HISTORIC CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN TURKEY

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turksih Prime Minister is quite upbeat after the results of the Constitutional Referrendum came pouring out which was held on sunday. It has paved the way for loosening the military grip over Turkey though based on secualr credentials and also the Judicial Superiority, in the words of Turkish educational Minister, 'Judicial Dictatorship'. The acceptance of Constitutional Reform Package by the majority of Turkish citizens with 26 amendments has added to the personal image of Erdogan. His long-cherished dream of joining the European community is going to be materialised. Of what benefit it would bring about to Turkey still remains a question mark.
The very concept of the European community proved to be step in the wrong direction especially with it plunging into recession. The adoption of Euro as the currency by the 27 member community was a Himalayan blunder. In Kafkasque parlance a 'ludicrous bungling'. Most recent phenomenon being the recession in Greece and it is a public secret that Greek Prime Minister George Pappandreau in his marathon efforts to rescue the Greek economy, in the words of economists - the great Greek tragedy - had to fly all the way to other member countries of EU and World financial institutions like International Monetary Fund, pleading for generous help to have a breathing space in his home soil. The EU members like Germany under Angela Merkel, already reeling under recession hesitated first citing domestic, economic situation but Greece being a member of EU had to be rescued at any cost the member countries contributed their mite hesitatingly though. IMF with the attitude of a Shylock provided funds in part ofcourse with many strings attached.
Consequently Pappandreau was forced to introduce austerity measures like hiking the pension age to 65 years, reduce the pension and salary amounts, slowing down the recruitment drive to the consternation and massive protests across Greece inviting violent clashes.
During the formation of European Community Britain didn't concede to embrace Euro as its currency, instead stuck to its own currency Pound Sterling. Like all European nations, Britain too was a sufferer of recession, true, their sticking to Pound Sterling paid dividends. The Euro - adopted countries, on the other hand could not but extricate themselves that easily. Euro established itself and it was there to stay.
Talking about Turkey, in the referrendum held by Erdogan's party, Justice and Development Party (AKP) 58 percent of the electorate out of the 78 percent turnout chose to favour democracy, of course based on secularism thus enabling Turkey to join the European community.
Turkey has already established the prominence in the region being a powerful player, many countries of equal importance like the Latin American countries Brazil, Venezeula and the West Asian countries like Iran joining company with it.
Six months back, Lula Da De Silva, President of Brazil and Hugo Chavez, Venezeula President met with Erdogan in Turkey and signed an agreement on the hot issue of Iran's low enrichment of Uranium to convert into isotopes obviously with the concurrence of Iranian authorities. After signing the agreement US the proclaimed enemy of Iran went on with its decision to impose sanctions on America with the five permanent members of UN Security Council and the sanctions came into force. Russia and China initially were with Iran being the latter's friendly nations but succumbed to constant pressure of US authorities.
Turkey till a few months back, though was in good terms with Israel also that 'bonhomie' lasted not long.
A Turkish charity boat sailing to the shores of Palestine with relief supplies to distribute among the impoverished citizens at the Gaza strip, captured by Israeli commandos, and they shot dead some of the occupants of the boat including NGOs in the International waters violating all norms to the wrath of nations across the world. Similarly a few other boats were also blocked and captured by them paying no heed to the protests of nations around the world.
Erdogan upset and angered over the incident, burst out condemning Israel in no uncertain terms. Now that with the impending accession to EU community he might be nurturing ambitions of emerging more powerful in the International fora, how far he would be able to succeed remains to be seen.