EU package may hit the wall
* The scope of "election bans" is being trimmed.
* The restrictions on founding churches are being eased.
* The "mitigating circumstances" in "honor crimes" cases are being scrapped.
Reactions strong, reaching a compromise difficult
The drafts to this effect are ready.
However, at the drafting stage, certain state establishments, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) especially, have raised extremely serious objections.
It is being claimed that if these changes take place too many different voices would be heard in Turkey, that it would not be possible to keep Kurdism and Shariah-seeking under control. It is being said that once Pandora’s box gets opened it could never be closed again. Yet, curiously, no one says publicly that this package would ensure that some of these restrictions would now be "concealed" in some other parts of the Turkish Penal Code and that these can be invoked in the future should that be deemed necessary. Since they favor "multi-layered restrictions" those who are upset by even the word "freedom" are up in arms.
In a string of coalition governments that passed the earlier adjustment packages, the coalition partners could never reach an agreement among themselves. They sought a compromise all the time and, as a result, by the time the amendments were passed, the changes would become incomprehensible.
This time the country has a single-party government. However, there are the obhections raised by the TSK and police officials, objections that make the AK Party wary. Officials closely following the developments tell me that if the AK Party engages in a quest for persuading the military or for working out a compromise, it will be impossible for the AK Party to get results:
"The TSK stance is crystal clear. They are objecting to the most important parts of this adjustment package. It is impossible to reach an agreement of views. Either the government take political responsibility for the package and push it through Parliament or the package will be trimmed down beyond recognition and will serve no useful purpose."
Is the government prepared for that?
The question now in Ankara is: Will the AK Party government really be able to take this responsibility? Or will it remain undecided as it has done on issues such as Iraq and Cyprus?
The fate of the sixth adjustment package will affect Turkey’s future. As was the case in the Cyprus and Iraq policies, everybody will reveal their own secret agenda and attempt to play petty games, this will do the country great damage. The AK Party will now show clearly whether it has really come to "power" or not.
Will CHP protect the state or the people?
The EU issue is extremely important for CHP as well. The stance it will take will show what kind of contribution that party is willing to make to Turkey’s future, what kind message it is giving to the country’s youngsters. Ataturk’s party has three options:
1. SHOOTING AKP WHEREVER IT IS SEEN:
In the traditional manner the opposition CHP may rap the ruling party at any cost rather than focussing on national interests. We saw them do that during the Cyprus and Iraq debates. If this tendency continues the CHP will make Turkey’s path to the EU harder — by betraying Ataturk’s legacy.
2. BLESSING THE STATE:
CHP leaders may oppose the EU philosophy and block the package also on the grounds that "state control would weaken" if the party’s "etatist" character prevails. I do not think the CHP and its leader would engage in such sterile thinking.
3. SUPPORTING THE EU CAUSE:
What is expected of the CHP is to clear the Turkish youth’s path, give its support to the efforts aimed at obtaining a date from the EU for the talks. That would become Ataturk’s party. Giving priority to the youth over the state, would affect the CHP’s future as well. If the CHP makes Turkish entrance into the EU harder, this will darken the CHP’s own political future.
