The Military’s Foreign Policy

BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the Turkish Armed Forces’ new stance on foreign policy. A summary of his column is as follows:
Statements made recently by high-ranking commanders of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) demonstrate that the General Staff’s stance on foreign policy has changed a great deal. Considering in particular the statements of Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and his deputy Gen. Yasar Buyukanit last week concerning international issues, the TSK now has a more distinct, independent and critical stance on foreign policy. The evaluations made previously by certain generals on certain issues had signalled the TSK’s new stance.
Basically the TSK’s views on relations with the West (including the US and European Union) agree with policies which have been followed for a long time now. Likewise, Gen. Buyukanit emphasized this issue in his remarks on the EU. In his statements dealing with NATO, Gen. Ozkok confirmed Turkey’s faith in this partnership. However, neither commander hesitated to express their doubts on the West about certain problems, to take a critical stance and to express their intention to follow a different policy.
In spite of Gen. Buyukanit’s statements about the TSK’s determination to help Turkey join the EU, his reservation about certain EU conditions were clear. In addition, yesterday Gen. Ozkok criticized the EU’s stance on the PKK-KADEK terrorist organization and even accused the West of supporting this group. Turkish military leaders have diverging opinions concerning the reforms which the EU expects Turkey to fulfill. The TSK’s top ranks are concerned that these legal changes will create a threat to Turkey’s territorial integrity and national unity. In other words, as Gen. Buyukanit stated, there is a difference of ‘perception of threat’ in these circles. Clearly this approach is at odds with the stance of the government and the diplomatic staff.
Western analysts were surprised at the TSK’s hesitation to promote solidarity with the US before the war in Iraq. Now some Americans say that they are unable to figure out the new approach of the Turkish military leadership, but their expectations are mistaken. As far as Gen. Buyukanit’s meaningful statements last week are concerned, we can say that the TSK is very sensitive about the US’ insistence and very disturbed about these kinds of pressures. All these issues show the TSK’s new stance on foreign policy.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION