Archive for the ‘Erdogan’ Category

Are pro-Erdogan groups buying arms to prep for potential coup? – Al-Monitor

Orhan Uzuner, the father of the president's daughter-in-law, discusses "Stay as Brothers, Turkey." Posted Feb. 23, 2017. (photo byTwitter/kardeskalTR)

Author:Sibel Hurtas Posted March 9, 2017

Since the coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016, Ankara hasbeen preoccupiedwithscenarios of a possiblesecond coup attempt. These scenarios are sometimesmade public before being immediately countered by measures the political rule and its affiliated civil society take.

TranslatorTimur Gksel

The political rule is worriedaboutpotential new threats and has been undertakingradical measures, especially within the Turkish Armed Forces. Military schools have been closed, military hospitals have beentransformed into civilian public hospitals and tens of thousands of people have been fired from the public sector, including the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior.

Turkey's civil society responded to the rumors of threats with new structures that would not be allowed in a democratic country. The latest such body "Stay as Brothers, Turkey" was founded by Orhan Uzuner, a name known to the public.

Uzuner is not a politician but an engineer who started working for the Istanbul municipality in 1994.His life changed completely when his daughter Reyhan was introduced to President Recep Tayyip Erdogans sonBilalin 2003. Reyhan, who was only 17 years old at the time, was allowed to marry Bilal with a court permission, as she was not yet 18. That's how Uzuner became a relative of Erdogan. He subsequentlyresigned from his jobwiththe municipality. When his new employer Betra Corporation was accused by a Court of Auditsof causing losses for the Turkish State Railways, his name came up.

Hemade the headlines again when he founded "Stay as Brothers, Turkey," with the opposition secularist daily Cumhuriyet reportingthe group's formationunder the headline Erdogans militias.

Uzuner told his audience that he had set up the group to countera natural disaster, an earthquake or an uprising. The group, whichorganized on WhatsApp, is said to have 500 members already.

Uzuner, in his address to the group, explained the preparations they were making to warn the public and provide communications ina time of danger. He said their smallest instrument is a whistle, but that he has a bullhorn in his car.Next,a wireless communication system and a radio station will be established. Also on the agenda arefirst aid courses to be organized bythe Ministry of Health. In addition, Uzunerpromised training for the group's members on how to use drones, yet did not explain the objective.

Uzuner concluded his speech by saying that the group is fully dedicated to Erdogan, and their supreme goal is to prevent harm to our Quran, our prophet,our country and our nation.

Some reports quoted Uzuneras saying, We have weapons to use when needed." Uzuner denied saying thisand claimed he was talking of "sirens not weapons."

While the debate of his use of the term"weapons" or "sirens" continues, people have not forgotten how paramilitary groups and militias were set up in the past. Husnu Bozkurt, anopposition lawmaker from the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), asked Prime Minister Binali Yildirim to initiate an official inquiry. The intention to set up a parallel arm cannot be ignored. Youlike Mussolinis black shirts or Hitlers brown shirts, Bozkurt said in his written query to the parliament.

Although Uzuner insists his group is unarmed, other allegations aboutarming against a new coup attempt arewidespread. Sinan Ogan, a lawmaker from the ultranationalist Nationalist Movement Party, charged the Justice and Development Party (AKP) with providing shopkeepers with weapons training.We know that after July 15, shopkeepers who are normally bakers, grocers and barbers are taken to camps for weapons training. This semi-militia force is being prepared to take on the other segment of the population when the AKP feels it is needed, Ogan said in an interviewwith daily Sozcu.

A man namedEmin Canpolat, who refers tohimself as the head of a nationalist, Islamist group onhis social media account, calledon people to arm themselves.For the country, for the flag and for Erdogan, Canpolat wrote.

Ankaras staunchly pro-AKPMayor Melih Gokcek recently said, There has been extraordinary arming. Everyone buys a pump shotgun to keep in their house.

Ahmet Akin, a CHP lawmaker, also said there has beena boom in sales of pump shotguns. No permit is needed to obtain these kinds of guns.

While Uzuner insists Stay as Brothers, Turkey was set up to resist dangerous events, he does not say who is to decide that an event is against Erdogan, the Quran, the prophet, the country or the nation. Who will then turn on the sirens in a country that is becoming more tenseby the day?

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Are pro-Erdogan groups buying arms to prep for potential coup? - Al-Monitor

Erdogan slams German towns for aiding and abetting terror …

Turkish President Recep Erdogan has slammed German communities for aiding and abetting terror after they scrapped rallies due to be attended by Turkish ministers advocating for the upcoming constitutional referendum in Turkey.

They need to be put on trial for aiding and abetting terror, Erdogan said, apparently referring to the authorities of the communities, Hurriyet Daily reports. The leader noted that while preventing Turkish leaders from addressing their communities, Germany has allowed members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leaders to hold rallies.

