A Changed Climate in Turkey

The New York Times ^ | 8/4/03

[LibWhacker]

The votes by Turkey's Parliament last week to curb the political power of the military and increase freedom of expression are a significant step away from army domination of Turkish politics. The challenge now for the government, dominated by moderate Islamists of the Justice and Development Party, is to ensure that the new measures are carried out. Not long ago, Turkey's military would have responded to such initiatives by seizing power — the armed forces removed four governments in the last four decades. That is less likely today because of broad support in Turkey for democratic rule, but these reforms present a test of just how much the climate has changed. The military should step back and let the nation continue unhindered along the path to a fuller democracy and the coveted prize of European Union membership.

The votes took aim at the core of the military's political influence, the National Security Council, which is composed of military leaders and senior politicians. The council's executive powers will be abolished, reducing it to an advisory role, and its secretary general, whose power in the past has rivaled that of the prime minister, need no longer be a four-star general. The secret military budget will now be exposed to parliamentary review. Some legislation restricting freedom of expression and assembly will be repealed. The Parliament also agreed to offer an amnesty to some members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or P.K.K. The amnesty builds on a reform package passed in June.

The reforms are intended to prove that Turkey is ready to begin negotiations on joining the E.U. The talks will start at the end of next year if Turkey makes the grade. Despite overwhelming public support for E.U. entry, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his party will still need courage to put the new measures into effect in the face of the entrenched interests of the military and other conservative forces in Turkish society.

For taking such a bold step Mr. Erdogan deserves all the support he can get from Europe, which stands to benefit from the partnership of a truly democratic Turkey. The United States should put aside any lingering spite over Turkey's refusal to accept American forces during the Iraq war, and back Mr. Erdogan's efforts. Washington, facing an uphill struggle in Iraq, has much to gain from showing that it trusts moderate Islamists with the task of embracing democratic reforms.

[PoisedWoman]

The votes by Turkey's Parliament last week to curb the political power of the military and increase freedom of expression

Freedom of expression increased by Islamists? How novel. I'm waiting for them to drive Turkish women back into the veil. It would be a shame, as many women in Turkish cities are fashionable and very modern.

[11B3]

Dominated by "moderate Islamists"??? WTF? They found a colony of Santas? There is no such thing as a "moderate" Islamist.

Secondly, the writer claims that joining the EU is a "prize". Yeah, right. Give up all that sovereignty - some prize.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Only two forms of stable government are possible in an Islamic society. One is secular rule backed by the military. The other is Sharia based theocracy backed by armed clerics. Anything in-between just doesn't last. I’ll take the secular version every time.

[LibWhacker]

Yep, democracy and islam don't mix. I predict Turkey will fall apart in short order.

[LibWhacker]

The New York Slimes strikes again.

[LibWhacker]

I think it's going to be utter chaos if the military is removed from the domestic equation. I remember the riots back in the late 60s and early 70s. Unbelievably brutal and gruesome.