They had even asked that IAI Herons, unmanned aerial vehicles, be shot down. The National Intelligence Agency (MİT) had discovered this information and reported it to the land forces commander at that time, who is currently approaching retirement, Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ. What a horrific claim! Mr. Başbuğ, who spoke on a TV station hours before responding to a question on claims that there are military officers who are assisting the PKK by saying that people making such claims were evil by nature. And now there is a concrete claim before us; however, the chief of General staff is not saying a word.There have been many news pieces and opinion editorials written on the support given to the PKK from within the state and the desire of lieutenant to shoot down IAI Heron planes. It would be nice if the concerned state units would issue a statement on the matter and refute the claim. At this point the matter has two addressees: The MİT and the General Staff. MİT, for days has not said, “No, we don’t have any such record of this happening.” While the Chief of General Staff Gen. Başbuğ, despite seizing every opportunity to issue a statement when it comes to other matters, has not responded to a matter that should be of personal concern to him. He has not said, “Such a document was never given to me.” This silence is not a good sign. We are faced with a mind-boggling, nauseating scenario.
If the matter at hand actually took place, then in actuality there cannot be only two addressees. For example MİT, who held a report of such information, would not have given this information to the land forces commander alone. Is it not necessary for an intelligence agency working under the Prime Ministry to share this information with other governmental units? Or wouldn’t have Başbuğ shared this information with his superiors that day, starting with the Ministry of Defense? There is pause of silence from all governmental levels at this point.
How can a lieutenant say “Commander, too many PKK members are being hit,” refer to the terrorists as “our own men” and, what’s worse, say “We’ve got too many casualties? We should either change our coordinates or shoot down the IAI Heron” and nobody in the military say anything in response. Is this how terror is fought? MİT saw what was happening and reported it to Başbuğ, and then the military prosecutor’s office steps in and three years passes by without so much as a serious penalty or even an investigation into the matter. Those who should issue a statement to the public in the face of such a horrific revelation prefer to remain tight-lipped. Isn’t that a shame? The following question should be asked: Can there be some rotten apples mixed in with the soldiers that are fighting terror?” Of course there can be. There are people of weak character in every organization and institution. Within the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) there may be people who are actively involved in junta plans and those who cooperate with terrorists so that they can facilitate this. The criticism is not regarding this, though. The real point of all the outrage is that such events that occur within the TSK are always swept under the carpet (or they seem to be treated that way, at least to the public). Those who commit crimes within the TSK or those who are faced with accusations are always protected, watched over and their files are shuffled off. Similar cases are not subject to such extra-legal treatment in other areas of the government. For example, when a staff member in a police station is faced with accusations of “abuse of power,” a judicial process is initiated. Individuals in positions of authority who were accused of criminal acts were dismissed and directed to courthouse. When the person in question is a soldier, authorities come up with a thousand and one excuses. The wheels of justice turn the same way for the national education system as they do for the police. These wheels of the state operate on a custom. The employee, who has had serious accusations directed at him or her, was removed from duty for the sake of the trial and then the claims are laid out on a table. The fact that the wheels of justice are not turning the same way for our soldiers is something which hurts our military and justice system.
The latest member of this “mute” family is the media. A group of people which take every opportunity to exercise heroism and equate a pro-junta stance with patriotism cannot write a single line about those who plan to shoot down our own planes or change the course of our planes which are carrying out strikes on the PKK. How can terror be overcome when things are such?
You have no right to this
Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül said, “Today is a historical, important day in the history of our aerial defense and defense industry.” He’s right. Turkey has created an unmanned aerial vehicle and this vehicle was introduced to the public for the first time. The plane, called Anka, will be produced for a cheaper price than its Israeli counterpart, the Heron. It’s a very proud development; in which the technological, engineering and defense industries are all involved.
However there is a big problem at hand as well. During the press meeting held for the unveiling of the Anka, which was introduced by saying that it was created with “domestic resources,” the practice of accreditation continues. The press release is not sent to certain papers, despite the fact that it is requested.
İlker Başbuğ could have put an end to this practice, which has no objective measure and is considered one of the unfortunate practices stemming from the Feb. 28 period that in no way compliments the modern face of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). He had both the resources and the knowledge to do so.
However he didn’t make good use of this opportunity. He missed a great opportunity and was recorded into history with prohibitive practices. I hope that the new chief of General Staff demonstrates both the courage and foresight to eliminate this meaningless practice. Because it’s the TSK that is being corroded during this period and not those against whom the accreditation is being implemented.
