Democracy and Religion State are not Compatible

Sezer reacted against Turkey being portrayed as an Islamic Republic or a model for moderate Islam as part of the United States’ Greater Middle East Initiative, while noting that he expected the United States to implement active measures to combat the separatist terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK/Kongra-Gel) in northern Iraq.

Sezer, who warned the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) against abusing religion in his speech, noted that Turkey expected the EU to give a date to start the negotiations.

Sezer said that the "Greater Middle East initiative" or the "Middle East and Northern Africa" programs, which aimed to bring democracy and freedom to the region, had become open to criticism.

Ezer said: "We find it unacceptable for some to try to transform Turkey into a model of moderate Islam or to turn it into an Islamic country."

Sezer said that Turkey had chosen republicanism as its governing system 81 years ago, adding: "The regime of the Republic of Turkey is based on Ataturk’s principles and reforms; nationalism, secularism and a social state that is governed by the rule of law and has a modern, pro-advancement outlook. It is impossible to harmonize a religious state with democracy and science and history proves this fact beyond doubt."

The president noted that after Sept. 11, 2001, links between national security and international peace had become even more apparent, adding that Turkey, which had battled successfully against all encroachments upon its sovereignty, as well as internal and external threats to its unitary structure of the state and constitutional stability until now, would continue to do so in the future. He said the foundations of the unitary state were Kemalist nationalism and secularism.

Sezer said that the fundamentalist movements which abused religion still constituted an internal threat to democracy, secularism and the rule of law. Sezer said: "Abuse of religion is damaging our democratization process and the constitutional stability, while harming the religion of Islam. Our commitment to becoming a modern nation should also include the continued fight against fundamentalism."

Separatist Terrorism, northern Iraq and the US
Sezer noted that separatist terrorism still constituted both an internal and external threat to the country. Sezer said: "As long as separatist terrorist cells exist in northern Iraq, continued active Turkish presence in the region is a necessity in terms of national security."

Sezer noted United Nations Security Council resolution 1,546 had given the obligation of preventing terrorist movements in Iraq to the multinational forces, adding: "Despite this fact, the failure of the United States and the multi-national forces combating the separatist groups situated in the north of Iraq is a contradiction in terms of the Turkish-U.S. friendship and the responsibilities of the international community against terrorism."

Sezer said Turkey could not ignore the fact that if the PKK found a shelter in northern Iraq, it would infiltrate into Turkey. Sezer said: "We expect our strategic partner and ally, the United States, to do what’s necessary in fulfilling its responsibilities in this respect. We also believe that Iraq will act in accordance with proper neighbourly conduct and international agreements in eradicating the terrorist presence within its borders."

Sezer said they hoped Turkmens in Iraq would be represented within the democratic process appropriately. Sezer said the future of Kirkuk was of the outmost importance for the future of Iraq, adding: "The tension that the control of Kirkuk by an ethnic group will create will not be limited to the city, but will trigger instability throughout the country and will cause regional instability of unforeseen consequences."

Relations with the EU
Sezer said Turkey’s EU membership would provide added security to the country’s multi-party, secular and democratic political structure and would provide strength against combating any sort of extremism. Sezer said most of Turkey was for Turkey’s EU membership, noting: "This also shows the commitment of people to enshrine all the rules and regulations of human rights and democracy based on the rule of law."

Sezer said that the Turkish nation asked the EU to provide an unbiased and just assessment. They expected the progress report that the EU Commission would release to include a neutral assessment of the reforms undertaken by Turkey, just like they did for other candidates, said Sezer, noting they believed the report would include a recommendation for the negotiations to start.

Sezer said that the start of the EU negotiations with Turkey and its eventual membership would be the best possible message that the wide Islamic World and the Middle East could hear. Sezer said this message would say that democracy, human rights and the rule of law were universal values and would provide a proof that these values could provide a unification between the West and the Islamic World.

Economics and Laws
Sezer warned the AKP government of their rush to pass laws through Parliament. He said that the passing of laws without sufficient debate created confusion, noting that it could also result in damaging trust of the state.

Sezer noted the positive economic developments, adding: "While the figures appear to be encouraging, it is not sufficient for us to overly optimistic." He said that the increase in national income in the first year should be interpreted along with the deficits in the foreign trade and current account and the shrinking in the farming sector. He also noted that consequences of the increase in special consumption expenses should not be ignored.

Sezer criticized the financial amnesties passed by the AKP government, noting that two of the most evident failures of such amnesties were the decrease in tax receipts and damaging trust of the state.

Sezer said that the public sector could be very effective in initiating labor intensive investments in the southeast, the east and other poor regions.