The Rise of Erdogan’s Islamist Tyranny

by Jerry Gordon (February 2014)

Jeffersonian definition, “Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.”

Videos show “bagmen” delivering purported cash bribes to a private foundation connected with Erdogan’s family.

cited the ruse behind the bill:

The proposal, according to its critics, seeks to subordinate the HSYK to the government by boosting the dominance of the justice minister over the HSYK and thus curbing the authority of the board. The bill will give the government a tighter grip on the judiciary, according to critics.

report cited “Mustafa Unal, a long-time observer of Turkish politics who said the president is not expected to approve a bill that is in breach of constitutional articles. His meeting with political leaders “means he does not want to see the bill ending up on his desk in the current form,” Unal said.

accused of working with shadowy Saudi billionaire Sheikh Yaseen Al Qadi and Osama Qtub laundering funds to Al Qaeda Fronts. According to Hurriyet Daily News, Erdogan’s embattled Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told a parliamentary commission that no warrant had been issued for Bilal. In late January Bilal’s lawyer told Turkish media that his client would provide testimony in the graft probe.

cited Erdogan’s questionable support for Saudi financier al-Qadi despite the US Treasury listing al –Qadi as a “specially designated global terrorist.”


Erdogan and Gulen Square off in the Media

observed:

close to the definition of hate speech.

“From his Refuge in the Poconos, A Reclusive Imam Roils Turkey”.  (See the transcript of the WSJ interview, here).

Mr. Gulen has an estimated two million disciples and a further two million sympathizers at home and abroad. Many of them occupy senior jobs in government and law enforcement in Turkey.

The WSJ noted the possibility that Gulen might urge Hizmat followers to join up with the secular Turkish opposition:


Turkish Protesters 1-18-14

noted the draconian provisions affecting internet service providers in Turkey and potential EU human rights abuses:

report Premier Erdogan is attacking TRT, the Turkish national TV system. It noted:

New Turkish Law violates Human Rights and Hippocratic Oath

The Erdogan Failures email had a brief article from the Saudi Gazette courtesy of Agence France Presse (AFP):

SOURCE: Saudi Gazette 19 Jan.14: Providing first aid now a crime in
Turkey

SUBJECT: Turkey: Illegal for doctors to provide emergency first aid

ISTANBUL:  A controversial medical bill that makes it a crime for doctors to
provide emergency first aid without government authorization came into force
in Turkey on Saturday [18 Jan.] despite an outcry from rights groups.

Under the legislation that was approved by President Abdullah Gul on
Friday [17 Jan.], those convicted could be imprisoned for up to three years
and face fines of nearly $1 million.

Critics fear it could be used to bar doctors and medical workers from
treating protesters wounded in anti-government demonstrations as reportedly
happened during mass street protests in June last year.

The US-based Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) slammed the legislation as
another attempt by the government of Prime Minister Erdogan to
quash dissent. Passing a bill that criminalizes emergency care and punishes
those who care for injured protesters is part of the Turkish government’s
relentless effort to silence any opposing voices, PHR senior medical
adviser Vincent Iacopino said.

[…]

At least six people were killed and some 8,000 injured in the unrest that
swept the country in June, according to the Turkish doctors association,
which repeatedly accused the government of preventing medics from treating
those hurt.

Turkish President Signs Bill that Criminalizes Emergency Medical Care”.

emergency medical care in Turkey. 


Koç Holdings- Turkey’s largest industrial conglomerate

New Law is Pretext for attacking Leading Turkish Business Group

Koç family (pronounced “Koch” in English). Last summer there were violent protests against an order by Erdogan to cut down trees in Gezi Park in Taksim Square. Six were killed; thousands were beaten and arrested by riot police. Erdogan you may recall wanted to develop a memorial to the Ottoman Caliphate in the recreation of Janissaries barracks that once stood at the site. He wanted to develop the structure into an indoor mall as a testimony to a new emerging Caliphate. 

Vehbi Koç, <a http:=”” www.istanbulgazette.com=”” koc-holding-a-s=”” 2013=”” 01=”” 29=”” %e2%80%8e”=””>Koç Holding A.S. is the largest industrial conglomerate in Turkey and one of the largest companies in Europe. The current honorary Chairman of Koç Holding A.S. is John Hopkins University graduate, Rahmi Mustafa Koç, son of the founder. The American Hospital in Istanbul and others in a health network throughout Turkey have been endowed by the Koç family.


Premier Erdogan, EC President von Rompuy and EU President Barroso 1-22-14

included Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, State Minister Said Yazicioglu, new EU chief negotiator Egemen Bagis and others in his delegation who met with EU officials.  

