Open Democracy on Ergenekon….

by

Turkey and Ergenekon: from farce to tragedy ,

– by openDemocracy
Author:
Bill Park
Summary:
An epic military, political, and security scandal continues to absorb Turkey. The affair’s latest bizarre sub-plots make the tensions between the country’s ?deep state? and its constitutional order even more acute, says Bill Park.

The sprawling, chaotic, all-consuming ?Ergenekon? investigation into the activities of Turkey?s so-called derin devlet (?deep state?) shows no sign of abating. Indeed, its tentacles are spreading ever further as it moves from enveloping its politicians and public to polarising the state?s core institutions.

General Malaise

from Istanbul Calling by Yigal Schleifer
Ilter Turan, a respected professor of International Relations at Istanbul’s Bilgi University, has written a briefing for the German Marshall Fund looking at the recent arrest of dozens of high-ranking Turkish military officers ? among them the former heads of the Navy and Air Force ? as part of an investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow Turkey?s AKP government.

The struggle for Turkey’s soul | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

Advocates, elites and hitmen of the network by ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ

If you ask me what the biggest achievement of the Ergenekon gang is, I would say without hesitating for a moment that it is its ability to convince some people that it actually does not exist.

‘Neo-nationalist group wiretapped PM’s house’
Today’s Zaman
The VKGB is suspected of close ties with Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal organization accused of working to overthrow the government.

More Ergenekon Developments

from Turkish Politics in Action by Ragan Updegraff

Three significant developments happened this week in line with the Ergenekon investigation:

Accountability in military organizations: the Turkish case by Bekir ÇINAR

If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. Although government must be enabled to control the governed, it must be obliged to control itself as well.


Plot drafter worked with Erzincan prosecutor
Today’s Zaman
Cihaner and Berk are accused of membership in Ergenekon, a clandestine organization charged with plotting to overthrow the government

Latest bullshit from S.C: Soner Cagaptay: Turkey’s Republic of Fear – WSJ.com

YAVUZ BAYDAR – Determined on referendum?

Even the meeting between President Abdullah Gül and main opposition leader Deniz Baykal was extraordinary. In the course of the past seven years, the latter visited the presidential palace only three times, a symbol itself of how difficult ?normalization? is here.

İHSAN DAĞI – A constitution without Kemalists and nationalists

Once again making a new constitution is on the agenda. According to a public opinion survey conducted by MetroPOLL, 70 percent of people think a new constitution is needed.

BÜLENT KENEŞ – The judiciary issue: Who blockades who in Turkey?

The latest MetroPOLL survey, covered in our headline story on Saturday, has put an end to the debates, showing clearly that there are serious problems with the judicial system in Turkey and there is a strong popular demand for change in this regard.

ETYEN MAHÇUPYAN – Why is the military in a paralyzed condition?

We have so internalized the place and role of the military in the country?s politics that everyone harbors the hope or fear that the military may make an unexpected move at any time.

FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK – Referendum?s possible consequences

After Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government would take a constitutional reform package to referendum if it fails to win sufficient support in Parliament to be approved, there is now a heated debate over what the consequences of holding such a referendum would be.

It can declare war, but it can?t change the Constitution!

by ERHAN BAŞYURT- BUGÜN

Deniz Baykal even denied the reason why he is against changing the Constitution. ?This Parliament cannot change laws?? OK, but why? Can this Parliament declare war?

Sh?h M?t: Prosecutor Takes Prosecutor

from Kamil Pasha by Jenny White

Photo of Cihaner from Bianet

Prosecutor Ilhan Cihaner?s arrest has created a deep judiciary crisis. Cihaner had launched an investigation into the Ismailağa religious sect in Erzincan in 2007. He was arrested Wednesday on charges of being linked to the suspected anti-government gang Ergenekon, which allegedly sought to topple the government. Osman Şanal, chief prosecutor in Erzurum, had ordered Cihaner detained. But now Şanal?s authority has been revoked by the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).

New era of Turkish democracy by MÜMTAZ?ER TÜRKÖNE

It is important to understand the difference between the two: Has the armed tutelage over the state ended in Turkey? Yes, it has.

Modernity that covers

by EMRE AKÖZ – SABAH
You know the story. A group of female Republican People?s Party (CHP) supporters tore black chadors into pieces on Wednesday.

CHP against, MHP uncertain

by MUSTAFA ÜNAL-  ZAMAN

The agenda in Ankara is judicial reform. The government is determined. The package will include around 10 to 15 items. Opposition parties have objections to the constitutional amendments, which foresee reforming the judiciary.

And Now, The Plot is Proven…

from The White Path

[Originally published in Hurriyet Daily News] Something very important happened last Monday. A short statement from the Turkish General Staff noted that its investigators had gathered “evidence that might prove the existence of the document in question.” “The document in question” was quite a terrible one. It was a military plan to overthrow the AKP government and suppress the popular Islamic movement led by Fethullah Gülen, a retired preacher who lives in the U.S. One idea was to “find” weapons in the homes of people from the Gülen movement by planting them there first and thus portraying the peaceful community as a terrorist group. At a time when the world is understandably sensitive about Islamist terrorism, this certainly would be a good sell. And even a good justification for the Turkish military to roll its tanks once again — against its own people. Just a Bad Apple?

LALE KEMAL – Reform package and government dilemma

by LALE KEMAL
The Turkish government has slowed down its democratic reform process over the last few years, playing into the hands of those who have been seeking to preserve the status quo in a country that has witnessed five different types of coups interrupting the democratic process.

BÜLENT KENEŞ – Who deserves criticism more: Prime minister or the media?

Last week, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan?s remarks that media bosses should control their columnists were received with much criticism. His words were largely regarded as a threat to the already contentious freedom of thought and freedom of the press and were mercilessly lambasted by columnists, who even wrote and published a joint petition.

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