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Revision as of 10:50, 2 February 2007 by Sidincer (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The "deep state" (Turkish derin devlet) is an influential and informal anti-democratic coalition within the Turkish political system, composed of high-level elements within the Turkish military, security and intelligence services, the judicial branch, and key leaders of organized crime movements. The notion is similar to that of a "state within the state," but additionally the deep state operates in the dark, using extra-judicial means, such as death squads.
The political agenda of the deep state involves an allegiance to nationalism, corporatism, and state interests. Violence and other means of pressure have historically been employed in a largely covert manner to manipulate political and economic elites and ensure specific interests are met within the seemingly democratic framework of the political landscape.
Admissions of its existence
The first to publicly admit the existence of the "deep state," in 1974, was the then Turkish prime minister, Bülent Ecevit, who described it as a "counterguerrilla." Former president and strong man General Kenan Evren, who led the 1980 military coup, not only admitted the existence of the "deep state," but also testified to his inability to annihilate it, in spite of strenuous efforts. Former prime minister Tansu Çiller was less concerned, stating that the identity and criminal record of persons "who killed for the state" did not matter, and that "those who died for the state, and those who killed for the state" are both heroes of Turkey. The Susurluk scandal of 1996 exposed the connections between the military and bureaucratic elements of the "deep state" and organized crime. Former president Süleyman Demirel described the deep state in 2005 as follows: "The deep state is the state itself. It is the military."
The newest admission comes from prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In the television show İskele Sancak on Turkish TV channel Kanal 7 on January 26, 2007, he stated his belief in the existence of the "deep state." "I don't agree with those who say the deep state does not exist, it does exist. It has always been there," he said, "It is not something that started with the period of the Turkish Republic. It even goes back to the Ottoman . But to minimize it, if possible even annihilate it, that is what must be done."
See also
- Abdi İpekçi
- Abdullah Çatlı
- Ahmet Taner Kışlalı
- Alev Alatlı
- Alparslan Arslan
- Alparslan Türkeş
- Bahçelievler massacre
- Bahriye Üçok
- Counter-Guerrilla
- Jandarma İstihbarat ve Terörle Mücadele
- Mehmet Ağar
- Mehmet Ali Ağca
- Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu
- Millî İstihbarat Teşkilâtı
- Muammer Aksoy
- Uğur Mumcu
- Şemdinli
- Susurluk
- Taksim Square massacre
- Türk İntikam Tugayı
References
- Jones, Gareth (2005-11-20). "Bombing throws spotlight on Turkey". Turkish Daily News. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
The "deep state" is made up of elements from the military, security and judicial establishments wedded to a fiercely nationalist, statist ideology who, if need be, are ready to block or even oust a government that does not share their vision.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Gorvett, Jon (2006). "Bombing Campaign a Response to Ankara's Kurdish Policies, or "Deep State" Plot?". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. American Educational Trust. pp. 44–45. Retrieved 2006-12-21.
Yet speculation is rife as to who might really be behind the group. There is a lingering suspicion, by the Turkish political left in particular, that TAK is a creation of the "deep state"—the secret authority of generals, politicians, bureaucrats and organized criminals often held responsible for the dark side of Turkish politics. According to this interpretation, TAK's bombing campaign is an attempt by this deep state to force the government to grant emergency powers to the security authorities—themselves thought to be dominated by the deep state—and thus entrench the power of these dark forces.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Yusuf Kanlı (2007-01-29). "The Turkish deep state". Turkish Daily News. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
- Mehmet Barlas (2007-01-29). "Osmanlı'da oyun bitmez – Derin Devlet". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2007-01-29.
- "'State within a state' should be demolished". Sabah. 2007-01-29. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
External links
- Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead. How deep is the deep state? from soL the online newspaper.