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What's News In Turkey?Published: Mon, 01 May 2006 08:59:33 -0400 Walking the streets of Istanbul, Turkey, you are likely to encounter a clashing mix of Europe and Asia, secularism and Islam. As you emerge from the McDonalds with a host of young girls in long, loose dark coats and full head coverings, you might walk up the street to the fully Asian bazzar. The loud Call to Prayer might echo off the walls of the modern mall where fake blond girls in risqué dress shop with the fully bearded, capped, and booted old man and his grandchildren. Though secular pop music booms in streets of decided Islamic name, pictures of the great “liberator” Ataturk hang from every school wall. Compared to many Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, Turkey’s major cities are decidedly modern; they even have real news. But Turkey’s Asian and Islamic roots cannot be denied or fully hidden . . .
“Debate Over Secularism More Than Mere Dispute” (Turkish Daily News) The
"secularism-regime" conflict has been going on for a long time
between the ruling Justice and Development Party(AKP) and the main opposition
Republican People's Party(CHP). It flared up hotter this last week because of a
speech made by the Parliament speaker. The Speech discussed the diminishing
powers of parliament . . . but hides a more complex agenda. He complained that
after Ataturk abolished the Ottoman Empire, the Turkish
Parliament took over . . . and now it is failing. Turkey
looks to become a real part of the European Union. It increasingly works to
that end, changing its money, its malls, and attempting to revolutionize some
of its young culture. But much of Turkey
is more Asian and Muslim than anything else. Now we see Turkey’s
government system “failing;” what does this bode for the country’s European
future . . . “EU Not to Open Negotiations With Turkey on Two Chapters” (AINA) Turkey has been working to join the European Union for a good while now, but on April 30th, 2006, the European Commission decided not to open negotiations with Turkey regarding the public procurement and competition chapter. Apparently, the EC rejected negotiations because Ankara had not even presented an "action plan." Despite the fact that the Commission has begun negotiations with Turkey in other areas, this is just another setback on Turkey's somewhat desperate race to become a member of the European Union . . .
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