www.todayszaman.com - August 3, 2008

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With a name like Eskiþehir

(Old Town), the city really ought to be a place to come in search of ancient monuments

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Disabled archer

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Turks raring to take on the world

Özer has overcome disfiguration and prejudice

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DILEMMA

Exposýng the roots of Ergenekon gang on both sýdes of the Euphrates

TURKEY’S CHOICE: TUTELARY REGIME OR FULL-FLEDGED REFORMS?

TARIK ÖZTÜRK PHOTO

Fikret Baþkaya

PHOTO

Without full exposure of Ergenekon on both sides of the Euphrates, Turkey will miss the opportunity to fully confront its past to create a brighter future for its children, agreed two prominent intellectuals of Turkey, writing on issues relating to the Kurdish and systemic problems of Turkey.

Orhan Miroðlu, a politician and a writer, and Fikret Baþkaya, best known for his book "The Bankruptcy of the Paradigm" and less known for his 20 months of imprisonment because of this book, both suggest that without going back to the root causes of Ergenekon that established deep and dark relations among the Kurds, military, judiciary, academia and business circles, it won't be possible to emerge from the den of intrigue in which the country currently finds itself.

While Miroðlu says the activities of Ergenekon east of the Euphrates -- that is, among the Kurds -- started with the March 12, 1971 military memorandum, Baþkaya thinks the prototype of Ergenekon, the "state party" as he calls it, that sparked the first flames of enmity between the Turks and the Kurds in the 1970s was already in action back in 1908 among the ruling elite in Ýstanbul.

Baþkaya states that no revolution, election or new political party was able to change the ongoing rule of this state party in the hundred years that has passed since the Unity and Development Party coup.

Miroðlu notes that the Ergenekon indictment shows that the Kurdish movement has a significant place in the history of Ergenekon. But, he says, the reverse is also true: If not for the provocative acts and conspiracies of Ergenekon, the current face of the Kurdish movement would probably be much more peaceful and constructive. Baþkaya states that this judgment holds for all the organs of the state and the parliamentary system: If the Turkish

HÜSEYÝN SARI

YONCA POYRAZ DOÐAN, ÝSTANBUL EMÝNE KART / KERÝM BALCI, ANKARA

Orhan Miroðlu

political parties are only subcontractor parties of a deeper state party, if constitutions are made in order to exclude people from the ruling circles, if the country is not educating true intellectuals, if the left is not really leftist and if the governments are not allowed to govern, these circumstances all exist because of a bankrupt statist paradigm. SEE INTERVIEWS ON PAGES 4-5

FOREST FIRES: METHOD OF TERROR AND MEANS TO COMBAT IT

MIGRATION

CLASHES IN SOUTHEAST DETER DISPLACED PERSONS FROM RETURN

AYÞE KARABAT, ANKARA

Forest fires in Turkey have been set not only as a means of terror, but also as a way to combat terror, with people, mainly in rural areas of the Southeast, growing increasingly concerned that these intentional fires are damaging the environment in ways that can never be repaired.

During the recent military operations of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in southeastern Anatolia, several fires were set on forested land to eliminate hiding places of the PKK. Some of them were left to burn without interference due to possible land mine explosions in these areas. On its Web site, meanwhile, the PKK threatened to set fire to forests in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions to retaliate against the military.

The villagers in the Southeast who had fires set near their villages appealed to Parliament's Human Rights Commission and certain ministries to stop fires from being set by the military, while the newly established Green Party asked for an explanation from the Environment and Forestry for the setting of the recent fires in the region. Setting fires to forests purposefully is not a new phenomenon in southeastern Anatolia, which is the poorest region of Turkey both economically and in terms of forested area. Only 3 percent of the region is forested, and some of this area has fallen victim to terror and the combat of terror. CONTINUED ON PAGE 02

The Constitutional Court did not ban the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party), but 10 of the 11 members of the court found it at fault to a degree.

Four members of the top court said state subsidies to the party should be cut and six members voted for a ban. Only the president of the court, Haþim Kýlýç, voted not in favor of any sanctions against the AK Party.

The indictment against the AK Party, which was charged with being "a focal point of anti-secular activities," was filed on March 14 by Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalçýnkaya, who demanded that the party be dissolved and that 71 current and former members, including President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan, be banned from political activity for five years. Yalçýnkaya's indictment, dubbed the "Google case" by critics because evidence used to support it was put together from Internet searches, has been labeled "weak" and "highly political" by academics. CONTINUED ON PAGE 08

AYÞE KARABAT, ANKARA

‘Hollywood poster guy' rolls up sleeves for Turkish cinema

Emrah Yücel, a.k.a. "the Hollywood poster guy," is these days in the role of a "key man," going beyond simply designing posters for high-grossing blockbusters. Yücel, who formed the Turkish Cinema Council in the United States with the aim of getting Turkish cinema into the Hollywood market, speaks about the ideas behind his projects during a recent visit to Ýstanbul. By H. SALÝH ZENGÝN ON PAGE 11

Featuring news and articles from

Although the Finance Ministry has tripled its budget to assist persons displaced because of terrorism in returning to their villages, civil society organizations say the security situation in the southeastern Anatolian region is making people reluctant to do so.

The Finance Ministry revised its budget to boost funds for a program to return displaced persons, increasing the funding for this program from YTL 120 million to YTL 400 million. However, the Immigrants Social Solidarity Association (Göç-Der) claims that because of the circumstances in southeastern and eastern Anatolia, the number of persons who want to return is steadily decreasing.

Interior Minister Beþir Atalay recently announced that because of terrorism, 945 villages, mainly in Bingöl, Bitlis, Tunceli, Diyarbakýr and Mardin, had been evacuated, with 386,360 persons displaced. But Göç-Der claims that the number of persons who were evacuated is higher than this, closer to 3.5 million. CONTINUED ON PAGE 08

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02 SUNDAY’S ZAMAN

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Students seem to choose summer school over vacation ÞULE KULU ÝSTANBUL

Forest fires in Turkey have been set not only as a means of terror, but also as a way to combat terror and setting fires purposefully is not a new phenomenon.

Forest fýres: method of terror and means to combat ýt contýnued from page 1

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Approximately 27 percent of Turkey was forested, but according to statistics from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry this number has dropped to 20 percent due to fires over the last 15 years. In the western part of the Turkey, the causes of forest fires are usually human carelessness and land clearance for agricultural purposes. Some of the fires in western Turkey are also deliberately set by the PKK, but in southeastern Anatolia most fires are carried out as part of military operations.

"Everybody knows who is responsible and why the forests of the region are set on fire," said Mehmet Emin Tekin, representative of the Chamber of Forest Engineers, adding that the main tree species in the forests of the Southeast are oak and juniper.

"Of course it takes many years, but oaks can recover from fires; however, when it comes to junipers, this is almost impossible. Not just the trees but much of the fauna in the forests is destroyed when there is a fire. A scientific study recently pointed out that there are some endemic plants and animals in the region that fires are also threatening," he noted.

Nafis Koç, the chairman of the Human Rights Association (ÝHD) Elazýð branch, noted that around 20 years ago forest fires were set by the military much more frequently. "It dropped for a while, but a couple of years ago the number started to increase again," he said.

"When there are forest fires [in the Southeast], the military does not allow efforts to put them out, claiming that the reason is security. They say there might be PKK hideouts in the area. When we see the forest fires in the western part of Turkey, of course we are concerned. But we also see the

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planes and helicopters working to put them out.

When we compare these two scenarios, we definitely feel discriminated against," Koç said.

In his petitions to Parliament, the Prime Ministry and other relevant ministries, Koç pointed out that the residents of Doðanlý village of southeastern Bingöl province appealed to the ÝHD, saying that their village had to be evacuated 15 years ago because of fire but that recently several families returned. The letter noted that the military had asked the villagers who returned to leave but that they refused. On July 15, helicopters flew over the area and set fire to it.

Secret documents obtained by the ÝHD in 2006 revealed that forests in Bingöl had been felled upon orders of the provincial gendarmerie command.

The command, in a secret document dated April 1, 2006, informed the Bingöl Governor's Office of its evaluation that it would be useful to "clear wooded tracts and foliage 50 meters on either side of the railway and the highway," basing its evaluation on "highway and railway security." The fires have affected not only the provinces of Bingöl, Elazýð and Diyarbakýr, but since July 1 there have been more than 15 forest fires in other parts of the region, including Hakkari, Siirt, Mardin, Þýrnak and Tunceli.

Tunceli Mayor Songül Erol Abdil, along with civil society organizations in the city, protested the fires last week.

"During the summer, when the clashes increase in number, forest fires also increase in number. We are protesting the fact that the fires are being set on purpose. We don't want to see our natural environment go up in flames. We want peace," Abdil said.

Turkish Green Party spokesperson Bilge Contepe this week filed a query with the Environment and Forestry Ministry to find

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out which forests were deliberately set ablaze and for what reason.

"The future, nature and natural life of Turkey are disappearing. There are forest fires everywhere, but there is an important difference in these fires; we know the exact locations and extent of the forest fires in the West, but we cannot get satisfactory answers from officials about the forest fires in the East," Contepe stated.

"The state is responsible for the continuation of life of every single living creature. An inquiry commission in Parliament should be established to investigate these fires," she said.

This past Tuesday in the Cizre district of Þýrnak province, residents and members of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) headed to Cudi Mountain with buckets of water to try to put out a fire there. They complained that the military was helping to fight fires in the West but that in the East it just allows fires to burn uncontrolled.

Burning forests is one of the military methods that was used frequently in the past in several countries and is not new to Turkey, either. Most of the people from southeastern Anatolia who are over 30 years old remember how forests were set ablaze in their childhood, but the sensitivity to the subject was not as high in those days.

Whether the newly emerging sensitivity is a result of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's "ecological society" rhetoric is a subject of debate.

But on the other hand, an announcement on the PKK's Web site threatened that the organization would set fire to forests in western Turkey. The announcement claimed that the setting of forest fires in the East is a fascist act that is disrespectful of nature and that the organization would retaliate by setting fires to forests in Mediterranean and Aegean regions.

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Numerous universities in Turkey offer courses for their students in the summer months. Although some students find it torturous to bear sweltering heat along with intensive courses, summer school is regarded as a savior for most students who either want to pass their classes or shorten their time at university. High registration fees, on the other hand, give the students a reason to think twice.

When summer heats up, most people flock to holiday spots to take a break from the exhaustion of city life, but thousands of university students around Turkey continue to struggle with midterms, finals and papers while facing the scorching temperatures.

Almost every university in Turkey, both private and public, including Boðaziçi, Ýstanbul Technical and Fatih in Ýstanbul; Hacettepe, Gazi and Middle East Technical in Ankara; Akdeniz University in the coastal province of Antalya and Fýrat University in the southwestern province of Þanlýurfa, offer their students the opportunity to attend summer school.

