Buyukanit and other Turkish commanders, who have kept a low profile for
nearly a year, welcomed a June 5 court ruling that two constitutional
amendments introduced by Erdogan's party violated Turkish secular
principles. One of the amendments would have revised the constitutional
guarantee that all were equal before the law.
"The Turkish republic is the only country in the Islamic world with a
secular structure," Buyukanit said. "There are those who want to destroy
Turkey's secular structure or attach epithets to the country's name. The
judicial bodies will never allow this to happen."
The Turkish military has maintained an uneasy relationship with the
ruling Islamist party, which enjoys support from the European Union and the
United States. The Justice and Development Party, accused of corruption and
suppression of the media, has faced a legal challenge that could close the
movement on charges that it has become the focus for anti-secular
activities.
"The Constitutional Court has made its decision and I respect it," said
Turkish Land Forces Command chief Gen. Ilker Basbug, expected to succeed
Buyukanit when he retires in August 2008.
The General Staff has also responded to Turkey's diplomatic initiatives.
Buyukanit applauded Ankara's mediation between Israel and Syria as well as
an effort to resolve the Hizbullah-government conflict in Lebanon. Buyukanit
has generally dismissed mediation efforts in the Middle East.
"Israel and Syria should enter into a new process of dialogue under the
patronage of Turkey," Buyukanit said.
