We cannot solve this issue by seizing everything

As a result, these assets seized by the state are slowly evaporating due to inexperience and bureaucratic tradition. Their value is approaching zero at a rapid rate; in other words, while the state fails to collect, its debt the assets it has seized continue to deteriorate.

The state’s behavior is more like that of a bull in a china shop. They are charging 500 to 1,500 percent interest on the debt owed them, while ruining the companies that are profitable and taking on the increasing debts of the unprofitable.

I wonder if this is the right way to tackle the issue, or is it better to sell the seized companies immediately or to initiate a system that encourages the companies’ owners to settle their debts. We can all see that the current system is not successful, and that the state needs to find another way.

Israel causing trouble for Turkey
Recent policies initiated by Israel against Palestine are angering not only Ankara but the entire world. No matter what their reasons are, the behavior of the government lead by Ariel Sharon is unacceptable. They are killing Palestinians right under our eyes and destroying their homes. Even criticism among the Israelis is increasing.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) resisted for a long time but eventually felt it necessary to act. To tell you the truth, this was not the reaction we expected from the AK Party; their stance was much more moderate than expected.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s tension-filled meeting with the Israeli energy minister and the actions listed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul showed that Turkey will continue to pursue a wait-and-see approach. It appears that the relationship will suffer even further if Sharon’s attitude does not change soon.

Turkey could suspend the implementation of the agreements it signed with Israel. Such a scenario would lead to the undoing of the carefully constructed balance of power, and it will be very hard to repair it.

The attitude of Turkey and especially the AK Party, whose grassroots are especially sensitive about Israel, must be understandable to all. Those who try to criticize the Turkish stance should first approach the Sharon government.

Foreign Ministry should keep on working
We always face the same situation. Whenever the post of undersecretary within a ministry becomes available, or when a report about an important decision is leaked to the media, work in that particular ministry comes to a standstill. The entire ministry simply sits and waits for the appointment.

The impression you get about the workings of the Foreign Ministry is just that. It appears that Ali Tuygan will replace Ugur Ziyal as the ministry’s undersecretary, but in fact they are two ambassadors who share the same outlook on the world. What we are faced with is the continuation of the same viewpoint and a seamless transfer of power.

However, the same cannot be said for ambassadorial appointments. Those who have been overseas for the past four years will come back and be replaced by those who are currently in the ministry headquarters. There is tension in the air. This transition time is very important. If the process is lengthy, life will stop in the Foreign Ministry.

This is especially important at a time when we are entering a very critical period in our relations with the European Union. It will be better if it is completed soon.