What makes summer school attractive is still a matter of debate on university campuses. It is seen as another chance by most university students: Students who failed the courses they took in the spring or fall terms get the chance to retake these courses in around eight weeks. It is also an important factor that courses taken in the summer are believed to be "easier to pass" by most students since the courses are compacted within a shorter period of time without leaving the instructors enough time to "overload" students with papers, quizzes and homework. Apart from the students who repeat the courses they failed, many students prefer summer school just to increase their GPAs by repeating the courses they have already passed (with Ds, Cs or even Bs).

Summer school is also an alternative for students who do not want to waste their time with a three-month summer holiday. Filiz Yalçýnkaya, a senior studying translation and interpretation at Boðaziçi University, says: "I took two necessary courses, Introduction to Political Science and History of the Turkish Republic, when I was a junior. I did not want to spend the whole summer break staying at home and wasting my time. Six weeks is not unbearable for two courses. So my course load lightened in the fall and spring terms. It is worth going to school for six weeks in the summer instead of taking the same course for four months."

The other beneficiaries of summer school are those who are trying to find ways to fulfill their credit requirements before their final semester and those who want to graduate early. Students studying secondary-school education in science and mathematics, which requires five years of undergraduate education, usually shorten this period by taking courses in the summer. Havva Saðýrkaya, a senior from Boðaziçi University's department of secondary school mathematics pedagogy, says she would not have been able to complete her credits in eight terms had she not taken summer courses. Having attended three summer terms at Boðaziçi, Saðýrkaya thinks that although instructors teach the courses in the same way as during the term, they are more merciful in the summer term and give relatively high marks.

Some students, however, find summer school useless and just another means of torture

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for students who were unable to pass their courses. They offer another way to save those students: the "make-up examination" system. Held just after the finals for failed students, make-up examinations used to be offered by more universities in the past instead of summer schools. According to Figen Küp, a recent graduate of Ýstanbul Technical University, it is better to give the student a second chance with make-up exams without obliging him or her to attend a course s/he has already taken. "I don't think that courses taken during the summer term are as efficient as those taken in the fall or spring terms. They are very small because they are squeezed into six to seven weeks, leaving many students to cram and subsequently forget all the subject matter." Summer school does have one advantage over make-up exams, Küp says. "You cannot take courses before the required term if the university does not offer summer school."

Universities generally open departmental or elective courses in the summer term depending on what incoming students demand. Fatih University's Students Affair Office Deputy Director Selçuk Kozan says all courses are opened at the university as long as there are sufficient applicants. According to Kozan, although just 5 percent of students apply for summer school at the private Fatih University, due to high tuition fees, students are content with being able to take courses they want in the summer term.

Some university students, whose universities offer summer school, on the other hand, do not feel themselves as lucky as most others whose universities also offer summer school because not all courses are offered in the summer term.

Havva Cengiz, a senior studying computer engineering at Yýldýz Technical University in Ýstanbul, says: "There are many departmental courses which cannot be easily passed. Although many students fail every term, these courses are not opened in the summer term." Explaining the reason for this, Cengiz notes: "This is due to a shortage of professors. Professors want to at least allocate their summers to academic study instead of teaching." Stating that it poses a big threat to students as there are no make-up examinations, either, because of summer school regulations, Cengiz says: "I felt as if I were on tenterhooks in my last year. I cannot graduate at the end of this year if I fail a course."

The most debate-generating issue about summer school is the high tuition. The only university whose summer school used to be free, Ýstanbul University, also decided to charge students tuition this year. The fees are generally tied to the number of units a course has in most of universities, including Boðaziçi and Ýstanbul Technical University. (The amount per credit varies from YTL 30-60). Apart from this, a fixed registration fee is required. The amount varies at private universities. For example, at Fatih University the cost is YTL 250 per credit regardless of the department offering the course. The amount per credit can also change according to the student's home department. Although the total cost of a course, at least YTL 90, is seen as a heavy burden on a student budget, the advantages of summer school seem to surpass the financial burden it brings. Noting that three summer terms cost her a total YTL 1,000, Havva Saðýrkaya says, "It is worth paying this amount, I think, since YTL 1,000 is supposed to be only a month's salary that I will earn in the future."

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ÝSTANBUL ANKARA ÝZMÝR ANTALYA ADANA ERZURUM EDÝRNE TRABZON KAYSERÝ

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and make visitors happy. People have already shown great interest in the concerts.”

Kürþat Tüncer, head of the Historical Turkish Music Group as well as leading a janissary band, said they wanted not only Turkey, but the entire world to hear the Ottoman janissary band.

“We organize concerts in many countries.

Foreigners, especially the Japanese, show interest in our concerts. To make them happy, we play foreign songs as well, apart from Mozart’s ‘Turkish March’.” Ýstanbul Today’s Zaman with wires

KONYA ÇANAKKALE DÝYARBAKIR SAMSUN BURSA GAZÝANTEP ESKÝÞEHÝR MALATYA KOCAELÝ

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Collectýve shame

Ottoman janissary bands to perform for Topkapý visitors Upon the request of locals and tourists, the Ýstanbul Culture Directorate has organized Ottoman janissary band concerts for five days a week, excluding Tuesday and Sunday.

At the concerts, the anthems of various nations will be played, in addition to Mozart’s “Turkish March.” According to the directorate’s schedule, the janissary band will perform at 2:30 p.m. every day except Sunday and Tuesday at the entrance to Topkapý Palace. The concerts are designed to increase the number of tourists visiting the palace. Ýstanbul Directorate of Culture head Dr. Ahmet Emre Bilgili said the project was started after a number of visitor requests. “The concerts will take place for the next three months.

Three different bands will perform on the five days the concerts are performed. The Greater Ýstanbul Municipality band [will perform] one day, the General Staff band will perform one day, and the culture directorate’s band will perform three days. Essentially, we’re aiming to increase the number of visitors to the palace

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The terror attack in Ýstanbul, the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the collapsed dormitory in Konya, the pressing internal agenda and the burning forests: In the midst of all this, 13 bodies ended up in an empty field, but we were too preoccupied to think about them. We were too busy to be ashamed of the existence of death fields in our country. We briefly felt sorry for them, but then forgot about them.

Who were they? Didn’t they have names? Two days after they were found, not a single person had come forward to claim the bodies. It is likely that those who are able to do it are either scared, or worse, they are unaware that their loved ones died after suffocating in a stifling trailer packed with 130 illegal migrants on the outskirts of Ýstanbul.

The death trailer set out from Iran and entered Turkey through the eastern province of Van. It was headed to Greece, where its passengers hoped to find a better life. These once alive, once hoping, smiling and laughing human beings had their dead bodies dumped in a field, a bitter end to a journey that began with such hope.

These unfortunate people paid $4,500 each to those who didn’t even consider their victims to be human beings, but merely a good opportunity to make money. It is not surprising that those who don’t even view their own countrymen as human beings and planned to cause division and chaos in their own country -- name-

CM Y K

AYÞE KARABAT a.karabat@todayszaman.com

ly, the Ergenekon gang -- were planning to enter the human smuggling business, according to the Ergenekon terror organization indictment.

As Today’s Zaman reported on Wednesday, since the costs of arranging illegal passage to European countries via Turkey are lower than other routes, human smugglers see Turkey as an ideal country. The routes that take illegal migrants from the Middle East and Asia to Europe via the northern Black Sea or the Mediterranean are much more expensive and risky.

Moreover, the mountainous terrain in Turkey’s East and Southeast gives human smugglers an advantage in finding places to hide. Turkish security forces are trying to combat this crime against humanity, but the smugglers are quite skilled in devising measures to avoid being detected at the borders.

According to the Turkish Security Directorate, more than 500,000 illegal migrants have been captured in the country over the past 10 years, but 300,000 of them are still in Turkey and looking for ways to get to Europe. Only 19,000 are registered under the status of asylum seeker, but this group has to

wait four years on average to begin a new life in another country and, during those four years, they don’t have the means to integrate into Turkish society or find work. There is no guarantee that they will be able to legally immigrate to another country, either.

Day by day the number of migrants in Turkey is increasing. This is why the government is planning to implement a national action plan and to open new camps for the migrants, though the conditions of the existing ones are not ideal. Turkey is trying to cope with this problem with its own budget and the volunteer work of a handful of people.

The question is, why do people take the risk of dying on a very long journey, often without food and water? Let’s face it: they are paying for the wealth of other nations that are exploiting the resources of their home countries.

Unfortunately, the spread of evil occurs much more swiftly than that of goodness. The number of people who agree with the humanist philosophers that caring for the other is an ethical necessity is fairly low.

We don’t have the luxury of not feeling ashamed over those 13 lives. But the shame of death fields belongs not only to human traders and those who make the living conditions in certain countries miserable, but to all of humanity. Coping with this shame is only possible through the cooperation of every person who calls themselves human, because if you do not care, you do not exist.

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02.08.2008

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06 SUNDAY’S ZAMAN

n o i t p m u s g n n i o r Egg cpaign nealusion c n m o c a l c cessfu

AYÞE GÜR ÝSTANBUL

A campaign launched by the Turkish Egg Producers Association (YUM-BÝR) in the beginning of 2008, aiming to increase egg consumption among Turks, has attained considerable achievements so far, but more needs to be done, YUM-BÝR Chairwoman Derya Pala has said.

Speaking to Sunday’s Zaman in an interview last week, Pala mentioned a recent survey her association conducted on the streets through questionnaires to get an idea of current figures. This study found that a Turk consumes 161 eggs per year. “However,” she says, “we believe the actual number is lower -- somewhere between 140 and 150 -- considering current production and export levels, the records for which are more detailed.”

Official figures on egg consumption do not allow for comparison because the most recent number is from 2005. According to the “Executive Guide to World Poultry Trends,” Mexico led the world in 2005 with per capita annual egg consumption of 344. Then comes Japan with 330 eggs consumed per head annually.

Turkey ranked somewhere in the middle with only 115 eggs consumed per person. Comparing the findings of their study with these official numbers, it seems that the campaign, scheduled to end in October, has achieved some ground in achieving its purpose. Pala said the results will be better understood by next year and that YUMBÝR has already begun to feel positive results.

The campaign has sought to raise awareness about the benefits of eating eggs and eliminate misconceptions held by the public about egg ingredients through public conferences, panel discussions, informative handouts and presentations in schools.

The campaign, with the motto “Kýran Kazanýr” (The Breaker Wins), was financed by the egg producers. Pala said focusing on youth and mothers in particular was a priority. “Turkey is deficient in animal protein, but we are generally ignorant about such a crucial source with high protein value at a low price,” she said. According to Pala, this is not only a trade campaign but an act of social responsibility providing a chance to change the distorted eating habits of individuals.

She also noted: “Our research indicates that while university graduates consume fewer eggs, people with lower levels of education and income consume more. That being said, it is clear that eggs are more economical, nutritious and filling compared to other foods. One other thing is that, as a society, we generally limit egg consumption only to breakfast.” So, Pala assumes, taking into consideration the eating habits and economic levels of the community, remarkable change can happen if awareness is raised through projects such as this one.

