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Against all odds – Republic of Turkey

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“Today, the Turkish nation faces the biggest threat in its history. Even though some people still struggle to understand this, the solidarity of the Turkish Republic has never been as endangered as it is now. Even when the death toll from the PKK was at its peak in the mid-1990s, society never seemed to be as polarized as it is today.” Yurter Ozcan discusses Kurdish problem and the founding principles of the republic.

YURTER OZCAN*

WASHINGTON
– Two weeks ago, my family and I had lunch with some friends at our home in Washington. One of them, a Turkish-American citizen of Armenian descent who has been living in the U.S. for 40 years said: “Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was a great man. In 1923, he made everybody [in Turkey] equal.”
With that one short sentence, he was able to encapsulate the philosophy upon which the Republic of Turkey was founded: the creation of a modern state where being a Turk was based on citizenship instead of religion, race, class or ethnicity. Common denominators for citizenship were shared history, culture and language.
Has Turkey been perfect in its 87 year history? No.
Has it accomplished all of the goals that the founding fathers set for future generations? No.
Is the creation of the Republic of Turkey one of the best political achievements in the 20th century? Absolutely yes.
Despite all of its challenges, short-comings and mistakes, this Republic was born as a miracle. This miracle resulted not only from the Revolutionary Independence War that many at the time, including the Sultan, deemed impossible to win, but because it sought to create a country so far ahead of its time. A gift that at times served as a curse when people could not adjust to the speed of the revolution, or when successive administrations could not fill the shoes of the founding fathers.
In one speech, Ataturk emphasized that he was not leaving any taboos or dogmas behind. He said the world was changing so fast that even people’s definition of happiness constantly changed. He asked his nation to follow logic and science, and adapt to changes as needed. This is what people need to remember most: The revolution that was born in 1923 is an ongoing revolution. In other words, it is a revolution based on constant change, adaptation and improvement. This is why I find it so difficult to understand when people criticize Kemalism by claiming it is outdated. How can an ideology that demands ‘constant change’ be outdated? Since when following logic and science become a taboo or an outdated inspiration? Admittedly, the application of some policies may have been ineffective at times and not succeeded in solving some of the problems the country still faces.
However, such short-comings, including the Kurdish problem that I will further discuss, should not be used as a basis to attack the very birth of this nation.
***
Today, the Turkish nation faces the biggest threat in its history. Even though some people still struggle to understand this, the solidarity of the Turkish Republic has never been as endangered as it is now. Even when the death toll from the PKK was at its peak in the mid-1990s, society never seemed to be as polarized as it is today. We have come to a point where ethnicity is now factored into everyday decisions—while doing business, renting an apartment or even friendship. This horrifying trend is more dangerous to Turkey than any terrorist organization. Turkey is becoming a place where people cannot tolerate living with each other. During these challenging times, I understand the founding principles of Turkey even better— building a country free of any dogma and solely focused on constant change where different people could live under the umbrella of Turkish citizenship.
The Kurdish Opening announced by the AKP in the summer of 2009, a project understood by nobody, including the AKP officials, imposed a situation on the Turkish nation that is quite grave and in many ways underestimates the patriotism that runs so deep in this country’s veins. The debate became so absurd that the Turkish people are expected to tolerate terrorists and even discuss the territorial integrity of their country. This constant threat is usually mixed with debates on linguistic, cultural and traditional issues faced by Kurds in Turkey. I agree that Turkish citizens of different ethnicities should be entitled to their own language, culture and traditions. They should also be able to broadcast and receive education in their own language (as it is the case now in private institutions). The question that must really be answered is: what does the PKK want?
The terrorist organization has at times changed strategies and even altered its rhetoric depending on the situation. We should not be bogged down in jargon and forget the sight of the PKK’s true end-goal, which is dividing Turkey. The latest slogan they have is ‘democratic autonomy.’ What is that even supposed to mean? Kurds need to sincerely question what the PKK has ever done to improve their lives. What social, educational or economic initiatives has the PKK created? None. It is a rogue, corrupt terrorist organization financed through the drug trade, arms dealing and embezzlement. Several weeks ago, Sirri Sakik, a Kurdish Member of Parliament with the BDP, said that over 3 million Kurds signed a statement declaring Ocalan as their leader. This is the same person who refused to call on the PKK to give up their arms. So what about the remaining 70 million people who live in this country? Shall they be sidelined in this debate and accept everything the PKK seeks to impose?
The Kurdish problem will never be solved until peaceful Kurds who have no affiliation with PKK take the initiative. Unless they stand up and declare that the Republic of Turkey is where they want to live, establish political organizations that denounce PKK and stop referring to Southeastern Turkey as ‘Kurdistan,’ it will be impossible to solve this problem. The government should continue to enhance the rights of all ethnic groups in Turkey (not only the Kurds) and make Turkey a more democratic country. However, the following must be well-understood by everybody: The Turkish nation will continue to defend its territorial integrity despite all threats, will live up to the expectations set by its forefathers and protect its Republic at all costs. This country was created against all odds and its light will continue to shine for many generations to come.
* Yurter Ozcan was a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy between 2009 and 2010. In the fall, he will pursue an MSc in Middle East Politics at SOAS London as a British Government Chevening Scholar and HSBC Fellow.
20 July 2010

