Turkish leaders meet pro-Kurdish politicians Dialogue has begun to try to solve the deep-rooted problems between Turkey?s Kurdish minority and the government in Ankara. Politicians considered close to Kurdish rebels have met Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, with further talks set to follow. Both sides however have urged caution over any quick fix. General behind … Read more
Actually, the anniversary was yesterday… Adnan Menderes Adnan Menderes (Turkish pronunciation: [ad?nan mende??es]? 1899 ? 17 September 1961) was the first democratically elected political leader in Turkish history. He served as prime minister between 1950?1960. He was one of the founders of the Democratic Party (DP) in 1946, the fourth legal opposition party of Turkey. He … Read more
Turkey Posts Double-Digit GDP Growth – WSJ.com BY JOE PARKINSON ISTANBUL?Turkey’s economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 10.3% in the second quarter, underlining a rapid recovery that economists say will also get a boost from Turks’ firm support for government-backed constitutional reforms.” New Turkish judiciary set for changes within 30 days from Hurriyet Dailynews The immediate … Read more
No wonder, the No front is so frustrated. Their kingdom is dead. Democracy is not something taken for granted. And referendum results will not automatically bring more freedom but that’s step towards that direction. Now all of us, citizens, should work now. Kemalism, a modernizing foundational ideology, that has long lost its essence and became … Read more
I am off to play cards and watch the Turkey-USA final. This game is over. I am happy for my country…. 19:30 BBC already declared: Turks ‘approve’ new constitution from BBC News | Europe | World Edition Turkish voters give strong backing to constitutional changes in a referendum, early results published by the Turkish media … Read more
Censored because Yes votes are higher in the report… Konda poll report here. L?AKP, Diyarbakir, les Kurdes et le référendum du 12 septembre. from YOL (routes de Turquie et d’ailleurs) by anne Dans la région kurde, seuls deux partis sont capables d?attirer des foules : le parti kurde et l?AKP. La campagne pour le référendum … Read more
Q&A: Turkey’s constitutional referendum The people of Turkey are voting on the government’s package of constitutional amendments in a referendum on 12 September, the 30th anniversary of a coup that brought the military to power.” Erdogan raps rivals ahead of poll from BBC News | Europe | World Edition Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticises … Read more
The rhetoric turns into harsh and somewhat insulting in both sides but No front is certainly more agressive and frustrated. They play the victim side which is a frequent cultural code to turn to. Three CHP women claimed to be beaten by AKP followers yesterday. The No media used their claim but today we learn … Read more
Referendum and propaganda It?s just the matter of yes or no? I?m road tripping 100 kilometers per day to go to work and come back home and on the way exposed to hundreds of referendum posters saying yes or no. According to political parties, mainly AKP, CHP and MHP, communication with audience referendum is just … Read more
4 Eylül İstanbul Paneli Yer: Taksim Square Hotel Saat: 16:00 Konuşmacılar: Osman Can, Yücel Sayman, Adalet Ağaoğlu, Yıldız Ramazanoğlu, Bejan Matur, Markar Esayan, Ferda Keskin, Doğan Tarkan, Tuğbay Öz, Eren Keskin, Ahmet Tezcan, Mehmet Altan, Ömer Laçiner, Ahmet Kekeç, Alev Erkilet, Yıldız Önen, Dilek Kurban, Garo Paylan, Cafer Solgun, Zeynep Tanbay, Hayko Bağdat, Gülçin Avşar, … Read more
Nobel winner Pamuk says ‘yes’ to reform package Today’s Zaman Turkey’s Nobel-prize winning author Orhan Pamuk has said he will vote ?yes? on the Sept. 12 referendum on a constitutional amendment package. … Turkish opposition leader ‘tweets’ on amnesty debate from Hurriyet Dailynews The leader of the main opposition Republican People?s Party, or CHP, hit … Read more
Kadir Özbek, head of HSYK, acts like an opposition leader… Ergenekon shadow persists over top jurists, courts Today’s Zaman The suspicious incidents are believed to be the work of Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal organization accused of working to overthrow the government. … Ergenekon suspects intimidate judges with compensation claims Today’s Zaman More and more efforts … Read more
![header21[1].jpg](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAMPDwwAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs= "header21[1].jpg")
* The myth of consensus. Some oppose to the changes stating that changes were not made through consensus. As if any constitution was ever made by consensus in Turkey. In fact, a major constitutional change led by a ruling government which was at least elected is a first in Turkish history…
* If AKP was able to cooperate with CHP, MHP and BDP, would there be better changes? I don’t think so. Turkish opposition is far behind AKP in terms of democratic reforms. They are more interested in maintaining status quo through which they have a chance of existence.
* In abstract, all proposed changes point out a more democration situation. So why the opposition?
* Major opposition to changes is about the status of high judiciary and military judiciary system. At present state, they are closed circuit institutions, guardians of Kemalist ideology and a continuous obstacle to EU process. The proposed changes opens up the criteria to become a member of these institutions. They were instituted like this by the military coup d’etat regime so that they would be guard the proposed political and judicial system. Now AKP means to change it and I certainly support that…
* Thus “Independent judiciary” is a big lie. Existing judiciary system was built under military tutelage and is certainly not independent.
Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (C) attends a wreath-laying ceremony with members of the High Military Council at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara August 1, 2010.? Read more » REUTERS/Umit Bektas
