30 April 2007

1. "Turkish prosecutor probes Kurdish mayors for claiming rebel leader was poisoned", a Turkish prosecutor is investigating whether 54 Kurdish mayors broke the law by claiming last month that rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan was being poisoned in his prison cell, the government-run Anatolia news agency reported Saturday.

2. "Analysis: Turkey faces identity crisis", the possibility of an observant Muslim president is pitting Turkey's deeply secular military and civilian establishment against its religiously oriented ruling party in a fundamental struggle over national identity.

3. "Government Rebuffs Army's Challenge", Turkish government, although in a mild tone, turns down the army's warning for secularism, saying they are the government's subordinate. Analysts worried of impending stand-off between the army and government, hinging around the presidential elections.

4. "One million Turks rally against government", as many as one million people rallied in a sea of red Turkish flags in Istanbul on Sunday, accusing the government of planning an Islamist state and demanding it withdraw its presidential candidate.

5. "Activists Prosecuted, Not the Violators", the security forces killed a child trying to trap two pro-Kurdish guerillas last year. Rights activists prepared a report and denounced the incident. Public Prosecutor's Office files a trial' accusing activists of "degrading the military".

6. "Two Turkish soldiers killed in land mine explosions", Turkish forces are carrying out operations in both provinces to track down the elements of the outlawed group.

1. - AP - "Turkish prosecutor probes Kurdish mayors for claiming rebel leader was poisoned":

ANKARA / 28 April 2007

A Turkish prosecutor is investigating whether 54 Kurdish mayors broke the law by claiming last month that rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan was being poisoned in his prison cell, the government-run Anatolia news agency reported Saturday.

Last month, mayors belonging to the Kurdish Democratic Society Party asked for an independent group of doctors to examine Ocalan to establish whether he was being poisoned. Turkish authorities said tests on Ocalan showed no signs that he was being poisoned and called the allegations "complete lies."

A prosecutor in the predominantly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir was investigating whether the mayors' statement amounted to propaganda on behalf of terror groups, Anatolia said.

Ocalan, 58, is the leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, and remains an influential figure for many of Turkey's disaffected Kurds, and an object of intense hatred for many Turks.

He was initially sentenced to death after his capture in 1999, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison after Turkey abolished capital punishment in 2002. He is the sole inmate on Imrali, in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul.

The PKK has waged war for autonomy in Turkey's southeast since 1984. The group often stages cross-border attacks from bases in neighboring Iraq and operates small bands of rebels inside Turkey.

The mayors are currently on trial for allegedly supporting the PKK by asking Denmark's prime minister to keep a Kurdish television station on the air. Turkey says the station is the mouthpiece of the PKK.

2. - AP - "Analysis: Turkey faces identity crisis":

ANKARA / 29 April 2007 / by Christopher Torchia

The possibility of an observant Muslim president is pitting Turkey's deeply secular military and civilian establishment against its religiously oriented ruling party in a fundamental struggle over national identity.

At least 700,000 people marched against Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's candidacy in Istanbul Sunday, waving the red national flag and invoking Turkey's long secular tradition. Powerful generals hinted they may step in to resolve the deadlock over Gul in parliament, which elects the president. And many Turks are calling for early elections in the hope of replacing the parliament, which is dominated by Gul's pro-Islamic party.

Protesters and the military fear Gul would use the presidency — a post with veto power over legislation — to assist his ally, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in chipping away at the separation of state and religion. For example, secularists want to preserve a ban on Islamic headscarves in government offices and other public places; Gul's wife, Hayrunisa, once appealed to the European Court of Human Rights for the right to wear the scarf to a university.

The heart of the problem is a conflict over Turkey's national identity that has brewed since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, an army officer in World War I, founded the secular republic after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. He gave the vote to women, restricted Islamic dress and replaced the Arabic script with the Roman alphabet.

But Islam remained potent at the grassroots level, and some leaders with a religious background have portrayed themselves as an alternative to the secular establishment.

"We don't want a covered woman in Ataturk's presidential palace," said Ayse Bari, a 67-year-old housewife at the Istanbul protest. "We want civilized, modern people there."

On Friday, opposition lawmakers boycotted the first round of parliamentary voting for Gul and appealed to the Constitutional Court to annul the process. That night the military threatened to intervene in the presidential election and warned the government to curb Islamic influences.