Erdogan, who himself was denied an opportunity to address a rally with German-based Turks last year, stressed that at the same time, Germany allowed a video addressof a PKK figure, Cemil Bayk, in a rally in Cologne, in September 2016.

But they are connecting Cemil Bayk from Kandil [Qandil mountains] and he is making his speech there [Germany], he said. The Qandil area of Iraqi Kurdistan is notable as a PKK sanctuary and headquarters.

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Tensions between Turkey and Germany started when the small town of Gaggenau in Baden-Wurttemberg withdrew the permit for the rally for Thursday organized by the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD), a group close to Erdogan, citing security concerns. It also listed concerns over potential overflows inside its town hall and the parking lot outside.

Turkeys justice minister, Bekir Bozdag, who was due to give a speech in the town, then pulled out of a scheduled visit to Germany.

In the wake of Gaggenaus decision, Cologne canceled another UETD event where Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci was due to speak on Sunday, saying the city was unable to guarantee the safety of participants on short notice.

The event can and will not happen there, a spokeswoman for Cologne city authorities told AFP.Later, the town of Frechen also cancelled a rally scheduled for Sunday, as the venue excludes political events, police said.

Following the harsh criticism from Ankara, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the federal government had nothing to do with the decision, since it was made by local authorities.

On Friday, the Dutch government said that plans for a similar rally in Rotterdam scheduled for March 11 were undesirable, Reuters reports. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was planning to attend.

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The Turkish leader also commented on Berlins criticism concerning the arrest of Die Welt journalist Deniz Yucel.

Yucel, who has both Turkish and German citizenship, was arrestedin Turkey on charges of terrorism propaganda and inciting violence earlier in February.

It isn't because a correspondent of Die Welt was arrested. It is because this person hid in the German embassy as a member of the PKK and a German agent for one month. When we told them to hand him over to be tried, they refused, Erdogan said.

Erdogan said he had spoken to Chancellor Merkel on the matter.

Your terrorists are requested by us, and you say justice is impartial and independent. We currently trust our impartial and independent judiciary. Give him up so he can be tried. They first didn't hand him over, but later, somehow, they did. The judiciary did what was necessary and arrested him, he said, citing his statement to the German chancellor.

Relations between Germany and Turkey have been worsening over the past months. Berlin accuses Ankara of overreacting after a failed military coup last July, which triggered a wide-scale crackdown on supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based cleric accused by the Turkish government of masterminding the plot.

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Erdogan: The Sultan Of An Illusionary Ottoman Empire – Center for Research on Globalization

This is the fourth and last in a series of articles based in part on eyewitness accounts about the rapidly deteriorating socio-political conditions in Turkey and what the future may hold for the country. The first, second and third articles are available here: First, Second, Third.

In many conversations and encounters I had over the years with former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, he emphatically echoed his boss President Erdogans grandiose vision that by 2023 (the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic), Turkey will become as powerful and influential as the Ottoman Empire was during its heyday. Under the best of circumstances, Turkey cannot realize Erdogans far-fetched dream. Had he stayed the course, however, with his socio-political and judiciary reforms and economic developments, as he had during his first nine years in power, Turkey could have become a major player on the global stage and a regional powerhouse.

Sadly, Erdogan abandoned much of the impressive democratic reforms he championed, and embarked upon a systematic Islamization of the country while dismantling the pillars of democracy. He amassed unprecedented powers and transformed Turkey from a democratic to an autocratic country, ensuring that he has the last word on all matters of state.

In retrospect, it appears that Erdogan had never committed himself to a democratic form of government. The reforms he undertook during his first nine years in power were largely induced by the European Unions requirements from any country seeking membership, which he exploited as a means by which to propel himself toward his ultimate goal. A quote attributed to him in 1999 describes precisely what his real intentions were from the day he rose to power. Democracy he said, is like a bus, when you arrive at your destination, you step off.

His role model is Mustafa Kemal Atatrk (meaning Father of the Turks), who founded the Turkish Republic in 1923. Both share similar personal attributes as they sought to lead the nation with an iron fist while disregarding any separation of power. However, Atatrk was determined to establish a Westernized secular democratic state while Erdogan went in the opposite direction.

Erdogan steadily moved to create a theocracy where Islamic tradition and values reign supreme while assuming Atatrks image, which is revered by most Turks. Erdogan presents himself as one who leads with determination and purpose, generating power from his popular support, ultimately seeking to replace Atatrk; with the new amendments to the constitution, he will be endowed with powers even greater than Atatrk ever held.

With his growing popularity and most impressive economic growth, Erdogan successfully created the status of a strong and resolute leaderthe father of a new Turkish Republicand artfully penetrated the consciousness of the Turkish public while using Islam as the undisputed pathway that will lead Turkey to greatness. He is determined to preside at the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic over a powerful nation among the top ten largest global economies and that extends its influence East and West, akin to the prodigious influence that the Ottoman Empire enjoyed.

