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2006-05-22 Europe

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Posted by ryuge 2006-05-22 03:17|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I find the tone of this article interesting. because the media is generally supportive of anyone who is an ally to the Islamists. Yet they write this article from the perspective that the military supporters of the secular government are the good guys and Erdogan is on the outs.

Maybe this is a clue:

Although Mr Erdogan, a former Islamist

A former Islamist? Come on - Erdogan has been sleeping with the Islamists, Chirac and all the other popular boys in town. He was a former Islamist in the sense that he played with the Islamists in the double AA leagues but when he got to the big show he was suddenly a modern secularist.

I don't get it. Why would the media turn on Erdogan in support of the generals.

hmmmm.

Posted by 2b 2006-05-22 10:43|| 2006-05-22 10:43|| Front Page Top

#2 It would be sweet to see Erdoban, Chiraq and Villepine all bite the dust next year. Hoping for Zappy and Pooty to get it too would be asking for too much.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-05-22 10:49|| 2006-05-22 10:49|| Front Page Top

#3 that would indeed be sweet. Sweeter if the Dems bit the dust too.

Posted by 2b 2006-05-22 10:54|| 2006-05-22 10:54|| Front Page Top

#4 That'll be this year.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-05-22 10:58|| 2006-05-22 10:58|| Front Page Top

#5 yeah - but they will still be out next year.

Posted by 2b 2006-05-22 10:59|| 2006-05-22 10:59|| Front Page Top

#6 The Turkish media will turn on Erdogan because it knows who the real power is--the pashas.

The claims are that the shooter was connected to Nizam-i Alem, an extreme religious/nationalist organization affiliated with the MHP (Gray Wolves) and the BBP. They are denying, of course, but given where the shooter comes from, I don't doubt the claims at all.

It was Nizam-i Alem and the MHP that was sending fighters to Chechnya a few years back. Mehmet Ali Agca is a hero to these people too.

Posted by Azad 2006-05-22 13:35|| 2006-05-22 13:35|| Front Page Top

#7 Thanks, Azad! More, please, if you're inclined. The internal workings, especially how and why the military seems to have abdicated its vaunted constitutional protection role and the rise of Erdogan and his party - which I though was supposed to be unconstitutional... or so the pundits said. Speaking for myself, reliable and clear information on the inner mechanics of Turkey aren't easy to come by.

Posted by random styling 2006-05-22 13:43|| 2006-05-22 13:43|| Front Page Top

#8 You may want to do a search on "Turkish Islamic synthesis" because that is where ultranationalism and Islam meet.

As you say, the generals (pashas) only seem to have stepped back. This is for Western, particularly EU, consumption. Everyone knows that Turkey remains a military state and that the only power resides in the MGK (national security council), which is run by the Turkish general staff.

AK's rise to power is reflective of the population's mood and is, therefore, meaningless. Turkey is not a democracy and its secular nature is also questionable (read the Turkish constitution for more on that).

There will be a power change in August, when Yasar Buyukanit becomes the new chief of general staff. He will replace Ozkok. Buyukanit is a hard-core kemalist who was recently indicted by the Wan prosecutor for involvement in black operations throughout "The Southeast" in the 1990s, and more recently, for the Semdinli bombing.

I suspect Buyukanit will intensify the renewal of the dirty war in "The Southeast." How much any US-Turkish deal over Iran will influence that, I haven't a speculation yet.

By the way, the Wan prosecutor has since been fired.

Posted by Azad 2006-05-22 15:11|| 2006-05-22 15:11|| Front Page Top

#9 Thanks! I lose this great cable connection tomorrow when my better half and I flit back to Korat, Thailand (and the lousy dialup there) and I will spend some of that time chasing around based on your info. Again, thanks!

Posted by random styling 2006-05-22 15:48|| 2006-05-22 15:48|| Front Page Top

#10 Turkey nees more Kimalist Thought Club Grads for sure.

Posted by 6 2006-05-22 17:49|| 2006-05-22 17:49|| Front Page Top

#11 THanks Azad, here at Rantburg we soak up info like that.

Posted by pihkalbadger 2006-05-22 23:48|| 2006-05-22 23:48|| Front Page Top

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