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MAY 30, 2005
Separating Mosque And State In "Iraq: One nation under Allah" (Economic Viewpoint, May 9), Professor Robert J. Barro gives Turkey's Shiite population as being at least 10% of the total country population, or approximately 7 million. There is in Turkey a comparable-size group -- maybe 7 million to 8 million -- non-Sunni Turks, but they are not Shiites. They are of a Muslim sect called "Alevis," and Alevis are not Shiites. There is no significant relationship between the two sects except maybe a few common beliefs regarding the fourth caliph Ali. Barro's conclusion, namely: "...the factors that favor a state religion will eventually generate an Islamic state in Turkey" is very difficult to agree with, even if there was not a strong political influence of Ataturk on today's Turkey. There is not a significant fundamental Islamic base in Turkey -- definitely not more than 5% to 7% of the population -- and Alevis are on the opposing side of that base. This belief, however false, is unfortunately building the source of the Turkish strategy of your country. We feel this change living in Turkey these days. Too bad for America: It will lose Turkey as a partner for good if this view prevails. Cemil Turun Istanbul "Iraq: One nation under Allah" revealed some important information on Iraq. However, as a Turkish citizen, I would like to write regarding Turkey. First, you are correct that Turkey is a secular and democratic country, and there is no official religion in the constitution. There are more than 10 active political parties in Turkey. I am afraid that your statement that "conceivably, the factors that favor a state religion will eventually generate an Islamic state in Turkey" is not realistic, given the nature of the country and social dynamics. In fact, it is as realistic as stating that "conceivably, Britain will rule in North America again." Second, you stated in the last paragraph: "Turkey can be a model for Iraq on how to separate church and state." I believe that you meant: "how to separate mosque and state." H. Kursad Devecioglu Brooklyn, N.Y. I am dismayed with the situation in Iraq. Democracy is being abused by the Shiites who want to form an Islamic government. Democracy does not equal freedom. In the words of a female ophthalmologist and colleague in Baghdad, "women were freer under Saddam Hussein's regime than they would be under a Shariah constitution or an Islamist government." All the Iraqis I met on my recent visit to Iraq told me they were freer to walk the streets during the Baathist regime than they are now. Democracy without some form of safeguard can bring about the opposite of its intent. Examples of safeguarded democracies pervade the Middle East: Algeria abrogated the election of Islamists by a military coup. In Turkey, the army safeguards the constitution, which prohibits nonsecular governments. In Jordan, the king safeguards the constitution even though Islamists are a majority in Parliament. Currently, the elections in Iraq are going to lead to chaos and may even result in civil war, because the Sunnis are disenfranchised. A prominent Iraqi minister told me: "The error the Americans made in Iraq was to hold the elections too soon." If we are to listen to him, we should be worried about the political future of Iraq. It is imperative to bring the Sunnis to the mainstream of power-sharing in Iraq. Heskel M. Haddad New York 
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