E-memorandum
Encyclopedia
E-memorandum is a controversial General Staff statement released on its Web site in 2007 weighing in the Turkish presidential elections in 2007. The candidate that would possibly be elected was Abdullah Gül
. Turkey's presidential office is regarded as the guardian of the country's secular system; the fact that Gül's wife wears the Islamic headscarf, as well as his own history in political Islam, turned the elections into a political crisis.
During the crisis, on April 2007, this statement was published on TSK's official website regarding the Turkish presidential elections:
The e-memorandum term was coined by Ural Akbulut
to describe the General Staff statement because it was published online.
made a speech. He said that the 59th government was sensitive about the secular, democratic, social and law state. Çiçek added that the statements by the Army were considered as against the 59th government. Çiçek elaborated, in a democratic law state, it was strange to even think that.
– US was also interested in this issue. Dan Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said: "We don't take sides." However, while answering a question that whether US supported EU's approach Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
said: "The United States fully supports Turkish democracy and its constitutional processes, and that means that the election, the electoral system... have to be upheld. Yes. The answer is yes, the U.S. would be in a similar position", supporting EU's approach.
was not elected as the President since the election was almost entirely boycotted by opposition MPs and a general election was called. In the elections, AK Party gained 341 seats and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) gained 71 seats. Since MHP did not boycott the election, at least 367 members were present and Abdullah Gül was finally elected as the President with AK Party's support.
Yaşar Büyükanıt
, then Chief of General Staff said that it was him who wrote this statement but he denied that it was a memorandum.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
the leader of CHP since 2010, said that CHP would file a criminal complaint against former Chief of General Staff Gen. Büyükanıt.
Abdullah Gül
Dr. Abdullah Gül, GCB is the 11th and current President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. He previously served for four months as Prime Minister from 2002-03, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003-07....
. Turkey's presidential office is regarded as the guardian of the country's secular system; the fact that Gül's wife wears the Islamic headscarf, as well as his own history in political Islam, turned the elections into a political crisis.
During the crisis, on April 2007, this statement was published on TSK's official website regarding the Turkish presidential elections:
"The problem that emerged in the presidential election process is focused on arguments over secularism. Turkish Armed Forces are concerned about the recent situation. ... the Turkish Armed Forces are a party in those arguments, and absolute defender of secularism. Also, the Turkish Armed Forces is definitely opposed to those arguments and negative comments. It will display its attitude and action openly and clearly whenever it is necessary ... Those who are opposed to Great Leader Mustafa Kemal AtatürkMustafa Kemal AtatürkMustafa Kemal Atatürk was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey....
's understanding 'How happy is the one who says I am a Turk' are enemies of the Republic of Turkey and will remain so. The Turkish Armed Forces maintain their sound determination to carry out their duties stemming from laws to protect the unchangeable characteristics of the Republic of Turkey. Their loyalty to this determination is absolute."
The e-memorandum term was coined by Ural Akbulut
Ural Akbulut
Ural Akbulut is a professor of chemistry at METU. He had been METU's president from 2002 to 2008. During his presidency, he was involved in a debate with Melih Gökçek regarding the water problem of Ankara....
to describe the General Staff statement because it was published online.
Response from the 59th Government
In response to these statements, government spokesman Cemil ÇiçekCemil Çiçek
Cemil Çiçek is a Turkish politician who is the current Speaker of the Parliament of Turkey since July 4, 2011. He served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and Justice and Development Party Member of Parliament from Ankara. He was formerly Minister of Justice and government spokesman.-Early...
made a speech. He said that the 59th government was sensitive about the secular, democratic, social and law state. Çiçek added that the statements by the Army were considered as against the 59th government. Çiçek elaborated, in a democratic law state, it was strange to even think that.
International reaction to the e-memorandum
– The European Union has warned Turkey's military not to interfere in politics. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said:
"This is a clear test case whether the Turkish armed forces respect democratic secularization and democratic values... The timing is rather surprising and strange. It's important that the military respects also the rules of the democratic game and its own role in that democratic game."
– US was also interested in this issue. Dan Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said: "We don't take sides." However, while answering a question that whether US supported EU's approach Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
said: "The United States fully supports Turkish democracy and its constitutional processes, and that means that the election, the electoral system... have to be upheld. Yes. The answer is yes, the U.S. would be in a similar position", supporting EU's approach.
Aftermath
Abdullah GülAbdullah Gül
Dr. Abdullah Gül, GCB is the 11th and current President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. He previously served for four months as Prime Minister from 2002-03, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003-07....
was not elected as the President since the election was almost entirely boycotted by opposition MPs and a general election was called. In the elections, AK Party gained 341 seats and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) gained 71 seats. Since MHP did not boycott the election, at least 367 members were present and Abdullah Gül was finally elected as the President with AK Party's support.
Yaşar Büyükanıt
Yasar Büyükanit
General Mehmet Yaşar Büyükanıt was the 25th Chief of the Turkish General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, from 28 August 2006 to 28 August 2008.-Biography:...
, then Chief of General Staff said that it was him who wrote this statement but he denied that it was a memorandum.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu
Kemal Kiliçdaroglu
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu is a Turkish social democrat politician. He is currently leader of the Republican People's Party and Leader of the Main Opposition in Turkey. He has been the Member of Parliament for İstanbul since 2002....
the leader of CHP since 2010, said that CHP would file a criminal complaint against former Chief of General Staff Gen. Büyükanıt.
See also
- 1997 military memorandum (Turkey)
- Coup diary
- Turkish presidential election, 2007Turkish presidential election, 2007The 2007 Turkish presidential election refers to two attempts to elect the country's 11th president, to succeed Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The most likely candidate for president was Abdullah Gül...