January 15, 2014 4:41 pm

Turkey must defend

its democracy against
the Gulenists
By Osman Can
The Gulenists pose a greater threat than the politico-military
elites, writes Osman Can
Getty
Turkey is in crisis because of actions taken by the countrys judiciary. t is
acrisis that will determine the fate of democracy there. t also owes much to the past
! rather than conduct politics in the open, many ha"e sought control by infiltrating
state institutions.
n #ecember, a wa"e of arrests of prominent people following a secret in"estigation,
together with leaks about the allegations, encouraged the impression that the crisis is
about corruption. $ut the in"estigation is dishonest. The police officers and
prosecutors who conducted it ha"e ties to the Gulenists, a secreti"e religious
mo"ement based on absolute obedience, whose final goal no one knows. The leaks, to
media that belong to the mo"ement, amount to political defamation. The real target is
the %%-year-old &ustice and #e"elopment '()* party go"ernment. There is no doubt
that this is a power bid using judicial tools and a smear campaign.
The nature and history of the judiciary lend themsel"es to such a campaign. t is a
hierarchical system influenced by the Turkish ethnocentrism of the %+,-s and by
coups d.tat in %+/- and %+0-. t is independent of parliament. $y turns, the
countrys )urds, (lawites, non-1uslims and conser"ati"es ha"e all been terrorised in
the name of justice. n %-- years, more than %-- parties ha"e been closed down.
ndeed, e"en the () party, supported by 2- per cent of the population, was barely
able to sa"e itself from closure as recently as 3--0.
There ha"e been efforts to democratise the judiciary in line with the democratisation
of society as a whole. (s part of constitutional changes appro"ed by referendum in
3-%-, the constitutional court and the high council of judges and prosecutors '456)*
were transformed with the support of the 78. The plan was to make them more
pluralistic. $ut crucial changes were annulled by court order, pa"ing the way for the
Gulenists, who occupy central posts in state institutions, mainly thearmy and
judiciary, to infiltrate them.
$efore the 3-%- referendum 9ethullah Gulen, the mo"ements leader, called for
people to "ote for the constitutional changes :e"en if it means taking the corpses of
your lo"ed ones from their gra"es;. (t the time, the go"ernment saw the call as well-
intentioned. $ut during elections among the judiciary to the 456), the Gulenists won
support from pro-democracy groups by highlighting fears that anti-democratic forces
would otherwise take control.
6o the Gulenists, who ha"e only %2 per cent support in the judiciary as a whole and
only 3-, per cent backing across society, took control of the supreme court of appeal
and the state council and, hence, the whole judiciary. 6ince those bodies choose the
presidency of the supreme election council, the Gulenists ac<uired powers able to
influence the fate of upcoming elections ! local, parliamentary and presidential. They
ha"e become an asymmetric power.
This anti-secular mo"ement, based on conser"ati"e nationalism, has always had
problems with democratic politics, since it aims to dominate the country by
occupying the state from within. t differs with pre"ious authoritarian elites in the
"alues it endorses and symbols it uses ! but not in its methods. =hen democrats
were struggling with the countrys old military-dominated system, the mo"ement
ga"e its support to the () party and won its trust. =hen military tutelage was
brought to an end, they filled the "acuum. 8nfortunately, the go"ernment failed to
take the necessary pre"ention measures.
(s a result, we face a new "ersion of an old struggle> between powers trying to shape
politics through an unconstitutional order and pro-democracy forces trying to change
the system. Turkey was once dominated by politico-military elites? today, with the
religion card in their hands, the Gulenists pose a greater threat still. n democratic
politics, it is decisions of parliament and the appro"al of "oters that count. (fter a
century of domination by undemocratic elites, Turkish society knows that and
appro"es of the struggle with the Gulen mo"ement.
The () party must use this support well by reconciling with other democratic actors.
Turkeys need for a fully democratic constitutional system in line with pluralistic and
participatory politics can be delayed no longer.
The writer is professor of constitutional law at Marmara University and a member
of the Central Committee of the AK party
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Comments
*orte" (y ne)est 'irst + *ort (y o"est 'irst
1. ,eport EMWS + January 1- 12:2-pm + %ermain.
