Wikileaks -- Turkish military...

S E C R E T ANKARA 001258




SIPDIS



SIPDIS



E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2022

TAGS: PGOV PREL TU

SUBJECT: TURKEY'S MILITARY AND DEMOCRACY





Classified By: DCM Nancy McEldowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).



¶1. (S) The Turkish military's April 27 memorandum that

fueled the political crisis here was followed by a virtual

black-out with the military refusing to speak with either

domestic or foreign contacts. The silence was broken

recently when D/CHOD Saygun volunteered an explanation of the

military's motives and current thinking. We used the

exchange to reiterate the need for pragmatism and compromise

-- by all players -- in support of Turkish democracy and the

constitutional process.



¶2. (S) In a recent meeting with DCM, Saygun raised the

subject of Turkish domestic politics and said it was

important we understand why the military felt compelled to

make its April 27 statement. He said the military spoke out

solely to ensure the protection of Turkey's secular system.

This is the principle responsibility of the Turkish military,

which they are both obligated and determined to fulfill. He

asserted that Turkey's constitution empowered the military to

protect the secular state -- that was what they had done and

what they would continue to do.



¶3. (S) DCM responded by emphasizing the most precious

quality of contemporary Turkey is that it is both secular and

democratic -- and both must be preserved. She noted the

growing tensions and polarization throughout the country and

urged that the military exercise caution and pragmatism.

Avoiding confrontation and instability and ensuring that the

political process proceeds in a way that is fully consistent

with the constitution is in the best interest of Turkey and

of all Turks regardless of their partisan affiliation.



¶4. (S) Saygun said that the military did not want

confrontation and would not seek it out. He claimed they

easily could have sent tanks rolling in the streets if they

had wanted to, but they did not. He also argued that the

military was far more concerned with stability -- political,

economic, and social -- than the AKP which had made no effort

to compromise.



¶5. (S) DCM underscored the importance of having the

on-going parliamentary election proceed calmly and that all

accept the results of the popular vote. Saygun agreed

enthusiastically and claimed the TGS had "no problems" with

AKP in parliament or in government -- their only difficulty

was with radical policies that threaten stability.



¶6. (S) Comment: There is rampant speculation here about

TGS' next move in the on-going political drama. Overheated

rumors include efforts to shut down the AKP, discredit the

party leadership by releasing incriminating dossiers, and the

manufacture of crises. More prudent observers have suggested

that a tacit -- if still tense -- understanding has been

reached whereby the TGS has clarified its red lines on the

presidency and Islamist policies and the AKP has agreed not

to cross them. Rumors notwithstanding, it is clear that

maneuvering will intensify in the lead up to the July 22

elections, and USG support for democracy, compromise, and the

constitutional process will remain critical.



Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/



WILSON