On 22 October 2002 the Turkish Attorney General instigated proceedings against four German political foundations operating in Turkey. They were accused under Article 171 of the Turkish criminal code of espionage, conspiracy and the undermining of the Turkish State.
The German Political Foundations (every major party has one!) are classic corporatist organisations allowing big business and others to buy political power but to do it under the disguise of funding “research”. These are overtly political organisations and cannot be compared with for instance the British Council (or the German equivalent, the Goethe Institute) which are cultural ambassadors.
So what are these organisations doing outside Germany? They are not just in Turkey but, by their own admission in 100 other countries of the world, actively pursuing their political agendas and in particular the agenda of the German State (which nowadays of course means “Europe” since the German State sees itself as the central power and leader of the EU!). They all admit (see below in their statement) that they are promoting the deepening and expansion of the European Union – even in those countries like, Mexico, Turkey and Brazil which are thousands of miles from the centre of Europe!
In Turkey these Foundations have made enemies, just as they have done recently in Ecuador, Brazil and Mexico, by promoting the power of the European Union and by promoting “ethnic groups” and “minority rights” inside other nation states. In Turkey the arrogance of the German State has met resistance and a criminal trial is under way – but not before the chief prosecution witness against the German Foundations was murdered!
The following is a combined statement by the four Foundations, denying any wrongdoing and explaining their role (with our comments in italics). The foundations are: The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Christian Democrat) The Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Social Democrat) the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (Free Democrat) and the Heinrich Boell Foundation (after the famous German author).
“The political foundations of Germany have been active for over 40 years in more than one hundred countries. In close co-operation with partner organisations in the host countries (no doubt to disguise their own involvement) they promote Democracy (the German State and the European Union have destroyed more democracies than any power in the history of the world!), economic development (is the German Government’s aid programme etc not enough?) social equality (insulting local politicians to accuse them of failure!) for the peaceful resolution of conflict (like the war against Yugoslavia we suppose) and for international co-operation.
In Turkey the German Foundations work with respected partner organisations in the field of social and political education in particular the promotion of Democracy and pluralism, the promotion of small businesses, the politics of the media and local government and questions of European integration (under German “protection” of course!).
In European countries and in countries which border Europe the Foundations promote ever-closer union of the host countries to the European Union (well at least a frank admission of imperial intent). They work under often-difficult political conditions especially where democracy and the rule of law have not been thoroughly established (not as hard as they have to work where they have been established as in theBritain!). Their activities are recognised by all democratic forces including the highest levels of the host states as constructive, integrative and promoting internal and external peace (not in Turkey, Brazil, Denmark, Belgium and many other countries which see German Europe’s promotion of regionalism as a threat to the integrity of their nation states. In Turkey the Foundations are accused of inter alia promoting Kurdish regionalism).
The Foundations fear that the legal action taken against them will harm the good relations between Germany and Turkey. In the light of the close networks of dialogue and co-operation with the political elites (sic!) of Europe and the recognised contribution of the German Foundations to the deepening and expansion of the European Union, this campaign against them will undoubtedly not go unheard in Europe. (a typical use by Germany of the threat of sanctions by their new European Empire. A similar German threat – to American trade with Europe – was made against the USA when Jewish former slave labourers started suing German companies in the USA). Reaction in Turkish politics and the media already shows that this anxiety is shared. (wishful thinking but an evident threat if the Turkish media do not “come round”!).
The political Foundations will follow further developments intently. In the spirit of their continued commitment to their long time Turkish partners they will continue their work in Turkey.”
END
It is remarkable that even in their defence, the aggression of the German political class cannot be hidden. Indeed their defence is more of an attack and with every line takes on a distinctly threatening note.
