July 20, 2008
Losing in not exactly objective terms. Hard to quantify but I believe Kurdish nationalists and Turkish leftists are big time losers. This is of course a generalization. There are exceptions but in broad terms these two groups are dethroned in their oppositionary capacities.
DTP, the political representative of Kurdish nationalist movement decided to be neutral in the Ergenekon case. The claim is that this is an internal issue of Turkish elite circles and it has nothing to do in unravelling crimes in Kurdish lands. On the other hand, liberal-leftist intellectuals best represented in Radikal daily first raised suspicions and then began to explicitly attack Taraf, who published Ergenekon related documents. Radikal had deserved a real trust when it campaigned for the Susurluk case. However, times passed, balances changed. In a case which is more fundamental and disruptive many Radikal columnists decided to back down. Now Taraf is accused of being a tool of Fethullah Gülen group or accused of publishing controversial stuff etc.
If one takes Kurdish nationalists literally, then one has to declare that they are politically stupid. Ergenekon case reached unprecedented dimensions and if anyone can really be sentenced this will necessarily lead to the dirty operations in Kurdish lands. One likely explanation is there might even be some Kurdish elements of Ergenekon which is not a totally insane idea. Violence needs violence in both sides. These dirty connection happened before and it can happen again and PKK is notariously connected.
July 17, 2008
"Bitterness against AKP shouldn't blind us to Ergenekon
Bitterness against AKP shouldn't blind us to Ergenekon
Oral ÇALIŞLARTurkish court adviser backs AKP
An adviser to Turkey's Constitutional Court recommends it should not shut down the governing AK Party, officials say.This is later denied:
Continue reading ""Bitterness against AKP shouldn't blind us to Ergenekon" »
July 14, 2008
"Mediterranean union is launched
Mediterranean union is launched
French President Nicolas Sarkozy launches a Union for the Mediterranean, aimed at ending Mid-East conflict.Club Med promises
Get your textbooks ready and solar panels out:July 12, 2008
"Assassination Plot Against Army Chief Revealed
Assassination Plot Against Army Chief Revealed
Former Chief of General Staff retired Gen. Hilmi Özkök was the target of a planned assassination, which was prevented when the US Secret Service discovered the plans, a newsweekly reported this week.
According to the newsweekly Yeni Aktüel, in the year 2003 a rift between top army generals arose over their differing stances on the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government. In this period, hawkish Naval Commander Adm. Özden Örnek and Air Force Commander Gen. Ibrahim Firtina became closer to Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Sener Eruygur, now under arrest on charges of having plotted a coup. All those involved have since reached the ends of their terms in office.
Forming an alliance with Ergenekon
Some media outlets, particularly those owned by the Doğan Media Group, as well as staunchly secularist circles, continue to downplay an ongoing operation into the Ergenekon gang, a shadowy crime network accused of plotting to overthrow the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, describing the investigation as the government's retaliation for the closure case filed against it.SABAH Newspaper English Edition - National - Here is Ankara behind the closed doors
Continue reading ""Assassination Plot Against Army Chief Revealed" »
July 09, 2008
"Hrant Dink, Ergenekon, and the saucy Turkish media
Hrant Dink, Ergenekon, and the saucy Turkish media
Cengiz ÇANDARBlocked and blurred, Dink trial feeds sense of despair
Attending proceedings of the Hrant Dink murder trial has always been a painful experience. For those of us journalists whose careers have been full of experiences of the never-ending legal and illegal processes against Turkey's intellectuals -- free speech "violations" or assassinations -- it is like a watching the same movie and knowing how it will end.Continue reading ""Hrant Dink, Ergenekon, and the saucy Turkish media" »
July 07, 2008
Taraf daily at the center of political tension
Some people are buying extra copies of Taraf in order to support the circulation while some are distancing themselves from it as they believe it has become a tool in the battle between AKP and Secularist front. It is hard to have a third position as the political polarization increases regularly. Still, it is also hard to be at an equal distance to these poles. There seems to be some violations in the way people are detained and the prosecutor seems to be too slow. However, not a single person who was arrested in the course of Ergenekon seems 'clean' politically. Even if they weren't involved in a concrete gang, they were vocal hate mongerers. They are all responsible for the creation of anti-liberal, coup smelling, anti-EU happenings. Some liberals are already getting soft on some journalists such as Mustafa Balbay, and I am quite certain that he did not do anything more than his job but could anyone hear any good from him, one single positive idea? He had been working incessantly against an elected government in an environment of coup preparations...
