a former muslim from Turkey loves Turkey but asks you to be careful of feeding a young wolf....

Submitted by B (Canada), Oct 4, 2006 at 11:10

"The Greeks hate and fear the Turks"? Thats the answer you came to as the reason why Greece would try to befriend the enemies of Turkey?

That's like saying that the reason the Americans opposed the Soviet Union in the cold war years is because "Americans hate and fear the Russians." Come on Mr Pipes... The reason the Greeks oppose Turkey (a country where their own journalists are not allowed to print what they want and are constantly threatened and thrown in jail if they do) is because its a totalitarian government thinly veiled as a secular state. The military runs Turkey and the Greeks rightly fear such a state. Lets not forget the fake reasons Turkey made up to invade free independent country like Cyprus in 1974 in the first place. "Turks in the land are being oppressed" The 300 families in the northwestern area responded, "No we are doing fine, who's oppressing us?"

Germany in the late 30's used the same tactic to invade areas in Europe "because Germans were being oppressed." THATS why the Greeks oppose Turkey, they dont trust a govt that can go "wildcat" on you on a whim. As for making allegiance with unpalatable allies like Iran in order to try to safeguard its interests, it seems to me the US did the same thing with a monster named Saddam several years back. I keep seeing this video clip in my mind's eye of Rumsfeld shaking hands with the Beast of Baghdad. That is the real world.

If you honestly think that Turkey will make a good ally in the long run to Israel and the US you are forgetting that while the government is secular (and run an autocratic military) the vast population of Turkey (just step outside of Istanbul and Ankara and see) is overwelmingly pro-Islam and conservative muslim. Honor killings in the countryside occur daily and anti-American rallies complete with flag burnings and effigy hangings of Bush, Blair et al often. Remember the newspapers and TV are actively controlled and suppressed in my former homeland, you friendly americans do not see that. Trust me on this Mr. Pipes, Turkey is one successful coup attempt away from being a much more Islamic government (and it would be a popular one) then you can imagine. Instead of cheering Ankara's antics in seeking Israel as an ally from which it can buy weapons and even give it a further air of legitimacy to oppress my fellow Turks you should be talking about it being reformed from within so that it becomes a true western democracy (like the Greeks have).

Yes I am a Turk and love my roots but I am also a secular ex-muslim who grew up Turkey and know the madness of very pro-islamic countryside that would shock you my American friends. Yes of course what the Greek government is doing siding with Iran etc is wrong but can you blame them? Not a day goes by that Turkey doesnt violate Greek airspace deep into the Aegean and even further west, and that makes them nervous. Listen I live in Canada now and am a Canadian. You Americans complained that Canada didnt send troops into Iran and as a Canadian I can understand that and the pressure the Americans like to exert on Canada to build up its military (our three boats have holes now in them) but you know how would you like it if a new Canada was born: secular on the surface but militaristic underneath controlled by a bunch of generals who were eager to build up the military and started to lustfully long for more land. Would America accept violation of US airspace of parts of Alaska or certain disputed waters in the US/Canada maritimes areas? Nawww I think Americans would act exactly as countries like Greece react to Turkey.

What I want is a FREE and DEMOCRATIC Turkey where journalists aren't jailed daily and the police are not corrupt sobs who plant weed on you so you have to bribe them or be thrown in jail.

The Ankara government like all such governments is there to self perpetuate itself by force and though it honestly wants to be friends of Israel and America the vast conservative muslim population does not. Why do you think they did not let Americans use Turkish airspace in the Iraq war? Because the people would have hanged them by their heads and thrown shoes at their dead swaying bodies thats why.
I want Israel and America and the world to be friends with Turkey but help Turkey, pressure her, push her to adopt a TRUE democratic form of government. A true democracy would not have Amnesty International on its back constantly because of all the human rights violations its caused. I love my roots with a passion but I have my eyes wide open. The government of Turkey is not Turkey.

Arm Ankara today as a friend and you will have a friend for now and possibly a very strong and determined jihadist nation in the future. Thats what America did with Iraq in the 80s. Saddam loved America and was your little buddy. Why he even claimed he called Washington DC and asked permission before he invaded Kuwait. Of course Saddam was lying or maybe DC just thought it was time to throw their friend away? It doesnt matter the point is if you feed a grey wolf while its young and cute you forget its still a wolf.. a growing grey wolf won't always be young and cute....

PS as a former muslim ( I am atheist now, I believe in God only not in any religion) I can assure you you are correct about extreme elements in Islam. And I do believe that a truly democratic Turkey could promote moderate Islam (though I think it might be difficult) I have to admit that I memorized the Qur'an in Turkey (and later studied hadiths) and know many things about the faith that many Americans (not you though Mr Pipes) are ignorant of. As children my brothers and I would sing a certain children's song on our way to school which stated "Muhammed God's Prophet told him that it was his destiny to fight all men until all men confessed Allah as God. Allah Allah Ackbar." The roots of jihad are wherever my old 'faith' finds a home. I am a theist now I believe those are the words bin laden stated before 9/11. It used to be those Greeks would send wooden horses now its those oh so friendly 'secular' muslim states.

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