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New army chief favours harmony
The often tense relationship between Turkey's politicians and its generals might have entered a more cordial era with the appointment of a military commander with an ear for Beethoven and a pragmatic political streak.
- By Alex Barker
- Published: 00:02 August 10, 2008
Ankara: The often tense relationship between Turkey's politicians and its generals might have entered a more cordial era with the appointment of a military commander with an ear for Beethoven and a pragmatic political streak.
General Ilker Basbug will head Turkey's armed forces for two years, putting his mark on a powerful political institution that jealously guards the secular republic's founding principles, intervening four times in 50 years to oust elected leaders.
His approach to the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Islamist-rooted government, and the forces of change sweeping the country and military will be critical to shaping Turkey's future.
Gen Basbug's outlook is hardline and typical of a Turkish general. But his first gesture as commander was a surprise. By forgoing the annual purge of officers accused of indiscipline or Islamic practice, he assuaged the AKP.
One opposition politician, a traditional ally of the military, was upset enough to chide the "warm" relations and speculate about underhand deals - which were angrily denied.
The incident highlighted a more fundamental change. For some months, generals and government have had a tacit agreement.
Strains remain, particularly over the place of Islam in public life. But on other military priorities - fighting Kurdish separatists, Cyprus, immunity for generals from oversight -there are signs of accord.
The generals, in turn, were conspicuously silent over the divisive legal bid to shut down the ruling AKP, which it narrowly survived last week. Observers in Ankara consider Gen Basbug's temperament to be well suited to both sustaining this working relationship and sternly policing its conditions.
- Financial Times
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