Interview with Dr Mehmet Ali Dikerdem

Interview with Dr Mehmet Ali Dikerdem. [Sound recording] [Special Collections]

Summary

Dr Mehmet Ali Dikerdem interviewed by John Clements.

Part 1 – Dr Dikerdem shares his educational history, from leaving Turkey at 15 to accept a scholarship at Atlantic College in South Wales, to completing his PhD at Sussex University. Dr Dikerdem discusses politics of the Middle East, specifically Turkey and the conflict in the Gulf.

He talks about the tactics frequently used by fascist regimes to quell peace and democratic movements. Specifically, he talks at length about the challenges faced by peace activists and how the constant conflict in the region caused issues for a democratic parliament in Turkey. He explains the inhumane conditions in prison for peace activists in Turkey, including his own father.

Part 2 – Dr Dikerdem discusses trade in Turkey. Specifically, he talks about Turkey’s role as a major trade partner with Nazi Germany in the lead up to WWII, the relationships between Turkey and NATO trade countries and the internal mechanisms of trade in Turkey.

Dr Dikerdem talks about the arms race and black market weapons trade in relation to fascist regimes. He talks about the assimilation policies for Kurdish people in Turkey and briefly touches upon the Western presence in this conflict.

This interview was recorded in Dr Dikerdem's home in North London, England.

This sound recording is part of the John Clements Oral History Collection.

Item Type:	Special Collections
Collection:	John Clements Oral History Collection
Copyright:	© Estate of John Clements
Other Information:	This recording was originally made on a 5 inch (13 centimetre) reel to reel tape.
Notes:	2 digital files : 78 MB
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/54825

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