Ertugrul Ozkok: They have bad intentions

If my first diagnosis is incorrect then this likelihood remains:    Â

Leading institutions and media organs are striving for the closure of the ruling AKP.

Unfortunately, there is nobody in the ranks of the AKP to recognise this ambush.Â

Just look at some of the absurdities presented over the past three and four days by what I perceived to be serious and professional journalists and magazines. Â

What does "The Economist" magazine say?

"Democracy is more important than secularism."

I don't know what you understand from this sentence, but I read it as:

"The AKP wants democracy but not a secular democracy. And their opponents (whoever they may be) are secular but not democratic."

If this is the case, how will this "battle" end?

If the AKP is closed, democracy would come to an end.

If it is not closed, secularism would come to an end.

* * *

Is Turkey really undergoing such a struggle?

Is the opposing side really like this?

For days I have been anticipating a rational AKP representative to appear in public and say, "What are you talking about? What do you mean democracy is more important than secularism? Our Constitution embraces the concepts of democracy, rule of law and secularism. We follow this same line. Don't refer us anti-secular when giving your opinion of us."

That's right, no representative of the AKP has come forward and said this.

Because they read the statements written about them as a show of support for them.

Yet there is something that they have overlooked.

The lawsuit was filed against the AKP "for being the focal point of anti-secular activities."Â

What if later, the country's top prosecutor presents these written statements before the court and says, "Look at how all world see the AKP." What will you do then?

They feel comfortable with the position the West has placed them in as "opponents of the country's secular."

What about the writings of former U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Morton Abramowitz and Henry J.Barkey that were published at Newsweek.

They opening demand the U.S. government exert pressure on Turkey, and declare the AKP's closure would bring an end to relations.

* * *

I definitely do not advocate the closure of the AKP.

But this general indifference is driving me crazy.

Can they really bring an end to relations should the decision taken by Turkey's Constitutional Court not match their expectations?

Do we have the right to make similar threats over decisions taken by the U.S. Constitutional Court?

Let me say it again, the indifferent threats being made some institutions in the West have even led me and those who think along the same lines as me, those who wholeheartedly believe in the country's EU membership, to begin to feel a sense of loathing.

I am striving for Turkey to overcome of this huge crisis, without harming either democracy or the secular system.

I will never make choice between democracy and secularism.

For me, losing either one would be catastrophic.

I sincerely believe that Prime Minister ErdoÄŸan can solve this problem if he truly desires.

Because the solution is really not so difficult.

Even many of those individuals, criticized by those close to the PM as being "staunchly secular," believe in the lifting of the ban on headscarves at universities, but continue to support the ban that exists for primary and high school education institutions as a show of trust.

Is this so very difficult to do?

In my opinion, no.

The decisions which the AKP expressed after the Central Decision-Making and Administrative Committee meeting gave me some sense of hope that a way is being sought the could relieve everyone's concerns.