Country of origin information report Turkey June 2007

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Map

1.05 Map of Turkey courtesy of CIA World FactBook:

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/tu.html

See also links to more detailed maps of Turkey:
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/publ/opendoc.pdf?tbl=PUBL&id=4487e9280
http://www.factmonster.com/atlas/country/turkey.html
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/turkey_pol83.jpg

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Population
1.06 As reported by the CIA World Factbook last updated 15 May 2007, that the population of Turkey exceeds 71,158,647 (July 2007 est.) [103] As reported by Jane's Sentinel Country profile updated 10 May 2007 the population is in the region of 73,300,000. [109]
2 Economy
2.01 The European Commission Turkey 2006 Progress Report, released on 8 November 2006, noted that:
“In examining the economic developments in Turkey, the Commission's approach was guided by the conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen in June 1993, which stated that membership of the Union requires the existence of a functioning market economy, and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. The rapidly growing Turkish economy ran into fast growing external imbalances. This was predominantly caused by too slow structural reforms and a sizeable increase in investment spending. The authorities reacted promptly by fiscal and monetary tightening. In conclusion, economic growth has remained quite strong and has become more balanced.” [71a] (p25-26)
2.02 The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) country report released January 2007 noted that:
“After the 2001 financial crisis and recession, GDP growth in Turkey was strong,

averaging 7.5% per year in 2002-05. In 2006 it averaged 7% year on year in the

first half of the year, but slowed sharply to 3.4% in the third quarter, reflecting

the impact on domestic demand of the fall in the value of the lira, rising

inflation and higher interest rates. Overall, we now expect economic growth to

have slowed from 7.4% in 2005 to 5.2% in 2006 and to fall further to 4.5% in

2007, before picking up again to 5.5% in 2008. Weaker domestic demand growth will be partly offset by a deceleration in imports and an acceleration in export growth, resulting in a marked improvement in the foreign balance in 2006-08. There is a substantial risk, however, of a more prolonged and deeper slowdown if inflation starts to rise sharply again in 2007 and the Central Bank retightens monetary policy.” [108] (p12)
2.03 The World Bank Data and Statistics for Turkey – World Development Indicators database, April 2006 (website accessed 13 December 2006) recorded a GNI per capita [average annual income] in 2005 of US$4710. [45]
2.04 The 2006 EC report however noted that:
“As regards employment policy, little progress can be reported. Low labour force participation and employment rates, in particular of women, high levels of youth unemployment, the large size of the informal economy and the strong rural/urban labour market divide remain the main challenges. The overall employment rate in 2005 decreased to 43.4%, whereas unemployment rate remained at 10.3%. The scale of unregistered employment continues to be of concern.” [71a] (p53)
2.05 The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) country report released January 2007 however noted that:
“The strength of the economy increased employment in industry, construction

and services in 2005 and 2006. In August 2006 the number of people

employed in these three sectors rose by 2.9%, 6.8% and 4% respectively by

comparison with August 2005. The pace of employment growth in services

which is by far the largest employer, providing work for 10.6m people was

noticeably slower than in preceding months… The number of unemployed was

put at 2.38m the same as in August 2005. The unemployment rate worked out at

9.1%, compared with 9.4% a year earlier. The unemployment rate had already

been running below yearearlier levels for some months, and in May, June and

July which are the peak months for employment, owing to the seasonal nature of

much work in agriculture, construction and tourism it had fallen as low as 8.8%.”

[108] (p30-31)

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3 History
GENERAL ELECTION 2002
3.01 As recorded by the Office of the Prime Minister of Turkey:

“On December 2, [2002] the Supreme Election Board (YSK) annulled the results of the elections held in the southeastern province of Siirt on November 3 [2002]. A written statement following the YSK meeting said: 'The Board has decided unanimously that irregularities in the election procedures necessitate re-holding the elections in the southeastern province of Siirt.' The by-election in Siirt was held on March 9, 2003. AKP candidates Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Öner Gülyeşil and Öner Ergenç were elected, and the number of AKP seats in Parliament increased to 365.” [36i]

Presidential Election 2007
3.02 The EIU country report released January 2007 noted that:
“The first serious domestic test that the government will face will be the election