The essence o' /emocracy is that it promotes competition (et)een parties# That competition pro0i"es 'or
transparency o' the state apparatus, )hich is )arrante" (y 'ree"om o' speech, in"i0i"ua rights, an" in"epen"ent
institutions#
12 has en3oye" amost 4 terms o' unchaenge" po)er an" sti cou" not pro0i"e su''icient chec.s an" (aances
that ma.e Tur.ey&s "emocracy an" institutions immune to such 5in'itration5# The reason 'or this may (e that 12
)as itse' (usy )ith putting its o)n peope in .ey positions# 6o) )ho&s to (ame7 The in'itrators or the party in
charge o' running the country7
1t any rate, et&s not mi8 metho" an" target# 1 "irty )ar may (e going on (et)een Guenist an" 12, (ut that
ma.es the charges o' corruption no ess scan"aous#
/emocracy is certainy not (eing ser0e" )e (y t)ea.ing the rues o0ernight, suppressing the course o'
in0estigation, intimi"ating prosecutors an" pre0enting 'ree access to opinions an" in'ormation# The (est )ay to
"ea )ith current aegations is to ma.e them as pu(ic as possi(e an" encourage 'ree "e(ate, rather than the
opposite#
9hat Tur.ish society yearns 'or is a 'unctioning state, 'or pro'essionaism an" accounta(iity in (ringing (oth "irty
aun"ry an" truth to ight, an" 'or the rue o' a) to (e appie" to a# That, rather than 'inger:pointing (a" guys,
shou" (e the rea concern o' any "emocrat#
2. ,eport Fulvio Dobrich + January 1- 12:0;pm + %ermain.
<ts a(out time that the 12 party reai=es that )or.ing )ith "emocratic 'orces : in a "emocratic )ay, )hie
seemingy ine''icient, is the (est )ay to a0oi" e8tremism# 9hene0er in"i0i"ua rights, incu"ing the rights o'
3ournaists an" 'ree <nternet access, are restricte" it is highy i.ey that a country is going "o)n the )rong path#
Time to reasses an" "o so >uic.y#
3. ,eport vulpes + January 1- 12:0?pm + %ermain.
@Fei8 /roost, < am not sure that either Ar"ogan or the Tur.ish eectorate can so easiy put the coc. (ac. to the
5o" Ar"ogan5# 1 these recent pro(ems ha0e come a'ter ten years in po)er )ithout an e''ecti0e "emocratic
opposition# < thin. that the o" saying that po)er corrupts an" a(soute po)er corrupts a(soutey is true here#
Tur.ey nee"s an e''ecti0e, "emocratic, pariamentary opposition to stop the rot# *uch an opposition )i not
appear o0ernight# Bnti it "oes, the opposition is i.ey to (e on the steets )ith the chaos an" 'urther un"ermining
o' "emocracy that this impies# The si0er ining to this "ar. cou" is that such chaos may encourage the sient, the
many mainy secuar Tur.s an" 1e0is, 2ur"s an" others to ma.e common cause to 'orm a 0ai(e opposition#
4. ,eport Felix Drost + January 1- 11:51am + %ermain.
Tur.s nee" to ta.e a 0ery "eep (reath (e'ore this "isagreement spins out o' contro any 'urther# Fethuah GCen
)as not eecte" an" has no (usiness in'itrating institutions, something he o(0iousy is "oing# But on the other
han" the 12 party shou" em(race puraity an" re'orm institutions so that that are representati0e o' e0eryone#
The )ay especiay Ar"ogan has (eha0e" atey has not gi0en many Tur.s the 'eeing that he is acting 'or the
(ene'it o' the )hoe so )hen there is a ca to arms many )i "ou(t the integrity (ehin" it# Tur.ey an" the )or"
nee" the o" Ar"ogan (ac.#
5. ,eport KcA + January 1- 11:40am + %ermain.
Guenists (ecame an asymmetric po)er ony (ecause 12% nee"e" an" ao)e" it# They )ere 'ooish enough to
not consi"er the conse>uences o' this po)er turning against them#
12% is a corrupt an" rent see.ing go0ernment# <t must resign to sa0e any itte respect there is e't 'or the
instituitions o' this country#
<' not, the 'ight (et)een Guenists an" 12% )i turn ugier an" ugier e0ery"ay, "ragging "o)n the )hoe country
aong )ith themse0es# <n the en" 5interest rate o((y5 )i (e (ecome a se' 'u'iing prophecy#
6. ,eport vulpes + January 1- 11:41am + %ermain.
