ARMY UNDER CIVILIAN CONTROL IN EUROPE
By Suleyman Kurt, Zaman, Ankara
Zaman, Turkey
Oct 4 2006
In response to General Yasar Buyukanit’s remarks on the EU, European
Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, said "The army is under
civilian control in European democracies."
Finland’s Olli Rehn had meetings in the Turkish capital of Ankara on
the first anniversary of full membership negotiations between Turkey
and the EU.
In a symposium titled "European Social Model and Syndical Rights in the
Process of Negotiation with EU," Rehn fielded questions from the press.
In response to a reporter’s question "Are there reactionary movements
in Turkey?", a reference to the Turkish Chief of General Staff ‘s
remarks, Rehn said "There is a misunderstanding here."
Stating they are open to dialogue with Turkish Armed Forces (TSK),
Rehn noted he does not question their professionalism.
"We have a deep respect for the TSK. They support international
peace-keeping forces. We consider Turkey’s general outlook with
respect to democratically elected governments. Turkey may take pride
in the reforms it has realized. It must be particularly proud of the
reforms in army-civilian relationships.. In European democracies,
the Army is under civilian control," Rehn said.
"I am here because I do not want this first anniversary of negotiations
to be the last," Rehn said and he asked Ankara "to restart the reform
process and fulfill liabilities in the supplementary protocol" in
order to prevent a possible "train crash."
Rehn asked that article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code be amended and
said: "This article is in no compliance with EU standards. Turkey is
a democratic and powerful country. Does it need such an article?"
Rehn said this change is "related with Turkey’s negotiations with
the EU."
Stating the EU needs Turkey, the European Commissioner said "A train
crash can be prevented with necessary political will."
In the framework of his contacts in Ankara concerning the amendment
of the article 301, Rehn also paid visits to Minister of Justice
Cemil Cicek and main opposition leader Deniz Baykal, but failed to
obtain support.
Criticizing Rehn’s approach of the article 301, Cicek replied
to a relevant question from the reporters as follows: "Instead of
asking about this, ask about the draft in France." [Referring to the
draft bill envisioning punishment for those rejecting the Armenian
"genocide."]
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader stated
similar articles exist in EU member countries as well, and this
article may become redundant in Turkey in a few years’ time.
Recognizing genocide is no condition for membership
Rehn repeated that recognition of the Armenian genocide allegations
is not a condition for EU membership.
Stating Turkey should handle "such issues" both within itself and with
its neighbor Armenia, Rehn gave support to Turkey’s proposal to set up
"a joint commission of historians."
Rehn and Gul to Discuss Finnish Formula for Cyprus
The commissioner for enlargement, in talks he will hold with Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul,
will discuss proposals put forward by EU Term President Finland in
order to prevent a possible "train crash."
Rehn spoke "hopefully" before the talk, but rumors in Ankara that
"the proposal contains imbalances" indicate the difficulty in finding
a solution.
Previously, Term President Finland offered a package of proposals
to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus in order to overcome the problems over
"Cyprus."
Rehn will repeat the proposal in today’s meetings and ask for
a solution.
Ankara will remind Rehn of the EU’s promises on removing sanctions
against Northern Cyprus.
The parties did not give a "negative reply" to Finland’s proposals
in the first stage.
Communicating the proposal verbally, not in writing, is interpreted as
"taking the pulse."
Rehn, in his statement yesterday, said: "I do not want to be too
optimistic, but this is an encouraging situation. If parties wanted
to reject the formula, they would make it leak to the press."
However, no such atmosphere is perceived in Ankara.
Though certain elements in the package of proposals also exist in
Turkey’s "Cyprus Action Plan," sources think there is imbalance in
other elements.