That’s why the media and political leg of the military have embarked on an intense campaign to denigrate the reforms and confuse the people. That’s why all opponents of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) want to mobilize against the referendum. They want to block Turkey’s democratization by turning the referendum into a kind of vote of confidence.
The referendum slated for Sept. 12 is the biggest opportunity to foil these attempts, break the back of the military tutelage and open the way for Turkey’s democratization. A “yes” vote in the Sept. 12 referendum carries a more meaning than just approval of a constitutional reform package. There were similar packages in the past; however, none of these packages were able to get at the essence of Turkey’s current coup Constitution. If you remove two articles in the package that aim at changing the structure of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) and the Constitutional Court, this package will also lose its ability to make radical changes to the current Constitution. Since the opponents of the package failed to ensure the removal of these articles from the package, they are astonished and exhausted.
A “yes” vote on Sept. 12 will demolish the wall of military guardianship. It will tear down the barrier before the civilian will. Following that “yes” vote, neither the pro-junta’s media nor its parties will be able to stand up again. Every “yes” vote in the referendum will break the back of the military.
A “yes” vote on Sept. 12 will demolish the hold of the pro-junta powers. No pro-junta members will be able to stay within the ranks of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). They will no longer receive encouragement from anywhere. Nobody will be able to protect them. That’s why the ones who are hoping for a rejection of the package on Sept. 12 are the pro-junta and those who support them.
A “yes” on Sept. 12 will also save the investigation into Ergenekon, a shadowy crime network allegedly embedded in the state. We have seen the disclosure of the dirty and bloody face of the military guardians during the Ergenekon trial. The pro-junta are becoming increasingly cornered with every passing day. They find scapegoats in order to save themselves and they turn their back on those they were defending yesterday.
The pro-junta are mostly afraid of a just conclusion to the Ergenekon trial. All supporters of military tutelage know that the Ergenekon trial will finish off their sultanate. That’s why they are doing their best to play down this case; however, they failed to do so. Things have changed greatly in Turkey. Their media no longer have the energy to defend them. Their media are no longer able to defend their contradictory positions and statements. So, their only hope is now the referendum. If the reforms are rejected in the referendum, they will push to change the course of the Ergenekon trial in the opposite direction the next day. May God forbid a “no” vote comes out of the referendum; if it does, Sept. 12 will be a holiday for the pro-junta.
The Sept. 12 referendum is expression of will. To say “yes” to reforms means demanding the elimination of military tutelage and the establishment of democracy. To say “yes” in the referendum means asking to hold the military accountable. It means destroying the caste system of the lords of the judiciary and saving the judiciary from ideological dictatorship. To say “yes” means preparing the way for a freer, more progressive and more democratic constitution. It means to foil all the coup plans.
A “yes” vote in the referendum will deal the first blow to the military. It will ensure asking a reckoning for the perpetrators of the Sept.12, 1980 coup who tortured and killed many people. Answers for unsolved murders will be requested if the reforms are approved and the masterminds behind the murders of Uğur Mumcu, Abdi İpekçi, Doğan Öz as well as many others will be called to account.
Saying “yes” in the referendum has nothing to do with politics or the AK Party. This referendum is far above partisanship and politics. A shadowy era will end and Turkey will be see brighter days following the approval of the reforms. Do not heed the pompous statements of the naysayers. Do not give courage and opportunity to the pro-junta. Say “yes” in the referendum and break the back of military tutelage.
