A Turkish Delight
by Hassan Elsawaf

It is often claimed that some societies deserve the type of government they have. Over the years, challenging the Egyptian version of that theory always falls flat on its face on the exasperating assumption that never do we see a collective movement demanding an end to tyranny and an injection of some form of workable political system. People are mystified that it can be done in the Ukraine and Lebanon, even in Myanmar and Liberia, while Egyptians languish indolently awaiting a bolt of lightning or a new prophet. Conveniently ignored in this cursory discussion is the presence of much pressure within Egyptian society for change, crushed relentlessly by an entrenched machine whose sole job is to deflect any power challenge.

Egypt does possess the ingredients needed for a transformation to a better way of life. The problem is whenever a sign of change emerges it is immediately destroyed.

What would it take for a movement to make its mark? Can one envisage a concerted campaign by liberal, open-minded individuals, capable of garnering the momentum needed to make a difference?

An example we might use to find an answer is Turkey in the shape of its talented novelist Orhan Pamuk. The man has gone out on a limb and dared to challenge the establishment through two great novels, dealing with recent Turkish history and Turkey's place in Europe in a manner most evocative. He won a prize in Germany and has become a household name in Turkey. In February he made a statement drawing to attention the genocide of the Armenians during the final days of the Ottoman Empire in the GreatWar, as well as the thirty thousand Kurds killed in the 80's and the 90's. He was recently indicted and faces a threeyear prison sentence, charged with 'explicitly insulting' theTurkish state.

So far there is nothing unusual. Sedition is not a habit autocratic regimes readily tolerate. Punishment and setting examples are also regular ways of dealing with it.

What is new in this case is that Turkey no longer can afford such wayward behaviour. They want to join the E.U. without paying the price. They would like to reap the economic benefits of being a member in the organisation that now includes most of the European countries, but they would prefer to keep their dissidents under control and to make sure the old rules of autocratic control remain intact. The prosecutor of Mr. Pamuk is part of an establishment vying to be on equal footing with the likes of Austria and Britain. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way.You see, they don't put critics in prison in Austria or Britain. The Europeans are already apprehensive allowing the Turks in and many are waiting for a chance to stall the admission process, which will take a good ten years, barring caveats. When the Turks attempted to pass a law outlawing adultery, they were quickly forced to recant, facing the real possibility of permanent ejection from the club.

With Mr. Pamuk there is much pressure being applied on theTurkish government to grow up. That will probably result in the charges being eventually dropped ifTurkey is to maintain any serious hope of getting accepted.

The point, as you might well have surmised, is that, without external pressure, reformers stand no chance. Every country in the world has its Pamuks. They all try. Those who manage to make a difference in today's communications infested world usually have the backing of outside forces with the muscle to twist the arm of die-hard officers. As an Egyptian, I would really like my country to join the European Union. I am aware there's a slight geographical problem here, but can't we overlook that minor detail? I promise I'll be a good European and won't trouble you with any trade demands.