Chief of Staff Signals Crisis With Greece
Recently, a diplomatic crisis erupted between Turkey and Greece when visiting military students from Turkey found torn ot Turkish flags in their dormitories where they were officially hosted. The students were immediately ordered to return. Özkök, insisted to hear an official apology from Greece Or, he said our relations will inevitably be revised.
In his speech, Özkök also reacted against recent depictions particularly by the successive U. S. Secrataries of State Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice of Turkey as a model Islamic country merging democracy and moderate Islam.
We are neither an Islamic country nor an Islamic state, told Özkök. We are a secular democratic republic.
The other major issues voiced by General Özkök in his speech were that:
* The Aegean: Greeces defense expenditures raise doubts.
* Iraq: Kirkuk is ready to erupt.
* The Kurdish question and the PKK: The US is not sensitive enough for Turkish demands.
* Armenia: Their attitude is dubious.
* The European Union: Membership is not a blessing.
Gen. Özkök started his speech by discussing Turkeys presumed role in the Washington sponsored Greater Middle East Project. He said that albeit it is being viewed as a model of moderate Islam within the framework of this project, Turkey is neither an Islamic state, nor an Islamic nation. Özkök stated that even though almost the 99.9 % of the population are Muslims Turkey is a secular, lawful state.
The Chief of Staff added that secularism and laicism are inseparable parts of the history of Turkish Republic, and they are the catalysts in building, as well as maintaining, democracy in Turkey. Therefore, Özkök affirmed, it is a mistake to believe that any country with a predominantly Muslim population can follow Turkeys path and become democratic.
The head man of the Turkish Army believes that there can even be a national rebellion if Turkeys experience is imposed upon another country.
Greece must issue an official apology
Özkök also spoke about the flag crisis that Turkish military students faced in Greece. He said that confidence building measures were taken between the two countries,, but the damaged flags incident in Greece requires an official apology. Özkök underlined that if an apology is omitted, the relations between the two countries can be revised.
According to Özkök, Greeces defense expenditures top the military expenses list among the European Union countries, and that the Aegean Islands are still being heavily armed. The Chief of Staff said that Turkey allots 154 dollars of its gross national income per capita for military expenses, whereas this figure is 709 dollars in Greece. Despite his criticisms towards Greece, Özkök affirmed that they regard ameliorating the relations between two countries as a priority.
Armenia
Gen. Özkök also spoke about the relations with Armenia, an issue that tops the agenda of Turkey recently. They desire to normalize the affairs between Turkey and Armenia, he told. However, he assessed obedience to fundamental principles of international law and execution of the requirements of friendly neighborhood on Armenias behalf is necessary for achieving this result.
Özkök also touched upon the issue of the claims of Armenian Genocide. The Chief of Staff stated that many Turkish and Armenian citizens of the Ottoman Empire were killed in the events 1915 incidents, but the Republic of Turkey is not liable for any of the events, and this era was closed by the 1924 Lausanne Peace Treaty what imposes no responsibility on Turkey in that respect. Further, most of the deaths on the side of the Armenians were not by intention, but as a result of the mass deportation; hence, genocide did not take place, he argued.
Cyprus is still strategically important
During his annual evaluation speech Özkök spoke about the Cyprus issue, as well. According to the Chief of Staff, Cyprus is still important for Turkeys security and thus, is a necessity for the country.
The Chief of Staff pointed out that Turkish Cypriots signaled their intention of unity in the Island with the votes they cast in the referendum for the Annan Peace Plan. So, Özkök said new gestures should not be expected from Turkey.
The US gives the cold shoulder about the PKK
Saying that the US did not take the necessary steps to combat Kurdish armed insurgent group PKK based in Northern Iraq, Özkök confirmed that the situation remains tense in the region with the surging attacks on the Turkish military.
The EU membership is not vital
According to the Chief Staff, the EU membership should not be viewed as a blessing. Özkök says that in the relations with the EU, mutual benefits are at stake, but it is not the end of the world if Turkey cannot become a member of the EU. (EK/SAÖ/EK/YE)