KERINCSIZ: 1982 CONSTITUTION KEEPS NATION TOGETHER
Today’s Zaman
April 14 2009
Turkey
Nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, standing trial in the case of
Ergenekon, a clandestine terrorist organization hidden within the state
hierarchy and charged with plotting to overthrow the government, said
the 1982 Constitution is the "cement" of the nation and that calling
it a "coup constitution" is tantamount to psychological warfare.
Defending the 1982 Constitution, which is often criticized for being
anti-democratic and a byproduct of the 1980 military coup, Kerincsiz
said: "This constitution is the cement of the nation. If you change the
first four articles of the Constitution, you will divide the nation."
He also said work to change the Constitution began after the local
elections, which were held on March 29.
"The public has been confused by statements that there will be a
civilian constitution. We are on trial here [in the Ergenekon case]
because we claim ownership of the 1982 Constitution."
In his defense, Kerincsiz also tried to discredit Zekeriya Oz, the
chief prosecutor of the Ergenekon investigation. He said Ataturkists,
secularists, those for a unified state and anti-imperialists are
being targeted by the Ergenekon case.
"It is natural for these people to know each other, to come
together at panel discussions, press conferences and television
programs because they show sensitivity toward a cause. However,
their ties have been handled to portray them as being involved in an
illegal organization." Kerincsiz is known for filing lawsuits against
intellectuals who question or criticize the state line on issues such
as Armenian allegations of genocide.