In modern and democratic countries it is unusual for military commanders to speak out so much, particularly on political issues. When he first assumed the post in 2008, Başbuğ said: “I will speak less; I will talk about the things that need explanation on relevant platforms. You will not get statements from me frequently.” However, he did not act in line with his remarks and has caused new controversies with nearly all of his statements. Analysts, most of whom are disturbed by Başbuğ’s talkative approach, think he is attempting to repair the image of the TSK as well as his own image, but he has failed to do so.Star’s Şamil Tayyar thinks Başbuğ making statements in the same manner as a political party leader is an issue that needs attention and says it is striking that he emphasizes things such as “discipline” and “authority,” while saying, “The young officers do not have any concerns about their senior officers,” “This army is not the army of a banana republic” and “I gathered with the officers and talked to them; there is no differing voice in the army,” in his statements. Tayyar interprets Başbuğ’s statements as an attempt to repair the prestige of the TSK, which has been dealt a significant blow since the launch of the investigation into Ergenekon, a shadowy crime network that has alleged links within the state and is suspected of plotting to topple the government.
Tayyar says even the case of Col. Dursun Çiçek, who undersigned a military plot, the Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism, is enough to shake the prestige of both the TSK and Başbuğ. After the disclosure of this plan, which included shady plots to foment tension in the country, Başbuğ downplayed it and described it as “a piece of paper.” However, forensic reports later proved that Çiçek’s “wet signature” on the document was authentic.
Referring to Başbuğ’s latest statements, when he complained about the TSK being on the country’s agenda since October, Star’s Mehmet Altan questions why Başbuğ frequently gathers journalists and makes statements if he is really disturbed about the TSK being on the agenda. “If he is really disturbed about this, why is he always speaking? It is really not understandable. I think we have the most talkative chief of General Staff in the world. When he speaks, news channels follow him. Başbuğ’s then lashes out at some circles and voices his statements. In brief, we have become a country like Myanmar,” complains Altan.
Hürriyet’s Ertuğrul Özkök does not seem to be disturbed by the talkative Başbuğ as he is paying a great deal of attention to the remarks made by the chief of General Staff, particularly his saying that the “TSK is depressed” about the latest developments regarding the military in the country.
“The reason for this belongs to all of us. This complaint should burn the hearts of all. Esteemed president, prime minister, the leader of the main opposition party, party leaders and all politicians, please don’t hope to benefit from the depressed state of the TSK. As a nation, we should also be ready for the serious lesson history will teach us for letting our army become depressed. As a citizen, I shout with the chief of General Staff, ‘Enough is enough’,” says Özkök.
