Millî İstihbarat Teşkilâtı
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The Millî İstihbarat Teşkilatı (English: National Intelligence Organization) is the central intelligence agency of the Republic of Turkey. The National Intelligence Organization has an important role with regards to its duties and responsibilities within the state structure of the Republic of Turkey. In fact, through the Law no. 2937 as of January 1, 1984 on State Intelligence Services and the National Intelligence Organization, the legislature has established the legal responsibilities of the MİT and its importance within the state structure by subordinating it directly to the Prime Minister who is responsible for the conduct of the general politics of the country. Under the same law, the MİT is entrusted with the duty to deliver National Security Intelligence nationwide and to convey such intelligence to the President, Prime Minister, Chief of General Staff and General Secretary of the National Security Board as well as the other relevant institutions.
According to law no. 2937, it is furnished to protect Turkish territory, people and integrity, the existence, independence and security of Turkey and all the elements that constitute the constitutional order and the national power. Further it will counteract foreign intelligence and other subversive activities against Turkey.
Having access to all official information and using the rights and authorities of the Police, the MİT has an enhanced legal basis.
Criminal prosecution beyond its constitutional duties requires the Prime Minister's permission, and any testimony requires the permission of the undersecretary of the MİT, Taner Emre, who took office in June 15, 2005. Its last head undersecretary Şenkal Atasagun retired on June 11th, 2005, 4 years earlier than the expected date.
[edit] History
During the period following the dissolution of intelligence organizations and foundation of the Republic of Turkey, the intelligence activities were carried out by the Intelligence Branches of Army Inspectorships until 1926.
Later, in late 1925, Ataturk gave the order for the establishment of a modern intelligence organization having the same standards as those in the developed countries. Thus, with the participation of the cadres that had been trained in European countries, and under the official order (January 6, 1926) of Field Marshal Fevzi Cakmak, Chief of General Staff, the first intelligence organization of the Republic of Turkey was established under the name of Milli Emniyet Hizmeti Riyaseti(M.E.H./MAH) (Directorate of the National Security Service). Structurally, the organization was subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs on January 5, 1927. The one-year period between January 6, 1926 and January 5, 1927 was regarded as the preparatory period for the establishment of the Service by the then leaders, and the day later, January 6, 1927 was accepted as the foundation day of the MAH.
Then, Sukru Ali Ogel was appointed as the Director of the MAH, which still keeps its importance as a symbol in the eyes of the MİT members, since it firmly connects the historical roots of the MİT to the future.
The MAH, which had undergone during its history some small-scale structural changes in consistence with the emerging needs, successfully conducted Turkey's intelligence activities until 1965.
With a view to having intelligence, which is to be collected on every subject relevant to the formulation of the State's national security policy, gathered at one centre, the Turkish Grand National Assembly passed on July 22, 1965 Law no. 644, under which the name of the organization was changed as the Milli İstihbarat Teşkilatı - MİT (National Intelligence Organization). The same law also provided for the control of the organization by an Undersecretary who would be responsible only to the Prime Minister in the fulfillment of duties defined in the law.
The MİT had carried out its duties for about 19 years under the provisions of Law no. 644. However, the rapidly changing conditions and new developments brought the need for new legal arrangements. To that end, on November 1, 1983 Law no. 2937 on the "State Intelligence Services and the National Intelligence Organization" was passed. This law was put into effect as of January 1, 1984. The MİT, which has a modern structural organization and closely follows every kind of technological developments that would help the achievement of national objectives, with its experienced professional and technical staff, is successfully fulfilling its duties defined in the law in a manner firmly devoted to the principles of pluralist democracy, supremacy of law, impartiality and human rights.
