TSK objects to 7th package

The Turkish Armed Forces has put forth "technical objections" to a series of articles of the government’s seventh EU reform package, mainly limiting the influence of the military on politics.

After Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul last week presented the seventh reform package to opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and General Staff in order to get their opinions, the General Staff yesterday put forth its objections to some parts of the package.

The reform package includes an amendment to the law on the formation and functions of the National Security Council (MGK), which makes the General Staff uneasy with the package since the powers of the MGK would be seriously curtailed and it will be converted into a fully advisory body with no executive powers.

However, the General Staff’s objections were on technical issues such as the characteristics of the board rather than on structure and administration of the MGK, the private CNN-Turk news channel reported Friday.

The seventh reform package stipulates that the office of the secretary-general of the MGK could also be occupied by a civilian while almost all existing powers that the secretary-general exercise on behalf of the president, prime minister or chief of general staff will be curtailed. Force commanders will no longer be members of the MGK with the package and the MGK will also be stripped of the privilege of "suggesting" board members to several state concerns and bodies.

CNN Turk reported that the General Staff does not object to the appointment of a civilian as MGK Secretary but demanded the government get its opinion before making an appointment to the post. According to the draft of the government besides full generals, Foreign Ministry personnel who have served as ambassadors could be appointed as MGK secretary-general.

General Staff also asks the government not to change the definition of the MGK’s duties as it considers that it limits the board’s powers to a great extent.

The article on the duties of the MGK will be amended and the sentence that "It establishes national policy on matters related to agreements made and will be done within the framework of national security" will be changed to the effect that such a duty by the MGK would be performed when and if asked by the government.

Claiming that MGK would be no longer be an executive board due to the amendment, the General Staff demanded monthly meetings for the MGK, like current practice, objecting to the amendment stipulating meetings in two-month or three-month periods.

The General Staff did not object to an amendment, which authorizes the Court of Audits to inspect the Army’s accounts, but expressed a technical objection. The General staff was reported to have said that this inspection should be carried out within the rules of secrecy according to the Constitution, pointing out that this amendment in the seventh package might contradict the Constitution.

When asked a question about General Staff’s objections, deputy Prime Minister Gul said they were getting the opinions of all institutions, emphasizing that they would evaluate them all.

It’s reported that Gul may meet Chief of Staff in the following days to clear the hitches as the government tries to pass the package before it goes on a summer recess at the end of this month.

Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said the views of the General Staff, as well as views of other state bodies, will all be considered by the government in giving the final shape to the reform package which is expected to be presented to Parliament early next week.

The EU is set to draw up a report by the end of 2004 to review Turkey’s membership performance. If Turkey is found to have made the necessary political reforms, then accession talks will begin.