The project has received support from Hacettepe University’s Institute of Health Sciences. Information provided by the institute about the significance of egg consumption for a healthy diet is stressed in the handouts. Pala notes: “Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the campaign intends to reach everyone regardless of economic status. As a matter of fact, people from the lower income brackets consume more eggs thanks to their low price, but the society needs more awareness about eggs and how indispensable they are.” Pala also announced that for the first time in Turkey, YUM-BÝR will celebrate “World Egg Day” on Oct. 13, expecting to draw more attention to the campaign.

Asked about the likely reasons for low consumption in Turkey, she pointed to the effects of lifestyles on the eating habits of working people.

“Unfortunately, the majority of the working class has given up the breakfast routine because people no longer have time to prepare breakfast but eat fast food with a high caloric content and low nutrient value.” On the other hand, with a high unsaturated fat ratio and low calorie count, eggs provide all the necessary nutrition for the individual. Pala

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2008

t an n d abou key an d a campaig r u T in e h n c io n , t ump rs lau l of success . g cons 0 roduce ls of eg rkey’s egg p tained a leve here near 15 e v le t w u a w T lo e e , e v e m a v th about efits eggs ha ey claim to h per year to so , they say h en laining en Comp nce of the b uous work, t around 110 yet to be se e m d r ra o r a o a fr s n r n ie e ig t it overall rly 2008. Af g consumptio otional activ om a eg in ea r it p p e a h c t g per cts of bringin The real effe

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BUSINESS

says: “Eggs are the most nutritious food, following mother’s milk. In that respect, every individual is supposed to have one egg each day. As for those with high cholesterol, three eggs in a week are a must.” One other reason for low consumption, Pala stresses, is unwarranted beliefs about cholesterol and the mistaken belief that one should not eat eggs after a certain age. “The research found, contrary to common assumptions, that eggs do not raise cholesterol levels; rather, they aid in preventing cardiovascular disease as well as cancer.”

Turkey among major egg producers According to the most recent report issued by YUM-BÝR, studies conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) note that 82.7 percent of the world’s total egg production takes place in only 12 countries.

China tops the list of the biggest egg producers and alone undertakes 48.8 percent of the world’s total. The US follows with 8.7 percent, then come India (4.2 percent), Japan (4 percent) and the Russian Federation (3.4 percent). Turkey, responsible for 1.2 percent of total world egg production, ranks 12th. The report also suggests that Turkey’s egg production has remained steady throughout 2005 and 2006 at 753,000 tons. In addition to these statistics, to more clearly illustrate the picture, the world’s total annual egg production in 2006 was 61.1 million tons. These numbers have to be read as relatively positive figures considering Turkey’s name was nowhere among the major egg producers in 1970, when these numbers first began to be recorded.

In terms of the piece of the eggs produced, the most updated figures released by YUM-BÝR cover 2007 and indicate a radical rise. In 2005 and 2006, nearly 8.4 million eggs were produced in Turkey in total. This number has since climbed to 10.5 million. Turkey’s egg production is undertaken by largely two cities: Konya (15.52 percent) and Afyon (11.98 percent). The remaining 79 cities’ shares vary in negligible rates, usually under 1 percent.

Though the campaign will end in October, the consciousness raised throughout the year seems to have had effects on society’s perceptions on the issue. Hüsniye Köse, a communications consultant from the N’PR public relations company, which is assisting YUM-BÝR in conducting the campaign, said that positive feedback received from different sectors of the community indicates the extent to which the campaign succeeded, but that more still remains to be done. Even though such projects do not receive any financial support from the government, as opposed to the ones in EU member countries, Their Turkish counterparts are determined to overcome the difficulties through voluntary support and effective cooperative organizations. “I believe we can gradually build up a sound consciousness with the help of such campaigns, to take place periodically, if necessary support is provided,” Pala concludes.

ptionca onsum c ffairs g ra u g g e f Agriculture ansd1R6 mel Amber cfromomn i t o ggs try o ith it prom safe e er Minis ns. W ted tod was approvecdubltyurathleProduscemr eUmniobers, to mproemdubceers andomtoanp,ioDneerya o v e d its gri an f it of n irw A o 6 a lt to n 0 o h u ts o i c rt 0 s s o A un established inf2Law No. 5200ghts and interetechnical supporld trends. Itsmerged as a drewas to

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Lýfe ýs not faýr I didn't realize I was in a slump until I had dinner with a friend and listened to her corporate woes.

We met the other night in Tünel and split an artichoke pizza while she shared her tale of childish employees and failed new business pitches. She might have blamed some of her troubles on the uncertain political climate, but she didn't make easy excuses.

Failure tries your confidence, especially when big existing contracts fly out the window like birds leaving early for better weather.

Trying times can turn your shining faith in yourself into a faulty fluorescent light bulb -you're not sure whether the strained buzz creates or interrupts the flickering light.

I usually greet someone and say "How are you?" without thinking, only understanding the import after the person starts describing her sore neck, the mysterious sinus pain, her ailing

93-year-old mother needing to move from the family home outside Paris…

But that's what friends do, they listen, they pay attention.

I wish I paid more attention to the simple things in life. I recently saw a video clip of a British TV presenter, a man who has interviewed hundreds of famous people; he said he will always remember the Dalai Lama as the only one of all his guests over the years who took time to greet each and every one of the crew, the camera operators, the grip, the sound man.

I'm an old sinner, scared of reform, and simply stopped asking people how they are.

Once in, how do you advise a friend who's having trouble in her business? I told her that everyone gets in a slump, that this too shall pass. The story of life is a cycle, and even our DNA moves in spirals. We

BY THE WATER COOLER

MICHAEL KUSER

might not be able to see the mechanics of our own cycle, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Reality is what doesn't go away when you stop believing in it.

I remembered a story by the theater director Julie Taymor, who staged "The Lion King." She attached antelope cutouts to spikes on bicycle wheels so that the gazelles would leap up and down in the audience's imagination same as they do on the African plains. When an assistant suggested covering the wheels Taymor said no, that the theme of the show

CM Y K

was the cycle of life, that the actual wheels would subconsciously reinforce the theme for spectators.

My friend smiled. I know that smile, could tell that she didn't believe that my pep talk would solve her problems.

That's why we talk to each other, to voice our doubts and our beliefs. A general manager has to consciously reinforce her own vision.

My friend said that she and her team had worked so hard, that they really gave their all on one big pitch, only to see the client walk away. I recalled years ago when I painted houses. It was almost a law that whenever I faced a hard and dirty job, dug in and made those painted-shut windows like new, the homeowner would be the one customer impossible to satisfy.

Another weird law of house painting: The richest people would be most relaxed with their keys

and possessions, while customers with scruffy furniture and ancient stereos would have trouble trusting a "servant" with access to their castle.

Human behavior, life, the music of the spheres, they all play in our business fates. The phenomenon of the X factor, the great variable, is half as old as time. The important thing is not to overreact to seasonal downturns or unexplainable slumps.

I quoted the preacher: "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

Only walking home from dinner did I think to apply these lessons to myself. What was my slump?

I realized that my story contacts last week had not answered my e-mails, not even my editors.

The great abyss yawned before me. Hello?

S07-03-08-08.qxd

02.08.2008

00:53

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01:01

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BEAUTY

FlorMar offers diamond lips this summer In the summer of 2008, FlorMar continues to expand and develop its range of products. Following the introduction of its Multidimensions series and Turbo Boost mascaras, FlorMar now brings women its Supershine lipsticks and glosses, two items that look set to be the favorite of these hot summer months. The secret to wet-looking and full lips lies in FlorMar’s Supershine Lipgloss and Supershine lipsticks, offering all women the chance to make their lips sparkle like diamonds.

Easy to use, the Supershine gloss has a special brush that ensures even application and coverage. It is set to be one of the indispensable items of the summer. Price YTL 9.90. For more information go to www.flormar.com.tr

SUNDAY’S ZAMAN 09

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2008

Getting to the root of HAÝR LOSS

SEÇÝL KARA ÝSTANBUL

hair growth. This condition is know to us as androgenic alopecia.

Although it was believed that this condition was the reason for balding in both men and women, it is now known that the case for women differs.

Our hair is a very important part of our appearance and a different haircut can make us look like a completely different person. We’ve all had our issues with our hair; when it’s curly we want it to be straight and and when it’s short, we want it to be longer. We wish for hair that is a completely different color, often admiring people who are sporing a color that is polar opposite of ours. But what if the amount of hair we have becomes an issue? Not in the way of having too much, but what if we begin to realize that we are losing our hair? Men often have issues with hair loss and receding hairlines, but this problem, albeit rare, can be experienced by women as well. Generally speaking, hair is more important for women, they play around with it more and tend to experiment with different looks, and not losing it can be a very difficult experience.

For a woman, this problem may be difficult to admit to one’s self, let alone doctors or friends. The fact that it may be written off as a cosmetic problem, may cause one to be ashamed that they are consumed by this problem.

In order to understand hair loss, it’s helpful to understand the process of hair growth.

Female and male balding not the same It is believe that with female hair loss, the are other factors at play. Other enzymes and hormone receptors and blockers are believed to play a role. For females, the hair loss occurs in a diffuse fashion, with loss occuring around the top of the entire head, as compared to men who lose hair on around the crown or back of their heads.

For men, balding is almost always brought on by genetic factors while and age, as compared to women who can experience it at any time in their lives.

Medical reasons are common Many women who suffer from excessive hair loss are also suffereing from polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a common hormonal problem experienced by women. In addition, certain autoimmune disorders may lead to different types of hair loss that are less dramatic to deal with such as a alopecia areata - a condition that leads to hair coming out in clumps or patches.

There is a temporary hair loss problem that afflicts women which is called telogen effluvium - this condition alters the natural hair growth process often seen following childbirth, crash-dieting, a traumatic event or surgery.

The use of certain medications or chronic illnesses can trigger hair loss as well.

How does hair grow?

German brand LCN now available in Turkey From natural nail care to nail makeup, from hand care creams to foot care products, from false nails to spas, the German hand, foot and nail care leader LCN is now available in Turkey.

LCN, which has been active for years in 65 different countries around the world, is only sold in professional hair salons and spas. With its innovative, quality and user friendly cosmetics and skincare products, it is worth getting familiar with LCN to truly express your beauty. The import and marketing of LCN products in Turkey is being undertaken by KOZMAR A.Þ.

Our hair generally grows a half of an inch every month. Each hair strand has a growing phase of two to six years. Folliwing this period, the hair remains as is before it falls out. The follicle which it leaves shortly thereafter grows a new strand. This process continues until our later years in life.

Some people never really experiences this cyle as others. A genetic predisposition to hair loss is prevented through androgens - a group of hormones. This hormone group includes testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), all of which exist in men in large amounts and women in smaller amounts.

