Violence Would Not Solve Kurdish Issue

"We need a policy that halves the military budget and supports social security", was the reaction of independent candidate of the left in Istanbul, Ufuk Uras, to the plans of the General Staff to create professional army units to operate in the south-east of Turkey by 2009.

General Ilker Basbug, commander of the ground forces, has spoken of a special forces command to be created, "in order to increase the efficiency of the struggle against terrorism". This command would include special gendarmerie battalions, six commando brigades, fixed internal security battalions and support elements.

Error of the last thirty years

Baskin Oran, also independent candidate of the left in Istanbul, has reacted to this decision (which was made without reference to parliament or public opinion) by saying: "If we think that we can solve the Kurdish problem with the army, then we have not learnt anything in the last thirty years".

Uras acknowledged that a professional army was more meaningful than obligatory military service. Turkey still does not allow for conscientious objection and a professional army would be considered a public service.

Silence of government

However, Uras commented on the fact that the government had not reacted to the army's plans, questioning whether military decisions were not monitored by civil institutions.

"These military plans show that the Kurdish issue is still considered a security issue".

Oran agreed with Uras and pointed out that the budget involved in such decisions had to be sanctioned by the government. The General Staff was not in a position of awarding itself the money. It would need to hold discussions with the government. (AÖ/EÜ/AG/EÜ)