of a new president in May 2007, when the present incumbent, Ahmet Necdet

Sezer, will complete his seven-year term. Under the constitution, he cannot run

for a second term, and his successor must be elected by parliament, if necessary by a simple majority. The president has limited constitutional powers, but the office has considerable symbolic value, especially in the eyes of secularists in the army, the judiciary and large parts of the state administration and general public, who are deeply suspicious of the AKP!s Islamist origins and suspect its ultimate intentions. In recent weeks Mr Sezer has urged that an early general election be held before May, so that the next president could be elected by the new parliament. However, the president has no powers to call for an early election unilaterally: this can only be done by parliament in effect, the AKP. Mr Erdogan has firmly resisted the president’s call. He has no interest in calling an early election, so the suggestion will almost certainly fall by the wayside.” [108] (p7)
3.03 As reported by BBC News on 24 April 2007 that, “Turkey's governing AK party has nominated Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as its candidate in the upcoming presidential election.” [66e] On the 27 April BBC further noted that, “Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has failed to gain enough support in parliament to become Turkish president. Mr Gul, the ruling AK Party's candidate, won 357 votes - 10 short of the two-thirds required.” [66f]
3.04 BBC News also recorded on 1 May 2007 that, “The constitutional court in Turkey has annulled last Friday's parliamentary vote to elect a new president. The only candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, failed to win the required majority after a boycott by secularist opposition parties.” [66g] On the 2 May 2007 BBC noted that, “Turkey's ruling AK Party has asked parliament to approve an early general election amid deadlock over who should become the country's new president… Secularist opposition parties boycotted the vote to prevent the ruling party candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, from winning.” [66l]
3.05 As reported by BBC News on 6 May 2007 that, “Turkey's parliament has failed for a second time to elect the Islamist-rooted governing party's candidate for president, Abdullah Gul. Mr Gul, the only nominee, withdrew his candidacy after the vote was rendered invalid by an opposition boycott. Turkey's governing AK party is now expected to focus its attention on early parliamentary elections in July.” [66o]

3.06 The BBC News also reported on 7 May 2007 that, “Turkey's parliament has given initial approval to electoral reforms brought by the ruling party amid a crisis over the country's secular traditions. Among other measures, the ruling AK party, which has Islamist roots, wants the president to be elected by the people, rather than by MPs.” [66s]

3.07 Furthermore the BBC News reported on 10 May 2007 that, “Turkey's parliament has approved a major constitutional amendment that allows the president to be elected by the people rather than MPs. More than two-thirds of MPs backed the amendment and several other reforms, proposed by the governing AK Party. The reform package might yet be vetoed by the staunchly secularist president. The package got the support of 376 MPs in the 550-seat assembly. It includes a proposal to make the presidential term a renewable five years, instead of the current single seven-year term. He may use his powers to stall the reforms beyond the general election set for 22 July. The election was brought forward from November to try to resolve the deadlock over the presidency.” [66t]
European Union Reforms 2006
3.08 The 2007 EIU country report stated that:
“Attempts to persuade Turkey to meet the EU!s requirement intensified in the second half of 2006, but by the time the European Commission published its annual report on Turkey’s progress towards membership on November 8th 2006, the Turkish parliament had still not ratified the additional protocol. As a result, the European Commission put forward recommendations on November 29th, which were endorsed by EU ministers of foreign affairs on December 11th and by the European Council on December 14th-15th, that talks should be suspended on eight ‘chapters’ of the acquis communautaire the body of EU law, which Turkey is required to adopt to become a member. The suspended chapters cover the free movement of goods, transport, the customs union, agriculture, fisheries, foreign relations, financial services and the right to establish businesses in other EU countries. Talks on the other 27 chapters can go ahead, but the European Council stated that no chapters could be closed until Turkey had carried out its obligations under the additional protocol (so far, Turkey has concluded negotiations on one chapter, science and research, which was provisionally closed in June 2006).” [108] (p14)
3.09 The EIU report further noted that:
“The Council asked the European Commission to decide whether this had been

done in its annual reports on Turkey’s progress towards accession in late 2007,

2008 and 2009 (implying that the Council realised that this could be a long,

drawn-out process). On the question of human-rights reforms in Turkey, the

Council recognised that progress had been made, but regretted that the pace of

reform had slowed down in such areas as freedom of speech and religion,

women’s rights, the rights of minorities and labour unions, and civilian control

over the military (October 2006, The political scene). In the months preceding the summit, European attitudes towards Turkey had hardened, reflecting weak public support for the general principle of further EU enlargement and for Turkish membership in particular, in several member states. On the Turkish side, there had been a slowdown in the reform programme that the EU is demanding (especially in the area of human rights). There has also been declining public support in Turkey for EU accession, according to opinion polls.” [108] (p14)
3.10 The European Commission (EC) Turkey 2006 Progress Report, released on 8 November 2006, noted that:
“Turkey has not fully implemented the Additional Protocol extending the EC-Turkey Association Agreement to the ten Member States that acceded on 1 May 2004, which it had signed in July 2005 and which enabled the accession negotiations to start. Turkey has continued to deny access to its ports to vessels flying the Republic of Cyprus flag or where the last port of call is in Cyprus.” [71a] (p25)
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General Election 2007
3.11 On the 2 May 2007 BBC noted that,“ Turkey's ruling AK Party has asked parliament to approve an early general election amid deadlock over who should become the country's new president. The party proposed 24 June for the poll, which had been set for November.” [66l]
3.12 BBC News recorded on 3 May 2007 that, “Turkish MPs vote for early poll

