Turkey and her Army

Anyone familiar with Turkey is aware of the tremendous leap forward made on democratic reforms over the course of the last decade. These reforms have also included the area of civilian control of the military. Yet anyone who looked at newspaper headlines over the past few days would undoubtedly realize that civilian/military relations still remain a problem area.

“States have an army; the Turkish Army has a state” is a saying heard in the corridors of Ankara to emphasize the weight of the military over the state.

The military’s prevailing position in Turkey started to be challenged nearly two decades ago, due to the European Union accession process. Unwilling to give up its privileged position, the military resisted change at all levels. But while the army showed resistance, change took place rather smoothly, especially when compared to the current situation.

The advance of the Justice and Development Party, or AKP, to the government has brought this confrontation to the surface. Yet it is fair to say that the confrontation has also taken on a different nature.

While previous initiatives about the military were justified by the need to adapt to a democratic standard, the ruling AKP’s initiatives are not perceived by the army as motivated by an urge for further democratizing civilian/military relations. The military feels directly threatened by the government. For the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic, active-duty officers have been accused of wrongdoing. That is why the Supreme Military Council, or YAŞ, that started Sunday has become so important.

The situation of 11 generals and admirals charged in an alleged coup plot who are scheduled to receive promotions at YAŞ has become a new source of tension. The senior army commanders are among 102 suspects for whom a Turkish court recently issued an arrest warrant as part of the “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) investigation, something that could throw an unprecedented wrench into the internal workings of the military.

The fact that some of the generals suspected in the purported coup plot have shown outstanding performances in fighting terror does not justify their alleged wrongdoing. But everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

We at the Daily News believe the Turkish military should be under civilian control just as it is in any democracy. It would be rather naive to expect this process to be completed without any complication. Yet this process should not take the form of a vendetta. The army should be fully transparent and open to clear itself from any accusation while the government should show every sensitivity to avoid intentionally tarnishing the image of an institution that is an important pillar of any state. We hope the days when the Supreme Military Council is just a routine meeting are not far away.

Hurriyet