While I am on a trip, PKK declared ceasefire…

It is a “Ramazan ceasefire” but it seems that negotiations behind the doors continue, I am glad, many are glad, nationalists are whining as usual… In the following roundup, there are pieces on the referendum, an article on the Ergenekon Case from Open Democracy, and more stuff…

PKK Decided for Ceasefire till 20 September

YAVUZ BAYDAR – TÜSİAD, the economy and the referendum

Turkey?s Ergenekon investigation – violations and inconsistencies, Burhan Gurdogan

Turkey is entering a new period with the Ergenekon investigations, which officially began in June 2007. According to the prosecutors, Ergenekon is an underground terrorist organization which was established to control the country, a ?deep state? that has infiltrated nearly all levels of government, especially the military. Its aim is to incite public chaos and a military coup with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the incumbent Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan chairs the annual meeting of the High Military Council in Ankara August 1, 2010.? Read more »REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Will ?yes? votes increase?

When I called some government figures yesterday to learn their views about the effect the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) crisis had on the upcoming referendum, I saw that they were relaxed.

LALE KEMAL – Military fights back while withdrawing from politics

It wouldn?t be wrong to suggest that the crisis that has surrounded this year?s changing-of-the-guard meeting of military top brass has marked a turning point in forcing the military gradually, if not immediately, back to its barracks, its natural place in a democracy.

Öcalan’s comments cloud BDP boycott call

from Hurriyet Dailynews

Statements from Abdullah Öcalan, convicted leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party, or PKK, on the referendum have been interpreted as him softening his stance on the boycott.

Kurds disagree with BDP by İLHAN KAYA

Turkey has been experiencing an interesting process of polarization due to the constitutional amendment package and the referendum process.

ANDREW FINKEL – The reform paradigm

Koşaner?s first test: the Heron scandal

Judicial-military bloc losing

Kılıçdaroğlu and a lack of politics

YAVUZ BAYDAR – The politics of saying ?no?

FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK – Kılıçdaroğlu?s strategy

Ergenekon probe incomplete without exposing Yüksekova gang
Today’s Zaman
Family members of victims killed by the Yüksekova gang in eastern and southeastern Turkey in the 1990s have said the probe into the Ergenekon terrorist …

A (not so) Simple Yes or No Will Do

Constitutional reform is tricky business. Fortunately for the average Turk, who is being asked to vote on a constitutional reform package in a national referendum on Sept. 12, Turkey’s political parties are making things simple. Rather than talking about what’s in the package, they have turned the referendum into a vote of confidence on the ruling AKP government and boiled down the whole thing into a simple matter of “yes” versus “no.” Like the government? vote “evet.” Don’t like the government? Vote “hayir.”

Or maybe things are not so simple. Writes Andrew Finkel in Today’s Zaman:

Recep Bey versus Memur Kemal

NICOLE POPE – An opportunity not to miss

With less than a month to go until the referendum, the Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) has issued a temporary cease-fire, due to last until Sept. 20. The truce could be reconstructed and lead to a long-lasting silencing of arms if certain conditions are met.

CHARLOTTE MCPHERSON – PKK cease-fire