For the people who are genetically susceptible to balding, at the point when testoserone comes into contact with the enzymes that are in the hair cell, a more potent form of androgen, DHT is formed. This hormone joins with the receptors that are in the hair follicle.

In those who are genetically susceptible, when testosterone comes in contact with enzymes residing in the hair cell, it is converted into the more potent androgen DHT, which then binds with receptors deep within the hair follicle.

The build up of this transformation over time causes the hair follicle to shrink in size over time, eventually stopping the hair’s 2-6 year growth phase as mentioned above. The follicles may even eventually die at worst, or in milder conditions they may simply become incapable of facilitating or maintaing healthy

Number one rule There is an overall lack of knowledge regarding the topic of female pattern baldness. The condition, called androgenetic alopecia, does exist and approximately one in three women are susceptible to it. We rarely hear the topic being discussed or covered. A woman’s hair plays a big role in her self-image, and her own perception of her attractiveness.

It is imperative that one gets a correct diagnosis. Seeing a doctor which specializes in female pattern balding is a good place to start. They will check for underlying medical conditions and there is a need for it also conduct a scalp biopsy.

Good news

How much hair loss is considered normal?

It is considered okay to lose between 80 and 150 hairs on any given day. These strands have reached the end of their natural growth cycle (of two to six years)and have reached a stagnant period, whcih causes them to losen and fall out on their own. Brushing and shampooing both contribute expedite this process.

Apple essence Skincode for lasting makeup effect

From Derishow, a stylish, breezy summer...

You’ve emerged from the trying days of winter and entered the sweltering days of this season, with parties, weddings, special meetings and lots and lots of invitations. Of course, there’s no doubt that the two most important factors as you head off for a chic party are your clothing and your makeup.

Alright, you’ve figured out what you’re going to wear, but what about your makeup? You want it to stay on until the end of the fun, right? So the new Essentials series from Skincode is just the product for you. Before applying your makeup, put on S.O.S. Oil Control. With its rich foundation, the matte powder soaks up extra oil on your skin, allowing your pores to breathe. This product, which takes care of oil control that same moment, will extend the longevity of your makeup, as well as helping any acne problems your skin may suffer from. www.skincode-tr.com. Retail price: YTL 87.

For those hoping to find comfort in Derishow’s summer designs, there are lots of different alternatives awaiting you. Generously cut sporty pants for the hot summer months can be paired with colorful chiffon blouses in plum, emerald green, midnight blue and fuchsia tones. For those who won’t pass up on single piece clothing, there are lots of generously cut, asymmetric cut dresses.

So for those who won’t make concessions on comfort, it’s time to check out the 50 percent sales on special designs from Derishow. The sale will be on until the end of August.

CM Y K

The good news for women is that a large percentage of women’s hair loss, with the right diagnosis and treatment, is completely reversible. A good treatment will rule out certain causes and in the process eliminate your stress. If you are a woman who is experiencing hair loss, the best step for you to take is to speak to your doctor. The earlier on you begin to address the problem, the more likely your doctor is to be able to help you.

Jewelry that rivals the shine of the sun from Goldaþ Gold, which has made its mark in the world of accessories this summer through the use of different color choices, is among the indispensable items of the summer. For jewelry lovers who follow fashion closely, there are the pink gold necklaces and bracelets designed in stunning cuts and lines. And the ethnic flair that’s made its mark in recent years in jewelry design is evident in this season’s Goldaþ collection, with necklace endings that use ellipses and hearts that carry traces of this latest trend. An additional sense of liveliness is added to this season’s collection with the use of flowers and heart motifs in the pink and yellow gold designs.

The pieces, which boast special stones on them, often also have mini hearts in the corner, as if to offer up secret messages. To see which of these designs fits your personal style, go to the nearest Goldaþ store, or visit their Web site at www.goldas.com.

02.08.2008

00:55

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CULTURE&ARTS

SUNDAY’S ZAMAN 11

S U N D AY, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 0 8

Emrah Yücel sets his mind on getting Turkish cinema into Hollywood The famous Turkish designer of posters for Hollywood films such as ‘Vertical Limit,’ ‘What Women Want,’ ‘28 Days,’ ‘24 Hours,’ ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Frida’ is these days assuming the role of a ‘key man’ with the Turkish Cinema Council he has established in America H. SALÝH ZENGÝN ÝSTANBUL

Hunt. In fact, he became so well known for his work with film posters that people started referring to him as "the Hollywood poster guy."

Yücel, who was in Turkey recently as the guest of Bahçeþehir University, is these days in the role of a "key man," going beyond simply designing movie posters. Yücel, who formed the Turkish Cinema Council, has literally set his mind on getting Turkish cinema into the Hollywood market. At the same time, he is also preparing to start up a far-reaching Web site that will help talented youth in Turkey enter the sector. We spoke with Emrah Yücel about some of his projects.

Does it bother you these days that despite the fact that you are involved in lots of different businesses in the US, you are still widely known as "the Hollywood poster guy"?

Yes, well it sometimes appears that I don't do anything else. People think I am only a poster designer. We are currently running a campaign; sometimes our ads are on DVD covers, sometimes they are on billboards and sometimes they are in The New York Times. But I am sort of spoiled in complaining about this. After all, I arrived at this point by way of poster design.

You also designed posters for Turkish films. Hollywood cinema is a producer-based sector, while Turkish cinema is more dependent on directors. What are the differences between the two?

In Turkey, directors are unable to produce as many alternatives as in the US because of more limited budgets. The budgets here are one-fifth of what they are there. I am working in my own nation because it gives me a unique sort of pleasure. But no matter where I am, I try to do quality work.

What is the contribution made to cinema by film posters?

There are three important facts behind why people decide to see a movie. Previews, posters and things they have heard about the film. Many films in America open at the box office on weekends. They try to open up on Fridays at as many cinemas as possible. That way, even if people don't like the film, they still make money, around $30-40 million. In the US, films actually don't make much money; everyone either buys or rents DVDs, and that's where the real money is.

Is the cost of a film poster in proportion with the film's overall cost?

No, the cost of a poster is basically clear before you begin.

I mean, if you're

designing something for "Spider-Man," that's major, but if you are putting together something for a more basic film, it will cost far less.

What determines the style you use? The actors, the screenplay?

It's all part of a whole. I mean, if you are designing something for a comedy or for a horror film, the direction you are going to take is clear. The details are determined by the strategic decisions you then make.

Of all the posters I have made for films though, there are some that are different than the others. Those are the posters I made for Yýlmaz Erdoðan -- because this man is mustached. This made these posters unique, but this difference didn't come from me, of course.

What was your purpose in forming the Turkish Cinema Council in America?

While working on the poster for "Cold Mountain," stills from the film began to come to us while it was still being shot. Despite the fact that the film was entirely based on the Civil War in America, the film was shot entirely in Romania. When I looked into it, I understood that the Romanian government had offered a 30 percent tax break to foreign filmmakers filming in that country. This is in fact a law that is implemented in many countries around the world.

For example, there was one US state which saw its profits from cinema rise from $8 million in 2005 all the way to $247 million the next year, in 2006.

If Turkey, a nation with enormous historical and geographical possibilities, were it to get $247 million in cinema profits, giving 25 percent of this back in tax breaks, it would have no problems. This is simply a mathematical formula. I put together a draft of this law together with the Tax Council and we presented it to Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuðrul Günay.

At this point, it is headed to Parliament under the authority of the Labor General Directorate.

I met with the president of the famous American MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) film company, which is planning to shoot a film at Topkapý Palace, and Günay said this new law would pass before 2009.

We want this film to be shot in Turkey, not in the Czech Republic. If we miss this opportunity, as we did with "Troy," it will be a great loss for Turkey. A German commission is also lending encouragement to this film. We want to see as many of the movie's scenes shot here as possible. As you know, Hollywood is an important power. It would allow us to be known better across the world.

Have we missed a lot of opportunities?

Yes, of course. For example, one night I was sitting next to the CEO of the Golden Media company and I tried to sell him the idea of filming in Turkey.

He said to me: "We thought a lot about Turkey for 'The Chronicles of Narnia' because

PHOTO

ONUR ÇOBAN

Emrah Yücel's success story begins with his decision to head for New York after receiving an education in graphic design at the Hacettepe and Bilkent universities, both in Ankara. Yücel, who while finishing his doctoral degree, also put his mark on some successful projects while working in an ad agency, realized that Ankara was not the right place for him to make his name known. So in 1995, he decided to pack two suitcases and head to New York City.

At the time, the Internet was just beginning to spread; the number of Web sites dedicated to design was only three. Yücel went ahead and set up a Web site in his own name, registering it with providers such as AltaVista and Yahoo; he then sat back and began to wait. Two months later, the first emails began to come in to his Web site from his first customers. Yücel at this point did some business for a Japanese company hoping to break into the American market as well as a CD cover for a hip-hop group. He also designed a Broadway poster.

At the end of his third year in New York, Yücel sent samples of his work to companies that work as headhunters for quality assistants, asking them to help him market himself. Then, the offer he had been waiting for came in. One of the largest ad agencies in the US, the Seiniger Advertising Group, asked him whether he was interested in Hollywood and offered him a job in Los Angeles at the salary he had asked for. Yücel accepted the offer, and went on to work for the next three-and-a-half years as a creative director at this agency.

While there, he designed posters for films such as "Vertical Limit," "What Women Want," "The Barber," "28 Days," "24 Hours," "Kill Bill" and "Frida." At the same time, Yücel also designed personal Web sites for such famous Hollywood names as Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Kirk Douglas and Helen

CM Y K

there are a lot of Turkey-related themes in the film.

But because of the absence of these laws, we decided instead to shoot in New Zealand." Whichever country makes the best offer, that's where the films are shot, regardless of how far away that country may be.

This was the case with "King Kong" and "The Lord of the Rings." Everyone just loves Turkey, but they can't carry on business with it. We need to think more intelligently, more strategically and then take steps accordingly. There are lots and lots of companies that would actually like to shoot films in Ýstanbul.

Alright, but if this new law passes, what will it bring to Turkey?

When a film is going to be made in a country, lots of people, from cameramen to costume designers, are hired in that country. In that way, general information about all this increases in the country, and bettertrained assistants are available. This naturally leads to an increase in overall quality. This will all happen over time, but I would imagine that in one year, two or three films will be shot. This is as important as tourism.

In the US, there are some interesting statistics: When Americans come to Turkey as tourists, it is generally for the second time, the first time having been as passengers on cruise tours, when they just passed through.

They cannot believe what they see of Ýstanbul, it is so dramatically different from the images they have in their minds. On their second visits here, they come to only stay in Ýstanbul. They mostly still have in their minds an image of a country where camels roam around. We need in particular to make some investments on the Hollywood front. Here's what I said to one director: Had the Prophet Muhammad been alive during this era, he definitely would have been in Hollywood because it would have been the best place from which to make his words heard.

