Concrete evidence required for Ergenekon

Their mutual point is in opposing the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, administration stiffly. Undisguised speeches and words said on TV shows reflected the belief that the AKP wanted to overthrow the secular system and these people showed a clear effort to prevent this conduct. But have these efforts gone as far as getting involved in a conspiracy toward a military coup or have they stayed in a frame of natural opposition as expected in a democratic country?

See, at least part of the public believes that the Ergenekon trial is directed toward quieting opposition voices. If those taken into custody really commit crimes by being involved in illegal operations and conspiracies, and trying to overthrow the administration, we need to see this in a concrete way. Nothing can be achieved based on some phone calls and friendship that smells coincidental. What’s worse is that this will open such a wound in the public that no one ever would take another step in this direction. Turkey’s dark corners won’t be lit anymore.

It’ll be helpful to take these doubts seriously. For concrete evidence in the allegations does not suffice. It is obvious that the prosecution office did not do anything in order to prepare the public or make them believe. We are on a very important line here. A wrong step taken will hurt us all. The public naturally has the right to know what is going on.

Russia and Ukraine push one another, we pay
The same fight has been going on since 1995. But recently the bill for this fight has been made out to Europe and to us as well. Every new year, Russia and the Ukraine fight over natural gas. Russian natural gas is sent to Europe and Turkey through the Ukraine. The Ukrainian use some portion of the gas that passes through their territory for their own needs. The problem arises from the price that the Ukraine is being charged. Some time ago, gas sold to Europe by Russia was around $400; while it offered it to the Ukraine for $250 and proposed installments regarding Ukraine’s past dues of $1.5 billion. But the Ukraine saying it will not pay more than $201 and insisting on spreading old dues over a long time period once more ended in a conflict. As Russia cut off the gas in order to punish and force the Ukraine into an agreement, Turkey and Europe on the end of the pipe became victims.

Grounds for this monetary fight lie in politics. Russia is very much annoyed by the Ukraine’s attempts for a full membership in NATO and the European Union. Moscow, evaluating the encroachment of the United States and Europe as an increased NATO threat, openly plans on punishing Ukraine’s pro-West president, Victor Yushchenko. It is extremely difficult to determine who is right and who is wrong. And accounts are so complicated that it is impossible to solve.

But no matter from which angle you look at this incident, the last invoice will be paid by Russia. Europe and Turkey will give way to their mistrust regarding energy matters. From now on no one will believe Russia’s words "Trust us. We’ll consistently provide you with energy." Moscow openly plays its energy card for political purposes. It sends a message to the West saying, "Don’t accept the Ukraine" and also tells the Ukraine, "Stop trying to enter NATO." Otherwise Moscow will spoil Ukraine’s pleasure of using the gas and force the Ukraine to live in the cold. I believe the messages are delivered.

The EU went into an uproar. Negotiations have been taken up again. One of them will give up and come to a consensus but it is helpful to know upfront that the same fight will come again next new year. Valves will be turned off and we’ll remain in the cold. Russia is back on the international scene. Only this time it is not showing its strength solely with its missiles and army, but with its more dangerous energy weapon.