Chif of Staff: We Shall Both Improve and Protect

"The big change in the world order after the Cold War, neccesitates our Armed Forces to be in a constant and dynamic structure, and improve it self constantly, both in the philosophical and physicial sense" said Joint Chief of Staff, General Hilmi Ozkok in his August 30 message.In the message he issued, General Ozkok warned that "Reactionary and separatist movements have resumed their force" and this situation "Assigned new and necessary duties to the Turkish Armed Forces". He said that while changing on one hand, the  Turkish Armed Forces will continue protecting the laic and democratic Republic on the othen hand.    INFORMATION INSTEAD OF GUNPOWDER  General Ozkok said that "The new democratic values and the new concept of soverignity necessitates to improve new concepts and doctrines to fulfill this new and tough duty. In this new world, mind  rules over wrist strength and information and contraint replaces blood and gunpowder."     "The Turkish army did not only defeat the army in the battle field on August 30, but also laid the ground work of the young and honorable Turkish Republic.  The Turkish Republic which is in one of the most sensitive spots of the world, has become a respected and model member of the international community with its laic, democratic sutructure and with its Turkish Armed Forces, has also been a constant element of power and stability in its region" Ozkok said.  LIGHT OF KEMALIST THOUGH General Ozkok said "The Kemalist way of thinking, which is far from dogmas and based on science , will continue being the light and ideal of the future generations with its structure, open to constant change."  "I would also like to confirm my belief that the valuable members of the Turkish Armed Forces will  continue firmly, their rational fight  against domestic and external threats and will take the necessiary initiatives which will make them the warriors and intellectual of the 21st Century, under the guidance of the principles and reforms of Ataturk and with full dedication to the pillars of the democracy, by following the ever-developing concepts and technologies in the world."Â