Do you think it is only Ýstanbul that would be important for Hollywood? Where else in Turkey can be marketed?

There are two dimensions here. The first is that we need to pay Ýstanbul its proper tribute. Ýstanbul is an incredibly mystical city. It has many opportunities, but requests to shoot films here should not be interpreted like touristic requests. A filmmaker who wanted to make a movie about the war in Iraq came to us and said, "Can you find a place with streets that resemble Iraq's and with a palace like Saddam's?" We sent him photographs of Mardin, and of course he adored it. The very sites in eastern Anatolia which we aren't even aware of ourselves are perfectly tailored spots for moviemakers. The majority of the requests we receive are for places like deserts, lakesides or places like Cappadocia. We have already started on projects to better introduce Ýstanbul to Hollywood as part of its 2010 European Capital of Culture status.

Is there no state support or larger organization behind the Turkish Cinema Council?

This council has nothing to do with the government. We are a civil organization. We don't want to receive financial support from the government. But there are people from the government on the council.

I provide the financing for this council.

Couldn't it be the hesitation over films that would be shot to Turkey's disadvantage here that has held these laws back?

Of course, encouraging tax benefits would only be accepted after the screenplay is approved.

After all, when people want to make a film, you can't stop them. Only two or three minutes of "Midnight Express" were filmed in Turkey. It is not easy to stop these things from happening. For example, there is a film about a love story which takes place in 1905 during the Ottoman era. The screenplay talks about the so-called Armenian genocide. What do the filmmakers say? "We don't want to talk about genocide allegations, we want to show everything for what it really was."

We of course want for them to talk about history accurately. In a sense, this is a bit like lobbying. If we had dealt with the Armenian matter more sensibly in Hollywood, maybe we wouldn't have arrived at this point. The Americans made the film "Ararat" about Armenian matters, but Turkey has never produced a film about its own realities. This is our own weakness.

You are also planning on setting up a Web site for young and talented Turkish people.

We are still in the planning stages for this. What we are planning is a database where everyone will be able to create their own talent profile. This will be a site where you can upload everything: from your music, your roles, your videos, your posters to the costumes you have designed. There will be 16 different sections and you will even be able to post your scripts there. If we can really put together an Internet platform like this, we will be able to reach lots of places.

We will place ads for this site in important magazines.

It will be a site that people in Hollywood can use, too.

People who are planning on shooting films in Turkey will first look there.

What is your "300 Key Men" project?

There are 300 men in Hollywood who determine where films are to be shot. We want to work with the Culture and Tourism Ministry, inviting groups of 60 to Turkey to spend five nights or so in great places, holding dinners for them, to show them what a dependable and safe country Turkey is.

I am also using this organization to promote short films about Ýstanbul. Another project under way is to take 10-15 (Turkish) films and hold an awards ceremony in Los Angeles with an American jury. So with this, we would see Turkish cinema crowned in the same hotel where the Golden Globes are held.

In this way, we plan to gain some star power.

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14 SUNDAY’S ZAMAN

PHOTO

CÝHAN

S U N D AY, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 0 8

If the leading figures of the Ergenekon gang could have acted more intelligently following the Ümraniye raid, the investigation would have likely gone nowhere.

The fundamental realýty of Ergenekon I guess one should accept the fact that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has been one of the most popular Turkish political parties in the Muslim world, in the Middle East in particular. Its political identity, as a combination of both progressive and conservative elements, and its economic and democratic achievements have played key roles in that popularity.

The AK Party's leaders, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan and President Abdullah Gül has been so popular on Arab streets that an Arab student from the American University in Cairo requested an AK Party flag from her relative who was visiting Ýstanbul. It can easily be said that the AK Party's success in the last six years has been amongst the best news coming out of the troubled Middle East. Given the critical role the AK Party plays in the Israeli-Syrian talks, the Iran crisis, Lebanon and the Iraq crisis, for many people in the region the AK Party has been a symbol of success and a point of hope for the future.

In the eyes of the people in the region, the AK Party represented two very important things at the same time: First, respect for a society's traditional and Islamic values.

Second, an unlimited desire for reform, development, change and democracy. Because of the lifestyle of the leadership and the political orientation of the party, the masses felt the party was very close to them. It was not just that. There was a huge demand for change in the Middle East and the AK Party was offering concrete evidence that it was possible to reform a country. It was a source of inspiration for Arab regimes, Arab masses and various Islamic movements, from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood to Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD).

Hence, the Constitutional Court case for the closure of the party was a big shock for the region. A decision to close down the party would have given a strong "go" signal to radical movements that argue for a clash of civilizations and the incompatibility of democracy with Islam. It would also have been a big blow to rising expectations that reform and development were possible through democracy.

As a result, I can easily say that the court's decision to not shut down the party has been most welcomed, not just by AK Party supporters in Turkey, but by many people throughout the region with new questions on their minds for the future.

On Thursday one of the most popular Web sites based in the region, Islamonline, asked me to join them in a live chat session to respond to readers' questions on the court ruling and its implications. Since each question gives very important clues about the perspective of the person asking -- in many cases questions give a clearer picture of the mindset of a person than his statements -- I would like to share some of these questions and my answers to them in order to show how Turkey's tense internal debate is seen in the region. You can read the whole session at www.islamonline.net under "Turkey's AKP: Is the Battle Over?" Here are the questions and my answers: How do you see the military responding to the court's

ETYEN MAHÇUPYAN e.mahcupyan@todayszaman.com

standards. I do not believe that any one group has a fullfledged answer to all our complex problems in such a global environment. I hope that people from different ideological backgrounds will come to the conclusion that we have one country and our dreams are not so different.

Did the AKP actually win the battle? Why? ruling? Will the military establishment stage difficulties with the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party] to embroil the AKP? When one looks at what happened last year during the presidential crisis, we see that the military accepted the ultimate decision of the voters. Similarly this time, they have to accept the court's ruling, because this court is part of the state structure and the establishment. It would be nonsense not to respect its decision.

Furthermore, the military, by cooperating to bringing former generals to the court in the Ergenekon case, showed its desire to fight back against anti-democratic forces.

But the political struggle will continue and some forces would like to use any mechanism that fits into their ultimate purpose of undermining democracy and resisting sharing power with the people by accepting new socio-economic realities. The PKK and other marginal terrorist groups, from the left and the right, will be at their disposal. I wish and hope that their dark plans will be obstructed by our military and the police.

What are your expectations for the future of Turkey? Will democracy prevail and the struggle between the secularists and the Islamic-rooted party come to an end?

I am optimistic about the future of Turkey. Some people assume that the driving force behind the recent reforms is the AK Party. Yes, it has a significant role. But the main force behind this dynamism is the Turkish society, which has been undergoing a tremendous transformation in terms of its democracy and its economy. Hence, it is the society that forces political actors to reform, not vice versa. When we look from this perspective, I can say that even if the AK Party was closed down, the decision would not have been able to stop that desire for change. It would only delay it. So if there is any interest in the recent positive changes in Turkey by people in the Muslim world, one should not focus solely on political actors. They should look at the social and economic factors that produced the AK Party.

They should look at the role of civil society, the empowerment of the middle class, the role of religious leaders like Fethullah Gülen and the role of the EU process.

How do you assess the court's ruling on the AK Party?

Do you think the secular Kemalists and the elite are losing their grip over Turkey? Is Turkey getting away from extremist secularism? I am not in favor of drastic revolutions as a person, because such events will have drastic consequences by wiping out the accumulated wisdom of society. Looking from that perspective, I dream of a Turkey where all ideas are respected and all groups can influence each other to make the country better in terms of social, economic and democratic

I do not look at the issue in terms of who won and who lost. If I did so, it would mean that there are enemy camps in the country. In this analysis, if you are in the winning camp today, do not forget that you will be in the losing camp tomorrow. Thus, for me the question is, "Did Turkey, the Turkish people, Turkish society win or lose?" My answer to that is, "Yes, Turkey won." If we want to continue fighting each other, we can look at the matter as an issue of who won and who lost. We have limited energy and we need to do a lot as a developing country, rather than fighting and hating each other.

Is the AK Party expected to compromise its principles in the future, in fear of the Constitutional Court's warning?

The ruling did not completely clear the AK Party of the allegations. The party lost state funding as a form of quasipunishment for its neglect of secularism. But the decision itself sounds like a kind of compromise. I think both sides will be respectful to each other, which I hope may give Turkey extra time to become a mature democracy. If this compromise includes curtailing the reform drive, I can assure you that the AK Party will be punished by the same people who brought it to power in the first place. So it is up to the AK Party leadership to decide which path to follow. I hope they select the wise way and don't forget what the Turkish people expect from them.

What are the reasons behind the court's ruling against banning the AK Party?

Many factors played important roles. But the most important ones are those: First, the file was very weak. They were all claims and some statements of members of the party. The only substantial thing was the AK Party's effort -- which was not just the effort of the AK Party, but also of 411 members of Parliament -- to get rid of the headscarf ban.

This bill was cancelled by the same court, which meant there was nothing left as concrete evidence for the claim that the AK Party was a danger to secularism. Second, the Turkish people were firmly behind the party. Polls show no sign of watering down of support for the AK Party. Even if it was closed, it would come back with a bigger majority next time.

Third, both EU and America did not give a green light for the closure of the party. Fourth, the Turkish people learned about black deals to close the party behind close doors by extensive coverage of highly secret meetings. Fifth, many former generals, prominent journalists and political figures were arrested as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a deep state or Gladio-type gang that has been plotting a coup against the AK Party since it came to power in 2002.

MUQTEDAR KHAN*

For the past two years Iran and its nuclear program have dominated America's foreign policy agenda. Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium, which in its opinion it is entitled to as a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but which the West believes is an effort to develop nuclear weapons, and the oft repeated statement by Ahmadinejad that "Israel will soon disappear from the map" have made Iran the number one enemy in the eyes of the West.

But now there seems to be a change taking place in US-Iranian relations and prospects for a détente seem real. Now not only is Ahmadinejad saying nice things about US diplomats, but Iran is responding positively to US overtures.

American failures in Iraq, in Afghanistan, on energy pricing, in housing and financial markets, in addition to the weakening of the dollar, have handcuffed the Bush administration or else we would have surely witnessed a war against Iran. Lack of domestic appetite for another war which would surely shoot oil prices through the roof has removed the use of force option from the table. The Bush administration, after asserting for years that we will not talk to Iran unless it agrees to all our demands, is now engaging in direct negotiations. The decision to send William Burns, a very senior US diplomat, to meet with the Iranian nuclear negotiator along with Europeans last week clearly signals a significant shift in US policy.

It remains to be seen, however, whether this is an isolated episode or the beginning of a new modality in US-Iran relations. The talk that the US might even announce the opening of a US mission in Iran next month, which has already been welcomed by Iranians, is genuinely groundbreaking. If President Bush follows through, then there is no doubt in my mind that Iran could become an important partner of the US in shaping the emerging Middle East.

