Turkey's top NGOs call everybody to take a step back to reduce tension

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Turkeys top NGOs call everybody to take a step back to reduce tension
OluÅŸturulma Tarihi: Mart 26, 2008 10:26

Seven of Turkey’s leading non-governmental organizations issued a statement on Wednesday calling for a scaling back of political tensions, warning that the nation is at risk of being polarized. The NGOs, who represent almost 50 million people, called everybody "to take a step back from their recent positions". Turkish PM Erdogan said on Wednesday he agreed with the content of the call, and he was pleased with it. (UPDATED)

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"We are experiencing a historic day," the joint statement read out by The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarciklioglu said. Hiscarciklioglu also said everybody should "take a step back from their recent positions" in order reduce the tension.  Â

Political tension has been high since a leftist and anti-AKP columnist, a party leader and a former rector were taken into custody on Friday with suspected links to an illegal gang which was accused of paving the way to a military coup following Turkey's chief prosecutor filed a lawsuit against the governing AKP demanding its closure on March 14. Observers say recent developments embark a new episode in the secularists' and Islamist groups' struggle for power.

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Turkish Confederation of Public Laborers' Unions (Kamu-Sen), Turkish Confederation of Labor (Turk-Is), Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen & Craftsmen (TESK), Moral Rights Workers Union (Hak-Is), Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions (TISK) and Turkish Agricultural Chambers' Union (TZOB) were among the other NGOs joined the statement.       Â

The statement said Turkey needs common sense and calm more than anytime today. "Turkey is undergoing a difficult democracy and law test these days. It is our common wish to bring our country out of this critical time without any injuries and harm... It is a mishap that we are still seeking common sense in days we are supposed to seek economic measures as we are seeing the impact of international financial crisis."

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Albania on Wednesday he agreed with the content of the call of non-governmental organization for "common sense for Turkey". "We are ready to lead formation process of such a common sense," he said. Erdogan also said he was pleased with the call, thanking NGOs for launching such an initiative.

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'SPEED UP EU PROCESS'

Turkey should focus on economic and social problems, particularly unemployment, as soon as possible, it told. "The Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state of law based on the first articles of the constitution. These indispensable principles are keeping us together."

"Every issue other than these principles can be a matter of politics and be freely discussed. The political process in Turkey raises despair and pessimism. It jeopardizes political, economic and social stability and prevents the society from directing its energy to positive areas," it said.

The statement said the country is undergoing a tense process due to various problems concerning the constitution and political parties law. "However, what should be done is to take the economic, political and social standards of our country to the level of developed countries, and speed up the EU process," the joint statement told.

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It said Turkey needs a constitution and a new political parties law which is in line with the changing conditions in the world, meeting expectations of the society and integrating universal values with Turkey's own values.
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According to the statement, Turkey should also strengthen the principle of rule of law. "Turkey deserves a constitution that will be prepared with a compromise of all segments of the society after long discussion of problems," it said.

 

TUSIAD'S MEETINGS

A delegation from Turkey's top business association Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), headed by the chairwoman Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag, visited Hisarciklioglu on Tuesday.

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The TUSIAD delegation will meet other leading business groups, including unions, on Wednesday in Ankara. It will hold talks with the business groups to "overcome the recent polarization" in the nation caused by the lawsuit against ruling AKP and the Ergenekon operation.

TUSIAD warned on Monday in a written statement that there could be a polarization in the public that could gradually result in a "regime crisis". "There is no way that we, as TUSIAD, can stay silent as long as we live," it added.

TUSIAD has been one of the most powerful NGOs in Turkish history. According to TUSIAD's official website, as of December 2006 it has 566 members. TUISAD's member company's total sales volume is 121.9 billion dollars, according to the association's membership profile in 2005. TUSIAD has been playing important roles in political scene, especially during 1970s when the political uncertainty peaked, even forcing governments to resign.

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