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Çetin: ‘Yes’ for a military that does not turn guns on nation
Çetin believes if the reform package is approved, coup supporters would be discouraged.
“I will say ‘yes’ to it for a military that does not turn its guns on its own people,” he said. “We have armed people who think the country belongs only to them. They are involved in politics even though they should not be. We know that Atatürk told the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK] not to meddle in politics. But history tells us a different story.”
He made references to past military coups in Turkey and to the last one on Sept. 12, 1980, which resulted in the restriction of freedoms in every sphere, and the 1982 Constitution reinforced these restriction of freedoms in the country.
“There were times the armed forces dealt with the editors-in-chief of newspapers, there were times they threatened businessmen. Unfortunately, they can’t even protect their own military posts today. If the reform package is approved, they will not be able to act outside of their limits,” he said, adding that the military’s main duty is protecting the county’s borders.
Çetin also stood against the politicization of the reform package and said he would say “yes” to it even if it was supported not by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), but by another party like the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) because it is a package for more democratization.
He also added that he can’t understand the reasons of those who say “no.”
“They do not trust the government which has been ruling the country for seven years, but they choose to trust Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who mismanaged the [now defunct] Social Security Authority [SSK],” he said referring to the new CHP leader. “I recommend that they to go to a doctor to alleviate their fears.”
One of Çetin’s latest films, “Kağıt” (Paper), mocks oppressive regimes like the Sept. 12 military coup regime. His film is among the applicants for this year’s Antalya Altın Portakal (Golden Orange) International Film Festival’s national feature film competition. Çetin said he will continue to make films which are critical of the Sept. 12 coup.
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