Turks March Against Islamist Influences and European Pressures

November 5, 2006

Source: The New York Times

Wire Service: AP

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/world/europe/05turkey.html

ANKARA, Turkey, Nov. 4 (AP): Thousands of nationalist Turks marched in the capital, Ankara, on Saturday, vowing to defend the secular government against radical Islamic influences and urging it not to make too many concessions to gain European Union membership.

Marchers in Ankara seen through a transparent flag of Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Some 12,000 people from more than 100 pro-secular associations waved Turkish flags as they marched to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. “Turkey is secular, and it will remain secular,” they chanted.

Turkey is predominantly Muslim but is governed by strict secular laws that separate religion and state. Many fear that if left unchecked, Islamic fundamentalism will lead to a theocracy like that brought to Iran by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Gen. Sener Eruygur, president of the Ataturk Thought Association and the retired former commander of Turkey’s paramilitary forces, warned against the possible presidential aspirations of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of the Islamic-rooted ruling party. The presidency is a largely ceremonial post, but a symbol of secularism in Turkey.

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who is strongly secular, will retire in May, and Parliament, dominated by Mr. Erdogan’s party, will choose the new president.