Dissent against the IMF rises from common man
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Hatice Utkan
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 20, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - The government has been flip-flopping on an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for months and the streets of Istanbul give a hint to the reason. Citizens of various ages and economic groups generally have a negative view of the Washington-based lender, a widespread perception that inevitably puts pressure on the government
Amid painful economic contraction and a deteriorating budgetary balance, a standby deal with the IMF has failed to materialize. It has been many long months since the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, government started talks with the Washington-based International Monetary Fund, after the previous deal expired a year ago. Officials refuse to voice a time frame on a possible deal, increasing doubts in the market.
But a glimpse of the real reason for the foot-dragging might be found on the streets of Istanbul, as few citizens who talked to the Hürrıyet Daily News & Economic Review voiced positive comments about the IMF.
There is no doubt that the crisis has mostly affected small tradesmen in Turkey, some of whom came to the point of losing their jobs. Nevertheless, they still do not have a positive view of the IMF, recalling past experiences with the fund.
Complaining of dependency
"[The IMF] is part of the capitalist system," said Şebnem Tanrıkut, 27, a sales and marketing representative. "For me, the negative aspects of [a deal] outrank the positive ones. But as Turkey, we don’t have any other choice than trust the IMF. We are dependent on them."
Secretary Aysel Arsava, 27, also expressed unfavorable thoughts. "They are holding our freedom in their hands with debts," said Arsava. "IMF deals were never for our benefit," added Mehmet Bulgur, 29, a sales representative. "If a deal is signed, we will see price hikes. The IMF just makes living harder."
"If the government makes the same mistakes like the former ones did, then the result will be the same," said Memduh Kaya, a 40 year-old florist. "If an agreement with the IMF would work parallel to our needs, then it might have a positive effect on the economy. Any inflow of cash would stimulate the market."
What Turkey needs is more employment, Kaya said. "If the money coming from the IMF is used in the correct way, it would be positive. However, I don’t think that it is to Turkey’s benefit to be dependent on foreign countries."
"Trust is an important issue," said Özcan Ocak, 45, a dry cleaner. "We are not the ones who should trust the IMF. Big businessmen should trust the fund, as they are the ones doing business with foreign countries. In turn, we need big businessmen for our business," Ocak said, echoing the "trickle-down economics" being discussed in the United States.
"We shouldn’t trust the IMF," said a retired journalist, declining to give his name. "Look at the countries that took money from IMF, they are all in a bad situation."
A textile businessman, meanwhile, said an IMF deal might be necessary, though it would have negative implications. "IMF deals are necessary for countries like Turkey, but we do not have to always take money from them," said Başar Varsıl, 50. "As Turkey we should take our own economic measures ourselves."
Advertiser Mehmet Güven Ulusoy, 57, linked the IMF issue with Turkey’s European Union process. "If we will become a member to the EU, an IMF agreement may be perceived as a requirement on the road to the union. But if there is no chance of Turkey being a full member, then it is not necessary to sign a deal," he said.
But a glimpse of the real reason for the foot-dragging might be found on the streets of Istanbul, as few citizens who talked to the Hürrıyet Daily News & Economic Review voiced positive comments about the IMF.
There is no doubt that the crisis has mostly affected small tradesmen in Turkey, some of whom came to the point of losing their jobs. Nevertheless, they still do not have a positive view of the IMF, recalling past experiences with the fund.
Complaining of dependency
"[The IMF] is part of the capitalist system," said Şebnem Tanrıkut, 27, a sales and marketing representative. "For me, the negative aspects of [a deal] outrank the positive ones. But as Turkey, we don’t have any other choice than trust the IMF. We are dependent on them."
Secretary Aysel Arsava, 27, also expressed unfavorable thoughts. "They are holding our freedom in their hands with debts," said Arsava. "IMF deals were never for our benefit," added Mehmet Bulgur, 29, a sales representative. "If a deal is signed, we will see price hikes. The IMF just makes living harder."
"If the government makes the same mistakes like the former ones did, then the result will be the same," said Memduh Kaya, a 40 year-old florist. "If an agreement with the IMF would work parallel to our needs, then it might have a positive effect on the economy. Any inflow of cash would stimulate the market."
What Turkey needs is more employment, Kaya said. "If the money coming from the IMF is used in the correct way, it would be positive. However, I don’t think that it is to Turkey’s benefit to be dependent on foreign countries."
"Trust is an important issue," said Özcan Ocak, 45, a dry cleaner. "We are not the ones who should trust the IMF. Big businessmen should trust the fund, as they are the ones doing business with foreign countries. In turn, we need big businessmen for our business," Ocak said, echoing the "trickle-down economics" being discussed in the United States.
"We shouldn’t trust the IMF," said a retired journalist, declining to give his name. "Look at the countries that took money from IMF, they are all in a bad situation."
A textile businessman, meanwhile, said an IMF deal might be necessary, though it would have negative implications. "IMF deals are necessary for countries like Turkey, but we do not have to always take money from them," said Başar Varsıl, 50. "As Turkey we should take our own economic measures ourselves."
Advertiser Mehmet Güven Ulusoy, 57, linked the IMF issue with Turkey’s European Union process. "If we will become a member to the EU, an IMF agreement may be perceived as a requirement on the road to the union. But if there is no chance of Turkey being a full member, then it is not necessary to sign a deal," he said.