It is convincing to see for the future of Turkeys' secular democracy that the military still finds its' responsibility to protect reforms made by Ataturk. It is good to see that the military is loyal to these reforms. It is a warm feeling that the military will intervene, should "democraratically" elected would wish to turn Ataturk's Turkey to todays Iran.

O. Anit, Enschede, The Netherlands

An Islamist majority in parliament, as well as an Islamist President will bring an end to the seemingly moderate appearance of AK Party. A one party government is of course preferable to any coalition, but please do not confuse one party politics with honesty and competence. At present a win-win situation does not present itself: A coalition is a return to petty squabbling and indecisiveness. A coup upsets all social and economic stability. Islamists having control over all aspects of government, and thus of life, is a horror unimaginable to any Turkish citizen, who has any respect for his/her history, independence, and most importantly civil rights. If citizens of the EU seem to think that democracy is indeed more essential than an individuals right to life and liberty then I can only assume that they have never had to face the loss of these very rights and liberties. The knowledge that the military will protect this way of life is a source of comfort in these troubled times.

Nicole Kassas, Ankara, Turkıey

The greatest meetings Turkey ever seen for the last 50 years are the last warnings for pseudo-democratic islamist conservatists of Turkey. It is very clear that ordinary Turkish citizen demand the right to be an equal and independent member of the global community, not accepting the model role of the domestic islamic pet of Europe and to be milked dry by EU. As it is stated by the founders of this republic, "independence is my character", shoted the millions.

Sahin, Istanbul, Turkey

Francois,
I would like to see what you will feel if your country's democratically elected governent is threatened by the army.

Betul, Istanbul/Turkey,

3 million people gather in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey, amid a row over a presidential vote.But Abdullah Gül don't understand us.Still he insist on.

ekoloji, Ankara, Turkey

We should all endorse the Turkish military in its warning. A constitutional democracy which guarantees a separation between religious 'authority' and the apparatus of the state is itself violated and subverted when religious fanatics threaten to religify it. Hurrah for the Turkish military for remaining vigilant in its role as custodian of this fine Turkish tradition. The only majority islamic nation in the world whose gouvernment has not yet been perverted by barbarous rightwing islamic theocrats.

Francois, London, UK

I don't believe that many people live and enjoy the democracy and freedom in Europe and still suppor for a military intervention in politics. Shame on them! As long as they enjoy those values, who cares about the rights of the individuals in Turkey. I totally am against the military solution for everyday politics. I have at least same rights as any person living in Europe.

Yunus Isildar, Ankara, Turkey

I believe Turkish people needs democracy like any ordinary people in Europe. Hence, the European politicians or any powers in the world should not back up the Military. The sole purpose of any military power is to protect that country for a foreign invation or foreign threat. It would be ridiculous to think that the present AK Party is a threat. Anyone who is watching what is happening in Turkey for the last five years can see nothing but the development in economy, law, reforms etc. As a Turkish citizen we used to fed up with hyper inflation for decades, however, the inflation figure came down to one digit for the last few years. In brief, there is absolutly nothing that can justify for this military intervention in democracy in Turkey.

Yunus Isildar, Ankara, Turkey

It is imperative for the western hemisphere to understand the Turkish constitutional framework. The Turkish Armed Forces are legally authorised and infact, under an obligation to safeguard the constitutional principles and legal traditions of the Republic in accordance with article 35 of its 1961 Internal Service Act. Secular democracy is an indispensable principle and pillar of modern Turkey and fundemental rights and freedoms therein. In state governance, there is no room for moderate islamism or any other religion in whatever form or shape it may take. Such view of the Army has an overwhelming support among the Turkish public. In fact, the islamist government was elected by merely 25% of the electoral roll, gaining 66% of the Parliament. And yet, the Army currently represents more than 75% of the public opinion.

Mete Erdem, London, London

The recent declaration of the General Staff is not supported by many Turkish citizens, who believe that the democracy helps Turkey be a powerful nation, as it once was.

Some Turkish media mistakingly assume that anyone didn't vote for AKP is against the presidency of Mr. Gul. There are a lot of people, whose voices not spoken who are happy or at least consent with Mr. Gul's name as Turkey's 11th president.

Reading many journalist defending the acts of CHP, thus resisting the presidency of Mr. Gul, I can sadly see there are a lot of manipulation and disinformation going on, whereas more dangerous than that is some effective people, though few in number, are trying to provoke the armed forces and the public opinion.

As a T.C. citizen who have never voted for AKP, I am ashamed of what is currently happening in my country, and believe the Army have nothing to do with politics, but should better get ready for a coming war in Middle East.

Alan, London, U.K.

Why cant Turkey,a Muslim country cannot freely elect a President with an Islamic past from a political party who since its been in office has restored calm to past political and economic turmoil, taken a stance against corruption and social problems and brought much needed clarity to foreign policy.Compared to prime ministers of last couple of decades Mr Erdogan has been a breath of fresh air,he and his government is the only solution to Turkeys huge problems and the polls reflect that,all the other opposition parties were trounced in the last elections due to their inept and corrupt ways and if there was an election tommorrow Mr Erdogans AK party would take office with an even biggers margin.
So what is the problem?
The problem is that corruption runs deep and the self interest of the corrupt is in danger not secularism.
They have made Ataturk King and Prophet of the country and put themselves in charge of protecting this creation of self interest and generous ego.

y.nasuh, southport,

The view of Europe has to be the rule.. Democracy has the word! Nobody can change the opinion of Mr. Gul and others.. Turkey is an Islamic country sooo isn't it normal to be a woman with headscarf.. In Europe isn't it a great problem and it would be also in Turkey so!
The Ottomans would be come back..
Everyone is waking up..
Go Turkey nobody can hold you!!

