Ertugrul Ozkok:A head commander without an army, an army without a head commander

Still, I guess it's his right.
 
And a completely legitimate one at that.
 
I had already said in the past that Abdullah Gul would make a fine president, that he was suited to the office.
 
But I will continue now saying, in this same frame of mind, that I wish he hadn't stepped forward as a candidate.
 
I guess now the real matter focuses around the fact that he has. And since the decision has already been made, we need to not think too much about the past.
 
Because if we focus on the past, we lose the future.
 
As a citizen of Turkey, I have certain expectations and hopes.

 
* * *

First and foremost from the military.
 
I hope that they don't make any more midnight internet proclamations.
 
If an elected parliament makes this decision, it must be respected.
 
I say "I hope," because the truth is, certain irresponsible media voices have completely terrorized and provoked both the military and the civilians of this nation during this period.
 
And of course, my greatest expectations concern Abdullah Gul himself.
 
Unfortunately, it is in a climate of stubborness that he heads for the Cankaya Presidential Palace.

But now, having received the nod from parliament, it is time for him to extend a sense of security to both the people of the nation and Turkey's various institutions.
 
Of course, he could go to Cankaya wrapped in the psychology of  "the people of the nation gave me this seat, and I don't have to compromise with anyone." On the other hand, he might embrace the idea of "I want to be the president of both the people and the state."

 
I of course am hoping for the second variation here.
 
* * *

Some might ask me who I think I am writing all this, and whether or not I voted for the AKP. But the fact is, I observe that it is not the president of the AKP who is being elected, but the president of Turkey as a whole. It is thus that I write my ideas and expectations.

* * *

I also strongly hope that Gul is plugging his ears to the chorus of revenge-bent voices that we have been hearing for the past couple of weeks.

Because the seat he will be occupying in Cankaya is also the seat of the head commander of the military. No doubt he will be focused on this fact. You cannot have a head commander with no military. Which is why an absolute task of the head commander is to win over the military.Â

* * *

And of course, I hope that the military realizes that you cannot have an army without a head commander. Which is why I hope that they show the respect necessary to a president chosen by the parliament.

* * *

While wishing Abdullah Gul a successful and productive 7 years sitting in the seat occupied by Ataturk at one time, I also wanted to relay this final feeling I have:
 
We believed-and will continue to believe- the many promises regarding compromise made by Prime Minister Erdogan throughout the election campaign period.
This nation has suffered greatly at the hands of revenge-filled feelings of many. Which is why the creation of new memories of revenge would be treason to our peace and serenity at this point.