@2iers, < can agree )ith the main thrust o' your response to @Cham(erain# *e0era o' my Tur.ish 'rien"s
atten"e" Cathoic, Christian though nominay musim Din 'act secuar themse0esE# 6either they nor the schoos in
>uestion seeme" to ha0e any pro(em# Fo)e0er, see.ing to con0ert musims is not encourage"# inci"entay,
there is a Je)ish schoo in <stan(u to ser0e the 0ery o" Tur.ish Je)ish community#
< ha0e more issue )ith your your ast ine# 9hat has the e8trication o' the B2 'rom Aurope, < guess you mean the
AB, got to "o )ith the technicay non:secuar status o' the B27
7. ,eport Poli + January 1- 11:2;am + %ermain.
Gery "isappointe" )ith FT 'or paying mouthpiece o' a 'un"amenta 0ioator o' (asic human rights##this piece has
no pace on 'ront page in. on my iO* )e(app )hich < pay H400 a year####an" pease FT ta.e o'' the Tur.ish 'ag
'rom it# That 'ag "eser0ers (etter pace than this###
8. ,eport Poli + January 1- 11:2-am + %ermain.
A8cuse me7 Just (ecause your party no onger gets aong )ith its 'ormer reigious 'rien"s, Tur.ish *tate )i not
(urn the house to get ri" o' the 'ees###
This is a )hite)ash piece o' artice )hich (o"y "ismisses the root cause o' the pro(em )hich is the one man
autocratic system create" (y Ar"ogan )hich in turn "isregar"s "emocratic puraism, (asic 0aues o' human rights
an" reigious 'ree"om Dor 'rom itE##
Guenist may (e part o' the pro(em (ut getting ri" o' them not the entire soution##i' you are oo.ing 'or soution,
'ocus on eiminating one man cut (eing create"##not o' Guen (ut o' Ar"ogan##
9hat a piti'u artice###
9. ,eport Killers + January 1- 11:02am + %ermain.
@Cham(erain : are your comments (ase" on ignorance, pre3u"ice or a com(ination o' (oth# Tur.ey is a secuar
country )ith a 'ree"om to practice any reigion, much i.e France or the B*# %rime e8ampes o' countries that are
not secuar incu"e the B2 )here the hea" o' state is aso the hea" o' the church# But at east the B2 appears to
(e on a path o' e8tricating itse' 'rom Aurope###
10. ,eport alion + January 1- 10:5-am + %ermain.
Tur.ey must "e'en" its "emocracy 'or sure### 'rom the go0ernment )ho )ont o(ey the a) in or"er to hi"e their
corruption##
11. ,eport What The Heck s This + January 1- 10:2;am + %ermain.
this artice is presente" as a proo' o' 5)estern support5 to 12% in her 5"emocracy 'ight5# < see in in t)itter, share"
as such# $ester"ay, there )ere (aming 5)esterner5, 5israe5, 5iran5 'or a the conspiracy#
<' a go0ernment in charge can not pre0ent this much o' conspiracy, may(e they shou" ea0e an" someone (etter
han"ing it shou" come# (ut aas, there is no )ay 'or them to "o that# then ha0e gi0en promises to a ot o' their
sponsors to pay them (ac. 0ia uno''icia agreements, that&s )hy they ha0e to stay in po)er#
12. ,eport Ma!a + January 1- 10:2-am + %ermain.
<t&s i.e the Iusim Brotherhoo" in Agypt caiming to (e the paragons o' secuarism an" ci0i rueJJ Fypocrites
13. ,eport bitcoin rule" + January 1- 10:2-am + %ermain.
9ho is a (igger threat to the "emocracy7 1n authoritarian "ictator (ent on "estroying the rue o' a) an" trying to
tie e0ery secuar institution o' his country personay to himse', or a secret 'reemason:i.e reigious sect )ith
imite" in'uence7
This cheap attempt at sa0ing your resi"ent corrupt:"ictator (y (aming the Guenists D)as it the Guenists )ho got
caught )ith 4#5 miion cash hi""en in shoe:(o8es7E )i haunt you 'or the rest o' your i'e mister Osman Can###
14. ,eport S#a!be$ue + January 1- 10:1?am + %ermain.
9hat is this no)7 1re )e to (eie0e at the (ehest o' the author that the 12%, )hich has )or.e" so har", han" in
han" )ith the Guenists to san"er an" "ismante a o' 1tatur.&s secuar re'orms, is the (eacon o' secuarism an"
"emocracy7 <s this a 3o.e7
This is nothing other than the pot caing the .ette (ac.# < "on&t .no) )hether to augh or cry#
15. ,eport Chamberlain + January 1- 10:1Kam + %ermain.
