<
--------------
STRATFOR.com
--------------
THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
If it’s in the news, it’s too late...
Turkey: Parliament Makes Headway Against Military
October 24, 2001
Summary
The Turkish military is making plans to deploy peacekeepers to Afghanistan should the United States formally ask for them. But in an unusual development, the military was first forced into political horse-trading to win approval from Turkey's civilian government. This is a new dynamic there, and it will further embolden Turkish politicians to challenge the military.
Analysis
Turkish army troops may be deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of a potential post-Taliban peacekeeping force, according to The News, a Pakistani daily. The paper reported that Turkish President Ahmet Sezer's upcoming trip to Pakistan is meant to nail down an agreement with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on allowing such a force into Afghanistan.
But instead of simply issuing the necessary orders, the military took the unusual step of asking permission for the deployment from parliament. This move sent shock waves through Turkey, and it illustrates a shift in the relationship between the military and the civilian government. It also sets the stage for future political showdowns as Turkish politicians will be more emboldened to challenge the military leadership.
With the level of anti-U.S. sentiment running high in many Muslim populations, a Muslim peacekeeping force in Afghanistan would do wonders symbolically for the U.S. campaign against al Qaeda. And the generals that dominate Turkey's National Security Council -- the country's most powerful governing body -- would no doubt like to earn Washington's gratitude, which could be demonstrated with possible military supplies or debt relief.
+++++++ NOTICE +++++++
This is an abbreviated version of a full-length STRATFOR report previously seen by our Members. To access STRATFOR's complete range of in-depth, objective intelligence and analysis on the globe, including our award-winning daily full text and graphics reports, click here and become a Member today!
+++++++ NOTICE +++++++
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Turkey: Parliament Makes Headway Against Military . . .