Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Turk government sends reform package to parliament
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Sex infection gonorrhea risks becoming "superbug"
29 Mar 2010
Obama to sign new student aid initiative
7:29am EDT
NASA to help on Toyota probe
7:06am EDT
Sex virus blamed for rise in head and neck cancers
26 Mar 2010
Man arrested for threatening Rep. Eric Cantor
29 Mar 2010
Obama to sign new student aid initiative
7:29am EDT
Sex infection gonorrhea risks becoming "superbug"
29 Mar 2010
Small, dark Easter eggs may be good for your heart
9:44am EDT
Sex virus blamed for rise in head and neck cancers
26 Mar 2010
Apple may be working on iPhone for Verizon: report
6:11am EDT
Analysis
Russia's "silent war" spills into Moscow
The bloodiest attack on Moscow in at least six years has confounded Russia's attempt to cauterize an Islamist insurgency spreading across the North Caucasus region. Full Article
Factbox: Russia and the North Caucasus
Turk government sends reform package to parliament
Simon Cameron-Moore
ANKARA
Tue Mar 30, 2010 6:21am EDT
Related News
Turk president urges government caution on reforms
4:02am EDT
Turkey reforms give top brass over to civilian court
Mon, Mar 29 2010
UPDATE 2-Ukraine leader threatens to call snap election
Fri, Mar 26 2010
UPDATE 1-Turkish stocks ease from near record-high, lira firms
Fri, Mar 26 2010
Ukraine leader to call vote if coalition ruled illegal
Fri, Mar 26 2010
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul talks during a news conference after the Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan IV. Trilateral Summit Meeting in Istanbul, January 25, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Osman Orsal
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul warned his own supporters in government to be careful on Tuesday as they sent to parliament a bitterly disputed constitutional reform package that strikes at the heart of the secular elite.
World
The proposals to overhaul the judiciary, make the military accountable to civilian courts and make it harder to outlaw political parties challenged the country's nationalist establishment.
The ruling AK party, whose roots lie in political Islam, says the changes are needed to strengthen Turkey's democracy and support its bid to become a member of the European Union.
But Gul, who was an AK Party member before his election by parliament in 2007, urged the government to tread cautiously.
"What's important is, constitutions are binding for everyone, and are long-term, top-level documents. It's very important that these changes be made in the best way. Caution and care should be taken for sure," he told journalists.
He was commenting on a revised proposal that would allow the armed forces chief and other top brass in the once untouchable military to be tried in the Supreme Court like cabinet ministers.
Stressing that these were draft proposals, Gul also said some appeared unrealistic, singling out a provision that would allow the president to appoint lay citizens to sit on the bench of the Constitutional Court.
The main measures will change the way judges are appointed, make it harder for courts to ban political parties, and allow military officers, including the chief of staff, to be tried in civilian, rather than, military courts.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has said he will seek a referendum on the constitutional changes if parliament fails to pass the amendments.
Critics say the AK Party, whose landslide victory in 2002 ended decades of rule by secular, nationalist parties, aims to cement its grip on power ahead of an election due by mid-2011.
POTENTIAL FOR CRISIS
The AK Party has a sizable parliamentary majority, but lacks the two-thirds needed to pass constitutional amendments, making a referendum more probable.
Lawmakers are unlikely to vote on the package before mid-April, as the proposals have to go through parliamentary scrutiny before a bill is finalized. Any referendum would probably be held two months later.
"We expect parliament to finish work on the reforms package within April," said Bekir Bozdag, a senior AK Party lawmaker.
Deniz Baykal, the leader of CHP, the largest opposition party, has warned that he will try to block the bill by asking the Constitutional Court to rule on the legality of the proposals.
Last week, senior judges spoke out against the planned changes, prompting ministers to accuse them of sounding like opposition politicians.
Opinion polls have shown the government has public backing for changing a charter that was written by a military government in 1982, two years after a coup.
Investors in Turkey are uneasy over the prospect of a full blown political crisis developing, but have largely held their nerve while watching developments unfold.
One of their biggest concerns is that the chief state prosecutor may launch a fresh attempt to ban the AK Party, having tried and failed two years ago.
The prosecutor had accused the party of being a focal point of Islamist activity in violation of Turkey's secular constitution. In a narrow, split decision the Constitutional Court chose to fine the ruling party rather than ban it.
Under the proposed reforms a parliamentary commission would have to approve any future attempt to ban a party.
Another proposal would enlarge the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, which oversees court appointments, from seven to 21, with a third of the board members chosen by parliament.
The government also wants to overhaul the Constitutional Court, with responsibility for appointment of judges passing mainly to the president.