One 'act is ne0er mentione" (y any commentators on Tur.ey: it is a nation state )ith no 'ree"om o' reigion# That
'act shou" e8cu"e it 'rom consi"eration 'or AB mem(ership, (ut it is air(rushe" out o' a anaysis#
16. ,eport %ea%&truth + January 1- 10:12am + %ermain.
< am 0ery "isappointe" that FT et this pac. o' 5nai0e5 iesLB* pu(ishe" hereJ 12 party )hich gets most o' his
0ote 'rom the east e"ucate" part o' popuation, is again using its cunning strategy o' putting the (ame on
someone ese so that the same peope 0ote 'or them in the ne8t eectionsJ Fortunatey, noone )ith se0era (rain
ces (uys the argument that this is a conspiracy (y the groups i.e Guenists, 9estern Go0ernments, <nterest rate
o((y, as 're>uenty repeate" (y Ar"oganJ
*eeing that their en" is approaching, it seems that 12 )i get more more an" aggressi0e causing more "isruption
to the economy an" pain 'or Tur.ish peopeJ it is sa" that there is no >uic. )ay o' getting ri" o' peope i.e him
any Dthe army use" to "o it (ut not anymoreJE#
17. ,eport vulpes + January 1- ;:5?am + %ermain.
For those )ho o(3ect to the FT pu(ishing this artice, it is (oth ceary a(ee" as an opinion an" to its source#
9hist, personay < )ou" ta.e issue )ith this 12 opinion, (aance" 3ournaism re>uires that a si"es to an
argument ha0e a say# Baance" 3ournaism is )hat < e8pect 'rom the FT# That rea"ers can ha0e their say is part o'
the 'ormua#
18. ,eport 'ess + January 1- ;:4Kam + %ermain.
Fo) come there is no mention o' the hun"re"s Dnot tens, hun"re"sE o' aege" Guenist poice o''icers, /1&s an"
(ureaucrats since /ecem(er 1K7 Furthermore, i' 12% .ne) )ho they are 'or so ong, )hy the rush to repost them
no)7 1n", 'inay, )hat happene" to the rhetoric o' 5Bra0e, gorious an" hero poice5 o' Ar"ogan 3ust a'ter the
Ge=i protests7
1 'air an" (aance" commentary shou" at east "i''use those (e'ore re>uesting &support&#
19. ,eport a(k + January 1- ;:45am + %ermain.
*hame on FT 'or pu(ishing this piece# Ar"oMan is "ismanting the separation o' po)ers )ithin Tur.ish
go0ernment an" )e are to rea" an" (eie0e this ru((ish# Guenists may ha0e an agen"a (ut they ha0e soi"
e0i"ence o' se0ere corruption at the top e0es o' go0ernment an" 3ustice must per'orm its 'unction#
20. ,eport T)*)) + January 1- ;:1?am + %ermain.
*trangey enough, the author has au"acity to ignore poice e0i"ence o' ho) the )hoe 12% go0ernment is
centere" at the ma3or corruption case that runs o0er H250 BiionJ
Ar"ogan, in 3ust reease" poice tapes "ate" 2014, ta.s to the o)ner o' a ma3or retai group DB<IE, ho) a (i on
'orestry )ou" (e change" "rasticay# Ar"ogan&s son, Bia, is at the center o' corruption cases )ith a .no)n 1
Nai"a 'un"er nephe), accor"ing to the B* recor"sD$asin 1 Na"i o' *au"i 1ra(iaE# A0ery in>uiring min" in Tur.ey
.no)s that a these sons an" nephe)s are nothing (ut puppets o' their po)er'u 'athers, unces#
That is ho) Tur.ey aun"ere" money 'or <ranian oi (ypassing the B6 sanctions, accor"ing to the aegations (y
prosecutor, )hom repace" (y Ar"ogan go0ernment shameessy, )hich the author ne0er mentions# The 9est
.no)s Ar"ogan e" I<T DTur.ish inteigence agencyE is at the center o' sen"ing )eapons an" ogistics to <samist
terrorists#
One )on"ers i' any ea"er in the 9est DO(ama, Cameron, Ier.e, et eE )ou" sti see Ar"ogan as a "emocratic
ea"er or a po)er hungry u(er:corrupt ea"er that "oes "estroy the 'ina remnants o' "emocracy in an important
country such as Tur.ey an" thus shun him o''#
21. ,eport An%re+ Woo% 'on%on + January 1- ;:05am + %ermain.
