Suspected plot systematically dropped off agenda, analysts agree

Analysts agree this is as a result of systematic efforts to change the agenda of the country; however, its being dropped off the agenda does not verify claims that the plot does not exist.

“I think the plot was dropped off agenda on purpose. The agenda changes too rapidly in Turkey. However, we need to be fully aware of this point -- this plot is not the only effort to undermine the power of the democratically elected government in our country. Those who are swept to power through democratic means are regarded as a threat by some circles and they are subjected to various attempts to be brought down,” stated Bülent Orakoğlu, former deputy chief of the National Police Department's Intelligence Unit.

The suspected plot, which bears the signature of a colonel on active duty, describes a plan to bring down the ruling AK Party and the Gülen movement through framing individuals by planting weapons in their homes and manufacturing false news stories.

The plot created a huge public outcry, with analysts terming it as yet another attempt by the military to actively interfere in politics.

Orakoğlu's remarks came in response to a news piece that appeared in the Cumhuriyet daily on Monday. The daily claimed in its lead story that the debates over the alleged plot had dropped off the agenda after its original version had not been discovered.

“The document named ‘The Fight against Reactionaryism,' which was brought to the agenda by a daily and over which harsh criticism was directed at the Turkish Armed Forces [TSK], failed to go beyond being a ‘Xerox copy.' The fact that the original version of the document was not discovered brought questions to mind over whether the document was a fake. Neither the original version and those who prepared the document were uncovered,” read the daily.

Political analyst Mümtaz'er Türköne, however, said the claims of the newspaper were far from being convincing.

“If you cannot prove the existence of something, then you are expected to prove its non-existence. Almost everybody in Turkey agrees that such a plot exists. This plot is a part of a greater plot. Though it may seem as if it is off the agenda, we are all aware that the plot is under implementation,” said Türköne.

Türköne pointed out the recent debates over an attempt by the Supreme Board of Prosecutors and Judges (HSYK) to replace prosecutors and judges conducting the ongoing case into Ergenekon, a criminal organization charged with attempting to overthrow the government.

“In Turkey, there is a battle to enable the reign of democracy over the armed forces. The right party in this battle is democracy, and the armed forces are the powerful party. I hope the right party will win the battle,” the political analyst added.

Though the suspected plot drew the indignation of pro-democracy circles, the names behind it went untouched.

Col. Dursun Çiçek, whose signature figures on the plot, was first arrested on suspicion of being linked to the plot, but was soon released after an appeal by his lawyer. His immediate release created controversy.

Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ denied army possession of the said plot during a press conference last month. He termed the plot “a piece of paper” and called on the relevant authorities to find out who was behind the “manufactured” document.

Alper Görmüş, a columnist for the Taraf daily, which first published the document, said the Cumhuriyet story was too weak to convince people that the original version of the document does not exist.

“My personal conviction is that a great majority of the public believes that the said document was prepared at the General Staff headquarters. There are many other similar plots [against the government], whose existence were not denied. Our people are no longer persuaded by simple denials. The agenda of our country is currently too crowded and the suspected plot seems to be being kept out of sight. However, this does not mean that the public has forgotten all about it,” Görmüş remarked.