The recent domestic operations where the military bypassed civilian political authorities has created a big discussion. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit cannot find any justification for this and is once again talking about the anti-democratic forces without specifying them. This is an old song and Turkish politicians refrain it always when they try to find a get away for their misdoings. Indeed, the coalition government is faced with a big crisis now and the role of military in such "clean up" operations will certainly intensify in the long run and it should be expected that military will continue to exercise great influence on domestic as well as foreign policy issues. When PM Ecevit says that the military is using its democratic right to express its views and when he says that he phoned the general chief of staff to get informed about the "Operation White Energy" there is something wrong. 

Therefore, it is fact that the military since early 90's, actually with the Gulf War, has been increasing gradually its influence on foreign policy issues and this tendency is still holding on. Whether the civilian governments are primarly responsible for this tendency or not is of secondary importance now. The reality is that Turkey gives more and more the impression outside that they rule the country and all the critics from outside focus now on this. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz's outcry in recent days that he sees this tendency but can not stop it being the best proof. 

The former French Ambassador to Ankara (1988-1992), Erich Rouleau, has written an article in Foreign Affairs (November- December 2000) with the title "Turkey's Dream of Democracy." As one of the most knowledgeable Turkey watchers, he in detail gives the role of the military and general chief of staff. Actually, it is well known in Turkey, but outsiders consider this fact as one of the greatest obstacles to Turkey on the way to the European Union (EU) and this will further serve as a "barrier" in Turkish-EU relations. Rouleau is speaking of "Pasha Politics" and indicates that the generals are looking for more influence in Turkish politics and sites the former chief of staff General Karadayi when he said, "A general should be able to act as a diplomat, whereas a diplomat should be familiar with military questions; both should be well versed in economics." 

Indeed, military officers enjoy greater privileges than the civil servants at the same level. In another example, when the government increases the salary of the state civil servants the last two years among the selected civil servants were the salary of general chief of staff, or colonel, but today there are none on in the list. A professor at the university is getting less per month than a colonel. But we can recall the "good old days" where a professor was held in higher respected and paid like a general. No doubt, the military is in a more privileged situation. It is seen in subsidized military stores like OYAK Stores that they obtain low-interest housing loans and they have access to exclusive holiday resorts, hotel and clubs. In other words, the more the influence in domestic and foreign policy issues increases the more their economic situation will improve. Well known journalist Mehmed Ali Birand has already published a book and articles on this increasing military influence and no doubt, in his view, all this started with the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup de tat. 

Also the editor of Turkish Daily News, Ilnur Cevik, said in his TDN article yesterday how the military is getting a superior position in politics and society. He was also quoted by Erich Rouleau in the above article that the military has a "qualitative superiority" in National Security Council decisions. Indeed, the existence of the NSC is another problem for the Turkish-EU relations. Therefore, until now, both prime minister and foreign minister several times stated why the NSC has to remain, indicating that the military has to say in Turkish politics. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem went so far in a TV interview to claim that such a NCS also exists in America which is a total mistake. Therefore, the military has been indeed the leading force to combat PKK terrorism and radical Islamic movements and they will continue to do so in the future which means they will keep their influence and status. The problems lies once again with civilian politicians and until now, the general belief in Turkey was that the civil authorities failed to combat these dangers. 

In the words of Rouleau, the EU will not accept Turkey after only "cosmetic reforms." This is unlikely. The EU summit in Nice is proof of it and Turkey will remain in our view longer than 10 years outside the EU, provided that the real reforms are done. It is not a pessimistic view, but a realistic one. Indeed, the words of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer three days ago on the Conference on Constitutional Reform are heard by many, but still everybody keeps quiet. President Sezer and Prime Minister Ecevit do not share the same views on such hot issues. This is well known. The military on the other hand enjoys all the privileges and support of the people whereas the civilian authorities further experience a great decline and is wrought with decadence. "Turkey's Dream Of Democracy" as Rouleau says will continue. The only question is : how long?