Highest-ranking Turkish soldiers quit from posts/amid controversy/Over Ergenokon Plot

[Ed Jewett]

Highest-ranking Turkish soldiers quit from posts

ANKARA Anatolia News Agency

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n...2011-07-29



Stand-Off Between Turkish Govt and Generals Over Ergenokon Plot
29
07
2011
[SEE: 'Turkey's 'sledgehammer plot' ]

Turkish Chief of General Staff, top commanders resign amid controversy

Chief of General Staff Gen. Işık Koşaner and the commanders of the air, navy and land forces have all resigned from their positions amid controversy over the appointment of generals.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan earlier ruled out any prospects of tension between the government and the military at a Supreme Military Council (YAÅž) meeting slated for Monday, saying that the decisions to be made at the meeting will be in accordance with the law.

Last August, Turkey witnessed tensions between the military and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government when the General Staff attempted to promote a number of generals and admirals standing trial in criminal cases. The government resisted the move and the individuals were eventually not promoted.

YAÅž meets each August to discuss promotions and dismissals within the armed forces. The fact that there are some commanders and military officers who are suspects in ongoing coup cases has led some to speculate that there could be disagreement between the military and the government about the promotion of these individuals. The ruling AK Party had earlier signaled that it would not give the green light for the promotions of these individuals at the YAÅž meeting.

Currently there are 195 suspects, all retired and active duty members of the armed forces, in the ongoing case of Sledgehammer, a suspected coup plan devised at a military gathering in 2003 that allegedly sought to undermine the government in order to lay the groundwork for a military takeover. More senior military personnel have recently been arrested and jailed on charges of links to the subversive coup plan. The government plans to prevent the promotion of 41 Sledgehammer suspects who are active TSK members.

Before this year's YAŞ meeting, Erdoğan, Koşaner and President Abdullah Gül had a summit to prevent a similar crisis from happening. The government and the military agreed that none of the generals that are currently in jail will be promoted.

Gül made a statement on Friday, saying his meeting last week with Erdoğan and Koşaner should not be seen as a glitch in communication. "These are normal things. As the president, I need to know what I am signing when such important decisions are made. I can't blindly sign any document," he said. The president also said he felt the need to make this statement, speaking to journalists outside a mosque after Friday prayer, because there have been many questions from journalists inquiring if the pre-YAŞ meeting indicated a problem.

ErdoÄŸan on Friday said he wanted no surprises, adding that everything should be done according to the law. "I don't think there will be any tension. The convention will proceed very smoothly. The laws regarding dismissals and promotions are obvious. The laws in this country are functioning normally. What the laws call for will be done."

All the commanders except KoÅŸaner were already set to retire on Monday.

The government made it clear that the appointments and promotions at the upcoming YAÅž meeting will be in line with laws regulating dismissal and promotion, while commanders insisted on upholding long-held traditions the military has adhered to for decades in the appointment and promotion of senior-level commanders.

http://therearenosunglasses.wordpress.co...okon-plot/