South Asia and Beyond

‘Despite Our Humanitarian Aid, We Should Not Expect Any Change In Turkey’s Position On India-Pakistan Issues’

 ‘Despite Our Humanitarian Aid, We Should Not Expect  Any Change In Turkey’s Position On India-Pakistan Issues’
What could be the political fallout of the earthquake for President Erdogan? Also, how do you feel his imposition of a ‘state of emergency’ will be viewed in the country? The fall-out cannot be positive as people in the earthquake affected region, which is fairly large, feel that the government has been slow in providing relief. One strong criticism is that he did not immediately order the army to undertake relief operations. He has acknowledged the criticism about delay in providing relief as soon as the earthquake struck but explained the suddenness and the intensity of the crisis, the large area involved, the difficulty to gain access to the stricken areas because of the damage to roads and airports etc. as reasons. All this may have some merit but the suffering people look for immediate help by the authorities, not explanations from the government. This is inhuman when people are out in the open in freezing temperatures and time is of the essence to save lives. He did not however explain why he did not visit the affected areas immediately. Opposition leaders preceded him in this. The earthquake has created an emergency situation in the country no doubt as ten provinces are affected and exceptional efforts have to be made to provide relief and prevent looting and unrest. If the declaration of emergency is politically misused as the country moves towards elections that would be a problem....Read More

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