Abdullah Gul denies having a hidden Islamist agenda Turkey's parliament has confirmed that early elections, aimed at ending a crisis over the party's candidate for president, will be held on 22 July. PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed a June poll after the country's top court annulled the parliamentary vote for the party's candidate, Abdullah Gul. But electoral officials said it could not be organised earlier than July.” [66y]

4 Recent Developments


Terrorism in 2006-07
4.01 The US State Department Country Report on Terrorism 2006, released by the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism on April 30, 2007, noted that:
“Domestic and transnational terrorist groups have targeted Turkish nationals and foreigners, including, on occasion, U.S. Government personnel, for more than 40 years. International and domestic terrorist groups that operated in Turkey included Kurdish separatist, Marxist-Leninist, radical Islamist, and pro-Chechen groups. Most prominent among terrorist groups in Turkey is the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), subject to regular name changes, currently operating as Kongra-Gel (KGK/PKK). Composed primarily of Kurds with a historically separatist agenda, the KGK/PKK operated from headquarters in part of northern Iraq and directed forces to target mainly Turkish security forces, government offices, and villagers who opposed the KGK/PKK… KGK/PKK attacks against Turkey increased significantly and claimed as many as 600 lives in 2006. In October, the KGK/PKK declared a unilateral cease-fire that slowed the intensity and pace of its attacks but attacks continued in response to Turkish security forces significant counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, especially in the southeast.” [5h] (p25)
4.02 Travel advice issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, updated on 1 May 2007, stated that:
“There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey. We believe that international terrorist groups, as well as indigenous ones, are currently active in Turkey. Attacks in public places, including in tourist areas, could well occur.
Incidents in Istanbul have taken place in the districts of Sultanahmet, Eminonu, Bagcilar and Bakirkoy. Recent examples include:

• 
  On 8 April 2007, Police conducted a controlled explosion in Taksim Square
  
• 
  On 8 April 2007, there was an explosion outside a police station in the
  

Beyoglu district of Istanbul. No foreign nationals were involved.

• 
  On 8 April 2007, there was an explosion outside a police station in the
  

Beyoglu district of Istanbul. No foreign nationals were involved.” [4j]
4.03 Furthermore travel advice issued for South East Turkey by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, updated on 1 May 2007, reported that:
“Terrorist incidents in the south east of Turkey perpetrated by the PKK/Kongra-Gel, a Kurdish separatist terrorist organisation, have increased in recent years. There have been frequent bomb and mine attacks on military personnel and convoys. There is a need for increased vigilance in this area. Security forces, who actively pursue the terrorists, operate restrictions on movement in areas bordering Iraq. You risk arrest if you fail to comply with these restrictions.” [4j]
See also Section 19:37 PKK/KADEK Kongra-Gel and the the Conflict in the Souith-East.
4.05 As reported by the BBC on 23 May 2007: “Turkish officials have confirmed that a suicide bomber caused a blast which killed six people and injured more than 90 in Ankara on Tuesday [23 May 2007]…The governor described the bomber as a known member of an illegal organisation, often code in Turkey for the Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK” [66m] The Hurriyet News noted on 24 May 2007 that, “The young man confirmed through fingerprints taken from his body to have been the suicide bomber in Tuesday evening's attack in Ankara, 28 year old Guven Akkus, was apparently a member of the illegal Turkish Revolutionary Communists Union (TIKB).” [117]
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5 Constitution
5.01 The Jane Sentinel Security Assessment website updated 22 November 2006 noted:



“Turkey's current constitution is based on the 1982 constitution put in place after the military coup. The document reflects the values the Turkish military has long taken pride in protecting: democracy, secularism, and strict insistence on Atatürk's goal of a unified Turkey uncritical of its founder or founding principles. Turkey installed the constitution after years of military rule, with the explicit aim of creating stability and order at the expense of civil liberties and human rights. The constitution remained essentially unchanged until 1999's military coup… Following Erbakan's ousting, civilian governments cautiously amended the constitution to dilute the original absolutist wording and increase protection for human rights and civil liberties, judicial independence, and power of the civilian government over the military. Torture and ill treatment are prohibited, and the entitlement to strike and other labour rights are recognised but can be restricted.” [109a]__See_also_Section_15:01_Freedom_of_Speech_and_Media._Return_to_contents__Go_to_list_of_sources__6_Political_System'>[109a]
5.02 The same Jane Sentinel website also noted that:
“In December 2002 as part of Turkey's efforts to harmonise Turkish laws with European laws, the parliament amended Article 76 of the constitution, which had banned people convicted of ideological crimes from running for office. The amendment, passed with the support of the Republican People's Party (CHP), the official parliamentary opposition, has rehabilitated all people stripped of their political rights, including Erdogan, who subsequently won a seat in parliament and became prime minister. In May 2004 President Ahmet Necdet Sezer signed a package of 10 constitutional amendments designed to bring legislation closer to EU requirements. The amendments abolished the State Security Courts, the death penalty in all circumstances, the seizure of printing houses, and the Office of the Chief of Staff's representative from the Higher Education Board, and placed military expenditure under full Audits Office supervision and guaranteed gender equality. 514 out of 526 deputies voted for the amendment package.” [109a]
5.03 The Jane Sentinel Security Assessment website further noted that:
“According to the Constitution, the president and the Council of Ministers (usually numbering around 35) share executive powers. The president, chosen by Parliament for a single seven-year term, has indistinct powers, and an active president may choose to stretch them…The Council of Ministers, which is politically accountable to the Legislature, is composed of a prime minister selected and appointed by the president and ministers selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president.” [109a]
See also Section 15:01 Freedom of Speech and Media.
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6 Political System
Introduction

