ANKARA - Land Forces Commander General Aytac Yalman said, ''Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is not only the guaranty of the Republic, but also the guaranty of democracy.''
Yalman replied to questions of reporters at a reception which was held on Saturday to mark the August 30 Victory Day.
Upon a question, Yalman said that national income was 2.580 U.S. dollars per capita in Turkey and stated that small part of the country lived in the 21st century, while the other part lived in the 20th and 19th century in Turkey.
''Is there any other country in the world such Turkey which is governed by democracy? It is thanks to TSK. Everyone should know it. I mean TSK is not only the guaranty of the Republic, but also the guaranty of democracy,'' he stated.
Yalman said that he hoped that no one would make politics through TSK and stated that some circles' efforts to wear out TSK became a reflex of protecting itself in TSK. He added that TSK became more powerful due to those efforts.
Asked whether there was any difference of opinion in TSK, Yalman said, ''there is no difference between things which have been said recently and things we say now. TSK is a whole. All of us think the same things. There is a monist structure in TSK. We will continue to serve within this wholeness. No one should have doubt about it.''
Stating that 88 percent of people have confidence in TSK according to public surveys, Yalman said that it was impossible to get TSK out of people. He added that TSK was not an obstacle in front of democratization, but it was an institution paving the way for democratization.
Upon a question on Turkey's accession to the European Union (EU), Yalman said that politics should be on the platform of the EU countries and stated, ''if a definite consensus is wanted to be formed in Turkey, politics should be on the platform of EU countries. Politics should not be on the axis of religion or race. If those things are ensured, a sound consensus and atmosphere of confidence will be settled in Turkey.''
(EÖ-AY) 31.08.2003