"It should not be forgotten that the Turkish armed forces is one of the sides in this debate and the absolute defender of secularism," the military said in a statement. "When necessary, they will display its stance and attitudes very clearly. No one should doubt that."

A day later, the government, showing confidence unknown in past civilian administrations, rebuked the military and said it was "unthinkable" for the institution to challenge its political leaders in a democracy.

"It is out of the question to withdraw my candidacy," Gul said Sunday.

The current president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, is a strong secularist who acted as a check on the pro-Islamic government.

A decade ago, the Turkish military sent tanks into the streets in a campaign that forced the pro-Islamic prime minister to resign. Now Turks are wondering again how far the armed forces will go to settle another power struggle between their government and the secular establishment.

The pro-secular military's threat to intervene in a disputed presidential election could also damage Turkey's troubled efforts to join the European Union, which has urged the Muslim nation to reduce the political influence of the army.

"We hope that one day Turkey can join the European Union, but for that, Turkey has to be a real European country, in economic and political terms," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Turkish police, who said the demonstrators numbered around 700,000, cordoned off the area of the protest and conducted searches at several entry points.

"Turkey is secular and will remain secular!" shouted thousands of flag-waving protesters, many of whom traveled to Istanbul from across the country overnight.

The demonstrators sang nationalist songs and demanded the resignation of the government, calling Erdogan a traitor.

More than 300,000 took part in a similar rally in Ankara, the capital, two weeks ago.

"This government is the enemy of Ataturk," said 63-year-old Ahmet Yurdakul, a retired government employee, invoking the memory of Ataturk. "It wants to drag Turkey to the dark ages."

Much has changed, however, since Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan resigned on July 18, 1997, ceding power to a pro-Western coalition partner in what was labeled a "soft" coup. Under the current government, Turkey has reined in inflation and implemented reforms backed by the EU.

These ingredients, signs of a maturing democracy, suggest the military would be very reluctant to topple the elected government of Erdogan, a drastic step that could represent a return to a chaotic, polarized era that most Turks would rather forget. Yet, if it feels pushed, few doubt that the military will challenge the politicians.

The court's ruling on whether a quorum was present at the vote on Friday is expected soon. A ruling for the government could lead to a second round of voting on Wednesday. Gul is the only candidate and is expected to prevail by a third round planned for May 9. A ruling for the opposition would stop the vote, possibly leading to early general elections.

3. - Bianet - "Government Rebuffs Army's Challenge":

Turkish government, although in a mild tone, turns down the army's warning for secularism, saying they are the government's subordinate. Analysts worried of impending stand-off between the army and government, hinging around the presidential elections.

ISTANBUL / 29 April 2007

Turkish government, sharply criticized and warned with taking necessary steps for its failure to suppress violations of secularism by the army, Saturday responds with a counter warning.

"In a democratic country governed by rule of law, it is unimaginable that the General Staff, which is subordinate to the prime minister, make a public statement against the government," says governmnet spokesperson and Minister of Justice Cemil Çiçek, in a public statement.

In an anonymous written statement posted on its intenet Web site late Friday night, the General Staff said that the presidential election's were hinging around a debabete for redefining secularism. They were following these debates with "concern." they said. The statement warned that Turkish Armed Forces would "openly take an open stand and act when it deems necessary."

"It should be kept in mind that the Turkish armed forces is aparty to the dispute will staunchly defender secularism," they said. "The Turkish armed forces are against those debates ... and will display its position and attitudes when it becomes necessary. No one should doubt that."

The statement came hours after Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, the presidential nominee from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), failed to get elected to the post since he could not get 367 votes necessary to qualify for election. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which opposes Gül's presidency, boycotted the election, and applied to the Constitutional Court to get it annulled saying there was less than 367 deputies at the voting session. Parliament Speaker Bülent Arinç claimed six CHP deputies who angrily entered the General Assembly hall to check vote counting were also considered to be part of the quorum, an argument the CHP rejects.

The Constitutional Court should now decide whether the election process could go ahead as planned or whether it should be canceled. If it agrees with CHP, then an early general election could be in the pipeline.

Çiçek said yesterday that Erdogan had a "useful" phone conversation with Büyükanit yesterday afternoon, without elaborating. Undersecretary of the National Intelligence Organization Emre Taner also attended Erdogan's meeting with ministers.

