BY MEHMET ALI KISLALI
RADIKAL- A new civil general secretary will soon be assigned to the National Security Council (NSC) in view of our harmonization with European Union laws. There are two ambassadors in the running for this post. Technically the degree of the change isn’t that large. But, as the post had been filled up to now by a high-level officer, this has facilitated his access to the General Staff and military relations vis-à-vis setting the meetings’ agendas. But from now on, such relations will be a bit more formal.
The impression made by the NSC shows us that the general secretary should be somebody who is a specialist in security issues, like a solider. But when we look closer, it’s clear that this can even be a diplomat versed in various matters.
When we look at the reasons for Ankara’s support for the EU’s demands about the NSC, we see things more clearly. A number of present and former members of the NSC don’t deny the anxiety of the civilian members about the presence of generals on the council. On the contrary, officials in a position to evaluate NSC conflicts say that the soldiers come to the meetings more prepared.
When we realize that the EU demands for change came about because of the appearance of the military dominating Turkey, the problem becomes solvable.
Foreign diplomats and colleagues always wonder why Turkish generals have more influence than do our politicians. However, the answer is easy: our politicians, albeit with some exceptions, are always concerned about the voters’ response at the next elections. But the military is free of this worry.
How will this situation, seen as strange and hard to understand by EU countries, ever change? Isn’t it possible that the most simple and realistic answer to the question is through reaching the level of more developed countries by further modernizing the civilian leadership? Otherwise, it’s clear that reducing the military’s influence won’t fulfill the public’s expectations.