Was he deceived yet again?

When President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was the prime minister, while answering the questions of “good” journalists on state television TRT-1, he said, “EMASYA [Police-Security Cooperation Protocol] will be removed from our agenda. In other words, there cannot be such a thing as EMASYA. It will not be. We are taking these steps, we will. Preparations are being made, we will finish this business.” (Jan. 31, 2010) 
These words of Erdoğan, on that date, created excitement and were applauded by the pro-government media and the Justice and Development Party (AKP). 

There were comments such as: “It is a true democratic victory that EMASYA has been removed. It is the removal of one of the most important obstacles for civil Turkey.”

The document known as EMASYA had been signed between the Interior Affairs Ministry and the Office of the Chief of General Staff on July 7, 1997. It was the days when the harsh winds of the Feb. 28, 1997, regime were blowing. 

It was the first syllables of security, public order and cooperation, stemming from an amendment in the Law on Provincial Administration. It introduced the means for the military to intervene in social incidents and riots when the police were inadequate. 

Even if a governor’s office did not make a demand, in cases the military deemed necessary, they were given the power to intervene in social incidents. 

After the AKP came to power, this was discussed as one of the important agenda topics and it was removed on Feb. 4, 2010.

And the other day, June 8, a story appeared in the papers announcing that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had been assigned in the fight against terror. According to this, there was a new arrangement in the assignment of the military in the fight against terror. If the military were to conduct a joint operation with the police and gendarmerie, then the command of the operation would belong to the military commander. In cases where a delay would be harmful, then houses, offices and closed spaces could be searched with the order of the commander. 

In cases of criminal claims during these operations, for the military members to be tried, depending on the ranks and position of the personnel, a permit would be needed from the office of the Prime Ministry, Defense Ministry or Interior Affairs Ministry. 

Thus, EMASYA is once again appearing in front of us, wearing another outfit. 

One cannot stop but wonder, was it wrong to remove EMASYA that day, or is it wrong to create it with another formula today? 

Was Erdoğan deceived on the day he removed the protocol or is he being deceived today? 


When reason leaves the premises

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was booed at Fatih Mosque during the funeral ceremony held for a police officer slain in the Vezneciler terror attack in Istanbul. A group of protestors yelled “Murderer!” at Kılıçdaroğlu then ripped up the wreath he had sent. That was indeed an interesting situation. 

Unless they were paid – which is possible, considering past incidents - they must have lost their minds. 

Kılıçdaroğlu is the head of a party and he is not in the government. It is the government’s job to protect the life and property of the citizens before anybody else and Kılıçdaroğlu does not have such a duty. 

On the other hand, the main reason that terror has escalated is the resolution process, which never aimed at a true resolution but only votes.

In the year 2002, when the AKP walked to power, there were seven martyrs. Each year this number has increased, reaching a peak in 2015 and 2016. And Kılıçdaroğlu is held responsible for them?