&"emocratise the 3u"iciary& < am sure < ha0e rea" that ine (e'ore in the history o' 6a=i Germany an" the *o0iet
Bnion#
For "emocracy to reay )or. it nee"s a 'ree press, an in"epen"ent 3u"iciary, 'ree an" 'air eections, e>uaity
(e'ore the a) an" poitica parties )iing to respect eection resuts : < am not sure the 12 party (eie0es in any o'
these
22. ,eport ,ick-rain + January 1- ?:52am + %ermain.
1n" ho) are )e to "e'en" our "emocracy against Tayyip an" 12%7
23. ,eport Hal('uke Savas + January 1- ?:2;am + %ermain.
9hat )e rea" is herein cear an" concise, )e ha0e no pro(em misun"erstan"ing it# <n any country the (asic
"emocratic principe is that ony the eecte" representati0es are authorise" Dpo)er )ith responsi(iityE to e8ercise
po)er on (eha' o' the peope# Those )ho are intereste" in contro )ithout responsi(iity 'or their actions, through
an iega parae go0ernment or "ar. state is )hat "emocracy is trying to so0e in Tur.ey to"ayO as un"erstoo" (y
the artice# 9e pray 'or "emocracy to pre0ai an" goo" uc.#
24. ,eport '.K + January 1- ?:04am + %ermain.
Osman Can )rites 5*o the Guenists, )ho ha0e ony 15 per cent support in the 3u"iciary as a )hoe an" ony 2:4
per cent (ac.ing across society5# 9ou" he i.e to e8pain ho) he gets these num(ers i' 12% "oes not .eep a ta(
on Guenists7 Iay(e he can aso she" ight on ho) more than 2,000 poice o''icers )ere reassigne" since /ec
1Kth an" ho) 12% .ne) )ho the Guen supporters in the poice 'orce )ere#
25. ,eport Savas + January 1- K:1-am + %ermain.
Ir# Ar"ogan an" his cohorts, incu"ing Ir# Can, ha0e "emonstrate" no interest in a true a):(ase" "emocracy in
Tur.ey# They ho" to positions most 'a0ora(e to themO he )ith the country, "emocratic tra"itions an"
esta(ishing anything that )i (ene'it the 'uture o' Tur.ish "emocracy# <n that sense, they are no "i''erent 'rom
e0eryone they critici=e"# Ir# Ar"ogan can&t (e truste" uness he "emonstrates a true "e0otion to a "emocratic
Tur.ey, the one esta(ishe" (y 1tatur.# 9ith his "isi.e De0en hateE o' 1tatur. an" )hat he trie" to "o e0en un"er
much more "i''icut con"itions, he "is>uai'ie" himse' 'rom (ecoming a ea"er o' this great nation#
26. ,eport /iver+alk + January 1- -:1-am + %ermain.
< ha0e to a"mire Osman Bey&s )on"er'uy e0antine itotes in the phrase 5Bn'ortunatey, the go0ernment 'aie" to
ta.e the necessary pre0ention measures#5 Fas any go0ernment in Tur.ey "one anything to strengthen rue o' a),
"emocracy, aternance an" "ecentraisation o' authority, at the ris. o' )ea.ening their o)n grip on po)er7 *a"y,
not that < can remem(er# The )or" ha" hope" that the 12 )ou" "o the right thing in ight o' the aspirations o' the
Tur.ish peope to (e treate" )ith "ignity an" respect (y their o)n eecte" o''icias# 1as, itte has change"# BaP.
(aQtan .o.ar
27. ,eport u00ur + January 1- 5:40am + %ermain.
)hen are you going to tac.e the corruption caims7
28. ,eport C1M + January 1- 5:4?am + %ermain.
The author is a mem(er o' the Centra Committee o' 12% an" that says it a###
Than.s to Ar"ogan, )e can no onger argue that there is rue o' a) in Tur.ey###
29. ,eport somersetli + January 1- 1:40am + %ermain.
9hat a courage Osman Can has7 $our %I (ames 9esterners (ut you mention nothing o' his caim an" "ecare
the Guen mo0ement an iega structure )ithout a shre" o' e0i"ence# < am shic.e" to see this artice at FT, )hich
is a te8t(oo. e8ampe o' "isin'ormation# For Go"&s sa.e, ho) "o you 'ee satis'ie" )hen you 3ust ignore
mentioning miions o' "oars 'oun" in the homes o' the suspects7 Fo) "o you seep com'orta(y )hen you come
to the point o' co0ering corruption "espite your (eing one o' the prominent e8perts o' constitutiona a) in Tur.ey7
Or are you reay a man o' a)7
30. ,eport mor%illo + January 1- 12:05am + %ermain.
