Turkish Military Chiefs Resign in Protest
Promotions for Alledged Coup Plotters Questioned by Ruling Party
Behind the scenes discord between the Turkish military and the civilian government of Prime Minister Erdogan erupted into public view today as the senior leaders of the Turkish military resigned en masse. Tensions have been growing between the two since several high ranking officers were arrested by the civilian authorities and charged with plotting a coup.
According to Today's Zaman at least 195 current and retired members of the military have been charged in a conspiracy that the police believe began in 2003. A meeting in the next few days between the military and the civilian government was to have approved this year's promotions list. That list, provided by the military, included promotions for a number of officers charged in the coup plot.
The Turkish military has intervened in civilian government on several occasions. It has always maintained that it is the guardian of the secular republic founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemel. The CIA lists four coups since 1960 with the last being in 1997. The 1997 intervention was in response to the election of an Islamist government.
The resignations also come against the ruling party's determination to adopt a new constitution for the country, the on-going crisis in Cyprus, the continued ban on the Kurdish political party for ties to militants and worsening relations with Israel over the deaths of Turkish nationals during an attempt to run the Gaza naval blockade. The coup accusations against the military are coupled with the jailing of opposition members of Parliament. The U.S. State Department states "the need for judicial reform and confirmation of its independence are subjects of open debate".
The Turkish military has gradually emerged internationally with a variety of missions. The Turkish Navy is engaged in anti-piracy efforts off Somalia. The Turkish Army is training Afghan soldiers as well as providing troops for the NATO effort in Afghanistan. The Army is also participating the the European peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.
According to Today's Zaman at least 195 current and retired members of the military have been charged in a conspiracy that the police believe began in 2003. A meeting in the next few days between the military and the civilian government was to have approved this year's promotions list. That list, provided by the military, included promotions for a number of officers charged in the coup plot.
The Turkish military has intervened in civilian government on several occasions. It has always maintained that it is the guardian of the secular republic founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemel. The CIA lists four coups since 1960 with the last being in 1997. The 1997 intervention was in response to the election of an Islamist government.
The resignations also come against the ruling party's determination to adopt a new constitution for the country, the on-going crisis in Cyprus, the continued ban on the Kurdish political party for ties to militants and worsening relations with Israel over the deaths of Turkish nationals during an attempt to run the Gaza naval blockade. The coup accusations against the military are coupled with the jailing of opposition members of Parliament. The U.S. State Department states "the need for judicial reform and confirmation of its independence are subjects of open debate".
The Turkish military has gradually emerged internationally with a variety of missions. The Turkish Navy is engaged in anti-piracy efforts off Somalia. The Turkish Army is training Afghan soldiers as well as providing troops for the NATO effort in Afghanistan. The Army is also participating the the European peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.
Published by Charles Simmins
Charles Simmins is a native Western New Yorker with nearly thirty years of experience at senior level accounting positions in non-profit and for profit organizations. He was a volunteer firefighter, and a vo... View profile
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