General Başbuğ's troubled period

These days I could name many people who are troubled because of their position but there is especially one whose case does not compare to anyone else’s.

I’m talking about Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ.

The Ergenekon investigation has bothered the Turkish Armed Forces, or TSK, the most. It is not spoken out loud but in between the lines members of the TSK are blamed but implied or indirectly drawn attention to the responsibility of active duty or retired officers.

The General Staff has been squeezed into a corner by some parts of society:

w Those who believe in the Ergenekon take it for granted that in some way or another, the TSK plays a role in this event. Since Susurluk the cloud overshadowing the officers has not been lifted and people want to bring them to account.

w The secular part of society blames the General Staff for its passiveness in view of the developments. Especially one portion of the secular part is even fiercer. This portion says that the military stayed idle for years and went no further than observing. It claims that Turkey is being lost.

w The TSK spits fire regarding this course. The present situation with Ergenekon and developments in this country bother active duty officers immensely. They especially cannot accept that retired commanders are being taken into custody and put on trial by a civil prosecutor.

w Retired officers also spit fire. Taking their retired fellow soldiers into custody creates great reactions. These reactions are not limited to brisk fights in officer’s clubs or meetings organized among them. Loud speeches are being held that reach the general staff.

w In the press, the General Staff receives criticism on all fronts. A crossfire situation seems to be present. Of course all responsibility is piled up in front of the door of the first Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ.

The Chief of General Staff needs to find a balance in between these different views.

First of all the General Staff does not want to be viewed as an institution that hinders the Ergenekon investigation or that drags its feet during the legal period. Whatever the law says is being done. No objection is made while generals are taken into custody. Police with proper paperwork are not kicked out.

But reactions from inside and outside the institution are very harsh. Gen. Başbuğ does not change his attitude despite reverberations from the military about officers being dragged to places they are used to seeing civilians be dragged. He does not cause any problems for the Ergenekon investigations but merely "does fine tuning" behind closed doors on the prime ministerial level.

Besides, what further reaction could he show?

Those who want the military to interfere blindly and believe that this is the best choice say, "We want a more active attitude," but they don’t see or deny seeing that in today’s climate old fashioned intervention is over.

Making promises or showing solidarity in any way by the Chief of Staff regarding Ergenekon or detained generals is interpreted as the TSK taking action in order to protect its fellow soldiers. There, we are passing such a difficult period.

Transparency in military will change the balance

Wonder if there is any other option?

What can be done to eliminate doubts in the minds of a portion of the public and change this course?

The worst step to take at this point is probably to take on an attitude that might hinder the case, whether you believe in Ergenekon or not. Because then it might seem as if the TSK wants to hide something. If an action starts in that direction then no one can prevent an erosion of prestige. Such a danger is present and that is why the right approach is Gen. Başbuğ wanting to carry out his relation with the administration in declarations before the public.

Well then, does this suffice?

Can the course be changed by not speaking in a loud voice and openly, or by setting forth criticism behind closed doors? For let’s not forget that this case will last long and more dirt will be dug up. Maybe new evidence will be found.

This is probably what keeps Gen. Başbuğ busy. How can the TSK be saved from attrition within this period?

I have a suggestion in this regard. But I am also expecting my reader’s views. Maybe we can come to a consensus.

Please write to me, I’m waiting.