CONTEMPORARY EURASIA IX ( 2 )
In order to prevent the possibility of such a considerable role of the president in political life and decision-making in Turkey in the future , the Constitution of 1961 introduced a new clause , which demanded that the elected president cut ties with his political party . 28 This provision remained untouched in the following constitution of 1982 . 29 At the same time , the president received some additional powers , such as the authority to ratify and promulgate international treaties 30 and after 1982 to decide on the use of the Armed Forces of Turkey if the country was subjected , while the Turkish Grand National Assembly was adjourned or in recess , to sudden armed aggression and thus it was imperative to decide immediately on the use of armed forces . 31 However , more important was the authority of the president to chair the meetings of the National Security Council since its establishment in 1961 , 32 taking into account the rising role of the NSC in foreign policy decision-making ( the structure and role of the NSC of Turkey is discussed below ). Later , through the adoption of the “ Law on the National Security Council and the General Secretariat of the National Security Council ” in 1983 , the president was also made responsible for the agenda of the National Security Council meetings based on the suggestions of the prime minister and the Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Turkey . 33
After these changes , the direct influence of the president over the ruling party and the government was limited , while they did get some extra powers which guaranteed their inclusion in the process of foreign policy decision-making . As a result , in the years that followed , the level of participation of presidents in state foreign policy was mostly based on their interest in it , as well as their personal authority and charisma . Probably the best example of the president ’ s active and decisive participation in foreign policy decision-making was the crucial role of President Özal concerning Turkey ’ s stance during the First Gulf War in 1990-91 . However , it is notable that with all his active involvement in this issue and significant influence on the Prime Minister and a parliamentary majority , Özal still could not single-handedly decide on
28 Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası 1961 , article 95 . 29 Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası 1982 , article 101 . 30 Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası 1961 , article 97 ; Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası 1982 ,
article 104 . 31 Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası 1982 , article 92 . 32 Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Anayasası 1961 , article 111 . 33 Millî Güvenlik Kuruluve Millî Güvenlik Kurulu Genel Sekreterliği Kanunu , Kanun No :
2945 Kabul Tarihi : 09 / 11 / 1983 , Resmî Gazete : 11.11.1983 Sayı : 18218 , article 6 , https :// www . resmigazete . gov . tr / arsiv / 18218 . pdf . 38