File spoon-archives/marxism.archive/marxism_1996/96-06-marxism/96-06-26.161, message 358


Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:55:21 +0400 (EET DST)
From: Haluk Geray <geray-AT-servis.net.tr>
Subject: Re: Turkey update


> Subject: Re: Turkey update - another report from Ankara
> 
> At 20:35 25-06-96 +0300,  Zeynep Tufekcioglu wrote:
> 
> >I have a lot of friends who know I post around the internet. I've received
> >the following report from Ankara. I am posting it to the list, verbatim.
> 
> Thanks Zeynep,
> What strikes me is, that the report says that very few in the
> neighborhood actually do follow the media call - but at the same time
> concludes, that the right wing "sets the agenda".
>
> I have some questions for understanding the Turkish situation. If some
> of them have been answered in some previous posts, I apologize, and
> please refer me to it, and I will look it up.
> 
> The letter says that the trade unions have been weakened following May
> Day events. How - loosing members, organization broken up? Due to
> repression or loss of credibility?
Jorn, i agree with the report from Ankara. They are not loosing members 
or organizations broke up. One reason is demoralization due to may day 
events. A small number of trade union members --compared to their size-- 
took part in may day. Out of nearly 70 thousand demonstrators, nearly 5-8 
thousand walked after union banners, eye witnesses say. The rest were 
supporters of political parties and voluntary associations. Trade unions 
were accused of being unable to control the rampage that erupted 
after security forces shot three people dead. Accuations were unfair. 
however it succeeded to demoralize trade unions. The state used may day 
rampage as a pretext to ban traditional peacufl demonstration areas and 
decided to designate new places out of city centers. Thus the strongest 
weapon of masses have been hijacked.

> 
> And while waiting for your analysis of the development of the Islamic
> movement :-) I have a question to how it has developed after islamic
> politics has entered "middle of reoad" - politics? Has it deepened a
> split between the more radical activists and these "official
> politicians"? Or has it rather stregthened islamic politics in general?
> 
> Just a brief outline ... :-)
> 
i am not aware of zeynep's ideas on political islam. a real split in 
political islam can become a possibility only on the question of 
imperialism. i.e., being against the west and the u.s. or being 
``moderete Islam'' which imperialism gives a green light. Neither 
neither ``radical activists'' nor ``official politicians'' are yet clear 
on that. sometimes they  have an anti-american rhetoric sometimes 
moderete islam rhetoric. i think in Turkey, anti-imperialist islam has no 
chance. There are a number of radical islamic underground organizations 
like Hizbullah, but they lack popular support except in isolated areas 
where the state uses them against PKK. The moderete islam version is 
already strong with tv radio channels, millions dollar businesses with 
the west as well as with Russa and central asian states. So they have an 
interest in ``globalization'' and cooperating with imperialism although 
they use rhetoric of ``repressed moslems''. The welfare party (RP) is not 
an exception. that's all for the time being.


> Jorn
> 
> PS: The question of islamic fundamentalism *is* being debated from
> time to time also here in Denmark. Typically when "something happens"
> in the Middle East, Turkey, North Africa - but also when the right now
> and then try out their "the new scare of world politics". So analysis
> is appreciated.
> 
with warm regards
haluk




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