Putting own house in order: President Gül makes important statements

President Gül made some very important statements in a very chaotic political atmosphere caused by the shortcomings in the performance of judiciary  -as criticized by many opinion leaders, in the country.

The president delivered a speech at the War Academy in Istanbul and referred to virtues and necessity of advanced democracy, mainly.

Advanced democracy was first pronounced by PM Erdoğan but many people in the country believe there are some serious restrictions of freedom (such as speech and protest)  and therefore it is not possible to talk about an advanced democracy in the country at all

During his speech at the War Academy Preisdent Abdullah Gül said Turkey should “put its house in order” if it aims to become a “virtuous power”.

The president went on to say “Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s ‘Peace at home, peace in the world’ phrase has always guided both our security policy and foreign policy. The most effective way to ensure peace at home is to turn our country into a first class democracy”.

Democracy is not only about the will of the majority, Gül added. “I want to emphasize that an advanced democracy does not simply mean the reflection of the majority’s will after elections.

An advanced democracy is a regime in which fundamental rights and freedoms are preserved on the grounds of the rule of law, which has a break and balance system in terms of all institutions within the constitutional system, in which justice prevails without any delay.”

The link between security and democracy is an issue everybody should sensitively emphasize, according to Gül.

“At present, one can neither speak about security without democracy, nor a real democracy without security. It is very important to separate our citizens who voice their demands within the democratic system, without resorting to violence from those who are tied to terrorism.”

06.04.2012
SOURCE: MEDIA (Compiled by Editor)