A Quiet Prayer for Democracy

The crucial player now will be the Turkish armed forces, which have deposed four governments over the past five decades. I asked Gul what he thought their attitude was going to be as events unfolded. "I have talked with the Army chiefs several times in the last week," he said. "I am sure that they will respect the democratic process. [Interfering with it] is not any part of the Army's role in a modern democracy. But I understand that they have concerns, and we will work things out together. As a Turk I am proud of the armed forces. And as foreign minister I have had excellent dealings with them."

I asked Gul whether Islam and democracy were compatible. "Of course," he said. "Turkey is a Muslim country. But that doesn't mean we should mix Islam and politics. It would be bad for both." Rejecting any comparison between the AK and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, he said, "We are not an Islamic party. Religion is a matter for individuals, not politics. The Turkish Constitution speaks of a secular state, and we agree with that.

"I don't like Islamic political parties," Gul added. "But as Muslim societies democratize, you will see greater religious expression everywhere in society. It is a consequence of democracy. People in Muslim countries are devout, socially conservative ... You cannot fight against this. You have to understand it and allow some expression of this belief."

The European Union and Condoleezza Rice have warned Turkey's generals to respect the democratic process. My guess is that they will, and not only because of outside pressure. Over the past five years, Turkey has gone through a quiet revolution and is now an increasingly genuine liberal democracy. The secular demonstrators against the AK held up signs that said NO SHARIA, NO COUP. That is what most Turks seem to want. They will not accept being treated like denizens of a banana republic.

© 2007