Finally, you got rid of Derviş

Since the day he arrived in Turkey, Kemal Derviş has angered a segment of Turkish politics.

Some described him as a “divider.”

Former Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit blamed Derviş for the Democratic Left Party's (DSP) resounding defeat in the national elections in 2002. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli accused him of undermining the party's standing. While İsmail Cem saw Derviş as the main reason behind his party's failure, the person who complained about Derviş the most was Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal.

Actually, Derviş was seen by the majority of the nation as a political leader in his own right, and this both incensed and frightened many political leaders.

Thank God it's over.

Just like when he first came, he left the country to applause. He moved from an international agency (World Bank) to another one (United Nations).

Those who feared him are relieved.

Despite everything that happened, Derviş introduced a new standard to Turkish politics. His maturity, principles and speeches raised the bar.

We're thankful he got to do that.

Can Çorum become a brand?

On Thursday we were in Çorum. I attended the 10th in a series of conferences on “Europe in Anatolia” held by the Doğan Group. The topic discussed was how to create brands. They talked about the fact that, without a brand, products did not produce the revenue needed.

From the outside, the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Çorum is the roasted garbanzo beans called leblebi. However, when Çorum's chamber of trade and commerce presidents, Erdem Çenesiz and Kanan Malatyalı, briefed us about the state of affairs in Çorum, we realized that nothing is as it seems. In reality, Çorum has already become a brand. It is shining with its Alacahöyük Museum with Hittite artifacts and buildings, greenery and companies like Ece Banyo.

However, no one knows about them.

Çorum can, of course, become a brand, but it first needs to show itself to us.

And I am sure that's exactly what it will do soon.

THY can't expand its horizons:

You may have new and nice-looking planes. Your hostesses may be very beautiful and polite. Your ground services may be the most efficient around. You may also be earning a lot of money. However, despite all this, you still may be just a small-time player.

I am talking about Turkish Airlines (THY).

If you don't have the International Herald Tribune daily to give to your business class passengers traveling to Europe or America, if only Turks are given Turkish dailies and the only thing you can provide to your foreign passengers is an apology, you will never become an international carrier.

In the last year, I saw this at least 10 times. I've wizened up to lies like, “Sir, we usually have some on each flight, but they forgot to give any to us.”

Just find ways to broaden your horizons and don't be proud until you become a respected international carrier.

If you are borrowing to stay alive:

IMF Deputy Director Anne Krueger held a series of meetings last week in Turkey, but a single sentence she uttered caused a problem.

She said: “The minimum wage of $260 is preventing the decrease of unemployment and creation of new jobs. The number of unregistered workers is increasing.”

All hell broke lose.

One asked her if she could live on $260 a month. Newspapers reported the sentence with headlines such as “She talked nonsense” or “What kind of mother is she?”

However, Krueger's reply to the question was very correct. “If I had to live on $260 a month, I would adjust my life accordingly.”

Of course, if you are used to borrowing all the time to live like kings, Krueger's statement might have angered you, but the fact is that the Turkish people need to tighten their belts even further. The crazy lifestyles of the past are over.

Disabled people don't want to wait another five years:

This week is Disabled Persons Week.

A 74-year-old disabled citizen sent an e-mail in the name of Turkey's 8.5 million disabled people. Hasan Dulagil started by saying how happy he was about the Disabled Persons law being submitted to Parliament.

He then continues to say: “I couldn't understand why they delayed implementation of the law for five years. The adjustment of the roads to be more disabled-friendly will take time. However, the free medical exams, education, equal opportunity, the increase in the wages assigned to the disabled and the elderly, and tax exemptions could begin immediately depending on the amount of money allocated by the state. This process can be completed within a few years. Delaying the implementation of the law for five years means the state is telling us: “We, as the state, did nothing to contribute to your well being until now. Wait another five years and we'll start helping you when we have money.”

Hasan Dulagil says: “I am 74 years old. I can't wait another five years.” Don't you think he is right?