Military Transition

BY FIKRET BILA
MILLIYET- Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the transition process in Turkey’s military. A summary of his column is as follows:
Naturally, in addition to civil arrangements, Turkey is making military arrangements in its process of harmonization to the European Union. The Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) new arrangements are the natural result of this process. The TSK has no hesitation concerning Ankara’s EU membership goal. The TSK, with its constructive stance towards the EU harmonization process, is also preparing arrangements concerning it. The National Security Council (NSC) is one example for this. Keeping the NSC Secretariat-General military for one more year as a transition for the establishment of a new model is only realistic.
If the NSC Secretariat-General becomes a civilian post, such questions as what position a general, a lieutenant general, two major generals and other military personnel should take in this body need to be addressed. In this one-year period, arrangements will be made and steps for the operation of civilian mechanisms will be laid out. In addition, this weekend’s Supreme Military Council (YAS) meetings took place before the laws had been fully enacted, which will be another factor in the transition period.
In this one year, the TSK might also take steps to harmonize the EU and NATO. For example, NATO’s transfer of the Southeastern European Land Forces Command or other steps required by decisions which might influence the TSK... Likewise, the TSK might disband the Aegean Army next year and reorganize these troops under the First Army umbrella. Such an arrangement might be considered a gesture towards Greece.
The TSK is continuing its work of revamping and restructuring itself according to the shifting situation. Its skill at deployment, technology and restructuring will enhance the TSK’s importance in the region. Therefore, relations between the government and the army should be carried out in mutual harmonization.