(Additional reporting by Selcuk Gokoluk and Pinar Aydinli, editing by Paul Taylor)
World
Add a Comment
More from Reuters
Consumers, house prices bolster recovery hopes
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence rebounded in March while a closely watched housing index showed home prices rose in January for the eighth straight month, bolstering hopes for a sustainable economic recovery. | Video
Obama signs package of final healthcare changes
In mobile tech war, LTE haunts WiMax again
Toyota safety probe taps rocket scientists
G8 ministers to call for stronger Iran measures
| Video
Putin orders Moscow bombers "scraped from sewers"
| Video
» More Top News
"Silent war" spills into Moscow
It began as a grassroots separatist movement, but the insurgency in the North Caucasus has mutated into a campaign for holy war against Russia. Full Article
Moscow mourns, toll rises
Scenarios: Potential fallout from attacks
Russia
Special Report:
Genes and the future of medicine
It sounds Orwellian, but volunteers are lining up to donate their DNA to a vast experiment that will track them to the grave. Reuters delves into the world of genomics and the hunt for the "dark matter" of the genome. Full Article
Factbox: Companies ride genome wave
Factbox: Diagnostic tests get personal
Healthcare
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 Iraq panel says to appeal six election results
Female suicide bombers kill 38 on Moscow metro
Merkel tells Turkey EU talks 'open-ended'
US clears Cisco-Tandberg deal
Undersea volcano threatens southern Italy: report
US-TECH Summary
Pirates seize Somalia-bound ships, others rescued
|
Greece nets five billion euros on lower rates after EU aid plan
BBC bows to newspaper concerns, delays mobile apps
US government to sell stake in Citigroup
Obama Appointment Of Union Lawyer To Labor Board Ires Business, Pleases Unions
SWAT Team Quells Seattle Jail Disturbance
"Godmother Of Civil Rights Movement" Dorothy Height Remains Hospitalized
Arctic talks open amid protests
Consumer Spending Rises For Fifth Straight Month
Nine Christian militia members charged in anti-government plot
Militia Suspects Charged With Conspiracy
Chloe Sevigny Claims Awful Comments About Big Love Were Misunderstood
Turkey presses US to stop 'genocide' resolution
"Glee" Spring Premiere To Air At Special Time
Cuban hunger striker rejects Spanish offer
|
Arctic states meet over resources, military concerns
"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" Friday Night Hit For ABC
Conservationists Blast Obama Recess Appointment Of Chief Ag Negotiator
Berlusconi struggles with apathy in regional vote
|
Nigerian boat hijacked off Cameroon coast
|
Zimbabwe parties miss Zuma's talks deadline
|
BBC bows to newspaper concerns, delays mobile apps
|
Myanmar opposition party to boycott elections
No sounds of life in sunken S.Korea warship
DreamWorks Animation's "Dragon" opening disappoints
SKorean defense min: Warship may have struck mine
Tribeca festival to close with "Freakonomics" film
U.S., India finish nuclear reprocessing arrangements
London's Ballet Black wants to take success abroad
No communication from 153 trapped in China mine
Thai PM offers to dissolve parliament by year end
Pippi Longstocking author's life 'to become film'
Pakistan court orders govt to reopen graft cases
Chinese rescuers battle to save 153 trapped miners
Ericsson lands contracts worth $1.8 bln in China
S.Korea government bonds plunge as stocks steady
Japan automaker production surges in February
Taiwan, China set trade talks for this week
China's Sinopec profit more than doubles in 2009
DreamWorks Animation's Dragon opening disappoints
|
Revival of Helen Keller play closes on Broadway
|
Tribeca festival to close with Freakonomics film
|
Think You Can Dance adds all-stars from past
|
Alvin and Chipmunks still squeaking 50 years on
|
MTV Movie Awards adds global superstar category
|
London's Ballet Black wants to take success abroad
|
Dragon knocks Alice off top box office perch
|
Afghan offensive in Kandahar to begin in June: US
Much-awaited Apple iPad hits US on Saturday
G8 announces Afghanistan-Pakistan economic 'initiative'
Progress 'too slow' in Afghanistan: Obama
Twitter's heady rise has Venezuela's Hugo Chavez in spin
Clinton makes pledge on genocide resolution
Microsoft hurries out patch for Internet Explorer hole
Israel restricts access to Al-Aqsa mosque
G8 ministers call for strong measures against Iran
|
Ford Selling Volvo To Chinese Firm
"So You Think You Can Dance" Sees Big Changes For Upcoming Seventh Season
Suicide bombers kill at least 38 in Moscow subway
|
'American Idol' Owner CKX Inc. Up For Sale, JP Morgan Interested
Mummified Body Of Stabbing Suspect Found Inside Car
University Of Phoenix Operator, Apollo Group (APOL.O) Reports Q2 Earnings, Strong Revenue
