The AK Party took bold and impressive steps to do so. The nomination of leading figures including Mehmet Sağlam, Ertuğrul Günay, Haluk Özdalga, Zafer Çağlayan and Edibe Sözen heralds a new epoch. Furthermore the exclusion of 150 current deputies from the list is a fairly radical change. This is so drastic that certain circles that seek intra-party turmoil tried to provoke the party’s base by saying the party was cleaned of the adherents of the “National View.” They also tried to propagate the belief that the AK Party will have an immediate identity crisis. The newly recruited figures will ensure that criticisms will be made freely within the AK Party. This is important progress for the establishment of intra-party democracy. Personally I do not think the recent dramatic change in the AK Party will remain a mere illusion of transformation and willingness to take the party to the center.
In the end the real issue is the democratization of Turkey. Politicians should be careful that coup lovers don’t find excuses in Turkey, where elections will be held in the shadow of the April 27 memorandum. Everybody stresses that democracy should be reinforced in Turkey on its way to EU accession. Politicians bear the primary responsibility to perform this task.
The story of the True Path Party (DYP)-Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) merger stands before us as an example that we all should draw a lesson from. The situation that those who underestimated the power of democracy fell into should be a good lesson for everybody. Failure to represent the public by not attending the plenary session of the Grand National Assembly, the highest body of national representation, cost both parties much. On the morning of July 23 we will see the magnitude of their cost more visibly and clearly.
Whether the rejuvenation within the AK Party and the People’s Republican Party (CHP) will lead to the emergence of a new understanding depends on sincerity. Do these parties seek further democratization through the latest actions? If this is not an attempt to attract extra votes via superficial changes, it will suffice that the party leaders are democrats.
Some view the recent attempts to appear as centrists by the AK Party and CHP as compliance with the latest attempts in social engineering. If the move is to embrace others and to ensure consensus instead of polarization, it means that even the social engineers are becoming more conscientious. To me, if they are involved in this endeavor, it is most probable that they did so to take part in the formation of possible coalitions following the elections.
Terrorist attacks have gained momentum as the election time is coming closer. The predictions indicating that the elections may not be held and that Turkey’s probable incursion into northern Iraq may turn into a total war should be taken seriously. A state of emergency that would end Turkey’s EU bid -- and even coup attempts -- will inflict the greatest harm upon this country.
It is obvious that there are certain attempts to drag Turkey into the Iraqi quagmire. It is as if there are different PKKs controlled by different figures. We should ponder who is benefiting from these vicious attacks that targeted innocent people and soldiers in the run-up to the elections.
The agony in connection with the loss of our martyrs is unbearable. What is the actual goal of those who created this atmosphere? What will the days ahead bring? Is the goal to take the masses to streets and make them shout “Army to Iraq”?
Once more, Turkey is entering a difficult period.
Meanwhile, I should also note that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has so far granted amnesty to a number of PKK members. Two of the pardoned were killed in the latest armed conflicts. President Sezer owes an apology to the Turkish nation. He should also make a statement and declare who misled him. At the very least, he should express his regret for what he did.
