Please excuse me, but I'm going to continue asking

Last Monday, I asked US Ambassador Eric Edelman this question: "Are you winning or losing the war in Iraq?"He didn't say that they were 'winning' or 'losing'-he said this: "The Iraqi people are winning."  Recently I asked Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul this question: "By rejecting the March 1st proposal, did Turkey do a good thing, or was it a bad move?"Gul didn't respond with 'it was a good thing' or 'it was a bad thing.'Instead he gave a much smarter answer: "History will give the answer to that question. We can see good things and bad things resulting from this today." I say the same thing. History will give the answer.  Along these lines, I would like to comment on some figures I have seen. Turkey's growth rate was recorded at 9.9%, or let's say 10%, for the last year. For pessimists, this changes nothing, since they won't believe it anyway. But you'd believe that even for an life-long optimist like myself, these figures were surprising. Don't think that means I don't believe these figures. I am surprised, but I believe them. Turkey has had a tremendous economic victory over the last year. And now, thinking about all this, there are some questions I would like to ask myself.  With 70 billion dollars of export products going to countries in the European Union each year, our economy is in an important place. We are making important reforms in order to begin the process to acceptance into the EU. This is pulling Turkey up and away from the dark and isolated images of the Middle East....We feel that our children, our grandchildren, will live in a better Turkey in the future. With the situation like this, when we are so close to our goals, is it really wise to be pulling away from the European Union because of some psychological problems on our own parts, or because of damaged pride? Let's not get angry so quickly....first thing calmly, then answer.  Antalya is expecting a 40% increase in visiting tourists this year. A large part of this will be the two million tourists which come from Russia. Our trade volume with this country has reached levels of 10 million dollars. Is it wise for Turkey to disrupt such a bright and hopeful relationship with protesting at Chechen funerals? Don't get angry. Think-wouldn't it be better for the Chechens if Turkey and Russia were as friendly as possible?  The US is a big power. Europe is getting closer again to the power on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. At such a critical time, does it make any sense to massage the pride of a handful of fanatics here, to nourish the nostalgic anger of some leftists in our country by fighting with America?  Were we better able to help the Palestinians when we had stong ties with Israel, or when we were not talking to them?  Please don't be angry. There is only one thing that I want. I want the Turkish people to be wealthier, stronger.....So even if it makes a handful of fanatics uncomfortable, I will continue to ask these questions. Â