Turkey parliament curtails army powers

Feature reported that Turkey's parliament had amended in July 2013 the Military Code governing the armed forces, curtailing their political influence.

The original rules gave the military responsibility of preserving the Republic of Turkey, a clause previously used as a justification for coups.

The code will now say that the army's main duty is to protect the nation from foreign threat.

The military had long regarded itself as the protector of Turkey's secular tradition and had staged three coups between 1960 and 1980.

ESO: Background information: Turkey detains retired military chief http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-detains-retired-military-chief/

Hürriyet Daily News, 27.06.13: Turkish government moves to amend criticized military code http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-government-moves-to-amend-criticized-military-code.aspx?pageID=517&nID=49618&NewsCatID=338

Blog: Erkan's Field Diary, 14.07.13: Turkey redefines military’s role as it is heading fast towards a Police state… A politics roundup http://erkansaka.net/turkey-redefines-militarys-role-as-it-is-heading-fast-towards-a-police-state-a-politics-roundup/

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