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Who is AKP ?
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Popular
themes and AKP
European Union Since the first day after elections AKP seems very interested in EU. N his first speech Erdogan stated that, their first duty will receiving a date in Copenhagen meeting for the full membership of Turkey to EU, in addition to this, Erdogan also declared that they would form a special committee in parliament dealing with EU relations. Erdogan, also said that AKP government will fulfill all verdicts of European Court of Human Rights. The European Union also seems happy with AKP government. The Danish Ambassador and Representative of European Council and Foreign Affairs Chief of the EU visited AKP also visited Erdogan and conveyed their support to AKP. Erdogan’s Italy, Greece and Spain visits passed successful for AKP, since he was accepted as a prime minister and messages given by prime ministers of these three countries were found satisfied by the observers.
As you know, Cyprus is one of the biggest problems in Turkey, it has been used for a long time as a political party by national parties especially by Ecevit and path to solution to this problem was always closed by the state authorities. By some circles, Cyprus was regarded as a national honor. There are some claims that AKP gave promises to Us and European Union for the solution of Cyprus, this is regarded as one of the biggest reasons for the support given to AKP. AKP’s and Erdogan’s attitude seems to proof this idea, if we go few days before, we will see the Erdogan’s Belgian Model for Cypus however this proposal was very harshly criticized by Ecevit and his FM Minister Sukru Gurel. Consequently, we can say that a solution for Cyprus seems closer than ever in this era.
AKP has the same standing of previous government. Although it says, we are against an attack to Iraq, they also declared that if the UN passes a resolution about Iraq, they will accept it. Briefly, despite the claims of soma circles that AKP is pro Islamic party, it won’t stand against American attack in Iraq.
AKP leader Erdogan declared to public that they will continue to programs of IMF started by previous government.
Political parties and elections Law This issue is also one of the essential problems of Turkey. The 10 % national threshold which was brought to stop HADEP caused the failure of all parties in this elections. AKP promised to make arrangements in this law together with the sole opposition CHP. Furthermore, Erdogan himself was banned because of this law, it is sure that they will change required reforms in order to lift his ban and open his way for being prime minister.
Tayyip Erdogan made some statements about human rights and violence, especially about torture to go over torture and end such practices. Erdogan also stated that, AKP government fulfill Copenhagen criterias.
As it's know, in recent elections the Kurds has shown their choice clearly. In 13 Kurdish provinces Democratic People's Party (DEHAP - Note : common list of four parties among which the HADEP and the DEHAP) received the great majority of votes. It obtained a achievement of becoming the first party even more than the sole opposition party CHP, however due to the 10 % threshold, it failed to send its representatives to the parliament. So, it is not possible to talk about AKP's representation in the Kurdish regions. Erdogan and AKP should take this point into consideration and fulfill the expectations of the Kurdish people. What are these expectations: the constitutional acknowledgment of the Kurdish identity and culture as well as right to use their mother tongue both in education and in broadcasting. Some of you may claim that, those rights were already given, why do you mention them again? But, if we look at the bylaws of these so called reforms, we will see that it is impossible to practice them, because rather than providing greater freedoms to their citizens, are trying to find ingenious ways of appearing to meet the requirements imposed on them by the European Union. (v. Harut Sassounian’s "Will Turkey Succeed in Fooling Europe By Adopting a Series of Fake Reforms ?" October 3, 2002 California Courier Publisher) One of the main expectations of the Kurdish people is, AKP government’s opening a way for refugees and assist them to return to their villages, as it’s known thousands of villages were forcibly emptied and millions of Kurds were displaced. People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) who is the sole political representative of the Kurds also an important issue for them. Since the establishment of this party in 1994, it has been subjected to countless oppressions, attacks, murders, arrests. As its still alive in the memories, 2 HADEP officials were disappeared in Sirnak in 2000 and nothing was heard from them since then. HADEP with its 6,23 % of votes in recent elections, and the control of the local administrations has proofed that it is the sole representative of the people. HADEP wants a political freedom to its existence and political activities. If we come back to solution proposals of the AKP about above mentioned questions, unfortunately we haven’t seen any statements or proposals of solution except the statement of Deputy chairman of AKP, Yasar Yakis [who became the Minister of Foreign Affairs now] about the verdict of ECHR about the situation of Leyla Zana and other DEP MPs. Neither Erdogan nor any AKP officials have made any statements in the most vital problem of the country; the Kurdish Question, They should see this reality and take in some courageous steps in order to solve this question. Otherwise its future won’t be much different than other parties experienced historical defeats.
As a conclusion, AKP has been supported by the military establishment, US and European Union since the establishment party even in FP era, while the distinction of reformists and traditionalists first appeared. In current, bankrupted situation of Turkey, it is the best actor to play a role, since no confidence and trust left to current parties and leaders. Thus, such a newly established, young and untried party, under the leadership of young and charismatic chairman who has created a big confident and popularity among people can serve better than any other parties in Turkey. Actually, the way for this party is completely opened, since it has a great majority in the parliament for the first time for long years and will rule the country alone, without any coalition problems. Furthermore, the support of people in Turkey are very high to this party as well as external world. However, among the new MPs of this party, there are some former deputies, mayors and academicians who were fired investigated because of their reactionary activities against the secular system. For example, the new Minister of Interior Abdulkadir Aksu [who has denied his Kurdish identity] is known to be involved in to Susurluk event and Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek is known to qualify feminism as aberration. Minister of Sate Besir Atalay [who was fired from the university because of his reactionary activities in Kirikkale University] is one of the most famous persons with dark past : as all newspapers wrote that president of Turkey Ahmet Necdet Sezer intervened the cabinet list and prevented Atalay’s designation to Ministry of Education. With Sezer’s intervention, Atalay was designated as Minister of State instead of Education. Existing of such persons with their dark past are likely to break hopes of many people, but if this party becomes sincere in its policies, everything seems to be in its favor, there are very urgent problems of the county like solution for Kurdish Question, freedom of thought and expression, membership of EU and fulfillment of Copenhagen criterias, unemployment and economical crisis and political parties and election laws as well as solution for Cyprus. If Erdogan and the AKP government can provide solutions for these major problems, especially to Kurdish Question which has been the biggest and most essential issue since the foundation of the republic and came to present day with 29 uprisings, and caused to death of thousands of people and billions of dollars economic loss there is no reason for the unsuccessfulness. Even, there are some ideas which are not unrealistic that, Erdogan might become a second Ozal and AKP can get more stronger if provides solutions, however if AKP fails to solve these problems its fate will not be much better than current parties. Mutlu Civiroglu - Former Coordinator of HADEP International Relations - November 2002 |
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