news.am, Armenia
Aug 6 2011

Infightings in Turkey useful for Armenia – expert

August 06, 2011 | 17:29

YEREVAN. – Infightings in Turkey are useful for Armenia. As Ankara
will have less time for effective external politics in that case,
specialist of Turkish studies Artak Shakaryan told Armenian
News-NEWS.am commenting on the change of the military leadership.

In general, weakening of the military position in Turkey is useful for
Armenia. As generals have always had extreme nationalistic attitude
and always put forward relations with Azerbaijan. Moreover, Turkish
military took Armenian community as a potential internal threat.

While Justice and Development Party headed by the Turkish PM Erdogan
consider Turkey as a mosaic state, though still run
Azerbaijan-centrist policy.

`During Erdogan’s reign, the state withdrew from politics and Turkey
became more democratic,’ Shakaryan stated.

He brought an example of Syria. If military decided issues regarding
Syria in 1998, currently they can only express their opinion but are
not decisive.

The President of Turkey Abdullah Gul approved the appointment of
General Necdet Ozel as Chief of General Stuff. The former Chief of GS
Isik Kosaner resigned unexpectedly last week. Commanders of the Land
Forces, the Navy and the Air Force also resigned together with
Kosaner. The Generals resigned the day before the major meeting of the
Supreme military council.