But before the US and Iran can start normalizing relations, it is important that the mutual demonization that both sides have indulged in be deconstructed. Iran has been painting the US as a "Great Satan" and the source of all evil in the Middle East and the US has consistently labeled Iran as a terrorist sponsor and as a threat to global peace.

Reports from Iran clearly suggest that Iranians are alienated from and disgusted with their own leadership and its failure to provide better governance and to deliver on populist promises made in electoral speeches. Their resentment toward their leadership is manifesting in higher regard and esteem for the US, negating the anti-US rhetoric of some of its leaders. Azadeh Moaveni wrote in The Washington Post on June 1, 2008, "It might startle some Americans to realize that Iran has one of the most pro-American populations in the Middle East."

Scholars of the Middle East have repeatedly pointed out this paradox of US foreign policy. The US had become most hostile to the people who were most favorably disposed towards the US in the Middle East. It will take little to win the Iranians over. A gesture of friendship from Bush, a surprise visit to Tehran by Rice or a gift of six passenger aircraft should be enough to send Ahmadinejad packing in the elections due in 2009.

While Iranians are becoming pro-US, Americans are becoming anti-Iran. In order for the US-Iranian détente to flourish it is important that politicians and opinion makers stop demonizing Iran and recognize its positive contributions.

US intelligence agencies are convinced that Iran abandoned its efforts to acquire nukes in 2003 (National Intelligence Estimate, November 2007).

Iran helped Western powers in establishing the new government and democracy in Afghanistan and has cooperated with the US to stabilize southern Iraq and restrain Shiite militias in Iraq. While Ahmadinejad does rant about making Israel disappear, he is not in charge of Iranian foreign or military policy and his claims are not repeated by those who actually do manage Iran's external affairs. A regular acknowledgement of these realities and positive Iranian contributions will help prepare the American public for better US-Iranian relations.

The perception that a nuclear Iran ruled by a madman poses a major threat to the world is the driving force behind Western paranoia about Iran. A sensible foreign policy from Washington is not possible until this misperception is deconstructed. Iran is not a threat; it is not capable of posing a serious threat.

Iran's air force is defunct. Its economy is in a bad shape. High oil prices do not help Iran very much since it is a net importer of gasoline and its crude oil exports are inferior to its competitors. Add to this the fact that the US, France, Britain and Israel all have powerful air forces and huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Additionally Islamic Iran has not invaded any country for any reason since the revolution in 1979 -- a record that neither the US nor Israel can match given the unnecessary invasion of Iraq by the US in 2003 and Israel's overreaction in Lebanon in 2006.

Both Iran and the US now have an extraordinary opportunity to change their mutual destinies, will they hold the line? *Dr. Muqtedar Khan is director of Islamic studies at the University of Delaware and fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (www.ijtihad.org).

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COLUMNS

SUNDAY’S ZAMAN 15

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2008

Two trýals The two trials that have been occupying the national agenda today are likely to be the milestones of Turkey's ability to rid itself of an opaque regime shaped under bureaucratic tutelary. The question is whether Turkey will be able to expose its alternative history, bludgeoned by human rights violations, thousands of unsolved assassinations, restrictions put on liberties and military interventions in the political process and start a new age marked with liberal ideals or not.

One of the trials concerned the closure of the incumbent Justice and Development Party (AK Party) while the other is the Ergenekon case, which may unravel the illegal nationalist organization intent on overthrowing the government and bringing an isolationist dictatorial regime under the guise of national sovereignty.

Turkey has to choose between a full-fledged democracy that will keep it connected with the world, especially the Western world which it has aspired to be a part of since the last centuries of the Ottoman Empire, and an illiberal regime that will isolate itself from global realities and perhaps lead to entropy to the point of losing its unity. What is critical at this point are the political values of the "left" -- the only viable opposition -- and its relations with nationalism.

Any analysis with nationalism must start with how it views liberal

ANDREW FINKEL

DOÐU ERGÝL d.ergil@todayszaman.com

values and basic political principles. Recent history shows us that belated nationalisms and the nation-states that they have created never really liked liberalism. Why? Because late nationalists (having emerged after capitalism was established as a global economic system and early nationalism, which founded nation-states that turned imperialist) relied on the state both to create a nation and to govern it.

The Turkish left is a combination of late Ottoman Young Turk Jacobinism (personified by the Committee -- later Party -- of Union and Progress) turned Kemalist (revolution from above) during the republic and Marxism. The first two veins carry blood to state-guided authoritarian transformation and nation building. The third denotes anti-imperialism and a fuzzy anti-capitalist socio-economic organization which they called a "revolution." The first two categories did not

No Comment

contradict with the third because authoritarian centralism and tutelary progressiveness had no problem with statism, nationalism and "revolution from above." All of this was associated with anti-imperialism and "full" (their emphasis) national sovereignty. In this alliance of convenience, Kemalism, nationalism and leftism lived in relative harmony.

This odd fellowship changed when the Soviet Union collapsed and Marxism lost its revolutionary character.

Freed from Marxist doctrinal constraints and its revolutionary zest, Turkish nationalism relied on its anti-imperialist vein, pumping antiWestern feelings into the system. Nationalism and statist authoritarianism bordered on a kind of fascism that vehemently detested liberal values. It is no wonder that NATO generals (some, of course) and leftist politicians and theorists are uttering fascistic statements that have nothing to do with democracy, the rule of law and basic liberties. They are not even aware that their choice has no relevance with the contemporary world -- nor do they care about the wishes and expectations of the people they pretend to serve. It is really pathetic.

That is why Turkey has to get rid of this mentality it has nurtured thus far under the name of nationalism, anti-imperialism and authoritarian progressiveness. For the country has neither prospered nor de-

ALÝ ÜNAL, KONYA

a.finkel@todayszaman.com

ÝHSAN YILMAZ ihsan.yilmaz@todayszaman.com

Renewed Erdoðan and AK Party

Truthýness I was surprised to learn that words, like painted belles, compete in beauty pageants. One particularly successful candidate romped home in the American Dialect Society 2005 "word of the year" competition and again in a 2006 contest organized by the lexicographer MerriamWebster. "Truthiness" was popularized by the American comedian Stephen Colbert and gained currency in the columns of The New York Times. Today, however, is the first time I have ever used it, and even now the spellchecker on my computer is registering a vigorous protest.

I have told it to calm down. There are occasions when only "truthiness" will do.

The word refers to things that are not demonstrably true but which the speaker feels to be true, or simply wants to be true. It describes the obeisance of fact to opinion. And it is not a new concept. The philosopher Karl Popper railed against "historicism" and warned how open societies slipped into tyranny by forms of argumentation and political thinking that evaded contradiction or evaluation. It is the critique which the rationalists of the Enlightenment raised against religiously revealed truths. However, the clunky ineloquence of "truthiness" very much catches the spirit of the Bush presidency when reality became synonymous with political spin. So what if Saddam Hussein never possessed weapons of mass destruction and had probably never heard of al-Qaeda until one fateful day in September.

The very opposite assertions ought to have been true and therefore were not subject to time-honored canons of proof. Truthiness inspired a president to appear on an aircraft carrier to declare a war that was just beginning already won. It inspired economic policies which did the opposite of what they said on the label, and made the vast generality more miserable.

Alas, Turkey is in no position to gloat. Truthiness has become a national pastime. It has an odd ally in Turkish grammar itself, which is far too accepting of the passive voice. "Truthy" propositions are "asserted," "claimed," even "said" and "done" without it ever being entirely clear by whom. Many would argue that the indictment to shut down the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and other recent controversial decisions of the Constitutional Court were base on, if not truthiness, at least "lawiness."

However, the great champion of truthiness is the press itself, which through years of practice has learned to sculpt a front page in the image of what proprietors and owners want to be true.

We can speculate, but do not yet know, who was responsible for the horrendous bomb that exploded in an ordinary neighborhood of Istanbul Sunday night, killing 17 people and injuring many more. Of course, it was the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) screams one headline. It had to be Ergenekon posing as the PKK, conspires another. It was the PKK working for Ergenekon, says yet a third. Just over two weeks ago I was standing in front the American Consulate General in Istanbul trying to report on another deadly assault by three gunmen who in turn were shot dead. As the day wore on the camera crews on either side of me were interviewing me to lend weight to their stations' official line. "Clearly the work of Islamic fanatics?" asked one. "Clearly the work of those trying to make it look like the work of Islamic fanatics?" asked another. "We all want to find out" is all I could say.

Good reporting is a wall just high enough to prevent people from leaping to conclusions. It should be the duty of the press to frustrate those who would use terror to manipulate public opinion. And, of course, there are lots of good journalists trying to do a just job, but often their voices get drowned out. It is the obligation of the authorities as well to diffuse irresponsible speculation by making it clear that they will share accurate information with the public. On the day of incidents, the governor and ministers arrive on the scene, but the only thing they can convey is that they are taking the event seriously. The attack on the American Consulate took place on July 9, but there has been little effort to keep the public up to date.

veloped enough in democracy and social capital. The foremost task of freeing itself from ideological constipation is to get rid of the so-called "left." If there is to be a "left" (and there must be), it must definitely inculcate the values of basic liberties, human rights, the rule of law, social justice (equality before law and services), equal participation of all groups in politics and deliberative democracy. This means internalizing a modus vivendi based on organized society to offset the omnipotence of the state and a political culture whereby the state is subservient to the society, not vice versa.

These are liberal ideals that must replace the illiberal streak in Turkish politics where the Leviathan state rules unaccountable and the law of force abides instead of the force of law (tempered with the rule of law). The two trials -- one of which has ended -- will reveal which way Turkey will go. Will it become a liberal democracy in which those who govern are accountable and abide by the rule of law, or will Turkey go on being ruled by an opaque administrative system beyond civilian control and popular will? The answer will be a response to questions such as can faith and democracy reconcile, can the army be a part of the democratic system, can Turkey become an EU member, etc.

Let us keep our fingers crossed, for these are historic moments.

Costly South Stream: a chance for Nabucco FÝKRET ERTAN f.ertan@todayszaman.com

Russia surprised the world last year by announcing the launching of a new natural gas pipeline called the South Stream line.

On June 23, 2007, Russia's then-Gazprom Vice Chairman Alexander Medvedev, now the president, and Italian Eni officials unveiled and signed a memorandum of understanding to build the new line from Russia to Italy. Energy Ministers Viktor Khristenko of Russia and Pierluigi Bersani of Italy joined the officials and provided commercial and technical data on the project.

South Stream would start from Russia's Black Sea coast at Beregovaya, the same starting point as that of the Blue Stream pipeline to Turkey. It would run about 900 kilometers on the seabed of the Black Sea, reaching a maximum water depth of more than 2,000 meters, to Bulgaria. Once the pipeline reaches Bulgaria from the Black Sea, there are two probable routes to consider for the Italian route: the southwestern route and the northwestern route.The southwestern route would continue through Greece and the Adriatic seabed in the Otranto Strait to southern Italy. The northwestern route would run from Bulgaria through to Romania, Hungary and Slovenia to northern Italy. If the second route is chosen, a lateral spin from Hungarian territory into Austria is also possible. Gazprom is considering all the options, including both the southwestern and the northwestern routes.

