Selectivity

Submitted by Erich W (United States), Dec 16, 2010 at 03:52

Mete's observations about the center-right, liberal nature of much of the AKP's electoral support is the vital part of the story that complements, but does not contradict, the strong Islamic roots of the party. The liberalism the AKP has brought is especially designed to liberate and empower Islamic activity, in contrast to the restrictive hand of the Kemalist regime of the past. Mete's critique of the Kemalist and military influence over the country is generally true, except that it is not wise to trust the news results of the present round up of AKP's secularist enemies. There does seem to be truth to the scenario that certain elements in the military, and retired officers were behind some dirty deeds, like the murder of Christian priests and missionaries. Our human rights lawyers serving in the Malatya trial were convinced of this.

The Kemalists are guilty of plenty of murders to protect their political order, in the recent past. Turkish people were fed up with this and other corruptions when they voted in the AKP instead of any number of secularist parties. And it was indeed an MP from the Kemalist (CHP) party I heard on national television in the winter of 2002-3, refer to the American ships awaiting permission to disembark their men and machines across Turkey into Iraq, while the Grand National Assembly argued whether to grant it: he said, "the ships of the Enemy are waiting off our shores..." I was aghast. What happened to alliance? He was reprimanded and retracted his comment. He did truly express the emotions of many in that Assembly, I suppose. On the other hand, the accusations against many of those Secularists who have been arrested more recently on conspiracy charges should be thoroughly questioned before being offered as public proof of anything. It appears that the AKP government greatly over-shot and falsely accused many an innocent critic in the arrests of the last year and a half or so. Some of the Turkish Press helps the AKP in spreading the false accusations. Both antidemocratic and democratic currents seem to be running strong in AKP Turkey. I'll still be very surprised if they install Sharia, and I think they are not stupid enough to try.

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