Do you think that setting the fires could be the result of other expressions of Greek foreign policy?
Look, they are strictly related to how Turkey acts. There has been a parallel state in Turkey ever since 1909, when the Young Turks tookpower. Then it was called Teshkilat-i Mahsusa, then Caracol, and then the National Intelligence Organization MIT was established. They all had their branches, which did not mind about committing murder, extortion, arson. This continued for decades and the parallel state remained an official and fully accepted separate part of the Turkish state.
Its existence is not related to Greek-Turkish relations but to the mode of action of the Turkish state. I would like to recall the bomb explosion in a Kurdish bookstore some time ago. It became apparent that the army itself had placed the bomb. Furthermore, there were accusations that parallel state functionaries killed a senior magistrate in order to lay the murder on the Kurds. This is the way the Turkish state acts.
Why do you think Mesut Yilmaz chose this particular moment to make this statement?
I cannot know for sure, I can only make assumptions. Mesut Yilmaz has been out of politics for many years. Currently in Turkey, there is a significant lack of the forces against Erdogan. The Republican People's Party still cannot mend its ways and its development is not positive. In these conditions, it is quite normal for Mesut Yilmaz to seek a "place in the sun." His statements are a kind of "revenge" on his political opponent. Do not forget that after the death of Turgut Ozal, the fight was between Mesut Yilmaz and Tansu Chiller. Figuratively speaking, Ozal had given the ring to Chiller. The parallel state and military leadership preferred her because she did not resist. Mesut Yilmaz was somehow pushed aside and perhaps now, he has found the opportunity to express his discontent for that period.
What is your comment on the dispute between Turkey and France in connection with the already voted law for imposing sanctions against those who deny the Armenian genocide?
To be honest, I agree with the Turkish position in this case. I think it is inappropriate to impose a law and say that those who deny a historical milestone through historical data would be sued. It is a matter of principle and what we must address is the prohibition to express a different opinion.
From there, the response of Turkey is the usual one in such cases. Turks cry out as they did when Abdullah Ocalan went to Italy. Then they burned Italian cars and neckties and boycotted Italian products and goods in general.
This reaction of Turkey shows that even after 100 years, the issue is not closed. It remains open. I.e. the Turkish state feels responsible for the Armenian genocide and it is trying to hide it in any way it can. The wound has not healed and Turkey is not able to accept this reality, although it is right in this case. These things are within the competence of historians and cannot be solved by laws.
Do you think that this dispute could affect the already suspended negotiations for Turkish membership in the European Union?
Yes, negotiations are suspended in fact. They will probably be frozen in the coming months because of the rotating Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus and they will start again in a spectacular way later.
Anyway, Turkey has no European orientation now. Erdogan took what he wanted from the European Union, i.e. the patina of European. He established himself on the Turkish political scene and now, he is turning to other regions. The Turkish Prime Minister is interested in the Iraq crisis now. The lack of government there is much more dangerous for Turkey. Vice President Nouri al-Maliki, who recently visited the Kurdish-populated areas, is related to the power game between Iran and Turkey, which is taking place in Iraq today.
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