Turkey Criticises British Film on Turkish Orphanages
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: Turkey said on Friday a British television documentary about its orphanages using Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, in an undercover role could harm the welfare of the children involved.

"The way in which the disguised Duchess of York was used to shoot scenes with a hidden camera ... was done without taking into consideration the adverse effects of such unprepared visits on the intellectual and emotional development of these children," Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said.

He made the comments about the ITV documentary, the first part of which aired this week, at a joint news conference with Foreign Secretary David Miliband, where Turkey's bid to join the European Union was relegated to a minor role.

Babacan said Turkey had launched an inquiry into the allegations made in the documentary and anyone responsible for misconduct would be charged.

But he said Turkey regretted the approach used by the makers of the programme, which he said focussed on a rehabilitation centre for mentally handicapped children.

The documentary follows Ferguson, the former wife of Queen Elizabeth's second son, as she visits state orphanages in Turkey and Romania. She poses as a potential charitable donor and secret cameras follow her.

On her visits, Ferguson saw evidence of children being tied to beds and disabled children generally neglected by overworked staff. >>> Reuters / By Adrian Croft | November 7, 2008

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Miliband in Turkey STRONGLY Supporting Turkey’s Bid to Join the Union
Allowing Turkey to accede to the European Union will change the nature of Europe forever. If we value our Judeo-Christian heritage, we will NOT allow Turkey into the Union under any circumstances.

For some inexplicable reason, the British government and the Foreign Office are determined to support Turkey’s bid to join, regardless of public opinion, and regardless of the fact that many, many people are against such a destructive move.

In my view, Turkey should not be admiited into Europe, but at very least, we should never allow Turkey to join without first consulting with the people in the form of a referendum. Allowing Turkey in will change Europe’s destiny forever: It will Islamize the whole continent, and in a very short time. It will be life-changing for us all.

It is therefore wrong for politicians, who are, after all, only elected for relatively short periods of time, to make decisions on behalf of the people which will force us all to accept drastic and permanent changes long after those politicians will be out of office. - ©Mark

TODAY’S ZAMAN: While reaffirming London's support of Turkey's bid to join the European Union, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband yesterday expressed once again his government's concern over an ongoing closure case against Turkey's ruling party.

Miliband's strongly worded statements came at a joint press conference here following a meeting with Turkish counterpart Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. Miliband is part of the delegation accompanying Queen Elizabeth II, who is on a landmark visit to the EU candidate country 37 years after her previous visit.

"We adhere to the very strong principle that governments are chosen by the people and not chosen by lawyers," Miliband said in response to a question, while also underlining that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) was re-elected last year.

Even as he praised reforms the Turkish government had carried out in its bid to join the EU, Miliband refused to speculate on what might happen to Turkey-EU relations if the AK Party was indeed closed down.

Late in March, Turkey's Constitutional Court decided to hear a closure case opened against the ruling party on charges of its having become a "focal point for anti-secular activities," leading the EU candidate country to an ongoing political crisis.

Miliband was the first foreign minister to visit Turkey in September of last year after the conclusion of a lengthy election process there. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan formed his new Cabinet after a sweeping victory in the July 22 elections, and former Foreign Minister and current President Abdullah Gül was then elected president. Miliband also said yesterday that proposals that fell short of full membership for Turkey were not an alternative.

"We want to be allies of Turkey inside the European Union and not just proponents of a better dialogue between the European Union and Turkey," he said, in apparent reference to the French and Austrian governments' reluctance to back full membership for Turkey.

Britain has been a vocal supporter of eventual Turkish EU membership, with Miliband describing the queen's visit as "a symbol of the deepening relationship" between the two countries. Miliband: People Choose Government, Not Lawyers >>> May 15, 2008

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