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Comments

11 responses to “Against all odds – Republic of Turkey”

  1. jda Avatar
    jda

    The Ozcan piece above is third rate rhetoric, which anyone smarter than a bedbug can unpack.

    First, the author selects a supposed Armenian American to establish a main premise which is certainly not demonstrated by Turkish history or cultural mores. The assertion that Ataturk was a believer in, or enforcer of equality is demonstrably false, as any Greek, Armenian, Assyrian, Arab, Kurd, Alevi or liberal will attest. The kind of equality Turks have in mind is equivalent to some self-restraint in not killing Christians.

    The idea that Turkish culture and society espouses equality today is false; non Turkish Sunni Moslems are oppressed openly. An Armenian may hold no career position in the armed forces or among the police; the PhD will not be awarded to any Christian, and to call a Turk “Armenian” is considered to be an insult. A majority of Turks polled express dislike of minorities.

    You have destroyed every sign of the Armenians of Anatolia, but you will find the Kurds too numerous to destroy and digest.

    In the United States and Europe, Kemalist websites lead the charge in denigrating Armenians and Greeks at every turn.

    Perhaps the dinner companion said something nice about Ataturk in the interests of being sociable. After all, American Negroes once praised segregation here and there. So what?

  2. Ergun KIRLIKOVALI Avatar
    Ergun KIRLIKOVALI

    Armenians took up arms tagaisnt their own government and resorted to revolts, terrorism, treason, while demanding territory and killing their Muslim, mostly Turkish neighbors and joining the invading enemy armies.

    Turks were only defending their home and country like any decent citizen anywhere, America included, would do, when the sanctity of their home was violated.

    Armenians should apologize for the six T’s of the conflict and get on with their lives.

    After 100 yeasr of lying, Armenians were able to convince only 10 % of the world (about 22 countries?)… And when the Turks were not looking…

    It is different now. We shall expose the Armenian falsifiers and Turk-haters for what they are… No more… No less…

  3. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    Hey JDA (The Shameless one!),

    I had to wait several minutes before responding after reading what you wrote. I can’t remember when I’ve laughed so hard at the site of a post equivilent to a piece of shit! Imagine the reaction if one were to actually see what YOU looked like in person! I’d say that so many people would laugh soooo hard upon viewing the “JDA…The Armenian Buffoon” that you would be certain to receive many contractual offers from P.T. Barnum & Bailey, Cirque de Solie, various wander and fixed carnival side-show attractions (especially in Coney Island, NY)! Heck, you wouldn’t even require any kind of costume or make up, just get on stage and open your mouth and speak! In other words JDA, it’s time to cash in on your bigotry, racism, ignorance and just plain stupidity! We can find you a good manager who can book you at some of the best places! You could even make it on to TV and even have your own show (Cher did it, why couldn’t you!).