Ilayda, Brussel, Belgium

throughout the period when Justice and Development Party has been in power, Turkish Republic is faced with a danger of upbreaking owing to this ruling party's imprudent policy both inside and outside. In other words, this party encouraged the people who have divisive purposes over the integrity of Turkish Republic. From my point of view, it is a timely warning against some politicians by military forces. Never forget that Turkish Republic will exist for ever thanks to people who are the loyal pursuiters of Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK's main tenets.

Kağan, boston, massachusetts

Well said Bijou.

Betul, Istanbul/Turkey,

Before MR.Gul becomes the president of Turkey,his wife must explain; what she is trying to hide by covering her head.Worrying times for Turkey because as a first lady she will have influence in Turkish society.We never thought this day will come.This man has to be stopped becoming the president.

Kadir Cananoglu, Cranleigh/Surrey, England

It is not a democracy but army shadowed dictatorship. On the other hand, yes it is as long as you vote the republicant party.

Ismail Basaran, southampton, UK

Turkish Military is supported by the Turkish citizens without any doubt, their aim is to protect our country becoming as Iran is now..

Deniz, istanbul,

It is an unconceivable act of defiance by a third world mentality corps of officers who are in total comptent of their elected "bosses",the Turkish Parliament.
The EU must make them understand in ne mean terms that the Democratic Procedures in Turkey are to be respected and any forcefull change imposed on that nation's political choices by armed black mail, will not be rewarded by "business as usual" by the EU as a whole as well as by indivdual member states.
In a recent visit to Turkey, I was amazed by a remark from a turkish friend that "he could not forgive (our) Queen for having hosted the butcher of Ankara, Gen.Kenan Evren who had executed minors by increasing their age at kangooroo courts. When asked why did he do it, he replied "what do you want us to do, look after them for ever by not hanging them?"
The primitive Turkish army is been tested on democracy; so is the EU and the UK. We must show our side in the most un-eqivocable way by suporting the Parliament&the Democracy.

Alan D. DALE, London,

This is not about secularism, it is about maintaning status quo (self interest). The ruling AK Party has done absolutely nothing in the past five years that would undermine the Republic's secular principles. The battle is between the old guard (secular elite) and reformist AKP, which is trying to create a productive society with a competitive economy. It has subcribed open economy macroeconomics and EU integration. PM Erdogan's party's mistake is to take honey jar away from the CHP and generals who have been licking it. Will Washington and Brussels allow the military to hand over control a bunch of corrupt politicians like it did in 1997?

Bijou, London, UK

This is not about secularism, it is about maintaning status quo (self interest). The ruling AK Party has done absolutely nothing in the past five years that would undermine the Republic's secular principles. The battle is between the old guard (secular elite) and reformist AKP, which is trying to create a productive society with a competitive economy. It has subcribed open economy macroeconomics and EU integration. PM Erdogan's party's mistake is to take honey jar away from the CHP and generals who have been licking it. Will Washington and Brussels allow the military to hand over control a bunch of corrupt politicians like it did in 1997?

Bijou, London, UK

As it has been said by Mr.Unver, there is no economic achievements of the present AKP government, the only factor that save them was the global economic situation and the extremely high liqidity of money that pour in to the Turkish economic systen via Stock exchange (which brings around 50% net income per year) and the govenment stocks with fixed interest (min 20%) and investing in different areas.
Also, the last coalition government just before AKP, has seeded extremely important econmic measures and it was encountered by European economists and political science speacialists as " Political Suicide". AKP has just gathered the fruits of those measures and unbeliavably luck.

In regards to protectiong, secular republic and the democtaric life for Turkish public, The Army is the responsible and the last castle of this mission. AKP is obviously using the benefits of DMOCRACY to reach the targets, such as, replacing the system with ISLAMIC REPUBLIC and dictationg the SUNNI life sytle.

Ahmet L. , Melbourne, Australia

Turkey will never become an Islamic country. Turkey won't be a part of Greater Middle East Project of USA, too. Today, all Turkish people saw that current prime minister and his party want democracy just to attain their different regime goal. We support our military that is always defender of our secular regime and independence.

Metin Kargaci, istanbul, Turkey

The economic achievements of AKP are obvious and commendable. However, the erosion of secularism in Turkey, aided and abetted by the AKP is totally unacceptable.

Mr. Gul is a very able and decent politician, and would probably make a good President but his wife makes it impossible for him to become the President, in my opinion. Turks deserve to have a President that is a committed secularist and not an Islamist. The principles of the Turkish Republic would be weakened by an Islamist President and 1st Lady and is contrary to the very foundation of the Republic and an insult to the memory of the Greatest Turk ever, Ataturk.

The military are totally justified to take whatever measures necessary to ensure that a suitable pro-Western, Kemalist, secular and democratic President is found. The job deserves someone who is Turkish first and Islamic second, and not the other way round.

Unver Rustem, London, UK

Turkey will never become an Islamic country, We support our military. This doesn't mean that democracy doesn't work in Turkey. Because Islamists use democracy as a way to attain their Islamic regime goal. Turkish people and military are against a religional country. We won't be a part of Greater Middle East Project of USA, too. We are against imperialism. Here is a democratic, secular and modern country and will be so forever.

Metin Kargaci, istanbul, Turkey