Comment

Mr. Kinzer claims that a truly democratic Turkey

by Dogan YILMAZ

In his book, "Crescent & Star: Turkey Between the Two Worlds", Stephen Kinzer describes Turkey as a country on the verge of breaking its shell to become one of the leading nations in the world as a first secular, truly democratic, Muslim country.  The Book's publishing time is remarkable in the sense that it coincided with the terrible attacks of September 11 on the US; a time when importance of advocating establishments of truly democratic, transparent governments in the Middle East Region has never been felt more.  Mr. Kinzer claims that a truly democratic Turkey would be a role model for other Muslim countries, and it is in the West's best interest to be supportive in Turkey's struggle to become that role model.

Mr. Kinzer identifies events, institutions, conflicts, and taboos that prevent Turkey to become a truly democratic nation while describing it's cultural riches and ethnic diversity in a very passionate way, and almost pleads with us, the Turkish people, to overcome these hurdles to take Turkey to the place it deserves in the international community.

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About Dogan YILMAZ

Dogan YILMAZ has been living in the US since 1994.  He is currently employed by The Bank of New York, and work as Relationship Manager covering Turkey in the International Banking Sector.  His expertise is International Finance, and his interests and hobbies are World Politics and Economics, Reading, Traveling,  Model Airplanes and Fishing.

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