To realize his grand vision, Erdogan took several measures to consolidate his absolute power.

First, clearing the way: Erdogan embarked on the complete marginalization or elimination of anyone, in and outside the ruling AK Party, that challenged his authority or advanced new ideas for solving the countrys problems. Those who did not support his policies and dared to question his judgment were not spared. He resorted to conspiracy theories, accusing his political opponents of being enemies of the state aiming to topple his government, in order to continue unopposed to realize his vision for the country, analogous to the influence and outreach of the Ottoman Empire. He even fired his long-time friend and confidant Davutoglu because Davutoglu differed from him in connection with the Kurdish problem, and especially because of Davutoglus reluctance to support the constitutional amendments that will grant the president sweeping and unprecedented powers.

Second, the need for a culprit: Erdogan needed a scapegoat to blame for any of his shortcomings, and found the Gulen movement to be the perfect culprit that would provide him with the cover to overshadow the massive corruption that has swept his government. This also provided him with the justification to crack down on many social, political, and institutional entities, silencing the media, controlling the judiciary, and subordinating the military.

The aftermath of the attempted military coup in July 2016 gave him the ammunition to conduct a society-wide witch-hunt, providing him with the excuse to purge tens of thousands of people from academia, civil society, judiciary, military, and internal security. This has allowed him to assume total control of all departments in the government and private sector. He described his purge as a necessary evil to cleanse the public of the cancer that has gripped the country. In so doing, he ensured that the political system revolves around the presidency, leaving him completely unchallenged to pursue his imperial dream to resurrect the stature of the Ottoman Empire as the country prepares to vote in the constitutional referendum onApril 16.

Third, the creation of Ottoman symbolism: To project his grandiose vision, Erdogan needed to instill Ottoman images into the public consciousness, including the building of a 1,100-room White Palace as his residence at a prohibitive cost to taxpayers. His most recent project was the amlica Mosque, the now-largest mosque in Istanbul, standing on the eponymous hill that overlooks the entire city.

Recently, Erdogan started the construction of another mosque in Taksim Squareonce the site of the fiercest protests against Erdogan in his careerwith all the style of the Ottoman era. Erdogan has even instructed that the national anthem be played on modified drums and brass instruments to make the music sound as if it were being played by bands of the Ottoman period. His purpose is to indoctrinate the public in a subliminal way to his perspective of the glorious Ottoman period.

Fourth, foreign policy assertiveness: Under Erdogan, Turkey has become increasingly assertive and forceful in the region. In Cyprus, he is determined to strike a deal largely on his terms. In Iraq, he placed Turkish troops over the objections of the Iraqi government to maintain his ruthless war against the Kurds. In Syria, he allowed thousands of foreign fighters, including many who have joined ISIS, to cross the border to strengthen the anti-Assad fight, while fighting the Syrian Kurds to prevent them from establishing their own autonomous rule, fearing that the Turkish Kurds would also demand autonomous rule of their own.

Erdogan further promoted the policy of zero problem with neighbors, and although presently Turkey has problems with just about every neighbor (and its prospective EU membership has completely diminished), he continues to claim that Turkey enjoys good relations internationally. Erdogan still uses Turkeys membership in NATO as a sign of greatness; the fact that Turkey has the second-largest number of ground troops in NATO reinforces his illusion that Ankara enjoys unrivaled military prowess in the region and commands the respect and attention of the international community that the Ottoman Empire was accorded.

Fifth, promoting Islam as a powerful tool: Erdogan is also using Sunni Islam to promote the country as a republic with Islamic ideals supported by a loyal state apparatus. He portrays himself as the leader of the Sunni world that would restore the Ottoman era of influence while cementing his authoritarian rule in the form of a neo-Sultan. To be sure, Erdogan is vigorously promoting with the support of his party Islamic nationalism systematically and meticulously. Mustafa Akyol, a Turkish analyst of politics and culture and author of the new book The Islamic Jesus says that political propaganda is in your face every day, every single moment. If you turn on TV, if you open newspapers

Former Prime Minister Davutoglu said in 2015 that Turkey will re-found the Ottoman state. Although Davutoglu was fired, helike most Turkish officialsdepicts the government as the rightful heir of the Ottoman legacy. To that end, Erdogan uses Islam as the unifying theme that would propel Turkey to the greatness that the Ottoman Empire enjoyed. In fact, Turkish religious leaders have always thought of themselves as the standard-bearer of Islamic civilization, and though this failed with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, to them it must now be corrected. As they would have it, Turks once again should lead the ummah [Islamic community] as the new Ottomans.

