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タイ在住11年目、妻はタイ人、娘が2人、養女が2人

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Stability in Turkey necessary for united front against ISIL
トルコ総選挙　対「イスラム国」で結束を急げ

Turkey plays an important role in key international issues such as the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) extremist group as well as the refugee crisis. It is essential that the nation’s political situation should stabilize.
　トルコは、過激派組織「イスラム国」との戦いや難民問題の対応で重要な役割を担う。政情の安定化が欠かせない。

The ruling Justice and Development Party, a moderate Islamic party known as AKP, won Sunday’s snap election, securing a single-party majority in the parliament. In June, the AKP fell short of securing a majority in the general election, and the party also failed to form a coalition. Following the deadlock, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared another election.
　トルコ総選挙で、イスラム穏健派の与党、公正発展党が勝利し、単独過半数を獲得した。６月の総選挙では過半数に達せず、連立政権作りに失敗したことから、再選挙となっていた。

The political confusion has caused foreign capital to flee the country, which resulted in the depreciation of the nation’s currency. In early October, about 100 people were killed in Ankara by suicide bombings believed to be conducted by ISIL. We believe that the outcome of the recent election shows the majority of the people’s desire for a stable government, reflecting their concern about the nation’s future.
　内政の混乱を受けて外国資本が逃避し、通貨安を招いている。首都アンカラでは１０月上旬、「イスラム国」の犯行とみられる爆弾テロが起き、約１００人が死亡した。懸念を抱く多数の国民が安定政権の発足を求めたのだろう。

As battles between the government troops and Kurdish militants continue, the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party has lost a significant number of its seats in the election. Kurds make up about 15 percent of the nation’s population, and voices demanding more autonomy are prevalent among them.
　政府軍とクルド人武装組織の戦闘が続く中、クルド系政党は議席を大きく減らした。クルド系住民は国内人口の約１５％を占め、自治権拡大を要求する声が強い。

The conflict between citizens of Turkish and Kurdish ethnicity has spilled over to Japan, resulting in a scuffle in front of the Turkish Embassy in Tokyo in late October.
　トルコ系とクルド系の対立は日本に飛び火し、１０月下旬には、トルコ大使館前で乱闘があった。

We hope friction between different ethnic groups will not hamper efforts to tackle issues such as the prolonged civil war in neighboring Syria, as well as terrorist threats. It is apparent that Erdogan must work for national reconciliation.
　民族間のあつれきが増すことで、隣国シリアの長引く内戦やテロへの対処がおろそかになるのは望ましくない。エルドアン大統領には、国民融和に向けた取り組みが必要となろう。

Dark side of Erdogan

Erdogan led the nation to rapid economic growth after taking office as prime minister in 2003. He assumed his current role last year by winning the nation’s first direct presidential election. The president is now seeking constitutional amendments that would give more power to the president.
　２００３年から首相を務めたエルドアン氏は高成長を主導し、初の直接選挙となった昨年の大統領選で当選した。大統領権限を強める憲法改正を目指している。

There is persistent criticism against his high-handed political attitude, such as police raiding offices of an opposition media group during the election campaign period and an interruption of a TV broadcast. It is obvious that the election victory does not mean that the public has approved such interference with the media.
　選挙期間中の反政府系メディアへの警官隊突入やテレビ局の放送中断など、強権的姿勢に対する批判も根強い。選挙に勝利したからといって、報道への介入まで容認されたことにはなるまい。

The Erdogan administration has prioritized its efforts on toppling the regime of Syria’s Bashar Assad. In contrast, efforts against ISIL have been lagging behind, as airstrikes against ISIL and joint military operations with the United States have just begun this summer.
　エルドアン政権はこれまで、シリアのアサド政権打倒を優先してきた。「イスラム国」空爆や米国との作戦協力は今夏に始めたばかりで、後手に回っていた。

It is likely that Ankara will continue its military operations against Kurdish militants, a move that will only benefit ISIL. We believe it is worth considering the resumption of a ceasefire with the militants, which was suspended in July.
　今後も、トルコはクルド人武装組織に対する攻撃を続けるとみられる。だが、これでは、「イスラム国」を利するだけだろう。今年７月に中断した武装組織との停戦を改めて実施することも模索すべきではないか。

Many foreign fighters of ISIL have entered Syria via Turkey. In contrast, about 2 million Syrian refugees have crossed the border to Turkey, with some of them heading for Europe. It is urgent for Turkey to thoroughly manage its border with Syria, which stretches for about 900 kilometers.
　「イスラム国」の外国人戦闘員の多くはトルコ経由でシリアに越境している。逆に、約２００万のシリア難民がトルコに入り、一部は欧州に向かう。約９００キロに及ぶ国境の管理徹底は急務だ。

Historically, Japan has deep ties with Turkey. In October, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Erdogan confirmed they will reinforce cooperation between the two countries at a summit meeting. In mid-November, a Group of 20 summit meeting will be held in Turkey. We urge Japan, the United States and European nations to proactively support the country in measures to deal with terrorism and the refugee crisis.
　日本はトルコと歴史的に関係が深い。安倍首相は１０月の首脳会談で連携強化を確認した。今月中旬にはトルコで主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議が開かれる。日本と米欧はテロ対策や難民問題で積極的に支援したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 4, 2015)