Turkish government says it may use army to end protests
Source: BBC
The Turkish government has said it could use the army to end nearly three weeks of unrest by protesters in Istanbul and other cities.
The government would use "all its powers" and the armed forces if necessary, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on state-run television.
It is the first time the Islamist-rooted ruling party has raised the prospect of deploying the armed forces. The issue is sensitive as the army is seen as a bastion of secularism.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told hundreds of thousands of supporters at a rally in Istanbul on Sunday that the protesters were manipulated by "terrorists".
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22938860
indio55555
(162 posts)Just don't make the same mistakes Syria did.
Sunni was the issue in Syria. In Turkey it is about the feds being corrupt. Selling the public park in the center of the city proved to all who thought they had that did indeed have one.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)from a majority of Turks. Assad represents a minority.
That, and Edrogan was elected through free and fair elections.
gordianot
(15,226 posts)Fire Walk With Me
(38,893 posts)Catherina
(35,568 posts)JCMach1
(27,544 posts)against peaceful protesters...
Proceed Pres. Erdogan
Leontius
(2,270 posts)If not the army may act as they always have against the destruction of a secular Turkey.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Can they not look around and see that it has failed among their neighbors? Where has it worked? Hasn't even worked in Syria yet.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Javaman
(62,439 posts)Diclotican
(5,095 posts)Bosonic
Calling in the Army in Turkey could go both ways - as the army more than once, since 1924 have deposed more or less democratic government - ruled in its name - and then put some into power - who understood where the army stood..
And Army IS still not exactly friends with the current president - and many of the top brass in Turkey have been insulted by the prime minister many times now - and it is not that many years ago - some was put on leave - because they are accused of wanting to make a coup against the current prime minister - who more than once have played into the more conservative parts of the muslim faith...
I would definitely be sure about the loyalty of the army - if I was to send it in to stop a demostration...
He might end up overplay his cards here...
Diclotican
LiberalLovinLug
(14,153 posts)Authoritarian, religion touting, conservative governments everywhere think this is the answer every time.
Mostly because if they dared to have an open debate they know they will lose in the court of public opinion. Also what is sadly true the world over is that there is always a percentage, around 20 to 30% of easily frightened, usually highly religious supporters who the government can prop up and use to back them up.
This is not going to end well for the progressive voices in Turkey.