Criticizing the General Staff statement, Çiçek said the timing was "meaningful" and added that it would be perceived as an "attempt to influence the judiciary decision."

The presidential election began on Friday amid worries on the part of secularist state establishment that presidency of Gül or someone else from the AK Party would undermine the secular structure of the state. A secularist rally is expected to bring together anti-government demonstrators in Istanbul today (Sunday), similar to a meeting in Ankara on April 14 which drew hundreds of thousands of demonstrators to the city's Tandogan Square.

The General Staff statement openly said that it had the same concerns: "The Islamic reactionary mentality that is against the Republic and that has no purpose but undermining the basic characters of our state is being encouraged and is expanding its scope," it said. It cited as an example a series of events, such as a failed attempt in Ankara to hold a Koran reading competition on April 23, the Children and National Sovereignty Day.

"Developments in our region offer a lot of examples on how playing with religion and the use of religion as a tool to achieve certain goals could prove to be disastrous," the statement said, citing the recent killing of three Christian missionaries at a publishing house in the eastern province of Malatya as an example.

The statement also said such behaviors and actions stood in "total contradiction" with the principle of being "loyal to the principle of secularism in essence, not in words," a reference to a speech Gen. Yasar Büyükanit made on April 12 while commenting on how Turkey's next president should be.

Çiçek said in response that protection of basic characteristics of the state was principally a duty for the government. "Every problem in Turkey will be resolved within the legal framework and democracy. Any contrary thought or stance is definitely unacceptable. The duty on all individuals and institutions is to help this process proceed smoothly. Painful experiences have shown how different approaches have harmed our country and the nation."

He also said: "Everyone should know that our government is a side more than everyone and more sensitive than everyone when it comes to protection of the basic values of the state, intetgrity and unity of our country, about Turkey's being secular, democratic and social state governed by rule of law."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks appeared to be directed at the military that Turks would oppose efforts to erode their country's stability. "The political unity and social structure... of this country can sometimes be subject to disasters," he told a gathering of the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) in Ankara. "This nation has paid a heavy, painful price when the base of stability and confidence has been lost. But it no longer allows, nor will it allow, opportunists who are waiting and paving the way for a disaster."

Opposition calls for elections to avert crisis

Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), which also boycotted the presidential election and called for the cancellation of the presidential poll and for early parliamentary elections instead, said yesterday that the recent developments proved its position right.

"I don't want to say I said so," the party's chairman Erkan Mumcu said at a press conference after Çiçek's. He said the country was faced with a crisis. "Responsible action is now an unavoidable responsibility," he said, reiterating his call for early general elections at once as a way out of the crisis.

True Path Party (DYP) Chairman Mehmet Agar also called for early elections. "Turkey has the capability to resolve its problems within parameters of civilian politics. It will not be difficult to resolve problems of Turkey through the will of people," he said.

Deniz Baykal, who heads the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), called on the government to act on the basis with compromise and consultations. "Crisis are resolved through politics. And politics cannot be made through impositions, politics are made by compromise."

4. - Reuters - "One million Turks rally against government":

ISTANBUL / 29 April 2007 / by Paul de Bendern

As many as one million people rallied in a sea of red Turkish flags in Istanbul on Sunday, accusing the government of planning an Islamist state and demanding it withdraw its presidential candidate.

Despite the protests and a threat from the powerful army to intervene in the election, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, architect of Turkey's EU membership drive, said he would remain the ruling AK Party's candidate for head of state.

The protesters flooded the streets of Turkey's largest city, praising the army and denouncing Gul and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, whose AK Party enjoys a huge parliamentary majority, as a threat to a secular order separating state and religion.

"Turkey is secular and will remain secular," and "shoulder to shoulder against sharia (Islamic law)," they chanted carrying portraits of the nation's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The AK Party faces its biggest crisis since it was elected in 2002. Parliament picks the president, who carries great symbolic weight and has important veto and appointment powers.

"We are here to stop the creation of an Islamic state," said businessman Irfan Kadim, 35. "We fear for the secular republic."

Many secularists are worried by Gul's Islamist past and the fact his wife wears the Muslim headscarf, banned in universities and public offices. They fear she will wear it as a first lady.

