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Malcolm X

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cyberia

cyberia

Turkey

July 3, 2008

Why have the recent detentions in the Ergenekon investigation created a state of confusion among some circles?

Also, why have they caused everybody to start asking “What’s happening”?

A groundbreaking first happened two days ago: Those long considered untouchable were finally “touched.” Nobody had deemed it likely for two retired generals, former commanders of the gendarmerie and the 1st Army stationed in İstanbul, to be taken into custody.

Most were of the view that the operation would stop with retired Brig. Gen. Veli Küçük. This most recent bold step has thus turned the perplexity of long-time coup supporters into utter shock. They have become tongue-tied.

Apparently, they did not hear what they themselves said, particularly Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal.

Following the early-morning detentions, they kept trying to provoke the army all day, unleashing a volley of threats at those who had been saying, “Now it’s time to get at the coup planners.”

They even threatened the government, claiming that its end will be miserable, whereas they should have sought an answer to a very simple question.

With raids and detentions being carried out in military residences and officers clubs, would it have been possible to carry out such an operation without the prior knowledge and permission of the General Staff?

The General Staff issued a statement after the raids: “The searches in military facilities were carried out by members of the army with the accompaniment of a public prosecutor.”

The most important development that has taken place during the course of the Ergenekon investigation at this point is the decisive attitude of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in no longer condoning or tolerating the errors committed in the army.

Those who have panicked are confused, resentful and helpless because of this reality, which constitutes a cornerstone in Turkey’s uphill trudge toward democracy.

Indeed, what underlies Mr. Baykal’s disrespect toward the judiciary while the General Staff behaves quite respectfully toward it in this particular case?

 In particular, what does Mr. Baykal’s insinuated threat against the major business tycoons of İstanbul mean? What did he actually mean by saying, “Let this operation be a lesson to the well-off circles of İstanbul”?

Can he possibly be covertly threatening them with by implying that there are people amongst them who provide financial support to Ergenekon?

The current picture is reminiscent of the people who had paved the way for the March 9, 1971 coup and who eventually bore the brunt of the consequences of March 12. If it is not so, why are certain circles so alarmed? What do their “Hitler” and “McCarthy” comparisons mean? Why are they so enraged? Was it not they who so enthusiastically desired to see the end of the notorious Susurluk case? Was it not they who collectively and continuously switched off and on the lights in their houses for a minute every night at 9:00 p.m. in protest against the prosecutors’ reluctance to pursue the case to the bitter end?

A single question perpetually suggests itself at this point: Do we want democracy or not? If we want democracy, we cannot take sides with the enemies of democracy; we cannot bolster them. The Nokta newsweekly exposed the planned coups named “Sarıkız” and “Ayışığı” thought up by former commanders of the naval forces and the gendarmerie.

The magazine’s revelations were not officially pursued initially, but these claims have been proven through documents. Well, should we just get over them without taking any action? Spain, Italy, Greece and South Korea are known to have convicted their coup stagers. Some South Korean and Greek prisons still have people serving time for plotting coups.

Should those establishing themselves as the state in Turkey, those who know no legal boundaries and who claim that nobody can do anything to them, simply be overlooked?

Is this what they are seeking? A prime minister had called the Susurluk case “idle talk” and a “trivial matter.”

 He eventually saw how the case ended up. Unless gangs and all illegal formations are purged from the state, this country will never be able to establish a fully democratic order. What we are going through is a test of Turkey’s democracy.

Consequently, all of us should be calm, cool-headed and respectful of the trial process. Those who are trying to incite the military should abandon this negative behavior.

Land Forces Commander Gen. İlker Başbuğ dismissed claims that the issue of the coming detentions had been brought up at his meeting with the prime minister as “conspiracy theories” and called on the media to not wear out the armed forces.

“Aren’t these conspiracy theories designed to damage the unity and integrity of the Turkish Armed Forces and its chain of command?” he asked. Those who have been inciting the military and digging a grave for democracy are quite unsettled by the recent developments, which have frustrated their plans. Those who undermine the nation and belittle the public will are eternally bound to end up on a dead-end street, sooner or later.

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08:14 AM Jul 04 2008

progression
Turkey

These investigations create confusions since it is more like a political campaign... This became the top agenda when unemployment was running at dreadful levels in Turkey, average salary is some 400-500$ (even for a university graduate), agriculture is collapsing, PKK is attacking soldiers despite the agreement with turkey's strategic partner(!) the US!

The government swept away those real agendas of Turkey in a really wise manner... Or could they? Hell no!!! I'm still looking for job and the jobs which will not even pay me a subsistence wage!! I'm getting more and more angry each passing day... Democratic procedures, the EU membership process,... All these bullshits don't make any sense to me!!! If a coup is to improve my standards, why not welcome it? But the writer of your article is possibly well paid by the NGOs who are overseas-funds-friendly.

Me and ppl like me will not be hood-winked by some sugarcoated slogans with a lots of democracy rhetorics. Democracy is not the organization of a political party in judiciary and military institutions. If it goes that far, real democratic forces are going to protect themselves. This is what it is.

08:00 AM Jul 04 2008

progression
Turkey

Globally financed AKP media groups are extremely biased about this subject. Prosecution of AKP is also part of democratic procedure but mainstream media tend to depict it as an undemocratic procedure.