Capt. K K Singh
Turkey and EU have a long-standing, but complicated relation. Turkey became an associate member of the EU’s predecessor, the European Economic Community, in 1963 and applied for full membership in 1987. After signing a Custom Union agreement with the EU in 1995, Turkey was granted candidate status in1999. Although membership negotiations began in 2005, they have come to a halt. Both German Chancellor and Former French President have called for Turkey to have a privileged partnership with the EU, rather than full membership. Debates on the desirability of Turkey’s accession have been held against a backdrop of the country’s rapid economic growth—a 9% rise in GDP in 2010.Turkey is the world’s fifteenth largest economy—and its growing assertiveness on the international stage. In order to explore the complexity of the EU–Turkey relationship at the beginning of the second decade of the twenty-first century, to provide their views of recent developments in Turkey and its position vis-à-vis the EU and countries in the Middle East, we need detailed study. But we will shorten our discussion; we can see its role in Iraq and now Syria. Turkey has become central theme to their foreign policy, which even USA cannot ignore. In fact USA will be more than happy with the present relation of Turkey and rest of the Europe as in past and present the Unified Europe will be a threat to it, at least economically and later politically as well in International arena. This International role though limited coupled with economic growth, led Turkey Government to stretch its limit. Having seen the past and present of Turkey, we will have little digression from it and dwell on what is state and what is its nature. The nascent state in pre-historic era when evolved was to take care of its people against external threat and internally help its members to live in better condition. As wealth amassed with more number of population and technology, the structure and power of state became complicated. Slowly, state became instrument in hands of few "influential" and selected ones, to amass more wealth in individual's hands rather for society (clan or Kabila). Now state has become a powerful instrument with its manifold apparatus in hands of Corporations and their political agents to exploit the mass and amass massive wealth. To protect their means of exploitation and to dominate national natural wealth, they use State and its powerful police, judiciary and other apparatus to crush those "errant and undisciplined" people who oppose such activities! To cut short, all states and their political agents whether PM or President, call upon mass to break their movements and leave it to “democratically elected" representatives to decide in "favour of mass". Turkey, Indian or any government has same face which has been exposed beyond repair especially due longest recession and it’s up to mass as to how they re-take their lost power in their own hands!! Now back to Turkey, which is going through unusual times. The protests started in Istanbul, spread to different parts of Turkey and have turned into a nation-wide rage against the AKP government. Beginning from the first day, the Communist Party of Turkey took part in the protests. Many of its comrades have been injured due to police brutality or arrested. But the struggle goes on resolutely. AKP Government, the most loyal ally of US and Western Imperialism in Middle East, an important actor of the Greater Middle East Initiative and the most devoted executor of Neo-liberal politics; and its policies were found extensive protests for years. The policies such as disposal of public property to multinational institutions and to local tycoons, massive dismissals, the reorganization of the working life against workers outsourcing, union-busting, restriction of social rights, lower wages, increased exploitation of labour in the name of increasing performance evoked insurgency every day in factories and institutions. To side-line the main issue that is hardship of people, the AKP government decided to harp on Islamisation of the country and surprisingly Turks opposed!! Turkey has been a modern and secular country despite being Muslim populated country and is opposed to any such move by its government. In addition, leftist parties and groups know well the intension of its government’s hidden or open agenda. The movement, which started against commercialisation of the central park Taksim, has spread all over Turkey and has taken shape of anti-government and anti-system revolt. It’s not that the people of Turkey are starving and without roof but definitely their economic capability is on decline, political freedom is being curtailed and they know that their national wealth is being used by their own capitalists for super profit in collaboration with International capitalists! This is a matter of pride for Turkey and its workers that their political and social consciousness is so high and they are taking their rulers head on against any anti-people measures! They are not lured by their government’s religious and radical Nationalism! Do we Indians learn from such revolt!!
Capt. K K Singh, writer is defence expert
