[A-List] Excerpts of Turkish Military statement

[Sabri Oncu <sabri_oncu@xxxxxxxxx>]

Excerpts of Turkish army statement 

The following are excerpts of a statement by the Turkish military, quoted by
the Anatolia news agency, in which it said it would defend the country's
secular system. 

The statement was in reaction to a disputed vote in the Turkish parliament in
which the Islamist-rooted ruling party's candidate narrowly failed to be
elected president. 

"It is observed that some circles who have been carrying out endless efforts to
disturb fundamental values of the Republic of Turkey, especially secularism,
have escalated their efforts recently."


"Those activities include requests for redefinition of fundamental values and
attempts to organise alternative celebrations instead of our national festivals
symbolizing unity and solidarity of our nation. Those who carry out the
mentioned activities which have turned into an open challenge against the
state, do not refrain from exploiting holy religious feelings of our people,
and they try to hide their real aims under the guise of religion." 


"An important part of these activities were done with the permission and within
the knowledge of administrative authorities, who were supposed to intervene and
prevent such incidents, a fact which intensifies the gravity of the issue." 


"This fundamentalist understanding, which is anti-republic and harbours no aim
other than eroding the basic characteristics of the state, finds courage in
recent developments and discourses and extends the scope of its activities." 


"Developments in our region give numerous examples that playing on religion and
manipulating the faith into a political discourse can cause disasters. There
are accounts in our country and abroad that a political discourse or an
ideology can destroy the faith itself and turn it into something else when it
is imposed on faith... Doubtlessly, the sole condition for the Republic of
Turkey to live in peace and stability as a contemporary democracy is through
defending the basic characteristics of our state which are defined in the
Constitution." 


"The problem that emerged in the presidential election process is focused on
arguments over secularism. Turkish Armed Forces are concerned about the recent
situation. It should not be forgotten that the Turkish Armed Forces are a party
in those arguments, and absolute defender of secularism. Also, the Turkish
Armed Forces is definitely opposed to those arguments and negative comments. It
will display its attitude and action openly and clearly whenever it is
necessary." 


"Those who are opposed to Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's understanding
'How happy is the one who says I am a Turk' are enemies of the Republic of
Turkey and will remain so. The Turkish Armed Forces maintain their sound
determination to carry out their duties stemming from laws to protect the
unchangeable characteristics of the Republic of Turkey. Their loyalty to this
determination is absolute." 


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/6602775.stm

Published: 2007/04/28 09:25:41 GMT

© BBC MMVII


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