As the polarization intenses, pseudo-liberals are changing sides. Some columnists, such as Can Dündar has begun to question Ergenekon case. His whiny style makes romantic cases for especially women readers, but democratic struggle needs more...
Turkey: Recently launched paper at the forefront of political controversy
Thanks to its precocious reporting, Taraf, a small, Turkish daily paper launched last November, has found itself at the center of a brewing political storm.In its inaugural year, Taraf published a chain of stories divulging the army's efforts to overthrow the government's ruling party.
General Staff asked for confidential documents from daily Taraf
The General Staff has asked a newspaper to hand over confidential military documents it received, claiming the documents were illegally leaked to the press and published, reported daily Taraf Friday.
Demonstrators hold banners during the trial of suspects charged with the killing of Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink at a Turkish court in Istanbul July 7, 2008. Banner reads "We all are witnesses. We want justice.
" REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY)Protests as open hearing in Dink case begins in Turkey
A Turkish court in Istanbul began on Monday the first open hearing of the assassination case of a Turkish-Armenian journalist. Protesters held demonstrations near the court during the trial of suspects."Continue reading "Taraf daily at the center of political tension" »
"Turkey political strife puts EU in dilemma
We are all in dilemma. No worries for the EU, altogether:)
Turkey political strife puts EU in dilemma
By Paul Taylor, European Affairs Editor - AnalysisBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union is in a dilemma over how to respond to worsening political tension in Turkey, which is shaking political and financial stability in its largest and most difficult candidate country."
Continue reading ""Turkey political strife puts EU in dilemma" »
July 06, 2008
"Media, news manipulated on Ergenekon, say media experts...
In some cases, media might even be a manipulator. It doesn't need to be manipulated:)
Media, news manipulated on Ergenekon, say media experts
While the repercussions of the Ergenekon investigation are being felt amid the current political turmoil caused by the closure case opened against the ruling party, media analysts say theNews editor bites government
There is a monumental case before the courts in Turkey to shut down the ruling party, so it may come as something of a surprise to learn that some people are just too impatient to wait for the judges to do their worst.The amazing adventures of the Ergenekon mates
Mustafa AKYOLContinue reading ""Media, news manipulated on Ergenekon, say media experts..." »
July 02, 2008
First time in Republic's history!
Those former soldiers who were planning a coup are arrested. I don't think many will be sentenced in the Ergenekon case and it really took a long time to start the next step but it is a good sign for sure...
July 01, 2008
Another anti-Ergenekon move
Latest Ergenekon arrests: two retired generals, journalist, ATO head
Paper soldiers
Jun 26th 2008 | ANKARA AND ISTANBUL
From The Economist print edition
A leaked document exposes the army’s campaign against the ruling party
ON THE evening of March 4th, a black Mercedes swept into the Ankara headquarters of Turkey’s land-forces command. It was carrying Osman Paksut, the second-highest judge on the constitutional court. His assignation with the land-forces commander, General Ilker Basbug, was meant to be secret—all the security cameras were cut off as he entered and left the building—for it came at a highly delicate moment. The secular opposition had just petitioned the court to overturn a law passed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to allow women to wear the Islamic-style headscarf at universities.
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Turkish police have detained two retired generals, a leading businessman and a senior journalist, hours ahead of the first hearing in a closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
Police escort journalist Mustafa Balbay, center, the Ankara representative of pro-secular Istanbul daily Cumhuriyet, before a medical check in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Turkish police detained 24 people including two retired military commanders Tuesday during raids against an alleged network of extreme nationalists accused of plotting to topple the government, according to media reports.
