Turkey remains silent when its ship is hit

On March 31, 2010, Israel attacked the “Mavi Marmara” ship; nine people died. On June 22, 2012, Syria hit one of our military planes; two pilots lost their lives. On July 28, 2013, the Turkish embassy in Somalia was attacked; one death. Attacks continued in Somalia; one died on Feb. 13, 2014, and one died on May 27, 2014. Attacks in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of six engineers on June 6, 2014, and another death on Dec. 26, 2014. On May 11, 2014, 49 people were taken hostage from our Mosul Consulate. On May 11, 2015, Libya attacked a ship; one died. 

After every attack, Turkey raises hell as if it will declare war. The foreign minister of the time, Ahmet Davutoğlu, was always on live broadcasts and assured everyone that Turkey would retaliate, nobody should doubt that, and “they should not test Turkey’s patience.” Lip service. 

As a matter of fact, nobody is testing or trying Turkey in any of these regions. Two days ago, a Turkish ship was hit. Davutoğlu did not refer to any testing or any patience. Actually, it was the correct time for bravado just before the elections, but nothing. 

Well, the real question is: why is Turkey a target as it has never been before? Could it be because of the foreign policy that was lost in the “strategic depth?” 

Journalists at high court 

On the occasion of the founding anniversary of the Council of State (Danıştay), head of the high court Zerrin Güngör did not allow the press indoors. The mighty Council of State neglects freedom of the press. This “first” is Güngör’s “privilege.” 

Journalists decided to seek their rights. Their lawyers first asked for information from the high court within the framework of the Right to Information Act. Who decided and on what grounds that journalists were not allowed inside? Depending on the reply, if the decision is an administrative one, journalists will open an annulment case at the Danıştay’s 10th department, to guarantee future ceremonies. If it is the personal practice of Güngör, then they will file a complaint against her; the case will be opened as such. What is interesting is to see how the Danıştay will rule in a case concerning either itself or its head. It will be a test of justice. 

Evren’s legacy  

The United States had an expectation in return for the approval of the Sept. 12, 1980, coup; Greece had reacted to Turkey’s Cyprus landing and had withdrawn from NATO’s military wing. The U.S. told Kenan Evren to allow Greece to join the military wing again and not to veto. Actually, that right to veto was very important for us. Athens was against Turkey’s EU membership. “They should not veto our EU membership and we will not veto their return to NATO’s military wing.” No, there was no such bargaining. Evren did not have any conditions. He allowed Greece to return to NATO’s military wing. Turkey has had to deal with the Greek obstacle in the EU for 35 years. A giant opportunity was wasted.

Besides the violation of all kinds of human rights, the capitalist transformation was reinforced. The huge capitalist phase introduced by the Jan. 24 economic decisions could only have been possible with a military dictum as in South America. Sept. 12 was providing this. 

Two basic legacies Evren left that will never be forgotten.