Title: Turkey names hard-liner military chief
saladin - August 1, 2006 06:07 AM (GMT)
I couldn't find a thread about Org. Buyukanit, so I'm opening a new one. We need search functionality. I will try to build one.
Meanwhile, feel free to move this into an existing one.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/110...y_Military.html| QUOTE |
MIDDLE EAST
Monday, July 31, 2006 · Last updated 2:50 p.m. PT
Turkey names hard-liner military chief
By SUZAN FRASER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey named a new military chief Monday who favors a tougher line against Kurdish rebels and negotiations on the secular Muslim country joining the European Union.
The change comes as the United States is pressing Turkey to contribute to a possible peacekeeping force along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Turkey, NATO's only Muslim member, had expressed a readiness to contribute troops to a peacekeeping force if there were first a cease-fire and if the force were backed by a U.N. resolution.
Turkey has been insisting that Washington do more to crack down against Turkish Kurdish rebels operating out of bases in northern Iraq.
Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, head of the land forces, was appointed chief of staff by the Cabinet, replacing Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who retires in late August.
In his four years at the military helm, Ozkok agreed to EU-requested reforms that curtailed some of the military's extensive influence and introduced measures that increased transparency in the military.
The European Union is pressing the country to further curb the powers of the generals, who have staged three coups between 1960 and 1980 and pressured a pro-Islamic government out of power in 1997.
advertising
Buyukanit was expected to press for a tougher line on EU reforms and Turkey's fight against autonomy-seeking Kurdish rebels.
He is also likely to adopt a harder line than Ozkok against threats to the country's secular traditions, which could lead to clashes with the Islamic-rooted government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"As a personality, Buyukanit is more outspoken. People who are close to him say he is more hawkish," said Lale Sariibrahimoglu, a Turkish military analyst for Jane's Defense Weekly.
Buyukanit took the bold step in November of criticizing the government for not ordering troops into Iraq after a series of attacks by Turkish Kurdish guerrillas based there. The United States strongly opposes any cross-border incursion.
Buyukanit's outspokenness and strong nationalist views have made him popular in Turkey, especially as Turks become increasingly disillusioned with their country's EU bid and the growing opposition in Europe to their possible membership.
On Friday, U.S. State Department Counselor Philip Zelikow visited Turkey to discuss peacekeeping in Lebanon. Zelikow had already met with officials from France and other countries. Several EU nations, including Spain, Portugal, Italy and France, are also considering contributing to the force. |
KOKORO - August 1, 2006 09:03 AM (GMT)
For me looks like a good choice but for our fundemantaist goverment they will hate this.
DouriosYpnos - August 1, 2006 09:40 AM (GMT)
I find the situation in Turkey a bit confusing.. i really can't figure out what Turkey is and what it aims to...
From the one side you have the military that are supporting secularism, thus a western type of community, but oppose to EU and real democracy..
From the other side you have an islamic-oriented government that want's more islamic values but supports EU...
People on the other hand seem to support the military, feel deeply muslims and like the EU perspective.. what is the solution to that? i can't unerstand what is the ideal system for Turkey...
baris75 - August 1, 2006 12:18 PM (GMT)
I don't know what's with him being a hardliner, ex.jew, secular etc. He is a one hell of a soldier, that is all I care. I had the chance to see him and shake his hand once. He is a real soldier that is all it matters. Rest is the popular BS spredaded by the media. In fact although the army is trying to stay out oıf politics it is media that sticks their microphones into Generals mouth and say the words instead of them. they are normal humans like everyone and they sure have a say on the daily politics. However, the policy of the army is something else, it is beyond the personell opinions of its officers. There are codes that the army follows, these codes are presented in the constitution.
KOKORO - August 1, 2006 01:23 PM (GMT)
hi,
Turkey is a little mixtured place.
goverment is yes islamic ideology goverment and has problems with army because army is the main strong side of secularist Turkey.
also not against Eu but against its atitudes for our counties freedom.
