Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Turkey, unable to halt anti-government protests, has
threatened to deploy the Army to restore order.

Officials said the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has
examined the feasibility of deploying Turkey’s huge Army, the second largest
in NATO, to quell nationwide protests. They said Turkish police, despite the
arrest of thousands, have failed to stop the demonstrations, comprised
mostly of young people.

“What is required of us is to stop it if there is a protest against the law,” Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said. “There is the police. If that’s not enough, there’s the Gendarmerie. If that’s not enough, there
is the Turkish Armored Forces. These authorities exist in the laws.”

In a television interview on June 17, Arinc became the highest-level official to raise the prospect of military intervention. The deputy premier reflected growing frustration of being unable to stop nearly three weeks of
massive protests, which included clashes with police and the ruling Justice and Development Party.

“I think the innocent demonstrations that began 20 days ago have
completely ended,” Arinc said.

Police have used water cannons, tear gas, vehicles and batons against
protesters. But officials acknowledged that police morale and effectiveness
have declined over the last week.

“This shows the depth of the panic, coupled with their determination to
crush this movement at any cost,” opposition deputy chairman Osman Faruk
Logoglu said.

The Interior Ministry has deployed the Gendarmerie to quell the
protests. On June 17, Interior Minister Muammer Guler said the use of the
Gendarmerie was “quite normal” but denied preparing for military
intervention.

“I have not called on the military for support,” Guler said.

Turkey has been battling international criticism for what the European
Union and the United States termed excessive police force. On June 17,
Erdogan called the EU — which passed a resolution against Ankara’s campaign
to stop the protests — “undemocratic.”

“You remain silent about what’s happening in France, in England and
elsewhere in Europe, and you dare to take a decision on our security forces,
who are exercising their duty of law enforcement against those
demonstrators,” Erdogan said. “You support those who attack the freedom of
others.”

  Bulent Arinc, Gendarmerie, Muammer Guler, NATO’s 2nd largest, Osman Faruk Logoglu, Turkish Armored Forces, Turkish police can’t stop protests; Erdogan may deploy army