CUMHURIYET- Columnist Orhan Erinc comments on Turkey’s commemoration of Ataturk and recent political developments. A summary of his column is as follows:
Yesterday we commemorated Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who left this world 64 years ago, with respect and gratitude. I never personally saw Ataturk. However, I sincerely believe his statement that seeing him doesn’t mean only mean seeing with your eyes. The number of young people agreeing with this is growing with each passing day, and thus strengthening the Turkish Republic’s confidence in its future.
‘The level of modern civilization’ which was pointed to as an example to us by Ataturk is a target that can be reached and continued if the Turkish Republic remains a secular, democratic and social state of law. However, there are still efforts being made against secularism and the law. During the present period, in which claims that ‘Turkey is advancing towards modernity’ are being repeated, the law and politics are once again coming to a crossroads. Justice and Development Party (AKP) administrators and their supporters continue to say that they chose the path of politics to better their situation. The system of law in our country begins with the Constitution, and it continues with the laws and their rules and regulations. It seems clear that one political party leader now intends to change the Constitution, and the lower-ranking party members are looking to do the same for their future. The AKP should decide if it’s going to represent one group within the nation or the nation itself.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s speech at the Ataturk Higher Institution of Culture, Language and History yesterday vindicated those who say, ‘Thank God there’s Sezer at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.’ This section of his speech carried important messages for today and tomorrow: ‘Becoming a modern, civilized nation is possible when secularism isn’t confined to written rules alone, but instead spreads to every area of life and practice. Some of us are trying to make this so, but I must emphasize that we will oppose those who aim to destroy the democratic, secular Turkish Republic and the gains toward modernity that our nation made after becoming a republic. Today one of our top issues should be avoiding arrangements peculiar to one person alone, as these don’t suit a democratic rule of law, and taking pains to make politics according to the law, instead of politicizing the law.’ Mr. Sezer’s message is clear: If the constitutional articles barring the appointment of a prime minister from outside are changed, he will send such changes back to Parliament and then if they are passed once more, he will be submit this to the people for a plebiscite. Naturally, the government will be responsible for the tension between those who support the changes and those who oppose them in the runup to the plebiscite. The Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) success in remaining in the opposition and opposing as well are known by all. Looking at its silence and support for the AKP, it would be wrong to think that the incoming Parliament will be a garden of roses.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION