Kurdish Info 30.08.2008-Finally the excitement over the passing over of the job of commander in chief is over. In most other democratic countries such occasions do not even have the slightest publicity but in Turkey there was wide attention. The media covered it widely. Every message of a general was reflected, some TV stations even broadcasted the ceremony live on their stations.
This is because everyone is well aware of the fact that rather than a parliamentary democracy Turkey is ruled by the military. Therefore all eyes were naturally on the new generals.

The generals that accepted their new roles in the ceremony gave messages regarding laicism, democratization and the Kurdish question.

1-    cultural variations can be tolerated as long as they are individual and not a threat to the structure of nation-state. More democracy should not give anyone the slightest idea of claiming identities for a group.

2-    An all out offensive should continue against the PKK. The organization has been considerably weakened by the air strikes. If this pressure continues the organizations hopes of success will decrease.

3-     Changes made for EU accession has tied the hands of the armed forces in their struggle against the PKK. There is a need for legal changes to be made in order to give the armed forces more powers. Southern Kurdistan should no longer be a safe haven for the PKK.

4-    It is among the jobs of the government to prevent new recruitments to the organization. Therefore the government should research into the reasons as to why people are joining the organization, and once these reasons are found preventative measures should be put in place.

5-    The global system is creating many crises that can also affect the security and stability of Turkey. Precautionary measures should be taken against the chaos in the global system.

6-    The Turkish Armed Forces gets its strength from the Turkish nation. The Turkish Armed Forces is no need for any other check.

7-    The Turkish Armed Forces is on the side of Laicism and is also its guarantor. Society is worried about the threats to the laicist state and thsese should be considered. Religious groups aiming to shape the social lives of people should be clamped down on.