The Police Have Become Politicized

By Fatih Altayli
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Hurriyet reporter Fatih Altayli at the hotel in Kizilcahamam where AKP is having a retreat this week. In the conversation, Erdogan had this to say about the recent breakdown in public order and service: "Politics have entered into the police force. The police have become politicized. There are information leaks."
(Hurriyet) "Public order is breaking down more and more every day. There is a security problem. Purse snatchings, muggings, these sort of incidents are increasing. Is the police force not taking these things seriously, and does the government plan to do anything about these things?"
(Erdogan) "At the base of it all is poverty. Actually, recent police operations have had a serious effect on breaking down some of this disorder.....one thing is clear, and that is that migration (to Istanbul) is a factor in all of this. The other thing is that the police force personnel is not growing. When I was mayor of Istanbul, the force numbered 32,000, but now it is down at 27,000. For this reason I say let's add university graduates to the force....Let me also add this: the police have become politicized."
(Hurriyet) What does that mean? In order to wear you down, some people are using the police? Would this be your political foes?
(Erdogan) Well, there are information leaks. We learn some things from the press before the police have even processed them. But there are some things that must remain silent.
Armenian Genocide and the American Congress
(Hurriyet) The Armenian issue is heating up again inside Turkey. The American Congress has announced that it is gathering the 90 signatures necessary to bring the genocide bill before Congress. What is being done about this in Turkey?
(Erdogan) We have begun with the British. We have spoken with the opposition leaders in this country, and they are being very understanding. We are breaking down the accusations made in the Blue Book....which is completely a tool for propaganda. Armenian cargo planes can land and fly from Turkey, including Istanbul. The Culture Ministry is restoring the Armenian Church located on the Van Lake Island. It seems that while the Armenians living in Armenia are approaching relations with Turkey this positively, the Armenians living outside Armenia are fighting against it. They have taken the idea of migration and told the whole world that it's genocide. Migration is one thing, genocide is another.
(Hurriyet) Well, will the bill pass in the American Congress? If I'm not wrong, US presidents have in the past prevented it twice. Will Bush do the same thing?
(Erdogan) I have absolute trust in him. Because he is very sensitive on this issue. I believe he will take the right steps at the right time. Anyway, we are making a point to have our groups make contact with US groups at the appropriate times.
"He is Also Uncomfortable With the Way Things Are Going"
(Hurriyet) How are relations with the US going? It seems that everyday some other problem happens.
(Erdogan) I speak with Bush myself about this matter. He is also uncomfortable with the way things are going. He has asked me what I think we should do to get over this crisis. We talked, and have decided communicate at the highest level. When there is a problem, the two of us will speak directly.
(Hurriyet) Turkey is being attacked even in cartoons in the US. Is there perhaps a communications problem between the two countries?
(Erdogan) Well, if it has to be admitted, yes. The Foreign Ministry is focusing on this right now. And so are we. But we need the support of citizens and the press on this matter.