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Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development A n d Tr a n s p a r e n c y
WWW.PILDAT.ORG
Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development A n d Tr a n s p a r e n c y
PILDAT is an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit indigenous research and training institution with the mission to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan. PILDAT is a registered non-profit entity under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, Pakistan. Copyright© Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency PILDAT All rights reserved Printed in Pakistan Published: December 2013 ISBN: 978-969-558-396-8 Any part of this publication can be used or cited with a clear reference to PILDAT
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency - PILDAT Islamabad Office: No. 7, 9th Avenue, F-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan Lahore Office: 45-A, Sector XX, 2nd Floor, Phase III Commercial Area, DHA, Lahore, Pakistan Tel: (+92-51) 111-123-345; Fax: (+92-51) 226-3078 E-mail:
[email protected]; Web: www.pildat.org
REPORT
Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
CONTENTS Foreword Introduction Analysis
09
Conclusion
12
REPORT
Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
Foreword Foreword Study Visit to Turkey was organized by PILDAT from November 10-16, 2013 by including key members of Pakistan's AParliament and members of PILDAT Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations to study the developments in Democratic Civil-Military Relations and Consolidation of Democracy in Turkey.
Individual delegates have penned down their learning and analyses based on the Study Visit. This paper titled Democratic Consolidation and Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations has been authored by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNA (NA-342, Non-Muslim-X, Sindh, PML-N). We at PILDAT are grateful to him for sharing his analysis and are happy to publish it for a wider dissemination.
Disclaimer
Views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of PILDAT. Islamabad December 2013 05
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Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
INTRODUCTION Introduction November 10-16, 2013, a study visit on democratic consolidation and democratic civil-military relations in Turkey From was organized and sponsored by PILDAT for Pakistani Member Parliament. The core purpose of the study visit was to explore the success of Turkish democracy and the smooth transition of power from military barracks to political institutions.
The delegation comprised of 16 members which was a mix of parliamentarians, ex-parliamentarians, bureaucrats, journalists and think tank representatives. The parliamentarians were from different parties and headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production. The delegation met with the President of Turkey, Speaker Grand National Assembly, Senior Politicians and think tanks and visited three cities: Istanbul Ankara and Konya. 07
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Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
Analysis Turkey, which earned its reputation as a NATO stalwart with the alliance's second largest army, is today the world's 17th largest economy. It is a respected in its immediate region, while changing dramatically in state-society relations. The delegation observed a country on the fast move which has an ambitious agenda, and it seems that it is not willing to rest on its success. Turkey has had more than 10 years of stable government under the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has succeeded in winning three elections in a row (2002, 2007, and 2011), each time with a larger share of the votes. The AKP came to power on the verge of Turkey's most devastating economic crisis in 2001, when the economy contracted by 9.5 per cent. This required a complete overhaul of the country's financial sector. AKP's rise to power has served Turkey well by introducing drastic changes, improving economy, the robustness of its export sector, and sound monetary policy has given Turkey a sense of self-respect and accomplishment and proved that democracy can heal the country better then the military managers. The delegation also observed that the main development in recent time is the collapse of traditional political parties and sending back military to barracks. The role of military is demolished, which had long cast an excessive shadow over Turkish politics. The military had persistently meddled not just in national security matters, but in societal issues due to the ideology injected by country's founder Kemal Ataturk. Even today every government and semi government building adorns with Kamal Ataturk portraits and are displayed in the streets and elsewhere. Throughout the study visit, participants had the opportunity to interact with the representatives of the Asian Centre for Strategic Studies, National Security Council, briefing on Civil-Military relations in Turkey, Interaction with the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey, and meeting with various Chairmen of Political Parties. With this study visit, the group of participants had a chance to see real examples in an environment very similar to Pakistan. On November 11, during the morning, the delegation met representatives of the Turkish Asian Centre for Strategic Studies where a roundtable meeting was organized to discuss “New Term Turkey-Pakistan Relation:
Opportunities and Risks.” The delegation and the representative of the TASAM demonstrated over strategic point of view, opportunities and complementarities relationship between the two countries in the new term, without overlooking problematic issues. Moreover the roundtable also had the opportunity to discuss Middle East and Central Asia and Turkey-Pakistan, Turkey-Pakistan Security Cooperation, Multidimensional Security and Struggle against Terrorism, Academic and Cultural Cooperation Opportunities and Regional and Global Common Perspectives. Senator Mashahid Hussain Syed who was heading the delegation gave a brief note on Pak-Turk relations and also mentioned the lead role of Pakistan in the region. He further emphasised to convert this relation beyond parliamentary exchanges and into better trade and cooperation at the speed of light. Taking part in the discussion I appreciated the Turkish role in EU market and tabled an idea to form Pak-Turkish Expo Centre to market Pakistani Textile and Turkish products in order to take advantage of Turkish status in the European Union. On November 12, in the evening, the delegation departed for Ankara and late in the evening a briefing was organized by Pakistan Embassy in Ankara at Ambassador Residence. Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, warmly welcomed the delegation and gave briefing regarding Pakistan-Turkey relations, opportunities and cooperation. He mentioned that Turkey has emerged as a global player and a big regional player. He also explained preferential trade agreement which our Embassy is trying to create. The briefing was followed by a fabulous dinner hosted by the Ambassador. On November 13, in Ankara the delegation visited Bilkent University where an eye-opening briefing on Civil-Military Relations in Turkey was given by Prof. Dr. Ersel Aydýnlý. He highlighted the old and new paradigm of Turkish Civil-Military relations. In the old paradigm of Turkish civil-military relations, the system could best be described as one in which military presented their expert ideas about what they deemed national threats and then proceeded to act according to their own lights in countering them. In the new system, the military still presents expert opinions, but it is now civilian authorities who ultimately analyse the threats and decides what to do about them. He also mentioned the possibility and threat that Turkey's civil-military transformation process will be 09
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Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
halted or thrown. According to him the most significant threat to continued reform is the Kurdish question, which includes the thorny security problem posed by the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). If the civilian leadership fails to show good judgment and maturity in handling this issue, the country could become destabilized which ultimately leads towards back to square and that will benefit no one. To tackle the security problems, the present democratic forces has to prove themselves of being capable to handle any complex situation to keep the Military at bay. After briefing on the same day the delegation had the opportunity to visit the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) which is a non-partisan, non-profit think tank and has been actively involved in economic and political development of Turkey. The delegation was received and warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Guven Sak, Managing Director, TEPAV. He introduced the work of the independent “TEPAV” think tank which is one of the most influential economic research institutes in Turkey. TEPAV's research and fields of activity are focused on issues of economy, governance and foreign policy. He demonstrated how the think tank creates globally oriented concepts for Turkey's development policy and how these results are communicated to international decisionmakers and lobby organizations. Therefore, TEPAV is cooperating with transnational organizations like the EU, the IMF or the World Bank. Furthermore, Prof. Guven Sak underlined the close cooperation between TEPAV and local actors to adapt ideas in accordance to regional circumstances. He also mentioned that regardless of any government in Pakistan we as a think tank always consider Pakistan-Turkey relations strong and abiding friendship and TEPAV greatly valued it. In the evening the delegation headed for a call on H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul, President, Republic of Turkey at Cankaya Palace, Ankara. The Turkish President warmly welcomed the delegation. The Pakistan delegation briefed the President of the purpose of the study visit and conveyed a message of friendship and need for Parliamentary support and closer cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey. The President shared lessons on civil-military relations and said that Turkey and Pakistan have a special bond and the relations between the two countries are both a historic and futuristic which goes beyond politics. He further elaborated that both countries have faced similar problems of military coups and financial crises. Turkey has dealt with these through economic rod and Pakistan will also overcome challenges it is facing today. 10
The delegation met with Mr. Kemal kilicdaroglu, Chairman Republican People's Party (CHP) at CHP Headquarter where the delegation was very warmly welcomed and exchanged pleasantries. He explained the role of his party being in opposition and shared his success for making CHP active in the eastern parts of Turkey. The same evening the delegation joined a dinner hosted by Mr. Mustafa Kamalak, Chairman of Saadet (Felicity) party at a famous Turkish restaurant. The delegation was cordially welcomed by him. There Mr. Mustafa highlighted the establishment of his party when Welfare Party was banned for 2001 by court. He strongly advocated not to join the European Union, cut military ties with Israel and the United States. After interactive discussion the delegation joined him over the dinner. The delegation also visited the Headquarter of the ruling Justice & Development Party AKP. The delegation was received and briefed by Dr Muzaffar Cakar, Deputy Chairman of the AKP. Mr. Muzaffar said that democratic structure of Pakistan and Turkey are more or less same. In party we have 8.5 million members who elect 1000 leaders. It is the success of AKP to make 26 constitution amendment by 60% votes to elect for the first time Turkish President directly. The next direct Presidential election will be held in 2014. On November 14, the delegation visited Turkish Grand National Assembly where Mr. Cemil Cicek, Speaker TGNA warmly welcomed us. The Speaker mentioned that Turkey and Pakistan enjoy exemplary relations which go beyond the governments. He stressed on more parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts. Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed also talked about Pakistan and Turkey relations and termed both countries as vibrant democracies. He too stressed on frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations between Pakistan and Turkey which would provide an opportunity to work and learn from each other to strengthen democracies and democratic institutions. After a brief meeting with the Speaker TGNA the delegation met with the Chairman of Plan & Budgetary Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly who welcomed the delegates and expressed great joy over the relation of Pakistan and Turkey. He stressed on parliamentary exchanges and advocated for increasing trade between the two countries. The Chairman gave a precise briefing regarding the working and role of Plan and Budgetary Committee. He elaborated that the committee review the
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Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
annual budget and most of the laws are passed by this committee. Elucidating the budget process and the role of the Committee, he said that the budget is prepared by the Finance Ministry in consultation with other ministries. The budget is presented to and discussed in the Plan and Budget Committee before it is sent to the House and normally it takes 20 to 25 days in the Committee and 16 to 17 days in the Assembly for approval. The Committee is composed of 45 members of which at least 25 members belongs to the ruling party. The members of the delegation were surprised to hear that the Committee conducts hearing with Central Bank, Treasury and responsible public agencies on fiscal and economical issues and their reports. After meeting with Plan & Budgetary Committee the delegation also met with the Chairman of National Defence committee. The delegation was briefed on the working of the National Defence Committee. Like in Pakistan in Turkey too, the National Defence Committee does not have the jurisdiction to review the Defence Budget but the Plan and Budget Commission have the jurisdiction to review the budget of Defence budge. He further explained that Ministry of Defence and National Defence Committee has close coordination. A question asked by me that being part of the NATO in Afghanistan, what Turkey gained and lost and the decision of joining NATO forces in Afghanistan was right or wrong. In response he politely said that it is not the scope of Defence Committee to assess the gain and loss of Turkey or making decision to join NATO forces in Afghanistan. The delegation had a chance to meet Mr. Muammer Turker, Secretary General of the National Security Council, in order to have first hand experience of Civil-Military relation in Turkey and how it works especially when Turkish military which intervened directly in 1960, 1971, 1980, 1997 and indirectly intervene in 2007 sent back to barracks. Mr. Turker briefed us on how Turkish Military is strong. Today Turkish military is equipped with 55% homemade arms. Moreover, Defence ministry is divided in two sections, i.e., Defence Ministry and Defence Production. Secretary Defence must be from military and Secretary Defence Production comes from civilian. The National Security Council is composed of 9 members of whom 5 members are from military and the rest are from civil. The civil members are comprised of Prime Minister, four Deputy Prime Ministers and four Ministers. In the past the National Security Council was considered to be the guardian of the principles of the Kamalism but after the constitutional amendments in 2001, the role of the military within the NSC was curtailed. For example, the civilian members of
the NSC have been increased, and the NSC no longer recommends policies to the cabinet, but rather conveys its views informally. The delegation met with Mr. Burhan Kayaturk, MP and the Chair of the Pakistan-Turkey Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The delegation held a detailed interaction with him. The Group is the largest friendship group in Turkey. Even the Speaker TGNA also appreciated and spoke of this group by mentioning it the largest groups in TGNA. Recognizing the contribution and meritorious services of Mr. Burhan, the Government of Pakistan decorated him with with Sitara-e-Imtiaz. The meeting was followed by luncheon hosted by Mr. Burhan. On November 15, a trip was organized from Ankara to Konya via bullet train. It was my first experience to travel by bullet train so I was very much exited. Early in the morning we reached the rail station and boarded for Konya. There the delegation was amazed to learn that before the bullet train the travel time from Ankara to Konya was 10 hours and with the installation of bullet train the travel time in now just1.5 hours with stops in Eskisehir and Afyon. There I realized the Turkish technical development that the current railway line has been designed and built by Turkish contractors and engineers and is currently the fastest constructed high-speed railway in the world. We spend the day in Konya and enjoyed the pleasant weather. I found Konya to be a very pleasant place. It has the reputation of being one of the most conservative places in Turkey, perhaps rightly so, as there were much more women in headscarves around in Konya than in most other places. However, we met everywhere with politeness and often with outward friendliness. In general we had an impression that it was a mix of some Middle-Eastern climate with affluence and cleanliness on easily European levels. Konya is best known as the adopted home of Celaleddin Rumi, the Sufi mystic who founded the Whirling Dervish sect. Today it is still a centre of Sufi practice and teaching, and one of the highlights for visitors is the Mevlana Museum, the former lodge of the dervishes. It is called that Konya is one of the first inhabited cities in the history of mankind, and still contains traces of many ancient civilisations which gives it the atmosphere of a museum city. We were astonished to learn that more than 6 museums are there. The famous are Mevlana Museum, Konya Archaeological Museum, Ince Minare Museum and Ataturk House Museum. There is little international tourism in Konya, so the prices there were quite low compared to Istanbul. We really enjoyed our time there. 11
