TSK should not be allowed to erode

However, the TSK is not able to adapt itself to current conditions.

Those who want the power of the TSK to decrease are asking for trouble. Its members, by themselves, are wearing down this important institution. The weird part here is that despite them knowing how to read the public, few of us will be satisfied by statements released to counter the growing "negative impressions."

For example, a statement by the General Staff regarding the below-mentioned document said that it was believed that this document was not prepared in any of its units.

In the following paragraph, it was underscored that in case this document was to be sent to a prosecution office, it would be investigated for criminal deeds. So how come one already believes that this document was not prepared in any unit of the General Staff?

I do not only base this article on a top story published by daily Taraf last week. But Taraf’s news is very important. Especially if it turns out that the initiated investigation is right, the situation will become more dramatic.

And if the "campaign to wear down the AKP and Fethullah Gülen" mentioned in the document dated April 2009 turns out to be an operation by the TSK, it will be the last straw. For now, let the investigation take its course. After the results come out, we will be better able to speculate. What I want to touch on is the erosion in the TSK’s image, even if the latest development is not confirmed. I am talking about a constant decreasing of its prestige.

I have no doubt that some spend "special" effort to provide for this erosion of prestige. Records of telephone conversations that are believed to belong to retired and active-duty officers and are leaked to the Internet are an indication of this. But do those who work out appendices and published documents associated with a coup tradition bear no fault at all?

We cannot ignore this fact.

Coup diaries from 2003 to 2004, statements and attitudes constantly interfering with politics during the period between 2005 and 2007 and, finally, acts reflected in public through indictments within the frame of the Ergenekon investigation.

Even if part of the document was false, exaggerated or a campaign to wear out the TSK, the rest should do.

Today’s image of the TSK is one that reflects an organization, including active-duty or retired personnel, constantly preparing a conspiracy against all civil governments that are not in unison with its own ideology.

Part of society likes, applauds and supports this attitude.

But a bigger part shows growing reaction to this attitude. In Turkey, the institutionalization of democracy and "workshops" for development of this or similar things are viewed negatively.

The TSK needs to make a decision.

Either it needs to accept that this country will be led by democracy and digest the vote results or the General Staff will have to change its current course and understanding.

Gen. Başbuğ in his last year

The period of coups has come to an end. More precisely, trying to make a coup would be a suicide attempt for this country, a civil war. Even if there was a big revolt, a threat of a true split, the military should not consider interfering.

If at this point, we share the same view, we might argue that the time has long come for the General Staff to take action.

I believe, or like to believe, that Gen. Başbuğ knows very well the danger of this course.

I also know that the TSK cannot change directions this easily or give up its 80-year-old habits. And I also do not believe that a chief of general staff would be able to sail this giant ship into calm waters all by himself. Change will take time.

But some need to take action in order to change things. It will, for sure, take many years, but it needs to start. If no precautions are taken and Turkey does not adapt to changing world conditions, we might encounter unexpected and unacceptable events.

Let us not forget that the TSK is important for all of us. But if we lay responsibility on the TSK besides its duty, then this institution will derail. I hope Gen. Başbuğ, who I believe shares at least part of my views in this article and has 13 more months to go until he retires, will make such a start, which would maybe mean a great sacrifice on his part.