Sadly, Erdogan, who is still seen as a hero by nearly half of the Turkish population, is leading the country on a treacherous path. Turkey and its people have the resources, creativity, and institutions to make Turkey a significant power. Erdogan, who demonstrated an uncanny ability to harness his countrys natural and human resources, could have made Turkey such a power on the global stage. Indeed, he would have been the Atatrk of the new era had he simply continued with his historic reforms while protecting the rights of every individual and creating a real model of Islamic democracy.

The collapse of the Ottoman Empire was largely precipitated, among other things, by its internal political decadence, the arbitrary exercising of power, and gross violations of human rights that dramatically eroded the foundation on which the empire was built.

In whichever form Erdogan wants to resurrect the Ottoman Empire, he will fail because no country can survive, let alone become great, as long as the government walks on the backs of the people and stifles their freedom to act, speak, and dream.

There is where the greatness of any nation rests and enduresthe Ottoman Empire never provided a model worthy of such emulation.

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Erdogan: The Sultan Of An Illusionary Ottoman Empire - Center for Research on Globalization

Mr. Erdogan’s Jaw-Dropping Hypocrisy – New York Times


New York Times
Mr. Erdogan's Jaw-Dropping Hypocrisy
New York Times
Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has gall. He has jailed tens of thousands of people, shuttered more than 150 media companies and called a referendum in April to enlarge his powers. Yet when local authorities in Germany, for security reasons, ...
From reformer to tyrant: The strategy behind Erdogan's 'Nazi' accusationsDeutsche Welle
Erdogan spokesman agrees there are deep-seated differences between Germany and TurkeyThe Star Online
Merkel to Erdogan: Nazi Comparisons Must StopHaaretz
Al-Monitor -Express.co.uk
all 262 news articles »

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Mr. Erdogan's Jaw-Dropping Hypocrisy - New York Times

Geert Wilders labels Turkey’s President Erdogan a ‘dictator’ as he steps back in front of the cameras – The Independent

Geert Wildershas appearedback in front of the camerasas he tries to regain lost ground just a week before the Netherlands heads to the polls.

During a protest outside the Turkish Embassy, he branded Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan an "Islamist" and a "dictator".

A few dozen protestors turned out on a rainy day in the Hague to support Wilders. The leader of the Freedom Party (PVV) unfurled a banner saying Stay away. This is our country in Turkish and Dutch.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu was planning to campaign in the Netherlands to encourage Dutch-Turkish dual nationals to vote in an April referendum to expand MrErdogan's powers.

Wilders seized on the opportunity after his lead in the polls, which he has held for months, evaporated.

In the name of freedom, we need to say: Stay away, you are not welcome, this is our country, the far-right leader told journalists. Lobbying for a dictator is not allowed on Dutch soil. We wouldnt allow it either for ministers from North Korea or Saudi Arabia and also not for that other dictatorial regime Turkey".

The appearance comes after a surprise visit to the town of Volendam on Friday. After initially suspending his campaign over a security scare, Wilders declared late last week that he would go out and meet supporters again.

Yet he is still abstaining from almost all political debates and in-depth interviews with the Dutch press. Last Sunday, eight Dutch party leaders debated with each other live on television. Wilders was absent.

Following the debate, Prime Minster Mark Ruttes Liberal VVD party managed to surpass Wilders in the polls. Peilingwijzers poll of polls now predicts VVD will win 16.4 per centof the vote, with Wilders' partyset to win 14.6 per cent.

The conservative Christian Democrats (CDA) are also winning over PVV voters after the party tacked to the right. Leader Sybrand Buma announced over the weekend that he wants pupils to learn the national anthem the Wilhelmus at school and that they should stand up while singing it. The CDA is now predicted to capture 12.1 per cent of votes.

Hanne van Zon, a retired IT worker, was one of the few supporters to brave the rain. The 69-year-old carried an umbrella covered in a Dutch flag and came out to support Wilders because she is worried about Islam. I hope people who all agree on Facebook actually get off their sofa and vote on 15 March that will definitely give him a lot of extra votes, she said.

Ms Van Zon isnt sure she believes Wilders is losing voters saying she was sceptical of the news media. If I see he is falling in the polls, I think, is that really true?

Yet it was the media that turned this small protest into a campaign event. Reporters outnumbered the few dozen Wilders supporters, several of whom belong to the extreme anti-Islam Pegida movement.

The PPVs one page party platform calls for the closing of all mosques and the banning of the Quran.

With only one week to go until voters head to the polls, the field remains extremely divided. There are 28 parties running and 11 parties are set to capture at least fourseats in the 150-seat parliament. Almost all political parties have excluded the possibility of ruling with Wilders PVV. That will make forming a governing coalition tricky.

The Dutch election is seen as a bellwether for elections in France and Germany later his year. Both countries also have populist anti-immigration politicians who are looking to shake up European politics.

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Geert Wilders labels Turkey's President Erdogan a 'dictator' as he steps back in front of the cameras - The Independent