Turkey: Deputy PM lays out steps for democratization

By Hatice Ozdemir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's deputy prime minister Saturday laid out four steps in democratization the country should take in the wake of the July 15 failed coup.

In an interview with daily Hurriyet, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said they would fulfill the needs for democratic foundations.

"First, civilians will be stronger in civil-military relations. Second, the Turkish Armed Forces will be transformed into military specialists. Third, preventing the massing of too much military power in a single hub. Fourth, diversifying the Turkish Armed Forces' personnel pool," he said.

Kurtulmus underlined that they would strengthen integration, solidarity, and the relationship between the government and opposition as well.

When asked if members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, or FETO -- blamed for the coup -- had infiltrated the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, he said it was possible that it had, but added:

"Now they are being cleansed from all places of the state and of course the AK Party will do whatever is necessary."

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt, which martyred more than 230 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen's followers and FETO.

Gulen is also accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.

Turkey declared a state of emergency following the overthrow attempt.

Approximately 13,000 members of the military, police, and judiciary, as well as civil servants, have been detained since the failed putsch, and tens of thousands more removed from their posts.