DREAMS OF VOTERS FOR POST-ELECTION TURKEY DIFFER

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
July 20 2007

Millions of Turkish citizens will vote this Sunday, but all have
different visions of Turkey as the country of their dreams.

The next general elections are around the corner, but what do they
really offer for the people on the street, for business organizations
and representatives of civil society? Today’s Zaman asked voters
what the country of their dreams will look like on July 23, the first
day after the elections. Some dreams were realistic, some were wild
fantasies. However, they were all very different, although seeing
most of them come true would delight any citizen of the nation.

Many share the concern about the economy and the vision of a prosperous
Turkey.

Salih Býdýk (45), a simit vendor in Bakýrkoy Square, hopes to wake up
to a rich country. "They don’t buy simit anymore," he says, expressing
his concern about economic hardship.

Adem Gulen, (39) a tradesman from Ýstanbul’s Yenibosna district,
dreams of prosperity but is also optimistic. "In the last four years,
the country has seen some good developments. I believe this will
continue. Economic development will continue."

Another Yenibosna resident, Tolga Sayýn (28), who works at a hospital,
says he would like to wake up to a prosperous day in Turkey on the
morning after the elections. "It is important, especially if you are
married and have children, to know that you will be secure economically
in the future."

Permanent stability is what most business leaders dream of, such as
Rýzanur Meral, the chairman of Turkish Confederation of Businessmen
and Industrialists (TUSKON). "The business world does not expect
a drastic economic change in the short term, but establishment of
a government with strong stability will affect the business world
significantly in the long term," Meral stated.

Ýstanbul Exporters’ Union Chairman Metin Altuð’s dreams are not
entirely fantasy: "Interest rates must drop. Exporters could cope
with high rates until now, but it cannot continue like this anymore."

Others would like to see a country without political conflict and
polarization in society; however, most dreams are filled with a Turkey
free of separatist violence. A lottery ticket seller from Bakýrkoy
who refuses to share his name says he is "sick and tired of bombs
exploding all over the country."

Mithat Erdoðan (50), who runs a store, says the Turkey in his heart
has politicians who don’t bicker over who is better. "I am not well
educated, but I still can see what they do. They don’t have to blame
each other for everything. Even if one does, why does the other have to
respond in kind? Instead of trying to besmirch each other, politicians
should concentrate on their policy implementations." In addition
to well-mannered politicians, Erdoðan says he wants "peace," in the
country. "It is time that this terrorism problem ended," he comments.

Ali Tepe, a 48-year-old pensioner who lives in Bakýrkoy, is more
specific about what he expects: "There are no parties to vote for. No
matter who comes to power, they have all referred our independence to
the US." Tepe says he would like to see a truly independent Turkey that
"owes nothing to the [International Monetary Fund] IMF, the European
Union or the United Nations."

Peace, democracy, freedom

Democracy and human rights occupy a significant space in most Turks’
dreams. Refia Kýzýlhan, head of the Association for Educating and
Supporting Women Candidates (Ka-Der), says she dreams of a Turkey with
conscientious politicians who would put an end to the trauma of the
"headscarf ban" in Turkish universities. "We want politicians to have
a sense of fairness," she says.

Selin Dilara Colak, a high school student, cannot yet vote. She is
only 16, but she has her own aspirations about the country she would
like to see on the first day after the election. "I would like to
hear in the news that all of a sudden the OSS university entrance
exam is abolished and that the headscarf issue is closed."

Murat Saraylý, the chairman of the Young Businessmen’s Association of
Turkey (TUGÝAD), also dreams of a Turkey that is a strong democracy,
respectful of human rights. "I expect a Turkey integrated with the
world, but more importantly a Turkey that puts forth its will clearly
and strongly in order to integrate with the world and contribute to
it," he continues.

Ayhan Bilgen, head of the human rights organization MAZLUM-DER, also
shared the country he dreams of with Today’s Zaman. "Firstly, I would
like to see a Turkey where all segments of society can speak with each
other, where they can establish dialogue with peace and brotherhood
instead of clashing. Secondly, [I would like to see] a Turkey where
Parliament can make its own decisions without being subject to any
pressure. I would like to see a Turkey where politics is not a sport
for those pursuing personal interests, but something done for social
interests. I would like to see a Turkey where nobody is discriminated
against, where people can live their beliefs or speak their language
freely. A Turkey where everybody feels like an equal citizen."

Another human rights association leader, Reyhan Yalcýndað of the
Human Rights Association (ÝHD) also has her own dreams about Turkey.

"It is a difficult question to answer," she says, continuing: "for
someone who has witnessed so much pain and suffering the people of
this country have been subject to."

She says, "What I would like to see happen most is a country where
people don’t die on a daily basis because of armed clashes."

Yalcýndað recalls the relative period of peace when the terrorist
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) declared a unilateral cease-fire in
1999 that lasted until 2004. "Secondly, I would like a Turkey without
violence against women." Yalcýndað said that the deaths of women
at the hands of jobless, angry or traditional husbands or brothers
have been increasing. "A Turkey where equality of women has been
achieved." She quickly adds a third dream, "I want us to finally get
rid of the shame of our children dying from malnutrition."

Last but not least, Yalcýndað dreams of a Turkey where no group sees
the rest as "the other." "I am saying this for homosexuals, headscarved
women, Armenians, Syrians, Alevis, everyone. I dream of a Turkey where
all our differences are seen and protected as a richness of diversity."

Among the colorful people of Ýstanbul, some have simpler wishes:
"I want people to exclaim they are happy and dance on the streets. I
want to wake up and fall in love that morning. I want not just me,
but everybody to fall in love," says Seckin Celme, a 27-year-old
store owner on Ýstiklal Caddesi.

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