(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)A coup foiled in Turkey?
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
If you haven't been paying attention to Turkey, this news may come as a shock. Turkish police have arrested 24 people for allegedly plotting a coup against the government. Among the accused are two retired generals and the head of Ankara's chamber of commerce.
Article |Turkey and the army
Mavi Boncuk |Turkey and the armyPaper soldiers
Jun 26th 2008 | ANKARA AND ISTANBUL
From The Economist print edition
A leaked document exposes the army’s campaign against the ruling party
ON THE evening of March 4th, a black Mercedes swept into the Ankara headquarters of Turkey’s land-forces command. It was carrying Osman Paksut, the second-highest judge on the constitutional court. His assignation with the land-forces commander, General Ilker Basbug, was meant to be secret—all the security cameras were cut off as he entered and left the building—for it came at a highly delicate moment. The secular opposition had just petitioned the court to overturn a law passed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to allow women to wear the Islamic-style headscarf at universities.
"Turkish ruling party put on trial...
Turkish ruling party put on trial
Turkey's chief prosecutor presents his case for banning the ruling AK party to the constitutional court.Turkish party faces court battle for survival | U.S. | Reuters
June 28, 2008
"GROWING INTERNET CENSORSHIP IN TURKEY
GROWING INTERNET CENSORSHIP IN TURKEY - Eurasia Daily Monitor
By Gareth Jenkins
Thursday, June 19, 2008
On June 18 and 19 Turkish lawyers, academics and Internet professionals met in the mountain resort of Abant in the Bolu mountains of northwest Turkey to discuss the increasing censorship of the Internet in Turkey through the use of court orders to block access to websites."
June 27, 2008
"The CHP is a disgrace to social democracy..
The CHP is a disgrace to social democracy (1) by HALUK ÖZDALGA
The Republican People's Party (CHP) entered the autumn 2002 elections favored as the most likely winner, but instead finished a distant second, capturing about only half the seats won by the newly formed Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
Continue reading ""The CHP is a disgrace to social democracy.." »
June 24, 2008
"Bitter Feud Has Roots in History ...
This surely the most significant article on Turkey in the last few weeks!
In Turkey, Bitter Feud Has Roots in History - NYTimes.com
By SABRINA TAVERNISEPublished: June 22, 2008
ISTANBUL — As Turkey’s governing party braces for a high court ruling that could close it down and bar many of its members from politics, party officials like to talk about what they did that caused so much trouble. "
June 21, 2008
"Armed Forces Party’s plan to straighten out society...
TÜSİAD’s constitutional convention move by MÜMTAZ’ER TÜRKÖNE
The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD) is one of the most renowned and respected interest groups in Turkey.Armed Forces Party’s plan to straighten out society by YASEMİN ÇONGAR
The ‘türbanists,' the Kemalists and liberals
With itFor many years now there have been political clashes between two groups that I have categorized -- perhaps somewhat incorrectly -- as the "türbanists" and the Kemalists.In democracies the military doesn't run the country, it serves the country.
Continue reading ""Armed Forces Party’s plan to straighten out society..." »
Bülent Ersoy, Ergenekon, Tuzla, University exams- bad news roundup before good news from Euro 2008
Before broadcasting more good news from EURO 2008, here are some more pessimistic fragments from Turkish society. Right at the moment of euphoria, Erkan likes to experiment messing up:) Especially self-experimental in that sense. A few days ago NYT published a piece on Russian (women) (tourists) in Turkey (Free and Flush, Russians Eager to Roam Abroad - NYTimes.com) and before it got attention from 'natives' (including me), its biased structure was hightlighted by Christian and Jess. Here is Jess' piece:
Just look at this, will ya? Thanks, NYT, thanks a lot. Could you possibly contextualize a little more?
