15 March 2010 / İSMET BERKAN RADİKAL,
The “memorandum” read on Ankara radio at 1 p.m. on March 12, 1971, which caused the government led by Süleyman Demirel to resign later that day, holds a very special place in our coup-stricken democratic past.
The March 12 memorandum was a “warning.” Signed by the chief of General Staff and force commanders, the memorandum indicated that if the government did not resign, a coup would be staged. When we look at the actions of the commanders in light of the constitution and legal system in effect, we see that they constitute crimes under the infamous Article 146 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which led to the prosecution and even execution of thousands of young men during the period of martial law declared later on. Certainly no one thought of indicting them in this way. It is obvious that our understanding of democracy and law has changed dramatically since that time. But let us not forget that when the military officers who are being accused of attempting to stage a coup today were making these attempts in 2003 and 2004, no one thought of even bringing them to court -- simply having prevented them was considered enough.