9hat Osman Can is trying to "o here is a cear hypocrisy# Ar"ogan uses the reigion car" against the GCen
mo0ement in Tur.ey (y caiming )ithout proo' that the GCen mo0ement (etrays to <sam an" the musims#
Ar"ogan "e'ines the mo0ement as the interna enemies o' <sam )or.ing 'or <srae an" B*# Then an 12% mem(er
)rites 'or FT that the GCen mo0ement is anti:secuar#
31. ,eport mirror + January 15 11:44pm + %ermain.
1 summary o' Tur.ish poitics here:
1# Ir# Ar"ogan uses his pious rhetoric to stay in the o''ice (ut treat )e himse' an" the rest o' the ca(inet an"
(usinessmen etc###
2# Ir# Guen uses his rhetoric i.e 5"iaogue (et)een reigions5 an" 5toerance5 to 'in" ne) supporters an"
sympathisersO a"0ises his men to in'itrate into important contro points such as poice 'orce an" 3u"iciary in or"er
to achie0e his goas###
They )ere a .in" o' ay to each other against miitary an" other secuar eites##### 9hen they thought they oc.e"
up a the secuar an" miitary 'igures Do' course than.s to Ir Guen&s "e0ote" men in the 3u"icia an" poice to
create those "igita e0i"ences )hich are pro0en to (e 'a.e (y the AB an" B* Forensic a(s#### E# /ue to con'ict o'
interests, they are no) enemies###
1ny)ay, they are the same: CO,,B%T, /16GA,OB* an" a TF,A1T to "emocracy####
32. ,eport behcettin + January 15 11:24pm + %ermain.
The crucia thing )i (e ho) se0ere the (roo"ing economic crisis in Tur.ey )i (e# /epen"ing on that things can
get reay out o' contro###
33. ,eport AE/1STAT + January 15 11:14pm + %ermain.
/ear %ro"emocracy ony 50R o' the country share your 0ie) the others most certainy "o not an" < 'or one am not
a Guenist merey an outsi"e o(ser0er )ho is astoun"e" (y the measures to )hich the 12% are prepare" to go to
"isguise their intent at crushing "emocratic 'ree"oms in Tur.ey#Iy concern is ess than you an" the 12% , more
as to )hy the 9est re'uses to ac.no)e"ge the e0ents in Tur.ey this year )hie sti "iscussing Tur.ish
mem(ership to the AB#
The party may )e ha0e starte" )e (ut its poitica aims are no onger cear or seemingy compati(e )ith
'ree"om o' e8pression#
34. ,eport Ka!e + January 15 10:4Kpm + %ermain.
Osman Can omits the most 0ita an" important eement o' the un'o"ing e0ents that is continuousy repeate" (y
his %rime Iinister ,ecep Tayyip Ar"ogan: namey that accor"iing to Ar"ogan the corruption in0estigations are
(eing orchestrate" (y Tur.ey&s 5e8terna an" interna enemies5# A8terna enemies incu"e the B* DAr"oMan
impicate" the B* am(assa"or to Tur.ey as (eing the mastermin" (ehin" the in0estigation, a""ing that he "i" not
ha0e to .eep the am(assa"or on Tur.ish soiE, <srae DSthe interest rate o((yTE, 'oreign po)ers not )anting Tur.ey
to reso0e its 2ur"ish issue DSthe (oo" o((yTE, Germany an" Angan" Daccor"ing to Iinister /a0utoguE an" a
those countries unhappy )ith Tur.ey&s ongoing construction pro3ects such as the ne) airport an" ne) thir"
Bosphorous (ri"ge#
1ccor"ing to Osman Can&s party ea"er Ar"ogan, the Guen mo0ement is ony the 5interna5 enemy carrying out
these pans on (eha' o' their 5internationa masters5# 1ccor"ing to Ar"ogan an" his team, the 5interna enemies5
aso incu"e, the Ge=i protestors, opposition party&s, the 2oc group, TB*<1/ an" many others# Together, these
enemies comprise a 5go(a coaition5 )hom Ar"ogan 0o)s to 5(rea.5, 5crush5 an" against )hom he has "ecare"
Ssecon" )ar o' in"epen"ence#5
6o) as. yourse' at east the 'oo)ing 4 >uestions:
1# 9hy "oes Osman Can omit such a crucia piece o' &in'ormation& in his FT piece7
2# 9hy "oes he nee" to in'orm Angish:spea.ing rea"ers DB* an" B2E o' the un'o"ing "e0eopments )hen
accor"ing to his %I, it is they that are orchestrating these e0ents in the 'irst pace7
4# <n a o' this, )hat o' the - stee sa'es an" money:counting machine in the then <nterior Iinisters 'atO the
4#5miion in shoe (o8es in the house o' CAO o' Fa.(an.O the K00,000t D450,000euroE )atch on the Aconomy
Iinisters )rist an" the numerous transcripts an" har" e0i"ence sho)ing that the Ar"ogan go0&t aun"ere" o0er
?K(iion "oars o' <ran&s money7
<' your a mem(er o' the Centra Committee o' the 12 %arty, it is 'ar easier to (ame the Guen mo0ement than
a""ress the a(o0e >uestions#
35. ,eport AE/1STAT + January 15 10:10pm + %ermain.
