Erdogan’s non sense

Even European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen counted adultery among the problems in Turkey’s EU membership bid. Not even Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ‘Western friends’ didn’t expect that Erdogan would do such nonsense. The editorial of Financial Times was really warning: ‘If the draft bill about adultery would be adopted, then suspicions about Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Islamist roots would be refreshed and this would be in favor of those who are against Turkey’s EU membership requests. The EU summit in December will be decisive in giving Turkey a date for accession talks. This crazy idea could create a geopolitical catastrophe.’

It would be a historical mistake to turn again to the Arab geography, while countries favoring Turkey’s membership are talking about Turkey’s contributions for the prevention of a ‘clash of civilizations.’ The AKP is changing its direction for the sake of gaining the trust of its conservative members. However issues that are shaking family ties in Turkey are related to economy rather then ethics. Which family would discuss adultery while trying to find a job and thinking about a good education for their children?

Who could have influenced Erdogan, who has a great concern about the people? The AKP has always invested in democracy. If the date for accession talks will be given for 2005 then hopes about social welfare will continue, but if not then Turkey would face another economic crisis and the political process will be at risk. Erdogan’s stubbornness about adultery doesn’t overshadow his EU bid, but also his dreams about Cankaya in 2007.”