Threre are thing that we have to acept to enter EU definetly takes away our freedom . Like abdullah öcalan for us he is a terorist . for europe he is a freedom fighter. and lots of things they want.
and during the history Turkey had religious fundemantal problems . even in the begining of our republic. but this problem was solved by education. in years 1930 and 40 s. but when we enter Nato after the thread of cominism. by the help of Usa islamic ideas started to improve in Turkey.
İt is called the greenzone Turkey azerbaycan cehen land pakistan afganistan.
so the russians ( the non god lover devils ) cant reach the hot seas such as indian ocean and mediterano.
1950 there were like 15 16 schools for islamic teaching for hocas. Now number incresad to 1400 around turkey which all has more than 2000 students. every year they gradute 50 000 60 000 religious young people who hate west and his ideas . also dislikes Atatürk and perefers a padisah. !!
this is created by our stupid politicians and external forces. but now
they have a huge problem that Turkey wants to be like İran Not thinking only obeying ..
there are very good new generation working learning thinking and this other group only thinking of Allah and other side .
and only thing that they couldnt enter is army !!
İf that would hapen than new Turkey would come to scheen.
İ hope this won't hapen but hapened in iran in king time. also in iraq too.
syra has the same problem.
People who is unhappy hungry and un educated only has hope from god and some people uses this feelings.
they forget the bacis of islam.
between god and the created there is no wall and men no boundries.
your religion is your mine is mine.
this is the way we learn now changing....
Büyük Anıt Paşa has a great past and a honorfull personality.
İ wish his comand will godspeed.
Kaan
Efeler - August 1, 2006 04:56 PM (GMT)
Things will definately be interesting with Buyukanit pasa. Tough stance against the EU, tough stance against the Islamists, extremely tough stance against the PKK...
http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=1992829&C=europe| QUOTE |
Turkey Appoints Controversial General as Military Chief
BY BURAK EGE BEKDIL, ANKARA
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has approved a government decree appointing Army Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, Turkey’s Land Forces commander, as chief of the General Staff. He will replace Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who retires this month.
The widely expected appointment came during a Cabinet meeting July 31, a day before the Supreme Military Council convened for an annual reshuffling of the top brass.
Military analysts said the early appointment of Buyukanit should be interpreted as the government’s attempt to disprove speculation that it tried to hinder his promotion to the top military post, which takes effect Aug. 30.
Unlike Ozkok, viewed by many as a moderate, Buyukanit is widely believed to adopt a tougher line on critical strategic and security matters, including Turkey’s EU membership aspirations and actions against separatist Kurdish terrorists. During his four-year tenure, Ozkok agreed to several EU-inspired reforms that curtailed the military’s influence in politics.
Buyukanit raised eyebrows earlier this year by praising a soldier who subsequently was jailed for a bombing believed to be aimed at stirring up unrest in southeastern Turkey, where Kurdish separatists carry out a campaign of violence for independence. The bombing triggered riots in the region and a parliamentary probe.
A regional prosecutor accused Buyukanit of organizing an illegal group to plan the bombing. The Turkish General Staff vehemently denied the charges against Buyukanit, and the prosecutor was sacked from his post.
“Buyukanit is more pro-American, more security-minded than Ozkok,” said Hueyin Bagci, a professor at Ankara’s Middle East Technical University. “He is not against Turkey’s Europanization, but he is more influenced by nationalist tendencies.” |
His resume is posted on the Land Forces website if anyone interested (for Turkish readers):
http://www.kkk.tsk.mil.tr/Komutanlarimiz/KK/ana.asp Lord - August 3, 2006 03:48 PM (GMT)
Excactly like Efeler wrote...
he is a hardliner in issues which have to do with the security of Turkey...
also a great Patriot..no doubt
But he is not a foulish man...
in hes contacts in Athens he was realistic enough to make good contacts...
so in my opinion....he showed realism...and dyplomatic skills...