Japan to extend sanctions against North Korea
|
Malaysia PM's bold economic model light on detail
|
U.S. Markets Finish Higher On Oil, Gold Stocks
Twitter's heady rise has Venezuela's Hugo Chavez in spin
|
Thai protesters say further talks with PM pointless
|
Hitmen kill 10 youths in Mexico's drug-hit north
|
Turkey reforms give top brass over to civilian court
|
SKorean president orders military on alert
Mass animal grave found at China zoo: state media
US and Vietnam sign nuclear energy agreement
Thailand's red protesters refuse more talks
Pentagon puts pressure on Hamid Karzai over corruption
Pakistani troops kill 10 militants in northwest
No communication from 153 trapped in China mine
Amnesty slams China for silence on execution toll
|
Quake-hit Haitians want jobs, schools, homes: survey
|
Apple may be working on iPhone for Verizon: report
|
Mixed reaction to Myanmar opposition party boycott
Race against clock to save China mine workers
BBC bows to newspaper concerns, delays mobile apps
|
Celebrities meet the parents in prank reality show
|
Just For Laughs fest books Cheech & Chong
|
Mummified Body Of Stabbing Suspect Found Inside Car
California Teen Sailor Nears Dangerous Cape Horn In Solo Circumnavigation Bid
Undersea Volcano Could Threaten Southern Italy With Tsunami
It's back to budget school for bank-wary Serbs
German women suffer pay gap despite 'Merkel bonus'
Divers refuse to abandon hope for missing S.Korean sailors
Michael Rosenfeld, co-founder of CAA, dies
Actress June Havoc dies at 97
Hotels, shopping malls come to S.Africa's new Soweto
One of Cannes's darlings scoops six prizes at Romanian awards
Turk president urges care on constitution reform
CERN scientists closer to understanding Big Bang
Iran agents free envoy kidnapped in Pakistan in 2008
Researchers: Depression Affects How Women With PMDD Respond To Stress, Pain
Will Smith Reportedly Locked In For 2 Independence Day Sequels
Latin pop icon Ricky Martin tells fans he is gay
Boy, 12, To Be Tried As Adult In Double-Murder Case
Jon Heder Leaves New Will Ferrell-Produced Sitcom
Blair makes UK comeback to help Labour face poll
|
Afghan offensive in Kandahar to begin in June: US
ABC Asking for $950,000 Ad Spot For Lost Finale
Iran nuclear drive in focus at G8 meet
Top U.S. military officer gets earful from Afghans
|
Authorities To Determine Identity Of Bodies Found In Car
Iran says rescues diplomat kidnapped in Pakistan
|
Sarkozy meets Obama after chiding US on dominance
Turk government sends reform package to parliament
|
Abu Dhabi sheikh, sovereign fund head, found dead
|
Clinton wants continued Canadian Afghan presence
SKorea on alert after ship hit by mysterious blast
Sold, raped and jailed, a girl faces Afghan justice
|
Afghan police say bomb kills 5 civilians in west
Google: Mobile services partially blocked in China
|
Thai protesters say further talks with PM pointless
Leaks reported at China mine days before flood
Families of 153 trapped Chinese miners fight for hope
|
South Florida Teen Beating Victim Still In Coma After Setback
SKorea summons Japanese envoy over island dispute
Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty To Murder Plot Against Blacks, Obama
Iran says rescues diplomat kidnapped in Pakistan
Demi Lovato Films Greys Anatomy Guest Spot
SKorean president visits shipwreck; diver dies
Mt. Shasta Climber Rescued; Second Man Remains Missing
Thailand extends strict security law
Pakistan: Troops kill 30 alleged militants in NW
Mixed reaction to Myanmar opposition party boycott
China's Geely to put $900 million more into Volvo
Pakistani stocks edge up; rupee eases vs dollar
McDonald's opens Hamburger Univ. in Shanghai
Taiwan computer firms to launch tablet PCs
McDonald's opens Hamburger Univ. Shanghai
S.Korea ex-forex official to be presidential aide
UDPATE 1-S.Korea manufacturer confidence at 7-yr high
S.Korea long-dated bonds fall on stocks, BOK report
Pakistan targets 460 bln rupees in T-bill auctions
CERN scientists closer to understanding Big Bang
|
S.Korea c.bank board unanimous on Feb rate hold
Google: Mobile services partially blocked in China
|
Facebook veterans in venture capital spotlight
|
Coal fuels much of Internet cloud, says Greenpeace
|
Twitter's heady rise has Venezuela's Hugo Chavez in spin
|
Just For Laughs fest books Cheech & Chong
Nanny McPhee rides to top of UK box office
Celebrities meet the parents in prank reality show
Just For Laughs fest books Cheech & Chong
"Miami Medical" suffers from anemic storytelling
Latin singer Ricky Martin says he is gay
Latin singer Ricky Martin says he is gay
|
Titans Worthington fights his way to film stardom
|
Actress June Havoc dies at 97
|
Michael Rosenfeld, co-founder of CAA, dies
|
Alvin and Chipmunks still squeaking 50 years on
|
Miami Medical suffers from anemic storytelling
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights