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MULTIMEDIA
May 27, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 

Retired colonel urges soldiers to share docs with prosecutors

Retired Lt. Col. Tevfik Diker
5 December 2009 / ÖMER ŞAHIN, ANKARA
Retired Lt. Col. Tevfik Diker has called on members of the military to share the confidential documents in their possession detailing the Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) plans to stage a coup d’état with civilian prosecutors.

“Pro-coup and junta activities within the armed forces deeply disturb a large number of army generals, officers and noncommissioned officers. If many people had not taken risks, we would not be in this position now. If we do not take risks, we will not get rid of coup preparations,” Diker stated. In saying “risks,” Diker was referring to a number of confidential military documents mailed in October and November to civilian prosecutors conducting a probe into a criminal organization known as Ergenekon.

The documents revealed that the TSK had several plans to destroy the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and give a new shape to society. The documents were mailed by two military officers, who refused to disclose their identities.

“As a former soldier, I am calling on all members of the military who are retired or on active duty. If you love your country, send all documents in your hands to the Ergenekon prosecutors. Trust the judiciary. This is a test of democracy for Turkey. This is an opportunity for Turkey,” Diker stated.

The retired lieutenant colonel also asserted that the anti-democratic group within the armed forces would not be destroyed with the trial of some suspected members of Ergenekon. “It would not be wise to believe that Ergenekon will be eliminated with the trial of 50 or 100 people. Ergenekon is a big organization with members from the business world, the media, military and civilian bureaucracy and foreign members. We cannot destroy this organization by calling to account low-ranking members of the military. We cannot reach a conclusion without trying, for example, top commanders at the General Staff, high-profile politicians or holding bosses,” Diker remarked.

Diker also noted that former Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt should be brought to justice for issuing the infamous April 27, 2007 memorandum. The April 27 statement, more commonly referred to as the “e-memorandum” because it was published online, came at a time of political crisis over the election of the country’s president in 2007. In the statement, the General Staff said it was following with “concern” the debate over the secular system in the presidential election and would “openly display its position and attitude when it becomes necessary.” The memorandum-like statement said Islamic reactionary activities were expanding in scope and vowed to fulfill its “lawful duties” to protect the state.

‘Late colonel advised Gen. Özkök to bring own lunch’

According to Diker, retired Col. Belgütay Varımlı, who allegedly killed himself last month when he jumped from the balcony of his apartment in İstanbul, advised former Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Özkök to bring his own lunch to the General Staff headquarters due to the risk of assassination. “Özkök was anxious that he could be poisoned during the period he served as an army chief. Varımlı advised the general to bring his own lunch to work,” Diker claimed.

Diker also called for a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged suicide of the late colonel. The retired lieutenant colonel believes that Varımlı was assassinated because he knew about the armed forces’ secrets.
 
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