Turkse geheime dienst bewaakt EU-gezinde burgers (en)

Turkey is in turmoil following a newspaper report exposing the fact that the Turkish army's secret service had called for information to be gathered on those who are showing "separatist" tendencies.

The Hürriyet newspaper ran an article on Wednesday (10 March) saying that the military was advised to look particularly for those who support the EU and the US, as well as minority groups.

Turkish Land Forces Command (KKK) sent a letter to military centres and local governors in January asking them to collect information on certain minorities and groups in the society who carry out "divisive and destructive activities" in Turkey.

The KKK also asked local governors and the military centres to include authors and writers and philosophical groups who may be working against Turkey.

Among the people who should be put in the intelligence report are those that are pro-EU and pro-US, people who see themselves being above and beyond national values, reported Hurriyet.

The ethnic minority groups include Roma, Bosnians and Albanians. Other people to be watched include satanists, sympathisers with the Klu Klux Klan and those involved in internet groups.

The military has confirmed the newspaper's reports saying that it was legally entitled to do as they did but conceded that parts of the plan must be changed.

Human rights groups and civil societies have reacted angrily to the news.

Talking to Turkish Daily News, Husnu Ondul, president of the Human Rights Association (IHD), said that military directives like this have no place in a democracy.

"This way of seeing citizens as potential enemies is only seen in the militarist-autocratic systems. These kind of acts are planned and committed by a sector of the state that aims to halt the rapid democratisation process taking place within the society and the state", said Mr Ondul.

Turkey is hoping to become a member of the EU. A crucial report due out in October this year will assess whether the country has reached the political criteria required for EU membership.

On the basis of this report, EU leaders will decide whether membership negotiations will be opened with Ankara.