< am aso (a''e" ho) the FT et this sip through it is a (are 'ace" ie 'rom start to 'inish, the partys eite is un"er
in0estigation 'or corruption on a massi0e scae#
36. ,eport AE/1STAT + January 15 ;:5Kpm + %ermain.
9e its 'airy o(0ious that the author is a mem(er o' the 12 party, this artice ree.s o' propagan"a# <t is aso true
that the Guenists ha0e aims that raise suspicion (ut the 12 partys actions recenty in attempting to (ring the
3u"iciary un"er poitica contro an" the autocratic an" (ruta 'ashion in )hich they crushe" the <stan(u protests
ha0e "one more to re0erse "emocracy in Tur.ey than any other singe mo0ement in recent times#
They appear intent on "ismanting secuarism an" repacing it )ith their 0ersion <samic purity, ha0ing purge" the
miitary high comman" o' a opposition )ith the highy contro0ersia Argono.om tria#
The arreste" parties an" the in0estigation centere" on money aun"ering an" corruption that in0o0e 'amiy
mem(ers e8tremey cose to the partys eite, the ensuing "ismissa o' the countrys poice chie's to neutraise the
3u"iciary (ecause they )ere suspecte" Guenists )as a cear "emonstration that the rue o' a) is highy
>uestiona(e#
This artice contra"icts )ith a that < ha0e hear" 'rom in'orme" an" reia(e sources an" perhaps e8pains the
9estern in"i''erence to the pight o' secuar Tur.s#
37. ,eport pro%emocrac! + January 15 ;:45pm + %ermain.
/ear DJE Guenists, get a i'e 'or Go" sa.eJ 9e&re tire" o' seeing you in the comment sections an" at t)itter &&tren"
topics&&# 9ao)J 9hat a campaign spirit you ha0eJ## But < ha0e a (a" ne)s 'or u guys## $ou )on&t (e a(e to
change the "emocratic route o' Tur.ey## Anough )ith the o" "espotic regime in the country# 9e a, as peope o'
Tur.ey, not as &&Tur.ish peope&&, (ac. up the go0ernment here# &Cos )e .no) that 'rom no) on go0ernments )i
change in our country ony (y eections, not (y coup "&etats or cheap an" "irty 3u"iciary campaings i.e you&re
con"ucting no)##
38. ,eport ver!slo+han% + January 15 ;:05pm + %ermain.
1 mem(er o' the Centra Committee o' Ar"ogan&s party a"0ises us on the threat pose" (y Guenists in'itrating
state institutions# Fo) ironic# Ar"ogan&s party has in'itrating state institutions 'or "eca"es#
1'ter a )hoe series o' e8ceent, in'ormati0e an" (aance" artices 'rom its o)n 3ournaist, /anie /om(ey, <&m
(a''e" as to )hy the Financia Times has "eci"e" to use this 5artice5#
39. ,eport x + January 15 ;:01pm + %ermain.
5The )riter is ### a mem(er o' the Centra Committee o' the 12 party5
40. ,eport outsi%e 2orces + January 15 ?:5;pm + %ermain.
