The Washington Post: AKP mustn't be bannedMay 5, 2008 - 15:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Washington Post called on the Bush administration to prevent banning of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)."In many countries where elections and Islam overlap, religious political parties are suspected - often rightly - of trying to use the democratic system to advance an illiberal agenda. Turkey, the most advanced democracy in the Muslim world, has the opposite problem. Its mildly religious ruling party has led the way in introducing progressive political and economic reforms and preparing the country for membership in the European Union. Its secular opposition, meanwhile, has repeatedly resorted to antidemocratic tactics," the editorial says. "The administration ought to make it plain that banning the AKP would cause serious damage to U.S.-Turkish relations. The United States has a vital interest in the success of Turkish democracy - and of the moderate Islamic party that now leads it." In March 2008, the Turkish Constitutional Court said it will consider a request to ban the ruling political party of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The chief prosecutor for the Turkish Court of Appeals, Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya, handed the court an indictment charging the ruling Justice and Development Party, known by its Turkish initials AKP, with stoking an "Islamist-inspired" system of government. Yalcinkaya called for a total ban on AKP, which has roots in the religious community, and a five year political ban on Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and former parliamentary speaker Bulent Arinc. Erdogan countered the charges, suggesting the allegations were meant to "create social unrest." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |