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| Europe |
| Turkish rift widens over generalÂ’s call |
| 2006-05-22 |
| A rift between Turkey’s Islamic-rooted government and the influential military widened at the weekend as the prime minister criticised a top general’s call for more demonstrations in support of secularism. Rising political tension stoked by the murder of a judge last week is likely to intensify speculation about an early election, commentators and diplomats said. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, is reeling from a public outcry over the attack, inside the Council of State, by a gunman who claimed to be incensed by the highest administrative court’s decision to uphold restrictions on the wearing of the Muslim headscarf. Although Mr Erdogan, a former Islamist, has strongly condemned the murder, ministers at last week’s funeral were heckled by mourners who accused the government of creating an atmosphere in which such a killing could occur. Tens of thousands of people later marched in support of the secular order, which the government is accused of undermining in spite of its promises to uphold strict controls on religion in public life. On Friday, General Hilmi Ozkok, the chief of general staff, who rarely makes public pronouncements, urged Turks to continue such demonstrations. Mr Erdogan responded at the weekend by condemning Gen Ozkok’s comments as “irresponsible”, with the potential to “affect financial markets and internal stability”. The armed forces still see themselves as the ultimate guardians of a secular system established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the officer who founded the Turkish republic. The exchange cast a further shadow over Turkey after a rare three-year period of political and economic stability. The demonstrations, mainly in Ankara, were among the biggest against the government since it was elected in 2002. Sensing an opportunity, Deniz Baykal, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s party, has stepped up calls for the government to quit. A general election does not have to be held before late next year. But there has been speculation that Mr Erdogan may go to the country early to renew the government’s mandate while it is ahead in opinion polls. In addition, parliament has to elect a new president next spring. A diplomat who follows the political climate closely said: “His choice becomes tougher with each passing day.” Mr Erdogan has consistently ruled out an early election. But his dilemma is complicated by signs that an economic recovery – his main achievement in office – is running out of steam. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #11 THanks Azad, here at Rantburg we soak up info like that. |
| Posted by: pihkalbadger 2006-05-22 23:48 |
| #10 Turkey nees more Kimalist Thought Club Grads for sure. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-05-22 17:49 |
| #9 Thanks! I lose this great cable connection tomorrow when my better half and I flit back to Korat, Thailand (and the lousy dialup there) and I will spend some of that time chasing around based on your info. Again, thanks! |
| Posted by: random styling 2006-05-22 15:48 |
| #8 You may want to do a search on "Turkish Islamic synthesis" because that is where ultranationalism and Islam meet. As you say, the generals (pashas) only seem to have stepped back. This is for Western, particularly EU, consumption. Everyone knows that Turkey remains a military state and that the only power resides in the MGK (national security council), which is run by the Turkish general staff. AK's rise to power is reflective of the population's mood and is, therefore, meaningless. Turkey is not a democracy and its secular nature is also questionable (read the Turkish constitution for more on that). There will be a power change in August, when Yasar Buyukanit becomes the new chief of general staff. He will replace Ozkok. Buyukanit is a hard-core kemalist who was recently indicted by the Wan prosecutor for involvement in black operations throughout "The Southeast" in the 1990s, and more recently, for the Semdinli bombing. I suspect Buyukanit will intensify the renewal of the dirty war in "The Southeast." How much any US-Turkish deal over Iran will influence that, I haven't a speculation yet. By the way, the Wan prosecutor has since been fired. |
| Posted by: Azad 2006-05-22 15:11 |
| #7 Thanks, Azad! More, please, if you're inclined. The internal workings, especially how and why the military seems to have abdicated its vaunted constitutional protection role and the rise of Erdogan and his party - which I though was supposed to be unconstitutional... or so the pundits said. Speaking for myself, reliable and clear information on the inner mechanics of Turkey aren't easy to come by. |
| Posted by: random styling 2006-05-22 13:43 |
| #6 The Turkish media will turn on Erdogan because it knows who the real power is--the pashas. The claims are that the shooter was connected to Nizam-i Alem, an extreme religious/nationalist organization affiliated with the MHP (Gray Wolves) and the BBP. They are denying, of course, but given where the shooter comes from, I don't doubt the claims at all. It was Nizam-i Alem and the MHP that was sending fighters to Chechnya a few years back. Mehmet Ali Agca is a hero to these people too. |
| Posted by: Azad 2006-05-22 13:35 |
| #5 yeah - but they will still be out next year. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-05-22 10:59 |
| #4 That'll be this year. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-05-22 10:58 |
| #3 that would indeed be sweet. Sweeter if the Dems bit the dust too. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-05-22 10:54 |
| #2 It would be sweet to see Erdoban, Chiraq and Villepine all bite the dust next year. Hoping for Zappy and Pooty to get it too would be asking for too much. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-05-22 10:49 |
| #1 I find the tone of this article interesting. because the media is generally supportive of anyone who is an ally to the Islamists. Yet they write this article from the perspective that the military supporters of the secular government are the good guys and Erdogan is on the outs. Maybe this is a clue: Although Mr Erdogan, a former Islamist A former Islamist? Come on - Erdogan has been sleeping with the Islamists, Chirac and all the other popular boys in town. He was a former Islamist in the sense that he played with the Islamists in the double AA leagues but when he got to the big show he was suddenly a modern secularist. I don't get it. Why would the media turn on Erdogan in support of the generals. hmmmm. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-05-22 10:43 |