Military should stay in their barracks and keep out of politics, Terry Davis says

PanARMENIAN.Net - "I am very concerned about the recent public statement by the Turkish military. This statement looks like a deliberate attempt by the armed forces to influence the election of a new President in Turkey. They should stay in their barracks and keep out of politics," said Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.



"The Turkish people have achieved great progress in respect for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law since Turkey's accession to the Council of Europe in 1949. These achievements should not be put at risk", he said.



"In a democracy, the military are under the command of democratically elected State authorities. The armed forces do not have any democratic legitimacy of their own and therefore cannot have a political role. I am shocked that the military in a member state of the Council of Europe should behave in this way in the midst of a democratic and constitutional process such as the election of the Head of State. I call on all political parties to take a clear stand against interference by the armed forces in the political process."



Terry Davis added that he was confident that Turkey was a mature democracy and capable of electing its President as provided in its Constitution, the CoE communication unit reports.



The Turkish military high command warned government leaders early Saturday that it was concerned about unrest in the country associated with the vote, and said it was monitoring the situation closely.



"The General Staff's statement has been assessed as a lunge against the government," Cemil Cicek told a news conference in Ankara, adding that the General Staff is a constitutional institution subordinate to the government and that its head is responsible to the Prime Minister for fulfilling his duties.