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Success of Turkish Democracy and Civil Military Relations
Conclusion On behalf of the delegation and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) for arranging this important study visit to analyze, interact and learn democratic consolidation and democratic civil-military relations in Turkey. One cannot deny the fact that Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has always endeavoured towards strengthening democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan. Above all, PILDAT has established a Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations to understand complexity of Civil-Military relations in Turkey and here at home. Turkey has overcome the supremacy of their Military and for this reason, PILDAT has pursued opportunities for Pakistani Parliamentarians and intellectuals to visit Turkey and interact with their Turkish counterparts to get insight of Civil-Military relations. As a result of this study visit, PILDAT has managed to raise some degree of awareness amongst the Pakistani delegation. Never had I thought that the experience acquired during this study visit would change my perception of New Turkey. It was a brilliant experience that expanded my thought horizon. The study visit offered a valuable insight into the Civil-Military Relationship in the new era of democratic Turkey. The success horizon of Turkish Politicians can be gauged from the fact that today in National Security Council, decision power rests with the Civilian leader and the Military can only make recommendations. It seems that Pakistan is already following in the footsteps of Turkey. A recent precedent in this regard is the filing of case under Article 6 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, against former President General Pervaiz Musharraf. Recently in Turkey, former Armed Forces Commander was sentenced to life imprisonment with other retired officers, for their role in overthrowing the Civilian Government. The Civilian leaders in Turkey are determined to consolidate their supremacy over the Military & it is evident from the severity of the sentences given. It would not have been possible if politicians in the last decade had failed to win the hearts and minds of Turkish people. In Pakistan, the politicians have to likewise prove themselves worthy by pulling out the Nation from today's turmoil and restricting the Military to barracks. From this visit, I have also learnt that every individual in the State should be free to live according to his faith and the State should be secular in a way not to protect or patronize specific faith or group of faiths. To pull out Pakistan from the dirt of terrorism, sectarianism and also to safeguard it from Military adventurism, we must keep Turkey as a model and learn lessons from it. I would again reiterate that during our visit we observed that most of the problems faced by Turkey are the same as faced by Pakistan today. I am of this opinion and I am sure the whole delegation is on the same page with me on this, that it is best to study Turkey model and try to follow their footsteps to tackle issues here at home. I am mindful of the fact that such interactive visits must be encouraged and any support which parliamentarians could render to assist PILDAT in arranging such study visit would be welcomed, if asked. On the other hand, PILDAT must also encourage those Parliamentarians for such study visits, who can deliver after their return and who are interested to work for the betterment of the system and brave enough to stand against the odds of the society. Turkey's professional Military has been a force for modernization and progress throughout the nation's history. As the constitutionally-appointed guardian of the Turkish Republic, however, the military has often intervened in political affairs, resulting in a constant, underlying tension between the Government and the Military establishment in Turkey. For the past several years, there have been signs of the declining role of the Military in Turkish politics. One was the investigation and trials of several retired generals and active duty officers accused of conspiring to bring down the Government, which helped spark public criticism of the military's outsize influence in Turkish politics. So when the military overplayed their hand in 2007, the AKP called for early election. The AKP won these elections overwhelmingly. The Military made a serious strategic mistake of taking on a Government, that by then had by any measure, brought a great deal of stability and economic growth to Turkey and thereby developed support among average citizens because of its accomplishments. From then on, the AKP Government systematically chiselled at the military structure and confined them to barracks. So the main reason of public support for the civilian leaders was their accomplishment and this is the lesson to be learned for all ill, corrupt, sluggish and ailing democracies. 12
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development A n d Tr a n s p a r e n c y
Islamabad Office: No. 7, 9th Avenue, F-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan Tel: (+92-51) 111 123 345 | Fax: (+92-51) 226-3078 Lahore Office: 45-A, Sector XX, 2nd Floor, Phase III Commercial Area, DHA, Lahore Tel: (+92-42) 111 123 345 | Fax: (+92-42) 3569 3896 E-mail:
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