Baykal's Proposals of Cardinal Importance
I was all ears when watching the Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal in a television program last week. I was wondering if I misunderstood what he was saying. Then I thought Baykal is trying to fill the gap in the liberal wing, after a group of liberals sided with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)! Enough of the joke, the suggestions made by Baykal for a solution to the Iraq issue last week are of cardinal importance and they are a package the government should pay immediate attention to.
As everyone else, I am surprised by his suggestions because introduction of liberal and hot recommendations by a hawkish party is quite interesting. Baykal's solution package has a soothing effect and is some sort of a guiding light for the government cold to a cross-border operation in northern Iraq and applying a "profit policy" in the area. The government is doing its best not to have a military incursion in northern Iraq but on the other hand its approach in the area is still unknown. The government itself doesn't know what to do in Iraq. Moreover, an announcement by Cemil Çiçek, government spokesman, that the economic embargo will block only Massoud Barzani's trade relations dealt a big blow to economic relations, the only true mechanism working properly. The government had shot itself in the foot in relations with northern Iraq. Now the CHP leader's remarks come as relief for the government.
A 'big brother' role for Turkey Above all, Baykal's suggestions are right to the point and open to yield long-term consequences; besides due to humanitarian reasons they will revive Turkey's positive image in the eye of the world. For me, the most important feature of this package is that Baykal's suggestions bring an embracing "big brother" role for Turkey in the Middle East. Baykal is right for creating higher education opportunity for Iraqi youth from any ethnic group in Turkey, these young people will not only have a profession but also will have universal values and they will turn into thousands of goodwill ambassadors for Turkey. Remember, school days are the most precious times of our lives. In a period where their minds are susceptible to new openings and innovations, when this young people having their education in Turkey will be assigned descent positions in Iraq in the future, they will have a love for Turkey and close ties with their friends in Turkey. I am of the opinion that Fethullah Gülen schools saw this positive relation before anyone else in Turkey and raised thousands of goodwill ambassadors for Turkey around the world.
Cultural mobilization
The second thing I am intrigued with among Baykal's suggestions is the spread of Turkey-based television broadcasts in the region. One of the biggest export items of the U.S. is the Hollywood. However, this is not just an income source but also is the carrier of American imperialist values. Hollywood is the most influential factor in the U.S.-origin values, fashion, taste or dreams in the global village. Turkey should roll up its sleeves for this massive mobilization and set technical equipment to cover the entire region in broadcasts from Turkey.
Besides, broadcasts shouldn't be only in Turkey. Turkish films, series, entertainment programs and some certain news programs should be broadcast in Kurdish and Arabic too. Therefore, the number of people under the influence of Turkish values will double or triple.
Television programs should not just encourage Turkish but also should lay the difference of Turkey before the eyes of entire region
I thank Baykal very much.
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