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MILITARY SHOULD STAY IN THEIR BARRACKS AND KEEP OUT OF POLITICS, TERRY DAVIS SAYS
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.04.2007 15:47 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I am very concerned about the recent public
statement by the Turkish military. This statement looks like a
deliberate attempt by the armed forces to influence the election of a
new President in Turkey. They should stay in their barracks and keep
out of politics," said Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council
of Europe.
"The Turkish people have achieved great progress in respect for Human
Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law since Turkey's accession to
the Council of Europe in 1949. These achievements should not be put
at risk", he said.
"In a democracy, the military are under the command of democratically
elected State authorities. The armed forces do not have any
democratic legitimacy of their own and therefore cannot have a
political role. I am shocked that the military in a member state
of the Council of Europe should behave in this way in the midst of
a democratic and constitutional process such as the election of the
Head of State. I call on all political parties to take a clear stand
against interference by the armed forces in the political process."
Terry Davis added that he was confident that Turkey was a mature
democracy and capable of electing its President as provided in its
Constitution, the CoE communication unit reports.
The Turkish military high command warned government leaders early
Saturday that it was concerned about unrest in the country associated
with the vote, and said it was monitoring the situation closely.
"The General Staff's statement has been assessed as a lunge against
the government," Cemil Cicek told a news conference in Ankara, adding
that the General Staff is a constitutional institution subordinate to
the government and that its head is responsible to the Prime Minister
for fulfilling his duties.
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.04.2007 15:47 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I am very concerned about the recent public
statement by the Turkish military. This statement looks like a
deliberate attempt by the armed forces to influence the election of a
new President in Turkey. They should stay in their barracks and keep
out of politics," said Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council
of Europe.
"The Turkish people have achieved great progress in respect for Human
Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law since Turkey's accession to
the Council of Europe in 1949. These achievements should not be put
at risk", he said.
"In a democracy, the military are under the command of democratically
elected State authorities. The armed forces do not have any
democratic legitimacy of their own and therefore cannot have a
political role. I am shocked that the military in a member state
of the Council of Europe should behave in this way in the midst of
a democratic and constitutional process such as the election of the
Head of State. I call on all political parties to take a clear stand
against interference by the armed forces in the political process."
Terry Davis added that he was confident that Turkey was a mature
democracy and capable of electing its President as provided in its
Constitution, the CoE communication unit reports.
The Turkish military high command warned government leaders early
Saturday that it was concerned about unrest in the country associated
with the vote, and said it was monitoring the situation closely.
"The General Staff's statement has been assessed as a lunge against
the government," Cemil Cicek told a news conference in Ankara, adding
that the General Staff is a constitutional institution subordinate to
the government and that its head is responsible to the Prime Minister
for fulfilling his duties.