BY HASAN CELAL GUZEL
RADIKAL)- Firstly, I would like to share my sincere observations about the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK):
1. The Turkish army is the apple of the nation's eye and the most prestigious institution of the state, and the Turkey loves its soldiers very much.
2. Our nation has the understanding and foresight to distinguish between soldiers who favor coups and soldiers who carry out their duty to protect their country. Our nation wouldn't consider the latter responsible for the illegal acts and despotism of pro-coup soldiers.
3. Our nation has embraced the Turkish army, in particular the chief of General Staff.
4. Turkey's region and current domestic conditions increase the importance of its national defense and safety, and the need for a strong army for the dangers it faces is being gradually felt. Actually, solving our problems is impossible without a diplomacy backed by armed force.
On the other hand, over the last half-century, the important problem for Turkey was that we haven't firmly established a democratic regime. During this period, our regime was interrupted by coups, and Turkey lost a great deal as a result. In other words,
1. Turkish democracy stayed limited. This situation damaged our image on the international stage and put our diplomacy in a difficult position.
2. Turkey's economic progress was interrupted and we faced economic crises. In addition, the power vacuum during the intermediate regimes caused an increase in corruption.
3. Turkey was deprived of a stable political structure.
So we want both: We can give up neither our army, the greatest protector of our existence, nor our democracy, which is the manifestation of human rights and freedoms, the national will and the sovereignty of our nation. We need the democratic regime, but on the other hand, we also need a strong army in the service of our national will, in accordance with the rules of this regime. Our democracy should be remade with this understanding. Towards this end:
1. A new constitution should be drawn up. It should deal with the TSK in an unambiguous way.
2. Through the enactment of judicial reforms, we should enable that judges and public prosecutors act independently and impartially.
3. The TSK's senior members shouldn't go outside of their duty of defense.
4. Intellectuals should abandon their double standards, and the media should stop trumpeting anti-democratic coups.
5. Political parties should give up their habit of using the military as a political tool and taking advantage of coups.
6. Politicians shouldn't create a tension in the political atmosphere with irresponsible remarks and demagogic positions.