    There’s no longer any point in responding to you or to your kind anymore. You dashnaks try to make nice with the PKK (hey, it takes one terrorist to be able to fully appreciate another!), yet you and your ilk prey upon their ignorance as you hope that the younger Kurdish populations don’t learn about the genocides which YOUR dashnak forefathers committed against them, as well as the numerous genocides committed against the Turks, Azeris, Tartars, Jews, Georgians, Laz, etc.! Take a good hard look at yourself and your dashnakian cohorts, then see that the very things which you “people” bitch about and accuse others of doing, you are all simply (via transference) just reflecting what you and your kind have done, and are still doing, on a regular basis! After all, defamation, slander, fabrications, forgeries, falsifications, lies, alterations, hate mongering, manipulation, threats, bribery, factual distortions, running scams and century-old international con jobs, diversion from reality and the associated truth, arson, vandalism, bombings, vulgarity, racism, assault, murder are what your kind pratice on a daily basis, and teach your young when they are old enough to grasp the concepts as you instill the propagation of hate into their innocent heads and hearts!

    Do you know what the sad thing is JDA? By still doing, and having committed all of the above, as well as all of the unspeakable and unthinkabe horrors and crimes against humanity which your “people” are guilty of (from the mid-1800’s to even the present [as your kind arm and train other terrorists like the PKK to do your dirty work for you via extension]), one no longer feels anomosity towards your kind! What normal people of the world do indeed feel is, in addition to the obvious pity, a sort of sadness that you’ve demonstrated just how low a form a group of Homo sapiens can actually sink to, and yet still show no remorse for any of their past or present actions(despite the fact that the frontal lobes of the human brain become fully developed by the age of 20)! As for you personally JDA, words simply fail to describe you! May God forgive you and your kind and have mercy upon your souls. Where you and your kind are headed to in the after-life, well…I just hope that you all have some good fire insurance and lots of asbestos suits! You all are a looooooong way from redemption!!!

  4. dr.yilmaz eryasa Avatar
    dr.yilmaz eryasa

    dear yurter

    i am delighted to to congradulate you for your independent article.it is unbiased and almost complete.

  5. jda Avatar
    jda

    Robert,

    While you are certainly the king of breathless punctuation – the punctuation mark is your polestar, it seems – the issue is whether Turkey is, or aspires to ensure equal opportunity for all of its citizens. Insults do not answer the question, but they do show you have nothing on point to say that is factual.

    Kooklavoli,

    Doesn’t look like your massive pr efforts are working too well. The AIPAC Jews, neocons, Israelis and republicans have removed the thumb and forefingers from their noses and abandoned you. Maybe you can sign up the Hopi Nation.

    How’s the boxing training coming, fat man?

    Looks like you still have way too much time on your hands.

  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    The rat in araRAT doesn’t get it. Turks do not plan their moves based on expectations from others. That is the difference between Turks and Armenians.

  7. jda Avatar
    jda

    The great Kirlikovali, king of essentialism, now calls himself anonymois.

    call yourself whatever you like. when do we meet in the ring?

    Kirlikovali korkak.

  8. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    JDA,

    Perhaps I am the “king of punctuations” (I happen to like using them…it gives me a tingle), but you are most certainly the king of hypocrisy! After saying that I’m “insultive”, you turn right around and insult the previous poster. But then again, the world has come to expect this type of character behavior from a dashnak Armenian (you’ve got nothing else, so you check your book of “nasty” tactics (see my above post for a few of them)). In this case, insults with some defamation thrown in is the tactic for today. Let’s see which one you’ll use tomorrow! You used to be a challenge, but now you’re nothing more than a meandering moronic clown who just can’t seem to realise how foolish you make yourself look. In essence…you bore the hell out of normal people.

  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Anony mois? You mean Mois the anony? Heh…heh…

    My name is attached to my messages, respectfully, openly, and courageously…

    What about your you coward rat in araRAT who is always lurking under fake names in all corners of the net, in the finest tradition of neo-dashnak terrorists?

  10. jda Avatar
    jda

    when do we meet, korkakovali?

  11. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    JDA,

    Are you STILL here? Amazing! You have no shame what so ever, do you. You know, if all of that hot air that you constantly spew out were to be tapped, we could generate quite a bit of the country’s power requirements! Besides, the only thing that you seem to give to anyone who even bothers to read your drivel is a case of jock itch!

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