ARTICLE 35 OF THE TAF
INTERNAL SERVICE LAW
IN THE NATIONAL DEFENSE COMMISSION OF THE TGNA
We can say that a consensus has been reached across the country with the government and its opposition regarding the amendment of Article 35 of the Turkish Armed Forces Internal Service Law No. 211.
This article was not only used as a basis for coups by the junta, but also became an encouraging factor in the formation of coup plotters.
In its current form, “The duty of the Armed Forces is to guard and protect the Turkish homeland and the Republic of Turkey, which has been appointed by the Constitution.” this article has caused our Armed Forces to turn to internal security rather than external security, to intervene in politics, to put political powers under tutelage and to act as regime guards.
In order to do this task, the regime created enemies, causing divisions by the state across the country.
Since it came to an authoritarian position in the state mechanism, it could not be controlled, became self-sufficient, and turned into an internal security force that protects the regime, which is easier although it is not suitable for their upbringing, rather than the duty of protecting the homeland.
As a result of this, interventions, coups and tutelage system were formed.
Article 35 should be discussed within the scope of the restructuring of the TAF with a broad perspective.
TAF should be stopped from being a regime guard.
The task of internal security should be taken from the responsibility of the TAF.
TAF should be excluded from politics.
It should be placed in a position and power to be used against external threats.
They must perform their duties in peace, tension and war.
In peacetime, it should allow to send forces to intercontinental and overseas distances for alliances.
By changing the concept of defense, the defense of the homeland should be initiated from across the border.
In emergency situations, an option should also be created for the allocation of specially trained personnel to internal security, with parliamentary approval.
The new Article 35 can be stated as follows:
“The Duty of Our Armed Forces:
- To support national policies determined to achieve national goals,
- To deter assault at arms against our country from across borders,
- To prevent the assault across borders before it happens,
- To defend our country on an all-out defense basis if there is an external assault,
- To reinforce the law enforcement forces with appropriate elements, with the decision of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, to be used in internal security in emergency situations where the Law Enforcement Forces cannot be sufficient.”
In addition, the structure of the National Security Council and the internal threat section of the National Security Policy Document should be discussed together with Article 35.
For the safety of our State and the welfare of our Nation, our country and nation deserve and need an extroverted armed force. July 01, 2013
Adnan Tanrıverdi
Retired Brigadier General
ASSAM Chairman of Board of Directors
