HURRIYET- Columnist Oktay Eksi writes on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s recent statements on the People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) arguing that these two parties pose a threat to Turkey’s democratic regime. A summary of his column is as follows:
Despite all his recent statements against the political circles who argue that early elections should be held this fall, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is seemingly preparing for early elections. Ecevit’s recent statements on the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) show clearly that he has already started his election campaign. If Ecevit really thought that the polls might be held in 2004, he would never made those remarks, underlining that an increase in the votes of AKP and HADEP would mean that Turkey’s democratic regime is under the threat of either radical Islam or ethnic separatism. Above all, he would never publicly voice such a combative argument that HADEP represents a separatist movement. Although we believe that Ecevit should immediately explain the basis for his arguments to the public since they might spur a judicial process to close the two parties down, we can’t argue that his remarks are truly baseless. In our interviews with representatives of HADEP, we’ve always asked the same two questions: ‘Why do you always label yourself as “Kurds” while at the same time talking about being a party representing the Turkish nation as a whole?’ and ‘Can’t you see that HADEP is isolating itself from all other groups in society by putting so much emphasis on its Kurdish identity?’ If it really wants to be a party of the whole Turkish nation, HADEP should abandon its arguments downplaying Turkish identity and stressing Kurdish identity. If the Supreme Board of Elections decides to include these parties on the list of political parties to participate in the polls, nobody would have the right to oppose this decision by saying, ‘The policies of this or that party will endanger Turkey’s democratic regime.’ However, if it is the premier himself who makes such remarks, then nobody will believe that Turkey has a truly democratic regime.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION