks to command the ISAF in such an extremely unstable country like Afghanistan, Cem said ''Turkey wants to do its share in the international fight against terrorism.'' ''Turkey, as a Muslim country, during the Taliban rule, tried to limit the influence of Islamic radicalism in the Central Asian countries which surround Afghanistan. We want to give these countries a chance to protect their territorial integrities, democratic futures and stabilities. Besides, we have historical ties with Afghanistan. In 1920s, King Amanullah was influenced by the Turkish Republic which Ataturk founded. These ties even survived during the Taliban rule. We continued to offer them humanitarian support. We continued our diplomatic existence in Kabul and in the areas ruled by Taliban. I was the first foreign prime minister visiting Kabul after the defeat of Taliban last fall.''
Stating that the Turkish Republic was founded on principles such as democracy, secularism, state of law, human rights and equality between sexes, Cem said Turkey was the only Muslim country which is faithful to these ideals.
Responding to a question on Turkey's EU candidacy, Cem said that Turkey's EU membership would open new horizons to the EU. ''The EU can preserve its political and strategic identity more easily with Turkey in the union, especially considering the continuously changing political environment that followed Sept.11 attacks.