South Stream is envisaged to carry 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually. As far as is known, Eni's SAIPEM unit, which is well experienced in building underwater pipelines, such as Blue Stream to Turkey, is still working on feasibility studies. The investments costs will be borne by Gazprom and Eni on equal basis.

According to Eni, the costs would be similar to those of construct-

ing an LNG supply line along the South Stream route. That, of course, means high costs from the start.

Well, high costs indeed, as Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko reluctantly announced this week while conferring with Italian Economic Development Minister Claudio Scaloja that the cost of South Stream line would be around $20 billion. He further stated that even this sum is an interim one, pending another financial assessment to be completed by the end of this year.

This new interim sum of $20 billion exceeds by $5 billion the sum that Moscow was mentioning earlier this year when inviting countries to join the project. In fact, several countries have joined the project in some form or another. Greece, Serbia, Hungary and Bulgaria have all signed some form of intergovernmental agreement with Russia. Furthermore, the Bulgarian Parliament ratified the agreement last week amid heated debate, with 140 votes in favor in the 240-seat Parliament, thus committing Bulgaria to the project for at least 30 years. Apart from these countries, Austria and Slovenia have been preparing to join the project, despite the project's incompatibility with the European Union's energy policy.

In this context, some argue that Moscow delayed the cost-increase announcement to manipulate the Bulgarian Parliament's debate over the agreement. Once the agreement was ratified, Moscow felt free to announce the hike, they claim. This may be true; who knows. But whether it was a deliberate move or not, that does not hide the fact that South Stream will be a very costly project, and this may well undermine its chances against the Western-backed Nabucco project, whose cost will be much less, around $7 billion.

The South Stream line, which until last month was seen as outflanking the Nabucco project, has lost some of its appeal and advantage because of its hefty, cost and for this reason some countries may either withdraw from it or revise their decisions.

Now it is time for Nabucco partners to stop bickering and playing around, and speed up the project. A real chance for Nabucco, created by its rival, should not be missed.

The Constitutional Court has refused to close the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), and this is definitely good news for Turkey. Yet the court has also decided that the party has become a focus of anti-secular activities to a certain degree. This is not surprising given that the court's understanding of secularism is assertive and almost anti-religious, and given that it is a semi-political body that took unreasonable but political decisions (i.e., the 367 issue). This is unfortunately Turkey, and there is almost nothing democrats can do in the short run to change this reality. I am sure the new Recep Tayyip Erdoðan and AK Party will show signs of taking this reality into account.

We keep reminding the bureaucratic oligarchy that unlike their assumptions, people in Turkey are not stupid and are qualified, wise and knowledgeable enough to make good political decisions. It is high time that the AK Party reminds itself of this fact and accepts that people are aware of the socio-political realities of the country. People have definitely become aware of the limitations of democratic politics in this country -- especially after the decision of the court by 10 to one that the AK Party is indeed anti-secular.

The verdict is based on the indictment of the prosecutor, whose strongest evidence to prove his allegations is Erdoðan's statement that religious scholars should decide whether the headscarf is Islamic or not, his statement that God created all of us as equal human beings and statements by several AK Party members that they will solve the problem of the headscarf ban at universities. People can see that the bureaucratic oligarchy's stance toward religious freedoms has not changed, and the fact that they did not close the party only means that they were afraid of doing so in the given domestic and international contexts.

The reason is definitely not that the court has become more democratic or more just. It is a fact that the AK Party members' innocent statements over a span of 10 years -- no prosecutor had filed an indictment against them based on these statements before the closure case, and all other parties keep making the same and even stronger statements -- have been used by the court, which did not take into account the AK Party's rule in power, full of pro-secular, prodemocratic and pro-EU acts, not only statements. Tomorrow, when the domestic and international conditions are right, the very same court may decide to close the party based on the very same indictment.

Erdoðan and the AK Party should know this, and they should also know that people also know this. So, the renewed Erdoðan and AK Party should stop mentioning God, religion, Islam, religious freedoms, the headscarf ban and so on even in the most polite and humane manner. No one will blame them.

This does not mean that they should be sheepishly docile in the face of pressure by the undemocratic and EU-hostile oligarchy. The renewed Erdoðan and the AK Party should be less and less Necmettin Erbakan and more and more Turgut Özal. People do not expect good statements or even religious freedoms from them.

They only want freedoms for everyone. They urgently want more EU reforms, including the implementation of these reforms. They want to see the Copenhagen criteria obeyed by all parties in the country. They want more democracy, utmost transparency, a democracy-friendly military, a minimal state and a more just society. If Erdoðan and his friends' new discourse is only full of these but nothing religious, they must rest assured that God will still be pleased with them.

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WOR L D

SUNDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ZAMAN 17

S U N D AY, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 0 8

Olmert departure makes Mideast peace more elusive

California water crisis must be addressed OPINION

Compounding the political uncertainty, right-wing opposition Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu called on Thursday for parliamentary elections to be brought forward, which could lead to the formation of a government opposed to a peace deal

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dianne Feinstein* AP

SUNDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ZAMAN

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down makes the already improbable US goal of achieving a comprehensive Israel-Palestinian peace deal this year even more elusive, analysts said.

But it might create a little more space for negotiating a partial deal or, perhaps, a document marking any progress that may have been made by Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and their negotiating teams.

"Can Olmert reach a half-baked agreement with Abbas that might move the ball further than it's been moved? Maybe. Can he achieve an agreement which can be sold or implemented and would fundamentally change the situation on the ground?

Absolutely not," said Aaron David Miller, a former US negotiator.

"It is in between that 'maybe' and that 'absolutely not' that there is political space for him to intensify a process that was already in train," added Miller, author of "The Much Too Promised Land: America's Elusive search for Arab-Israeli Peace."

Dogged by corruption scandals, Olmert thrust Israeli politics and Middle East peace talks into turmoil on Wednesday by announcing that he would step down after a Sept. 17 vote within his centrist Kadima party to choose a new leader.

It could take months for his successor to cobble together a new coalition, leaving Olmert in the role of caretaker prime minister, possibly into next year.

Compounding the political uncertainty, right-wing opposition Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu called on Thursday for parliamentary elections to be brought forward, which could lead to the formation of a government opposed to a peace deal.

Reflecting the considerable uncertainty brought on

by Olmert's decision, Ghaith Al-Omari, advocacy director for the Washington-based American Task Force on Palestine, offered a pessimistic assessment.

Political season "In my view, it seals the fact that there will be no conflict-ending deal by the end of this year," said Al-Omari, who was a member of the Palestinian negotiating team during the failed 2000 Camp David US-backed peace-making effort.

Al-Omari said he did not think Olmert had the moral authority to negotiate a deal and said his chief negotiator and possible successor, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, would be unable to make concessions in a political season.

"Livni will not enter the election season with 'Dividing Jerusalem' on her banner. She cannot make the necessary compromises," he said. "We are going to get into a hold-

PHOTO

ASHAD MOHAMMED WASHINGTON

Can Israeli PM Olmert reach a half-baked agreement with Mahmoud Abbas that might move the ball further than it's been moved? ing pattern on the negotiations ... I think it's politically impossible to reach a deal by the end of the year."

Four Kadima ministers, including Livni and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, have launched campaigns to replace Olmert in the Sept. 17 vote. Polls have shown Livni ahead within Kadima.

But Netanyahu could try to thwart Kadima's plans to form the next government by mustering a majority in parliament, either to form his own coalition or to move up elections scheduled for 2010.

Opinion polls suggest Netanyahu, a leading critic of Olmert's peace moves, would win such a snap poll.

Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and

Development at the University of Maryland, College Park, said the desire to prevent Netanyahu from taking power might give Kadima and its Labor allies an incentive to move on peace.

Asked about Olmert's departure, Telhami said: "It doesn't affect the prospects much but, if anything, it affects them a little bit more positively, keeping in mind that the prospects were small to begin with."

"That positive effect comes the immediate sense of urgency, and in some ways panic, on the part of Labor and Kadima, that might push them to try to preserve the government and therefore make them root for some kind of peace progress," he added. Reuters

US candidates share some policy goals Under the next US president, the military will grow, fewer troops will be in Iraq, more will go to Afghanistan and the Guantanamo Bay prison will close.

Those visions are shared by John McCain and Barack Obama, the two candidates for the November election, demonstrating a large measure of agreement on how to run the world's only superpower military despite their public clashes over issues such as Iraq.

Both Obama, a Democratic senator from Illinois, and McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, support a large, strong and well-funded military and have made clear they are willing to use it to protect US interests -- alone if necessary.

"There is a consensus on the attitude towards the military between McCain and Obama," said Josef Braml, an analyst at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin.

"The United States is looking for allies, but when it comes to certain security issues -- the protection of the United States and Israel -- neither of the two has left any doubt over the fact that they are willing to use military action unilaterally," he said.

Advisers to both candidates say they do not foresee cuts in the defense budget, at

least in the short-term.

At more than $600 billion this year, US defense spending accounts for about half the global total and has risen by about 85 percent under President Bush, who initiated the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Both McCain and Obama also support continuing a program begun under Bush to expand the US Army and Marine Corps, severely strained by the two wars, to a combined strength of some 750,000 active-duty troops.

McCain favors going further, with up to 900,000 personnel. But neither candidate supports a draft, which military officers also strongly oppose.

The deeply unpopular Iraq war was long expected to be a major campaign theme and it may still be significant. But a big decline in violence there has taken some of the heat out of the issue and the candidates' differences have narrowed.

Both now foresee troop cuts in Iraq, even if they disagree on the reasons for them.

Obama says forces must be freed up to tackle worsening insurgent violence in Afghanistan, which he views -together with lawless border areas of Pakistan -- as the central front in America's fight against Islamist militants.

The wildfires that have burned more than 1 million acres are the most visible symptom of another long, hot, dry summer in California. Less visible, though no less devastating, are the effects that the prolonged drought has on the state's water supply and environment.

Although no one disagrees on the urgent need to fight the fires, there has long been sharp disagreement about how to address California's chronic water shortage.

The time has come to break the stalemate.

So, in the spirit of bipartisan cooperation, earlier this month we offered a compromise water bond package for the Legislature's consideration. We believe it is critical that the Legislature act swiftly to place such a measure on the November ballot.

Why the hurry? Put simply, our water supply is in jeopardy. We are experiencing the second year of drought, and 2008 had the driest spring ever recorded in the northern Sierra and other parts of Northern California. If the dry conditions continue into next year, we could be facing the worst drought in California history.