The AK Party, which has vigorously pressed liberal reforms and overseen strong economic growth, denies any Islamist agenda.

Police told Reuters more than 750,000 attended, while CNN Turk said the district town hall put attendance at 1.2 million.

Many analysts say the only way to defuse the crisis would be to call early general elections, scheduled for November.

Turkey's top business association, TUSIAD, backed a call for early elections, which opinion polls showed the AK Party would be well placed to win. Secularists hope a newly elected parliament would choose a consensus president.

"Gul's candidacy is in jeopardy. I have serious doubt he can continue as if nothing has happened," Turkish commentator Cengiz Aktar told Al Jazeera television.

"I think we are in the middle of a crisis...but I don't think the armed forces is willing or wants to do another coup."

DEFIANCE

Gul, a soft-spoken diplomat known to EU leaders and viewed with confidence on markets, gave no ground.

"The process (of electing a president) has begun and will continue ... There can be no question of my candidacy being withdrawn," Gul told reporters in the capital Ankara.

Only 10 years ago the army, with public support, hounded out of office a democratically elected Islamist government.

Secularists, including army generals and judges, say Erdogan and Gul will show their true colors once they have the presidency, the last major state institution outside their control, and boost the role of religion in Turkish life.

The army General Staff raised the stakes on Friday, hours after an inconclusive first round of voting in parliament on Gul's nomination, with a threat to intervene in the election.

The Istanbul protesters said they backed the army, long viewed here as the ultimate guardian of the secular republic.

The opposition has criticized the ruling AK Party for failing to consult with them on a candidate and ignoring their calls for a person who would be accepted by the majority.

The Istanbul rally mirrored a smaller one of 350,000 in Ankara two weeks ago against Erdogan running for president. After that protest, Erdogan nominated the more conciliatory Gul.

A second round of voting in parliament on Gul's nomination is set for Wednesday, though he is not expected to secure enough votes from deputies until a third round scheduled for May 9.

But the main secularist opposition party has asked the Constitutional Court to rule the presidential election invalid. The court says it will try to deliver its verdict by Wednesday.

If the strongly secularist court upholds the opposition appeal, Erdogan must call an early parliamentary election. Outgoing secularist President Ahmet Necdet Sezer would remain in office until a new parliament could choose his successor.

The EU, which began accession talks with Turkey in 2005, and the United States, Ankara's NATO ally, have both called for a democratic and constitutional resolution of the crisis.

5. - Bianet - "Activists Prosecuted, Not the Violators":

The security forces killed a child trying to trap two pro-Kurdish guerillas last year. Rights activists prepared a report and denounced the incident. Public Prosecutor's Office files a trial' accusing activists of "degrading the military".

ISTANBUL / 29 April 2007

Public prosecutor's office filed a complaint against rights activists who prepared an investigative report on the killing of an 11-year-old by security forces in the southeastern city of Batman.

Activists will be tried with "publicly degregading the military" and "attempting to influence a fair trial" as quoted in articles 310 and 288 of the Turkish Penal Code.

The first sitting of the trial is scheduled for May 18.

One of the accused, Association for Human Rights and Solidarity with the Oppressed (MAZLUMDER) local administrator lawyer Ahmet Sevim told bianet that they just received the notification and haven't acted already.

Last September, 11 year-old Mizgin Ozkek had been killed when security forces raided with guns the vehicle where the family travelled. Two members of the pro-Kurdish guerilla group PKK were left dead in the incident.

MAZLUMDER, Turkey's Human Rights Associstion (IHD) and Bar Association of Batman came together to investgate and report on the death of the child. They concluded that the security forces must have known the presence of Mizgin in the car but ceased to apply the necesary caution, thus violating the right to life.

In return, Batman Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the efforts by right activists on October 19, 2006.

6. - NTV/MSNBC - "Two Turkish soldiers killed in land mine explosions":

Turkish forces are carrying out operations in both provinces to track down the elements of the outlawed group.

SIRNAK/BITLIS / 27 April 2007

Two members of Turkish armed forces were killed Thursday in separate land mine blasts.

Ramazan Avci was killed in the south eastern province of Sirnak when a mine planted by Kurdish rebels was detonated near a road.

Nadir Ipek was killed after he trod on a mine planted by members of the PKK in the south eastern province of Bitlis.