BY OKAY GONENSIN
VATAN- There's a habit in Turkey. We can relate this to our complexes sometimes. Anyone who's in trouble seeks the solution to his problem in the West. The West sometimes means Europe, and sometimes the US. We used to think that once we got the West's support, our problems would be easily solved. Now there is the problem of Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301. Actually, we know that the 'pure' basis of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) isn't so democratic. AKP spokesmen say that we're disgracing ourselves before the West, instead of thinking of getting rid of this disgrace out of our own will and political decision. It's an easy thing to say and it seems to be an effective rationale, due to the implication that it has the support of the great West.
For weeks AKP opponents have been saying that political parties are closed in the West too, but they don't know how many parties are closed annually or what the political conditions are. So we try to convince ourselves and others by saying that political parties are also often closed in the West and get an excuse and support for closing the AKP from the West. In the latest such operation, some Turkish parliamentarians in the Council of Europe went to the Council's head and asked for a declaration against closure of the AKP. What will happen if such a declaration is issued? Will some people who want it to be closed say, if the AKP is closed, Europe would cause us trouble and so let's give it up?
If we can change Article 301 not for Europe's sake, but due to the Turkish people's readiness for democracy; if we can discuss closing the AKP not in relation to incidents in Europe, but by telling the truth openly based on real evidence; and if we can explain seeking support from the West in terms of democracy; then we will be able to get rid of our complexes over the West. This would be an important mentality revolution and only through this can we convince ourselves that we have a place in the developed world.