Turkish invasion and seizure of  the northern area of Cyprus in reaction to the Greek coup overturning the Cypriot EOKA government led by Archbishop Makarios II. The coup was in furtherance of ENOSIS – Union of Cyprus with mainland Greece. The northern enclave was established following a UN cease fire becoming the independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. The southern Republic of Cyprus is an EU member.  

report by the Cyprus Mail on his news conference with EU Parliament (EP) President Martin Schultz on January 22nd.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said during his visit to Brussels that he refused to listen to proposals for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, noting that this was offered in the Annan plan ten years ago but was rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

He added it was a mistake to let Cyprus join the EU after the Annan plan rejection.

On the current peace talks, he claimed Turkey has always been constructive in its support to the Turkish Cypriots, calling on Greece to do the same with the Greek Cypriots.

commented that the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU representing the entire island, and called on Erdogan to accept this situation.

noted the acrimony at a joint news conference with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels on January 21st. The public exchange was nasty:

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told Erdogan at a joint news conference that respect for rule of law and independence of the judiciary were basic principles of democracy and essential conditions for EU membership.

         
Erdogan Faces Economic Headwinds

eported</a>:; 

Turkey, where a political corruption scandal and weak economic fundamentals have combined to punish the Turkish lira. The central bank has been unable to arrest its slide, and investors in Turkish assets are sitting on big losses. The lira slumped almost 2% Friday, to 2.34 per dollar. Turkish Bourse fell 4.4% in trading

cited Muharrem Yilmaz, the President of the Turkish business industrialists association, TUSAID commenting:

laws have  been amended dozens of times and where companies are pressured through tax fines.

     
were reassigned after photos of the caches were distributed to the media. CNN reported IHH Secretary General Yasar Kutluay, suggested during a press conference that the group was innocent and the police raid was perpetrated by “groups infiltrated by Israel.” According to the Long War Journal (TLWJ), IHH has been designated by Israel as a terrorist organization since 2008 and more recently the IHH branch was designated as terrorist group by Germany in 2010. The US has not designated IHH a terrorist group. TLWJ noted that IHH operates with a budget in excess of $100 Million in more than 100 countries and is an affiliate of the Saudi–backed Union of Good a US designated terrorist group. Muslim Brotherhood preacher, Yusuf Al Qaradawi is the Group Chairman. Union of Good purpose was to raise funds for Hamas.

Mavi Marmara incident. During the Free Gaza Flotilla episode, eight Turkish nationals and one Turkish American were killed, 10 others injured when the vessel was boarded by Israeli Naval commandos while off Gaza. During a visit to Israel in March 2013 by President Obama he suggested to Israeli PM Netanyahu that he make an ‘apology’ for the Mavi Marmara incident to repair relations between Turkey and Israel. Despite Netanyahu calling Erdogan to apologize Erdogan gloated over the apology orchestrated by President Obama as a witness. Ryan Mauro of The Clarion Project observed:

demanding that Israel pay $1 million to each of the nine casualties’ families, ten times the amount Israel has offered. He isn’t yet dropping his case against the Israeli generals involved in the raid, nor is he fully restoring diplomatic ties with Israel. And he’s announced that he will visit the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in what is a thinly-concealed victory lap.

                   
seized territory across from Turkish border crossings at Oncupinar, Karkamis and Akcakale. ISIS could be poised to conduct attacks inside Turkey where bases of  Syrian opposing Islamist militias might be based. A-L Monitor’s Turkey Pulse cited the embattled Turkish Justice minister, Bodzag suggesting to the contrary in the Ankara parliament on January 22nd:

Turkey has always taken the stand that has to be taken against al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations and will continue to do so from now on. But if there are those who are trying to show that the Republic of Turkey is assisting terrorist organizations, they should know these are useless efforts, because it is out of the question that such assistance is provided.

reported by A-L Monitor:


Dr. Fevzi Bilgin, Rethink Institute, Washington, DC

QUESTION: Turkey. I asked a couple of questions last week. Just to follow up those questions. First, how do you view the current unfolding corruption case in Turkey? It has been five weeks now.

interviewed Dr. Fevzi Bilgin, the director of the Rethink Institute, in Washington, DC.  He observed that nobody in Washington is buying the Turkish government's conspiracy theories. “We increasingly see bitter editorials and op-eds in major newspapers. The tone of discussions in Washington think tanks is extremely critical.”

Premier Erdogan may face a denouement in the upcoming March 2014 municipal elections in Turkey. That result could be materially affected by how the Turkish economy fares given continuing governance problems arising from the corruption investigations and the internecine battles between two former Islamist allies. Stay tuned for developments.

__________________________

The West Speaks.

 

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