Gen. Ozkok views the developments differently

In fact, last weekend he told members of Parliament’s Defense Committee, "Take a political decision and we will do our share of the duty."

The way he views Cyprus, Iraq and relations with USA
Those officials who took part in the summit meetings and heard the chief of staff speak, point out that — unlike the president and some other commanders — Gen. Ozkok has never taken a rigid or final stance against Kofi Annan’s Cyprus Plan though he saw the hazards of the plan and dwelt on these.

He has seen the plan as a "lesser evil" and, displaying a flexible stance, he preferred to let the politicians take a decision.

On Northern Iraq and on Turkey’s relations with the USA — as far as I am told by the diplomats and politicians who heard him speak on these issues — he takes far greater care about Turkey’s strategic position and long-term interests.

He has seen that any step we would take in Northern Iraq would have ramifications on the Kurdish problem in our own country and he has tried to take his steps accordingly.

Though — as all the other soldiers — he has been highly sensitized on the basic principles of the Republic, especially on the principle of secularism, he does not give the impression that he believes that the AK Party, for example, should be suppressed wherever it gets to be seen or that one should have an adverse reaction to every move the AK Party makes.

He gives the impression that he would rather see the AK Party kept under surveillance as long as the latter remains within the boundaries of the Republic’s basic principles, that one should have an adverse reaction only when "required".

Obviously he believes that problems should be solved with a rational approach, by seeking a consensus, and not by way of fighting, coercion or impositions.

Here are the key words Ozkok has uttered: You take the political decision and we will do whatever that requires.

However, this does not mean that the Turkish Armed Forces has no "red lines". What Gen. Ozkok has said does not mean that the kind of decisions that would go against the country’s national interests would be implemented as well.

Generally speaking, politicians’ indecision has created a "vacuum" in this country from time to time in the past. Whenever that happened the military entered the scene in order to fill the void. And politicians condoned — even encouraged — that. Afterwards they tried to shun responsibility by saying, "What could we do? The military did not want that."

I may be wrong but I do have the impression that Gen. Ozkok wants politicians to shoulder their own responsibilities and take the decisions in their own sphere so that the Turkish Armed Forces can fulfil its own responsibilities. In other words he wants the system to gradually revert to "normal" .

For Turkey 2004 will be the European Union year.

It is as if Gen. Ozkok is trying to clear the mines on Turkey’s EU path.

Relations with EU – It is no use fearing the inevitable
Today’s rendezvous between Turkey and the EU is extremely important. The meeting will take place in Luxembourg between EU term president, Greek FM Papandreou and Abdullah Gul — at the "association council" level.

This meeting has a highly symbolic value. Tomorrow, in Athens the EU’s — probably last — enlargement summit will be held. Agreements will be signed with the 10 countries joining the union and pledges will be made to the rest. Turkey is at the end of the list and is yet to receive a final pledge.

More importantly, Greek Cypriots will be a full member, representing the entire island in the eyes of the EU. Since Turkey does not officially recognize it Turkey will be forced to establish a relationship with the Greek Cypriot government — or it will come under strain in its relations with the EU. So as not to be seen in that picture politically, Erdogan is sending Gul to Athens in his place.

In reality nothing will change. It is useless to fear the inevitable. Turkey will have to choose between the EU and Cyprus. However, since politicians live day-by-day, Erdogan prefers to send Gul in his place, postponing the "inevitable" decision day for some more.

Second Accession Partnership Document too vague
The Second Turkey Accession Partnership Document issued by the EU does not clarify the situation at all regarding our country’s position.

It lists in great detail — as we sought — the shortcomings Turkey must eliminate so that the accession talks can begin. However, the most important factor is missing. In other words, it does not say clearly whether the accession talks would begin immediately when Turkey eliminated these shortcomings.

The Luxembourg Association Council must make a clear statement on this issue.