BY ALI BAYRAMOGLU
YENI SAFAK- Columnist Ali Bayramoglu writes about allegations of lawlessness and corruption in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
The last living general involved in Greece’s 1967 military coup still languishes in prison, unable to even get an old-age release before he apologizes to the Greek people, something so far he has refused. Meanwhile here in Turkey, the leader of the 1980 military takeover – the nation’s third plus the ‘postmodern coup’ of 1997 – is now living a relaxing retirement on our southern Mediterranean shore, opening exhibits, posing cheek-to-cheek with pop singers for the paparazzi and commenting on heated political debates like some respected senior statesman.
If a crime goes unpunished then it’s no longer a crime. It gains legitimacy and becomes part of the normal functioning of the system. Sheer might and power worship replace rules and principles. This has always been the picture in this country, and so it remains. This is how military coups in Turkey have become legitimate, as have the massacres of the 1970s and almost every political corruption case to date.
Turkey is the only country which has yet to shed light on its role in the international Lockheed scandal of 1976, when it was revealed that the company had bribed politicians and prominent military figures all over the world, including in Turkey, to boost its aircraft sales. The incident was covered up with the resignation of the Air Forces commander of the time. Certain provisions the 1982 Constitution itself prevent any further investigation into the affair. Moreover, Turkey is the only country where writing and commenting on this scandal are still seen as an insult to certain institutions.
Koray Aydin, who served as public works and housing minister under the 1999-2002 Democratic Left Party (DSP)-led coalition government, had to step down after delivering a pathetic, miserable speech, due to corruption allegations and near-indisputable evidence of his involvement in such shameful acts. But that was the end of it. How can our corrupt system be brought to an end without punishing people like Aydin, if he really is guilty? How can we establish a transparent system if lawlessness, corruption and those involved in such misdeeds escape punishment? If transparency requires bringing former state ministers, prime ministers and even chiefs of General Staff before the law, isn’t that worth it?