Waiting For Godot

Cetin Altan, author, play write and journalist of more than 50 years, is hopeful about Turkey's future. Almost all of his works reflect this hope in various ways. Altan, who is viewed as a wise person by the majority of people, has reasons for being optimistic, and these are not only due to the domestic dynamics of Turkey; he believes that because of its geographical location and its key role in this region, Turkey cannot be neglected in the New World Order. He believes that external pressures will transform Turkey into a state of law that is more democratic and more respectful of human rights.

It is hard for us not to agree with Altan when we consider the historical turning points of Turkey, during which sharp u-turns were made. Two hundred years ago, inter conflicts in the big states of Europe played an important role in their efforts to westernize the country. During the establishment of the New Republic after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Europe's "national state" model affected this transition. The New World Order, formed after World War II, transfused into Turkey Western-style institutions, and urged a system of multi-party democracy to dominate the country's political life.

This time around, Turkey's self-transformation in adopting universal standards is important for the global system. A more democratic Turkey with a legal system based on international criteria and with no human rights violations would no doubt meet the expectations of New World Order, which is for the most part having its most important difficulties in the Islamic world. Why wouldn't Turkey be wanted as a model for countries located in the Middle East region -- which have undemocratic traditions and have grown accustomed to guided administrations -- and for the countries located in the Balkans, the Black Sea region, Caucasus and Central Asia, which just gained their independence. Turkey is at an interim point in the transition of democratization, as it comes from similar political traditions and is located within an enormous geographical location.

However, Turkey seems to be stalling at this turning point, as if it fears making a radical move to follow the world's path and to improve on human rights and democratization. It is still hesitant. People, those that can affect public opinion, believe that a guided administration is more suitable to maintaining the country's unity and integrity than democratization. These people attempt to implement the state's oppressive aspect rather than enforcing civilian society.

The capture and sentence of Abdullah Ocalan has provided an opportunity for Turkey to monitor and analyze an important problem, which was previously viewed as only related to terrorism. Everyone should accept the way to solve the problem is by an open discussion of the issue instead of the implementation of the methods of terror organizations. Serious steps would have to be taken by giving more responsibility to local administrations and by abandoning the pressure on identities and on feelings of belonging. Still, it can be done.

Religious leader Fethullah Gülen's moderate ideas and his worldwide education activities, for which he is known, could have become one of the most important aspects in Turkey's efforts to become active in the region. As a matter of fact, this is the underlying notion of late President Turgut Ozal's support for Gülen. Turkey could have used the Gülen model for the rundown education institutions, leaving the initiative in the hands of civilians, and accomplish a non-imperialist expansion. They can still use it.

Presently, one of the side topics of the agenda is the bad state of health institutions. Health and social security ministers who visit hospitals in disguise are shocked by the things they are faced with. Patients who may die if they do not receive immediate medical treatment wait for hours on stretchers for doctors; either there is no doctor or he is too worn out after a 72-hour shift. The lack of medical supplies has reached deplorable levels; those who seek treatment are responsible for meeting this deficit own their own. However, the campaign launched for leukemia patient Dr. Oktar Babuna -- to collect blood samples in order to establish a marrow bank -- was a true example of civilian initiative. Those who gave blood could have donated money and established a marrow bank without the help of the state. They can still do it...

In fact, what the economy is going through provides another opportunity for Turkey. Enterprises strengthened by protective state policies; a banking mentality based on exploiting state banks; crowded bureaucratic positions that are examples of nepotism and clientelism; thousands of cars for officials; and tens of thousands of lodgings has brought the Treasury to the brink of collapse.

It was luck that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who has struggled his whole life against financial squandering, came to power with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). During the election campaign the MHP promised to fight poverty and corruption, and tried hard for people's votes, promising that state squandering would stop. It is still luck.

However, the problem with Turkey is that it is unaware of all the chances it has to create successes, like it did in the past. The only solution in a region with many cultures and sharp differences is a democratic administration that respects human rights. The presence of those who see themselves as having ethnic, religious and sectarian differences is the engine of innovation that sustains the rule of law. The support of civilian initiatives in the field of health and education is a serious solution. The way to salvation is a smaller state that does not determine economic trends any longer and that avoids distributing irregular benefits.

Cetin Altan's hopes that Turkey will find the truth and that those who attempt to arrange the world will not overlook Turkey if they look at the map is understandable considering the present situation. Let us see how long Turkey, with its more than 70 years, will keep Altan waiting, who has been chasing this goal his whole life.

TURKISH DAILY NEWS