Is this the time to trigger such a crisis?

Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc used to be known as a person who knows all about the "balances", a politician with a soft approach to issues who calculates well the ramifications of every step he takes. Yet, since he was elected speaker, he has been acting as if he is a party leader.

As soon as he took office he tried his hand at a protocol issue.

When his move drew adverse reactions he backed down.

On the Cyprus issue he followed an astonishing policy. He made headlines by making the kind of statements that went against the views of the leader of the party that carried him to his current position.

He made headlines by adopting a similar approach to the Iraq War.

And now he has caused the "April 23 reception" tension. Did he not expect the reactions that would draw?

I can understand Arinc. For him "turban" has enormous symbolic value. No one can ask him to divorce his wife now that he has been elected speaker, and find a new wife that does not wear a "turban". On the other hand, in this country there are certain balances, sensitivities — with which Arinc is quite familiar.

We know about the extreme nature of the "turban ban". We know that these restrictions deeply wound a certain part of the public. We believe that a solution must be found.

However, has the time come to force the way to this effect? Should these policies be changed by forcing the way or by bringing about a consensus?

Immediately after the election Tayyip Erdogan had said, on various occasions, that the country had other priorities, that he wanted to put economy on the right track rather than causing tension on the turban issue. He has indeed acted in a consistent manner on this issue. He has not put that issue on the agenda. Turban has been put on the agenda always via Arinc.

If that has been a political maneuver, it has not worked.

In the face of growing adverse reactions, they backed down — after needlessly provoking those circles who were waiting for such an opportunity.

There was no need to provoke the General Staff
Similarly, Chief of Staff Gen. Ozkok is a commander who watches his step. He bears in mind the balances within his own organization and he refrains from taking the kind of stance that would cause tension among the people. He gives the impression that he does all he can to have the EU criteria get established in the country gradually. However, he is extremely sensitive when it comes to certain basic principles.

Unfortunately, none of us is helping Gen. Ozkok.

Though it claims that it is a champion of the EU cause, the AK Party keeps trying to stretch the agenda in a needless manner. Meanwhile, our secularist civilians keep trying to incite the chief of staff. They keep saying and writing that he is not intervening adequately, that he is taking a hardline stance. It is as if they are winking at the rigidly secularist sections in the army.

One side says: "These people are very dangerous. See how they are appointing their own men to official positions. They are trying to ‘legalize’ the National View Organization and the Fethullahcis. They use the turban as a symbol. They are struggling to puncture the restrictions imposed by the state. They must be told to stop."

The others say: "No, we are not doing anything. Just like any other government we want to work with our own team. We believe that those organizations that have not been involved in terrorism should not be left out. We want to reduce the restrictions on turban to an endurable level. We believe that no one has the power to turn Turkey into an Islamic state."

And there is a desire to use the army as an arbitrator or as a force that can impose sanctions.

A very dangerous game is being played.

Let us determine our priorities and red lines
The country’s economy is in a mess. It is going through a delicate process where it cannot endure any tensions.

A most important period has begun in foreign relations. Turkey’s final rendezvous with the European Union is drawing near. There is very little time left.

Having such a fight at such a critical time would only do Turkey great damage.

For Heaven’s sake, let us have some common sense.

Being sorry afterwards would be meaningless.