Çiçek prepared the Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism by himself. Starting with Gen. Saldıray Berk, the other commanders are merely victims of this event. It is not true that the signature was produced by a machine. The signature on the bottom of the document belongs to Çiçek. Çiçek devised this plan in a state of frustration and anger in order to leave the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in a difficult position after he was not promoted to the rank of admiral. He should be punished with six years in prison and discharged from the military.
Let’s briefly recall what happened. As is known, a scandalous document bearing Çiçek’s signature was published by the Taraf daily under the headline “Plan to end AK Party and Gülen.” The four-page plan was seized at Ergenekon defendant retired Cpt. Serdar Öztürk’s office. According to the plan, that the “AK Party is aiming for a regime based on Islamic principles” will be stressed. Furthermore, the author plans to highlight that retired and active duty military officers who were detained as part of the Ergenekon investigation were jailed because they were fighting reactionaryism.
It is most noteworthy that the Gülen movement was also targeted in the plan even though its supporters have not been involved in any crime in the 40 years since the movement came to prominence and even though they were acquitted in all cases opened against them at the Supreme Court of Appeals.
“The Fethullah Gülen movement will be labeled as an armed terrorist organization through weapons that will be planted in the ‘houses of light’ and later found in military raids. Probes will be carried out in accordance with military law. The notion of moderate Islam will particularly be stressed. Discussions will center on those following Gülen being controlled by the US and aiming to destroy the essence of Islam. It will be ensured that documents fomenting hostility against Alevis will be found in the raids to those houses,” read the discovered plan.
Now, let’s return to our questions. Was it not said that such a plan does not exist? The mighty chief of General Staff, Gen. İlker Başbuğ, had said in a press conference on June 26, 2009 that “we believe this piece of paper was prepared with the aim of damaging and defaming the TSK.” He uttered threats through the column of (Hürriyet daily columnist) Ertuğrul Özkök, saying, “All of Turkey will see what we will do when it is understood that it is fake.” It was also him who said in front of (journalist) Uğur Dündar, “We know that the police leaked the document.”
The General Staff’s prosecutor says Çiçek leaked the document. Oh esteemed Başbuğ, what are you saying now? OK, you are set to retire and leave, but do you have the right to make the TSK lose its credibility and respectability? You had already said there were some who were waging “an asymmetrical war against the TSK.” What will you say now? Was the mighty General Staff, where the most intelligent officers are employed, only able to capture Çiçek after one full year? Is the whole society not being fooled?
But is there any room in the honor of the military profession to accuse a senior colonel -- just because he is not an admiral -- of having sold out his institution, debasing him like this, trampling his dignity and honor, two qualities most important to a soldier, underfoot?
If Çiçek prepared such a document only because he is not an admiral, why would he wage war on the government, innocent people and try to protect the junta? Shouldn’t he have made up something else?
Mr. Başbuğ, is this a spectacle? Or is it that you are retiring, and Çiçek will be forced to retire? Will we face a new conspiracy when all the guilt is laid on the shoulders of the two of you at the upcoming Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting and the influence of the coup supporters remains in place?
What is the truth?
