According to the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, these are mines that must absolutely be cleared. In fact, going even further back than 1997, the subject arose when the Republican People's Party (CHP) was in power in 1974 (Bülent Ecevit was prime minister at the time), and then later, during the True Path Party (DYP)-Social Democratic People's Party (SHP) coalition administration of 1992 (which was the seventh Süleyman Demirel government), a firm decision to see the mines cleared was made. Later still, in 2001, the Turkish military's General Staff asked the ruling administration (a coalition of the Democratic Left Party [DSP], the Nationalist Movement Party [MHP] and the Motherland Party [ANAVATAN]) for money to be used toward clearing the mines. But this money was not allocated. In accordance with the relevant law on the matter, tenders were held in 2006 for the clearing of the buried mines in Mardin and Şirnak. At none of these points were there any accusations made about treason, or selling the nation's land to Israel. So what has happened now to make the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) the target of all these accusations?What's more, not a single government official has even mentioned Israel in this. So, where is this bombardment of accusations stemming from?
The impression has been created that the administration is recklessly taking on the business of clearing the mines all on its own. But the truth is really quite different. First of all, the list of conditions guiding the tenders on the clearing of these mines is to be prepared by expert military officers familiar with this area, as well as the Defense, Agriculture and Village Affairs, and Treasury ministries. In other words, the military's General Staff is involved in this business. So why, once again, is there an effort being made to make people forget that government acts are subject to legal scrutiny? We know it was the Council of State that canceled the 2006 tender for mine clearance in Mardin.
What's more, we already know that there's a media in Turkey that has staked out its positions against the AK Party, aiming to destroy it. Also, when it comes to such a sensitive topic, did the AK Party really think the media wouldn't show a reaction? So, after his Davos outburst, aren't Erdoğan's actions political suicide? Does this not enter the mindset of the people directing the AK Party? Have these people lost their minds?
So what is all the dust and commotion really about then? Since the March 29 local elections, the opposition in Turkey has been following a different sort of strategy. In fact, a bloc composed of the CHP, the MHP and even the Felicity Party (SP) is forming to face the AK Party. There is a campaign being organized against the AK Party. And as a result, the AK Party is being depicted as a party that pays no heed to national interests. There is one certain media group in particular leading this campaign. And I do not believe that the administration has taken into account the real strength of this media. Alright, so there is also an alternative media. And when you look at newspaper distribution numbers, you can actually say that this alternative media sells more than the others. But from the perspective of influence, at least 60 percent of the popularly read newspapers are under this AK Party-opposition influence. And when it comes to television stations, this rises to 75 percent. So then, is it really possible for the people who regularly read these newspapers and watch these television stations to think any differently than they do? After all, the AK Party is attacked countless times a day. And so, it's really not that difficult to confuse people through these mass broadcasts. In fact, general confusion when it comes to the ongoing Ergenekon case can also be ascribed to this situation in the media.
In other words, what we are witnessing is no haphazard program of propaganda against the AK Party. It is a direct move to accuse, wear away at and hit below the belt at the AK Party. It is a planned, programmed and professional attack. The goal is to finish off the AK Party completely before its next round at the ballot boxes.
In the meantime, AK Party officials cannot even understand what they are up against, and if they do not take careful control during this period, they will be ensnared in a clamp tighter than they can dream of right now. Personally, I cannot say I am not worried by some of the prime minister's own tough stances. What is the point of labeling those who call the AK Party the "AKP" as "rude" and "insolent"? Wouldn't it have been more effective for him to say in a calm, gentle tone, "Here is what our party's real name is, and we'd be pleased if you used it"?
The AK Party really stands for a lot when it comes to the democratization, stabilization and growth of this country. And so if we don't take the time to appreciate its real value, it just might disappear, flying out of our hands, after some time...