In the mean time, our Bülent Ersoy got herself into real mess: Up to four and a half years
The BBC reports that the popular tran-sexual Turkish singer Bulent Ersoy will face up to 4 and a half years in prison for questioning the Turkish military’s actions in North Iraq on a popular American Idol type television show last February.
Her statement:
June 20, 2008
" Turkey on its way to the EU " - another imprisonment...
Turkey widens EU talks, expects French fairness
Turkish officials said Tuesday they expect France, long an opponent of the Turkish European Union membership bid, to approach membership
Sarkozy’s Turcophobia
Since I traveled to France in February of this year and returned somewhat hopeful that French paranoia about Turkey was actually curable, I decided not to write about Mr. Sarkozy or France for some time.
Continue reading "" Turkey on its way to the EU " - another imprisonment..." »
June 18, 2008
"Is Turkey Headed for a Coup?...
Is Turkey Headed for a Coup?
All Turks want is peace and prosperity, but they may soon have to stand up to the generals.
by
by
Grenville Byford
............So far, the Turks are not headed for the streets. What they really want is peace and quiet, and economic opportunity for themselves and their children, a prospect AK Party's successful stewardship of the Turkish economy has finally started to offer. They will not thank anyone for upsetting the apple cart. This, I suspect, is why we have yet to see the normally pugnacious Erdogan breathing fire and defiance. Reflecting his supporters' views, he would rather not put the last five years of progress at risk. The question is whether Turkey's secular establishment—its courts, bureaucracy, and generals—will cede at least some power gracefully, or decline to give an inch and chance the people's reaction.
The EU has made clear that the removal of a duly elected government, and therefore any constitution permitting it, is unacceptable in a nation seeking membership. The Bush administration is sitting on the fence. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, standing beside Turkey's AK Party Foreign Minister Ali Babacan earlier this month, said: "Turkey will, of course, resolve its issues through its democratic process." Sadly, there is nothing inevitable about it. Someone should ask Rice whether she supports Turkey having a "democratic process" at all...........
Turkey's judicial-political crisis , Kirsty Hughes
Turkey's political and democratic troubles are deepening. The country's domestic problems are grave enough, but an additional complicating factor is that few of its putative friends and partners abroad are able or wish to exert a positive influence on the direction of events.
Rand corporation designs four scenarios for Turkey's future
Faced with a difficult dilemma due to the ongoing closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, the United States should underscore its strong support for TurkishJune 16, 2008
"Senior judge’s strange relations raise eyebrows
Senior judge’s strange relations raise eyebrows
A secret meeting between a senior judge at the Constitutional Court and a top army commander at a politically critical time for Turkey that was uncovered by the Taraf daily last Friday has raised suspicions about the influence of the Turkish military on the court's rulings.Shadow over Constitutional Court
The Republican People's Party (CHP) had appealed to the Constitutional Court for the annulment of a constitutional amendment that allowed the wearing of the headscarf at institutions of higher education.AKP Defence (in Turkish and English)
The second defence is pending and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has asserted that all of Turkey’s current problems stem from Abdullah Gül having been elected as president.When asked whether early elections may be held soon, Baykal said Turkey doesn’t need early elections. Baykal also said the Constitutional Court had not overstepped its authority last week when it annulled a package of constitutional amendments that would have allowed students to wear the Muslim headscarf at university.Continue reading ""Senior judge’s strange relations raise eyebrows" »
"Imam vs. teacher: Who really won?
Imam vs. teacher: Who really won?
Mustafa AKYOLŞerif Mardin, the neighborhood, and secularism
Ali Murat YEL
Turkish youth set for university exam
This Sunday around 1.6m Turkish teenagers will sit the university entrance exam, probably the most important rite of passage in a Turkish schoolchild's life.June 14, 2008
"One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder...
Apparently, Dink's murder was condoned!
