BY ZEYNEP GURCANLI
STAR- What does the military think about Turkey’s European Union membership bid? This has long been one of European politicians’ and diplomats’ favorite questions about Turkey.
According to recent General Staff statements, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) fully supports Ankara’s EU membership bid in line with Kemalist ideology. However, the top soldiers have many ‘but’s on this issue.
Two days ago, Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug said some important things about the EU Commission’s recent report on Turkey, giving key clues into the TSK’s stance on Ankara’s EU aspirations.
‘In the EU Commission’s recommendation, the word ‘minority’ is used fully 69 times,’ said Gen. Basbug, implying that the EU encourages separatist groups. ‘Yes to individual cultural rights, but group rights aren’t acceptable,’ he added. Basbug called on European diplomats, who contend that Ankara misinterprets the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne, to examine the deliberations leading to the pact. ‘If you look at these, you can clearly see how Turkey defines minorities,’ he remarked.
Basbug’s second reservation is on the TSK’s position within the state hierarchy. In his opinion, the reason why the TSK is affiliated with the Office of the Prime Minister instead of the Defense Ministry is Turkey’s unique geopolitical location. ‘Europe should understand why this is so; every country has its own specific regulations on security matters in line with its national interests,’ he said.
His third reservation concerns the definition of the TSK’s mission. Gen. Basbug underlined that most EU countries have provisions defining the mission of their armed forces as ‘protecting the country against any and all threats.’ ‘Therefore, our armed forces will take necessary action if the nation feels threatened,’ he added.
Another important issue for our generals is the latest developments in the Iraqi province of Kirkuk. ‘Turkey favors diplomatic attempts to resolve Kirkuk’s problems,’ the general stated.
The last issue he underlined was that the TSK currently has no plans to either shorten the period of obligatory military service or introduce a paid military service system.