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)

6.01 As recorded in the ‘Political structure of Turkey’ dated 20 October 2006:
“Legislative authority is vested in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The TGNA is composed of 550 deputies. Parliamentary elections are held every five years… (Section on Legislature) The Council of Ministers consists of the Prime Minister, designated by the President of the Republic from members of the TGNA, and various ministers nominated by the Prime Minister and appointed by the President of the Republic. Ministers can be dismissed from their duties by the President or upon the proposal of the Prime Minister when deemed necessary. When the Council of Ministers is formed, the government’s program is read at the TGNA and a vote of confidence is taken...The fundamental duty of the Council of Ministers is to formulate and to implement the internal and foreign policies of the state. The Council is accountable to the Parliament in execution of this duty. The Constitution also includes national defense in the section related to the Council of Ministers. The Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Office of the Chief of the General Staff and the National Security Council form the authorative organizations for national defense...The Prime Minister is responsible for ensuring the Council of Ministers functions in a harmonious manner. He/she supervises implementation of government policy. The Prime Minister is the de facto head of the executive branch. Each Minister is accountable to the Prime Minister who in turn ensures that Ministers fulfill their functions in accordance with the Constitution and its laws.” [36i] (Section on Executive)
6.02 As recorded by the Jane Sentinel Security Assessment website updated 22 November 2006:
“The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is a 550-seat, unicameral body. The parliament can pass legislation over a presidential veto by a simple majority. A parliamentary term may last up to five years but a simple majority can call early elections. The electoral system is based on proportional representation but parties must overcome a 10 per cent threshold to gain representation. Voting is compulsory for everyone over 18, and those who abstain face a very small fine and the loss of the franchise at the following election. The TGNA monitors the Council of Ministers, has the power to enact, amend and abrogate laws and to ratify international agreements, the printing of currency and the declaration of war, as well as debating and passing the Budget and the Bills for Final Accounts.” [109a]
National Security Council (MGK) or (NSC)
6.03 As recorded in ‘Political Structure of Turkey’:
“The National Security Council consists of the Prime Minister, the Chief of the General Staff [the army], the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Commanders of the Army, Navy and the Air Force and the General Commander of the Gendarmerie. The NSC makes decisions related to the determination, establishment and application of national security policy. The Council of Ministers gives priority to National Security Council decisions where measures deemed necessary for the preservation of the existence and independence of the state, the integrity and indivisibility of the country and the peace and security of the society are concerned.” [36i] (Section on Executive)
6.04 The European Commission Turkey 2006 Progress Report noted that:
“There has been progress concerning the competence of military courts to try civilians. Under the law amending the relevant provisions of the Military Criminal Code as adopted in June 2006, no civilian will be tried in military courts in peacetime unless military personnel and civilians commit an offence together. The new law also introduces the right of retrial in military courts. Accordingly, if there is an European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decision in favour of military or civilian persons who have been tried before military courts, they can ask for a retrial. The National Security Council (NSC) has continued to meet on a bi-monthly basis in line with its revised role.” [71a] (p7)

5. 
   As recorded in the Jane Sentinel Security Assessment website updated 22 November 2006:
   

“The National Security Council (NSC)…is a powerful body in Turkish politics but its influence has waned after the wave of reforms in 2004. The armed forces can make recommendations to the cabinet through the Council. Historically, this body has been divided sharply between civilians and members in uniform. Recently, however, the Council has met infrequently - once a month or less - and the ongoing fight for power between the two factions has taken place more behind the scenes than in open confrontation. From August 2004, for the first time, a civilian has headed the NSC… Mehmet Yigit Alpogan took up his post as the new civilian secretary general. The NSC is slowly being forced under civilian control, having long been the stronghold of the military and the mechanism through which Turkey's generals have warned the government of impending coups.” [109a]