Mehmet Ali BirandOne more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder
The former head of the intelligence unit in the Black Sea province of Trabzon where Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink's murderer came from testified he was aware of plans to kill theContinue reading ""One more high-ranking officer confesses in Dink murder..." »
June 13, 2008
"Time to discuss Turkey’s problem with the judiciary...
Turkish PM says court is usurping parliament
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said the Constitutional Court must explain its decision to overturn a government-led reform allowing students to wear Muslim headscarves at university
From Top To Bottom: "Secularism Is Being Lost!" - "Islam Is Being Lost!" - "The Economy Is Lost!"
Source: Milliyet, Turkey, June 11, 2008 VIA
[Constitutional Court’s preventive regime change] Protecting democracy from the people by ŞABAN KARDAŞ
The Constitutional Court's decision annulling Parliament's amendments to the Turkish Constitution continues to penetrate into every aspect of Turkey's political scene.
Continue reading ""Time to discuss Turkey’s problem with the judiciary..." »
June 10, 2008
"Ankara criticised over Cyprus talks...
Ankara criticised over Cyprus talks
Hopes that Cyprus may be heading towards a peace deal that unites the Greek and Turkish communities are being undermined by "reactionary" statements from the Turkish...Unity hopes
Fresh impetus revives hopes for a Cyprus peace dealTurks merciless with Sarkozy
The English version of Turkey's newspaper Sabah subtly breaks the news of Laurence Ferrari's ascension to TF1: "Sarkozy promotes his ex-girlfriend".
Continue reading ""Ankara criticised over Cyprus talks..." »
June 09, 2008
"Constitutional Court overstepped its authority with headscarf ruling...
[CROSS READER] Constitutional Court overstepped its authority with headscarf ruling
Turkey's top court last week annulled a package of constitutional amendments that would lift the country's decades-old headscarf ban on university campuses -- a move that dealt a serious blow to the hopes of thousands of covered students who have for years dreamt of the day when they would be allowed to receive higher education without being required to take off their headscarves....Continue reading ""Constitutional Court overstepped its authority with headscarf ruling..." »
June 08, 2008
"Introducing the Kemalist Revolutionary Tribunal (aka the Consitutional Court)
Introducing the Kemalist Revolutionary Tribunal (aka the Consitutional Court)
Mustafa AKYOLWelcome to Juristocracy
The task of covering the cost of the disaster the Constitutional Court has triggered by annulling constitutional amendments approved by 411 deputies, who represent 80 percent of the Turkish nation, will not be easy at all.Court ruling is contrary to the law itself
The decision rendered Thursday afternoon by the Constitutional Court canceling constitutional amendments that would have given women who wear the headscarf the opportunity to receive a modern education at Turkish universities applies to everyone, but it is a decision that runs contrary to the law.Continue reading ""Introducing the Kemalist Revolutionary Tribunal (aka the Consitutional Court)" »
June 06, 2008
"Veiled tensions
Nobody is surprised any more and thus visible tension may not be as much as expected. This does not mean peace, of course. The chief of the Court talks of living together etc many anchormen in TV news teasingly smile when they report the news (Mehmet Ali Birand spotted), even some 'left-liberals' seem to be happy but long term divisions consolidate.... Now some say this is the law we have to respect but would they obey if the decision were different. I wonder some generals who declared trust to the Law, would do the same otherwise.. Anyway what the heck. I have some personal news to declare soon!
Veiled tensions
Turkey faces difficult times after headscarf rulingFears for Turkish ruling party as court overturns headscarf law | World news | The Guardian
No problem with religious freedom for the majority?
Despite the fierce reaction shown by secularist factions to recent statements made by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, the truth is that in our nation, whether you are talking about the Sunnis or the Alevis, there are some quite serious problems where religious freedoms are concerned.June 05, 2008
Another 'political' decision by the Turkish Constitutional Court...
The court rejected the amendment that was aimed to lift the ban on headscarf in universities... the closure of AKP now seems to be more likely...
