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EXPERT: MILITARY COUP IMPOSSIBLE IN TURKEY
ARMINFO
Monday, June 10, 17:51
Military coup is impossible in Turkey, Professor Ruben Safrastyan,
Head of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian National
Academy of Science, told media, Monday.
The expert said that Turkish army is indifferent to the clashes of
the police and protesters against construction in Gezi Park. Prime
Minister Erdogan managed to separate army from the politics. In
addition, the mentality of Turkish officers has changed sharply. The
graduated students of religious schools have been allowed to receive
higher education and part of them became officers after graduation.
Now, the army leadership is concerned that the officers will simply
refuse to fulfill orders and will not interfere with the processes
in the country, Safrastyan said.
The professor believes that the situation with Gezi Park is in
favor of the incumbent president Abdullah Gul. In 2014 elections to
the local self-government and presidential election will be held
in Turkey. In addition, a new Constitution may be adopted ahead
of elections to change the governance system. "It is not a secret
that Prime Minister Erdogan claims the presidential post and these
changes will give him wider powers. However, the current processes
in Turkey show that Erdogan cannot come out as a nation- wide leader
who listens to the voice of the people," Safrastyan says. "Erdogan's
behavior is insulting first of all the Gezi Park activists, who are
largely intellectuals. This will seriously damage Erdogan's image
and Gul will appear as a winner," he said.
The protests against construction in the area of Gezi Park in Istanbul
continue in Turkey. Reportedly, 536 people were wounded during
the ongoing unrest in Turkey, with over 2,3 thousand people being
arrested. In Ankara, activists demand resignation of the government.
On June 8 Istanbul mayor declared that the local authorities adopted
a decision to cancel construction in the park.
ARMINFO
Monday, June 10, 17:51
Military coup is impossible in Turkey, Professor Ruben Safrastyan,
Head of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian National
Academy of Science, told media, Monday.
The expert said that Turkish army is indifferent to the clashes of
the police and protesters against construction in Gezi Park. Prime
Minister Erdogan managed to separate army from the politics. In
addition, the mentality of Turkish officers has changed sharply. The
graduated students of religious schools have been allowed to receive
higher education and part of them became officers after graduation.
Now, the army leadership is concerned that the officers will simply
refuse to fulfill orders and will not interfere with the processes
in the country, Safrastyan said.
The professor believes that the situation with Gezi Park is in
favor of the incumbent president Abdullah Gul. In 2014 elections to
the local self-government and presidential election will be held
in Turkey. In addition, a new Constitution may be adopted ahead
of elections to change the governance system. "It is not a secret
that Prime Minister Erdogan claims the presidential post and these
changes will give him wider powers. However, the current processes
in Turkey show that Erdogan cannot come out as a nation- wide leader
who listens to the voice of the people," Safrastyan says. "Erdogan's
behavior is insulting first of all the Gezi Park activists, who are
largely intellectuals. This will seriously damage Erdogan's image
and Gul will appear as a winner," he said.
The protests against construction in the area of Gezi Park in Istanbul
continue in Turkey. Reportedly, 536 people were wounded during
the ongoing unrest in Turkey, with over 2,3 thousand people being
arrested. In Ankara, activists demand resignation of the government.
On June 8 Istanbul mayor declared that the local authorities adopted
a decision to cancel construction in the park.