An Encouraging Development

Turks March Against Islamic Radicals

SELCAN HACAOGLU

Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey - Thousands of nationalist Turks marched in the capital Saturday, vowing to defend the secular regime against radical Islamic influences and urging the government not to make too many concessions in order to gain European Union membership.

Some 12,000 people from more than 100 pro-secular associations waved Turkish flags as they marched to the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. "Turkey is secular and it will remain secular," they chanted during a march broadcast live on television.

Turkey is predominantly Muslim but is governed by strict secular laws that separate religion and state. Many fear that if left unchecked, Islamic fundamentalism will lead to a theocracy like that in Iran under the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Radical Islam is not in control everywhere in the Muslim world. The policy of the US should be to develop friendships with those in the Muslim world who wish to turn back the tide of Islamism and practice the faith as truly intended.

Wars of agression in the Muslim world and the torture of detainees will not aid our cause.

GP