California depends on water from three primary sources: The Sierra Nevada snowpack, the Colorado River and our existing water storage system. Each of these sources faces unprecedented challenges.

The snowpack, which was measured at only 67 percent of normal in May, has become dangerously unreliable because of global warming. It is estimated that climate change will cause the state's snowpack to drop by 25 percent to 40 percent by 2050.

The Colorado River Basin just experienced an eight-year drought, and the volume of water that California is allowed to take from the river has dropped by 18 percent from 2003.

Reservoirs are dangerously low statewide. Lake Oroville, California's second-largest storage reservoir, will end this year with its lowest amount of water in more than 30 years. Shasta Reservoir, the state's largest, is at 48 percent of capacity.

At the same time that our water reserves are low, the courts have ordered restrictions on how much water can be pumped out of the SacramentoSan Joaquin River Delta, reducing water supplies by 20 percent to 30 percent. Just last week, a judge ordered state and federal regulators to come up with a plan to provide more water for salmon in the delta.

This interim plan likely will require more reductions in pumping this winter.

Another year of drought will be catastrophic for our water supply, our environment and our economy. Already, farmers are taking agricultural lands out of production, and building permits could be put on hold, causing the loss of thousands of jobs.

The crisis is also causing catastrophic harm to our fisheries. In two of the last three years, our once-thriving Pacific salmon fisheries have been shut down as salmon populations have diminished.

Clearly, the state is in crisis. Yet, to this point, we've been unable to forge a common path forward.

For the last 18 months, the two of us have worked to develop a water infrastructure investment bond to put before California voters. We have listened carefully to legislative leaders and the many diverse stakeholders -- environmental and agricultural leaders, business, labor and urban and rural communities. We built on the areas of general agreement, and the common goal is clear: a clean and reliable water supply and healthy environment for the future of California.

Our hope is that the plan we have put together will serve as a solid starting point for negotiations with the Legislature.

Our proposal includes modernization of our aging water systems, significant investment in healing and safeguarding the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and other important ecosystems, increased water storage in reservoirs and underground aquifers, improved conveyance and a strong focus on conservation programs.

We believe this is a balanced and comprehensive approach that will help meet the needs of a growing population -- expected to reach 50 million in the next decade. It will help us bank more water in wet years for use in the dry years. And it will meet our common goal of a healthy environment and reliable water supply.

Although there are efforts each year to address one piece of the puzzle or another, none of them has yet solved our crisis. What is needed is a comprehensive, statewide plan -- and we must move swiftly.

The impact of even one more dry season could be devastating -- we cannot afford to wait any longer. *Schwarzenegger is the governor of California. Feinstein is California's senior US senator. Š The Los Angeles Times

Washington Reuters

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SPORTS

SUNDAY’S ZAMAN 19

S U N D AY, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 0 8

PHOTO

AP

COUNTDOWN TO BEIJING OLYMPICS UNDER WAY

Turkish Olympic players raring to take on the world Turkey's hopes are for more than a good Olympic performance -- a solid performance will reflect well on the country as a whole. Although Ýstanbul missed the chance to host the 2008 Olympic Games, it is eager to host the Games in 2020 OKAN UDO BASSEY ÝSTANBUL

The countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games is already on. The whole world is watching the Chinese capital with great expectations -- and the Turkish delegation, comprising 106 members, 68 of them athletes in 12 different disciplines, has already arrived at the Olympic venue.

Mehmet Atalay, the head of the Turkish Olympic delegation, said on Wednesday after the first group of Turkish athletes landed in Beijing that he is optimistic the Turks will win five golds and more than 10 other medals at the Olympic Games, which kicks off at 12:08 p.m. GMT (3:08 p.m. local time) on Aug. 8, 2008. "I think we can win five gold, five silver and five bronze medals and finish among the top 20 countries," Atalay stated.

The Turks are pinning medal hopes on their world champion wrestlers, weightlifters and taekwondo practitioners during the Beijing Olympics. At the 2004 Games in Athens, the 66-member Turkish team won 10 medals: three golds in weightlifting, three silver medals in wrestling, taekwondo and boxing, and four bronze medals in other disciplines, and was 22nd in the overall standings.

Weightlifting Turkish weightlifting champion Naim "Pocket Hercules" Suleymanoðlu helped to give the country a name in the Olympics. The 1.45meter athlete won three Olympic gold medals (1988, 1992, 1996), seven world championships and six European championships and holds 46 world records. However, the Pocket Hercules is now a retiree. Naim’s triple Olympic victory was followed by yet another three-medal haul by Halil “Little Dynamo” Mutlu. Even though these two legendary lifters will not be competing in Beijing, Turkey still has a strong squad.

Two promising lifters will be among the competitors in Beijing: Taner Saðýr, who won the gold medal in the 77- kilogram category in

cording to a report in the Southeast European Times. Three other Turkish swimmers will also be bearing the Turkish flag.

Track and field

Nurcan Taylan

Taner Saðýr

Athens, and Nurcan Taylan, who took gold in the women's 48 kilogram category that year.

The two are again seeking gold in Beijing.

Young Taner, who was born on March 13, 1985, is Turkey’s greatest medal hope in weightlifting. Going into the 2004 Athens games as champion of all the junior world records, Taner set new Olympic records in the 77-kilogram snatch, clean and jerk and combined events to become the youngest Olympic champ in the weightlifting history at the age of 19. The 1.70-meter-tall Taner is a student of physical education and sports.

One of the other names mentioned the most for gold is Taylan, who will be competing against her fellow Turk, Sibel Özkan, in the women's 48-kilogram category.

Nurcan, Turkey’s first-ever woman Olympic medalist, looks set to defend her title. "I am training hard and I'm ready to win again," Taylan said recently.

Doping scandals in weightlifting continue to dominate the headlines, but not in Turkey.

Bulgaria had to replace its entire team after 11 athletes tested for steroids. Greece had 11 weightlifters suspended and will now just send four athletes to the Olympic Games.

The sport is now facing a serious image problem and some people have even called for it to be removed from the Olympic Games. But despite all odds weightlifters are bent on keeping the Turkish flag flying.

Elvan Abeylegesse

Among others, Turkey will also be represented by four athletes in taekwondo, five in sailing, three in boxing, four in swimming and one player each in cycling, archery and judo.

Wrestling, taekwondo and swimming Turkey also has high hopes for its 13 wrestlers. Wrestling has been an important sport for Turkey since the 1936 Berlin Games, when Yasar Erkan won the first gold medal for Turkey. Since then dozens of Turkish wrestlers have won Olympic medals.

Söner Sucu (60 kilograms) and Mehmet Özal (96 kilograms), who ranked third in their weight divisions, will be competing in the Greco-Roman event in Beijing.

In taekwondo, Bahri and Azize Tanrikulu, who are brother and sister, hope to add Olympic gold medals to their collections. Bahri took silver in the men's 80-kilogram division in Athens. Azize won a gold medal in the women's 63-kilogram category at the European championships in 2005.

One of the surprise names on Turkey's Olympic team is 14-year-old swimmer Ediz Yýldýrýmer -- the youngest athlete in Turkey's Olympic history. He placed first in the 1,500meter freestyle in the world championship this year in his age group. "It will be a great experience for me. My real aim is to get a [medal] in the 2012 Olympic Games," Yýldýrýmer said, ac-

Turkey will be represented by 10 female and six male athletes who will be competing in 15 different events in track and field. Elvan Abeylegesse, who won a silver medal in the 2007 world championship in the 10,000-meter race, will compete for a medal in the women’s 5,000 meters in Beijing. Almitu Bekele Degfa (5,000 meters), Aslý Çakýr and Türkan Eriþmiþ (3,000 steeplechase), Bahar Doðan (marathon), Melis Mey (long jump), Merve Aydýn (800 meters), Nevin Yanýt (100 meter hurdles), Özge Gürler (400 meter hurdles) and Sviatlana Sudak (hammer throw) will be vying for honors in the women’s events. In men’s action, Abdil Ceylan (marathon), Ercüment Olgundeniz (discus throw), Eþref Apak (hammer throw), Halil Akkaþ (3,000 steeplechase), Recep Çelik (20 kilometer race walk) and Selim Bayrak (10,000 meters) will be vying for honors for Turkey.

Table tennis Recruiting athletes from other countries and later naturalizing them is now commonplace in Turkey. As a result Turkey will be competing for the first time in table tennis in the Olympics with two Chinese-born athletes -- Cem Zeng (formerly Cheng Gong Zheng) and Melek Hu (Hui Mei Jin).

Cem started playing table tennis at the age of 6 and was on the Chinese national team for seven years. Cem previously won the Asian Junior Championship, and was recently recruited by the Fenerbahçe, which had already acquired Melek.

Turkey's hopes are for more than a good Olympic performance -- a solid performance will reflect well on the country as a whole. Although Ýstanbul missed the chance to host the 2008 Olympic Games, it is eager to host the Games in 2020.

Becky Hammon

Basketball player Becky Hammon defends decision to play for Russia In many ways, Becky Hammon feels playing basketball for Russia and not the United States is the most "American" thing she has ever done. After all, what good is freedom if it is not exercised? So when the Beijing Olympics begin next week, the American-bred Hammon will put her basketball skills on display for the red, white and blue -- of Russia. The 31-year-old was not initially sought by the US team. So Hammon, who has no ancestral link to Russia, accepted an offer to play for the Russian national squad.

She received a passport and naturalized citizenship in February, enabling her participation. Last year she signed a four-year deal worth $2 million to play with the CSKA Moscow professional club.

Long before she ever became a member of the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA, Hammon dreamed of participating in the Olympics. But she never quite saw it playing out like this. "It was a hard decision. I know I'm doing it for the right reasons," Hammon told Reuters. "I know how I feel about my country. I love what America stands for and that we're the free world. But freedom has never been free. People have paid for it."

Much discussion Hammon knows that now more than ever. She has been the source of much discussion, and in some cases, shock, about an American clad in a Russian uniform. Hammon was most notably lambasted by US women's basketball coach Anne Donovan.

"If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person," Donovan said. But the 5ft 6in point guard who finished second in WNBA MVP voting last season, had not been given an immediate opportunity to wear a USA uniform.

When USA Basketball released its first list of 23 prospective players to make the Olympic team, Hammon's name was not on it. Later, the committee expanded the list to 30 and invited Hammon to try out, but it was too late.

"I've never even played in an FIBA sanctioned event," Hammon said. "They had a long time to give me the opportunity."

Little has ever been handed to the feisty Hammon who is known for taking the big shot in the pressure-packed moment.

Hammon, who averages 17.4 points and 4.7 assists per game this season, went undrafted out of Colorado State University and began her WNBA career in 1999 on the New York Liberty bench.

So when she felt passed over by her national team she filed it away as just another challenge and it is this mental toughness that has earned her the respect of her peers. "If (Becky) was given a fair shake to begin with than maybe she would be in a US uniform," said Los Angeles Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, a member of the US team. Los Angeles Reuters

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