Here are my recommendations, if I was advising AKP and Erdogan, for the new government in Turkey as their top ten things to accomplish in the next 100 days:
1. Unilaterally cancel all talks with the EU. Give them 30 days to offer Turkey an 'acceptance' letter as a full and equal member, or threaten to withdraw from the EU membership. Have them chase after Turkey in a few years.
2. Improve ties with the US, as well as Russia, along with all the other 'Turkic' republics. Start a realignment program with proven winners, not losers.
3. Strive to become a leader in the region. Align with Israel and form a 'stop terror' campaign involving moderate Muslims to improve the image of Islam, and dispel the rumors of Muslim fundamentalism alignment with terror.
4. Bring on democracy to Turkey, as well as getting rid of some of the taboos. Eliminate the 'headscarf' problem and continue to pass reform legislature.
5. Elect Gul as Turkey's President, and reduce the generals' power. Confine them to handle the defense of Turkey from (and not let them become a tool of) outside intervention.
6. Invest in the human resources of Turkey. Create programs to train and develop better athletes, support sports and entertainment, as well as cultural activities. Create a public relations campaign to re-introduce the 'Turkish' flavor and appeal.
7. Sit down with the Armenian diaspora, and Armenia, for one-on-one talks. Do the same with the Greeks. In fact, align with the Greeks and create an 'Aegean' treaty. Once and for all, start listening to what the Kurds of Turkey really want. Recognize the Kurds of the region and their struggle, and then join with them to strengthen the position of real Islam versus Iran and Al-Qaeda.
8. Offer a high-level cabinet position to Mr. Baykal, if he agrees to resign as head of the CHP. You'd be doing all of us, and him, a favor.
9. Start real dialogue with the opposition. Bring them in on all major decisions and teach them to behave civilly. Start leading by example.
10. Introduce a national campaign to eliminate illiteracy, smoking, bad treatment of women, and sitting idly at coffee houses. Support programs to encourage the young to get involved in their community and volunteerism. Make them the goodwill ambassadors of the new generation of Turkey.