9e, you ony mention that Guenist are ta.ing this operation "ei(eratey# Fo)e0er )hy "i" you not mention
a(out outsi"e 'orces that "oing this operation through Guen mo0ement# Because your party&s presi"ent D %I
Ar"oganE a)ays outcrying a(out the e8terna 'orces )ho )ant to toppe him#
9hie you 3usti'y your party&s position to the internationa community here, on the other si"e your %I accusing
internationa community o' inter0ening Tur.ish poitics# Fo) can )e (eie0e in you7 as you shape the "emocracy
ony 'or your persona aim an" interest#
41. ,eport The nvisible Han% + January 15 ?:05pm + %ermain.
Corruption in high paces has (een en"emic in Tur.ey since the Ottoman con>uests o' 1natoia# 9ithout e8cusing
corruption one must )on"er at the timing o' the recent use o' this con0enient stic. (y Iethuah Guen&s )e
pace" supporters to (eat the 12 go0ernment an" prime minister Ar"ogan#
Ir Guen i0es in %ennsy0ania an" is acti0ey in0o0e" in inter'aith acti0ities )ith the Christian an" Je)ish peope
o' the Boo.# Fe oppose" the "isastrous Ga=a ai" mission to Ga=a an" is against the current support (y Tur.ey to
the *yrian 3iha"ists )ho are aso no onger supporte" (y the 9est )ith any 'er0our#
Ir Guen&s appears to (e the atest coour re0oution to turn Tur.ey a)ay 'rom its opening to its tra"itiona =one o'
in'uence to the Aast an" pu it (ac. to the 5<nternationa Community&s5 a"ut super0ision#
Coour re0outions ha0e ha" a "isma recor" o' success so 'ar# 9i this one (e "i''erent7
42. ,eport Emre + January 15 K:4-pm + %ermain.
Goo" artice# *o har" to 'in" such artices# Than. you#
43. ,eport Sule + January 15 K:0Kpm + %ermain.
<' you are a pro'essor o' constitutiona a), you must .no) that the changes propose" to the structure o' the
F*$2 is against the constitution Dho)e0er 'a)e" it may (eE an" against the commony accepte" norms o'
separation o' po)ers# This separation o' po)ers is one o' the cornerstones o' "emocracy# But, you "on&t seem to
care a(out that part# < )as appae" (y the singe:si"e"ness o' your artice unti < came to the 0ery en" an"
reai=e" that you are an 12% mem(er# < )aste" a goo" 5 minutes rea"ing it# This time that < spen" )riting this
comment, ho)e0er, is not a )aste as 'ar as < am concerne"#
<n this 'ight, neither si"e is right# < )ant "emocracy 'or Tur.ish peope, rea "emocracy, not the sham your party
has (een putting in 'ront o' the )hoe )or" 'or the past - years#
44# ,eport Ma%ameski + January 15 -:4?pm + %ermain.
<nteresting artice than. you# !oo.ing 'or)ar"s it soun"s i.e a proper constitution )here e0erything is "one in the
open an" e0eryone .no)s )ho has )hat po)ers )ou" suit e0eryone# *urey, at some point, corruption charges
)i nee" to (e pro0e"7 1n" at that point it )i (ecome cear )hat is or isn&t the case7
45. ,eport 3aimusho + January 15 5:55pm + %ermain.
Ar"ogan thin.s that he can circum0ent things an" try to put a "i''erent 'rame to the e0ents yet to assume
in0estors to (e naU0e )ou" not (e appropriate # Tur.ish go0ernment corruption can not (e o0er rue" (y a
reigious ta.e o0er stories# The truth is )hether the corruption )as unco0ere" (y a reigious 'igure or a ayman
"oes not change the 'act that Tur.ish ta8 payers ha" (een s)in"e"# Tur.ish ta8 payers money is use" to support
terror in *yria, Tur.ey is trying to chaenge so0ereignty o' <ra># To"ay minimum )age is H4K- per month# 1 this
has nothing to "o )ith your i"ea o' "e'ense o' "emocracy#
Tur.eys main pro(em is its "i0ersion economicay an" cuturay 'rom the ine o' 9est, cooperating )ith *CO,
ma.ing "eas )ith China o0er "e'ense, supporting terrorist in *yria, *upporting "rug .ingpins o' %22# Ar"ogan
thin.s he can hi"e these )ith a 'aacy#1re you teing me as a constitutiona a) pro'essor that this is in ine )ith
Tur.ish constitution# 7
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9e8c4212-7dd7-11e3-95dd-
00144feabdc0.html#a!!2"#$1l%&'