BY RUSEN CAKIR
VATAN- President Abdullah Gul likes to take steps to highlight his title as head of state. I believe his bringing together the heads of the judicial, legislative and executive branches in a luncheon at the Presidential Palace serves this purpose. This idea for this took shape in Gul's mind last December, but holding it at such a critical time raises its symbolic and actual meanings.
Obviously, today's luncheon takes place under the shadow of the Ergenekon probe, which will certainly be discussed, because the questioning of suspects and the way the public has learned of this and feels about it have caused a series of problems and conflicts.
In the wake of the latest wave of Ergenekon detentions, more figures have expressed their concern. Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug first met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and then Gul. The Supreme Court of Appeals' top judges convened extraordinarily. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said in a statement that everybody is innocent until proven guilty, thus trying to protect their retired and active duty officers under suspicion. Then Gul's short warning after state broadcaster TRT reported on Tuncay Guney got everybody's attention. Finally, retired Col. Abdulkerim Kirca's suicide led the TSK to point an accusing finger at the media's 'extrajudicial execution.'
Obviously, Ergenekon can be considered a direct result of the power struggle between the traditional ruling party elites and those who recently moved to the center. But recent developments show that power centers that often disagree with each other are concerned that the process might be getting out of control. In other words, the Ergenekon probe, which some see as serving to reform the system, might actually dissolve the old system without replacing it, or the new system might be worse than the old one. These risks might have caused the ruling party elites to think that if the ship sinks, they will all drown altogether, and this might lead to a new collective power sharing.
Of course, I'm not ascribing such deep meanings to a luncheon. But if today's lunch is successful, it might lead to a new consensus between various state organs. On the other hand, it might be just pro forma or deepen current disagreements.
Yes Gul's initiative might have very good results. Ideally, a full consensus among government institutions would have a positive impact on society. But I don't think this will be enough, because Turkey has been facing deep divides for some years now, and society has been splitting into opposed camps. We know this polarization is getting worse due to Ergenekon. The trouble is that efforts and chances to bring together sides which work in the heart of society diminish every day. Even if there are efforts for a social consensus, the persons and institutions behind it are nowhere to be seen. For example, political parties both inside and outside Parliament aren't trying to do this.
As someone who believes that consensus should be first sought within society, I don't think that this luncheon, held at a time lacking the basis for this, will lead to great changes.