Such a demand is perfectly justified. The closer the military gets to politics, the more chaotic the public order and the more discredited the military profession.
You, the Sauna gang, the Eryaman network and the perpetrators of the Cage plan and the Sledgehammer coup plot! If you think that the country is not being governed properly, then set up a political party. Remove your uniforms and raise your strong voice for the public conscience. Only then will we see how much support this great nation will give you. More importantly, we will also see how much respect -- which they show you as you perform your profession -- they will show your political identity. Go ahead if you dare!
How dare you manipulate politics while remaining on active duty as well. That is not acceptable in the least! If a group of armed people becomes part of daily politics, then this will certainly kill political competition, making parties and elections meaningless altogether. As a matter of fact, having realized these risks, lawmakers have already prohibited members of the military from making political statements, declaring it an offense. Given the ban concerning political statements, can we say it is not a crime to engage in intrigues or conspiracies for political purposes, create chaos, profile people ideologically, pit people against each other and try to seize control of the state apparatus by making illegal plans, overthrowing a democratically elected government and setting up a new Cabinet?
The general public now thinks in this way: “If you are so eager to govern this country, you should establish a political party so that everyone can feel comfortable.” See, a man who regarded himself as a “legendary commander” established a party and engaged in political competition. He thought that millions would rush to him. When he saw that he could not attract even 100 people, he was enraged. He then attempted to insult a TV channel. Can this truly be called politics? That guy mistakes an election rally for a military barracks. He thinks people will be cowed when he raises his voice. Go ahead and enter the election so that you can test your popularity. There is a world of difference between putting on airs and boasting that a film character is inspired by you and seeking political acceptance at a rally by claiming that you will find solutions to people’s problems. I think that it is sufficient to enter politics in order to understand this.
Let alone instilling fear in people by roaring at rallies, some retired people think they are doing something when they shout on TV programs. When such people appear on screen, I think kids would say: “Dad, who is that guy? Why is he shouting?” We hope the fathers, who might already be smiling bitterly in the face of such a scene, do not begin to recount their painful memories from compulsory military service. In sum, no one should speak while in a rage, especially if armed or wearing a uniform. This is because that weapon or uniform has been entrusted to him by the nation and is financed by taxes collected from the nation. This means they cannot be used against the nation.
Regrettably, our army has been subject to considerable attrition and loss of credibility. We should not distort or cover up facts through rhetoric. This scandal erupted when the distance between the army and politics narrowed and they intermingled and when this terrible scenery was made worse by the shadow of a junta. Retired Gen. Kenan Evren once implied that people should support the party of Turgut Sunalp Pasha, but the nation decided that Turgut Özal should become a legend. Even politics by implication is forbidden to the military. There was a time when the junta of May 27, 1960 vested political power in İsmet Pasha, though the nation did not approve of it. Since then, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has been crawling. Today’s tacit allegiance is crashing down on the CHP.
There is only one way to put an end to this attrition: The military should completely withdraw from politics in order to restore its dearly held position in the hearts of people. To do this, it must get rid of the junta. The guys in the junta will be better off if they establish a political party. Only then will we see who is popular with the nation.