Today, anytime now: "Eyes turn toward top court's decision on headscarf
Eyes turn toward top court's decision on headscarf
While the country remains focused on the top court's final decision on the headscarf amendment, a top EU court rejected Tuesday the appeal of two headscarf-wearing Turkish teachers who wereHead scarf ruling looms in Turkey - International Herald Tribune
ANKARA: The Turkish Constitutional Court is expected to deliver its verdict Thursday on an opposition move to keep head scarves off campuses, in a ruling that could have serious implications for the future of the government."Continue reading "Today, anytime now: "Eyes turn toward top court's decision on headscarf" »
June 02, 2008
"You have to hand it to the Turks
You have to hand it to the Turks
By Patricia H. Kushlis
At least the Turkish Government is trying to bring about a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Syrians – or at least prevent another hot war from breaking out to its south on some not-to-distant broiling summer’s day.
Sure, it’s in the Turkish interest to see that neighborhood quarrels are patched up – or the protagonists, at minimum, kept under wraps. The Ottomans, the ancestors of today’s Turks, controlled this region until less than a century ago and understood its fractious peoples and their needs all too well.
In the case of the Israelis and the Syrians, the Turks retain good enough relationships and leverage with both to bring them to the negotiating table – or more accurately to mediate between them indirectly after eight years of a void. And to do so secretly out of the media’s glaring eye. This is all to the good.
June 01, 2008
CHP: self-humiliator
Now it seems that there may be not any intelligence battle at this context. CHP general secretary Mr. Sav forgets to stop the call made by Vakit correspondent and the latter records his call that was taking place with a governor... There are also some Facebook groups that teases him. Let's teach him how to use cell phone...
Red: No. Green: Yes. Red: No. Green: Yes. Red: No. Green: Yes. Red: No. Green: Yes....
Republican Geriatrics Party versus neo-imams
I have been planning to write on the discussions surrounding our great political sociologist Şerif Mardin's recent statements about how the republican elite and ideology has failed to fill the moral gap in the public sphere supposedly left by Islam's forced departure.Declaration battles
Just a week ago, you read in this column that Turkey's destiny is in the hands of 11 judges. However, while talking about Turkey, one should make careful deductions, because every single day brings with it new and important developments.May 31, 2008
France's (another) declaration of war against Turkey...
French Parliament strikes blow to Turkish EU bid
The prospects of Turkey joining the EU faded yesterday (29 May) as the French National Assembly approved a bill making referenda obligatory for accepting new EU member countries with populations over 5% of the bloc's entire size.Continue reading "France's (another) declaration of war against Turkey..." »
Close, close, close all the society, you dammit!
another court, another ban. Now a gay rights group is the victim...
Turkish gay group will fight ban
A leading Turkish gay rights group says it will fight its court-ordered ban for "violating morality".Continue reading "Close, close, close all the society, you dammit!" »
May 30, 2008
Why bother listening CHP?
There are certainly some domestic intelligence battles going on. These are not available to this humble blogger and academician. So from what I can only observe: why someone bothers CHP who is in shambles anyway?
One big conspiratorial statement: Some officials inside the party could be fantasizing for a coup. Well, they are notarious about it. They did it before anyway. They happily served the coup in 1960.
Hmmm i have to think about it more. Less conspiratorial statement could be CHP is bitching just after a huge government proposal on Southeast. There must be more discussion if this proposal will really work but CHP cannot cope with it anyway. So they play the victim.
How can CHP claim that this was ordered by AKP? What if this cannot be proven. Our glorious law official will sue CHP for the libel?
Rethinking the CHP’s bugging allegations
Allegations made by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) that the telephone of its secretary-general had been wiretapped by the state’s secret service and the content of conversations disclosed to the daily Vakit have been the subject of much discussion in Turkey. A number of writers have suggested approaching the issue from a different angle.Earlier on Wednesday, CHP leader Deniz Baykal claimed that security forces bugged Sav's office and serviced excepts of his conversations to Daily Vakit, a Turkish newspaper. The dialogue that took place between Sav and a governor