Turkey's deep state is the army, former President says
Former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel stated that the Turkish military is the deep state in Turkey and that it faces the risk of division into different camps when engaged in politics.
Demirel said that there is only one state in Turkey, adding that its oneness is vital for the country. "But when the country is dragged to the brink of the abyss or civil war, then the military stages a military coup. Turkey has experienced this a few times," he said. "If you want to define this situation, you can say that the military is the state. It is deep in the state. In other words, it is the deep state." Demirel said it is dangerous for the military to be involved in politics.
"The military is divided when engaged in politics. We are afraid that a military that stages a coup and is engaged in politics will be divided into camps within itself. This is what we politicians are afraid of. Therefore, the military should abandon politics and return to its primary duty," Demirel said.
He also expressed discontent over the detention and arrest of former and active duty army members as part of the ongoing investigation into the Ergenekon network, charged with plotting a coup. "These detentions and arrests have disturbed society. But on the other hand, if there are weapons around and there is preparation for a coup, you cannot tell anyone not to touch these people," he said. "However, it hurts when you implicate people in such affairs on suspicion that they may be part of such a plan."
Ergenekon is a clandestine ultra-nationalist organization in Turkey with ties to the country's military and security apparatus.
It has been plotting to foment unrest in Turkey, inter alia by assassinating intellectuals, politicians, judges, military staff, religious leaders, and other public figures including Nobel Prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk, with the ultimate goal of toppling the present government. The coup was planned to take place in 2009.
The organization is also supposed to plan and carry out the assassination of Agos editor Hrant Dink.
Demirel said that there is only one state in Turkey, adding that its oneness is vital for the country. "But when the country is dragged to the brink of the abyss or civil war, then the military stages a military coup. Turkey has experienced this a few times," he said. "If you want to define this situation, you can say that the military is the state. It is deep in the state. In other words, it is the deep state." Demirel said it is dangerous for the military to be involved in politics.
"The military is divided when engaged in politics. We are afraid that a military that stages a coup and is engaged in politics will be divided into camps within itself. This is what we politicians are afraid of. Therefore, the military should abandon politics and return to its primary duty," Demirel said.
He also expressed discontent over the detention and arrest of former and active duty army members as part of the ongoing investigation into the Ergenekon network, charged with plotting a coup. "These detentions and arrests have disturbed society. But on the other hand, if there are weapons around and there is preparation for a coup, you cannot tell anyone not to touch these people," he said. "However, it hurts when you implicate people in such affairs on suspicion that they may be part of such a plan."
Ergenekon is a clandestine ultra-nationalist organization in Turkey with ties to the country's military and security apparatus.
It has been plotting to foment unrest in Turkey, inter alia by assassinating intellectuals, politicians, judges, military staff, religious leaders, and other public figures including Nobel Prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk, with the ultimate goal of toppling the present government. The coup was planned to take place in 2009.
The organization is also supposed to plan and carry out the assassination of Agos editor Hrant Dink.
