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Erdoğan: All linked to coup plot will be tried
The military has wielded strong influence over politics for decades but has seen its powers dramatically curtailed by Erdoğan's government, which took steps to put the military under civilian rule. “An impaired democracy is not the fate of this country,” Erdoğan said at an extended meeting of AK Party provincial chairmen.
“No one is above the law. No one is untouchable. No one is privileged.”
The probe has fueled tensions between the government and the military and shaken the markets, but Erdoğan has dismissed calls for early elections by opposition parties.
“The process under way is painstaking, but it is for the benefit of the people. Today’s developments are bringing comfort to the public conscience,” Erdoğan said. “Those conspiring behind closed doors to trample on the nation’s will from now on will find themselves facing justice.”
“They should know that they won’t get away with it,” Erdoğan added.
The prime minister said the days when governments changed every 16 months and early elections were constantly held, costing the country dearly, are behind Turkey.
“We do not want to waste the upcoming one-and-a-half years before us on early election debates, which bring no good to the country. Let the opposition parties dwell on such debates. We will take care of business,” said Erdoğan.
The next general election in Turkey is slated for mid-2011.
Erdoğan, President Abdullah Gül and Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Basbuğ held a rare trilateral meeting on Thursday, later issuing a joint statement seeking to ease tensions.
“The public must be assured that matters will be handled in line with the law and that everyone should act responsibly not to damage institutions,” the statement said.
 As the number of military officers charged and jailed for plotting coups rises almost daily in Turkey, Prime Minister Erdoğan vowed that his administration would remain steadfast and put everyone working against the country’s democracy on trial. Prime minister lashes out at media The prime minister directed harsh criticism at the media for fanning alarm among investors in the wake of the recent detentions in the country. “I am talking to the media bosses. No one has the right to turn a country’s economy on its head, we won’t allow it, because it’s clear the state the economy has come to,” Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said. He also said the media bosses who cannot prevent their columnists from fomenting tension in the country and discouraging markets should not complain later about the economic circumstances in the country. “You pay the salaries of those who write for your newspaper. So, tomorrow you do not have the right to complain about bad economic conditions. On the one hand, you will lash out at the government, asking it to raise the salaries [of public workers], while on the other hand, you will do your best to influence the economy of the country through your columnists,” Erdoğan said. Admitting that journalists have the right to criticize the government, Erdoğan said that as the prime minister of this country he also has the right to give such a warning. Those who want the government to work for solidarity in the country should first look at their own actions, added Erdoğan, calling on the media not to create polarization and tension in the country. İstanbul Today’s Zaman |
The 11 most recently charged officers included two active duty admirals and one retired general. The court’s decision to jail them came after prosecutors late Thursday released the former chiefs of the navy and air force and another top general without immediately charging them, saying they were unlikely to flee.
On Friday morning, police escorted more officers to the court for questioning, including Gen. Çetin Doğan, the former chief of the 1st Army, based in İstanbul, and Gen. Engin Alan, former head of the special forces. Police rounded up about 50 officers earlier this week.
All suspects have reportedly denied the allegations, which include plotting to blow up mosques and kill some non-Muslim figures to foment chaos and trigger a military takeover in line with a military plot code-named “Sledgehammer.”
During yesterday’s meeting, Erdoğan also tried to comfort the circles who were concerned about this week’s detentions.
“Nobody should have fears, concerns or suspicions. The route, goal and destination of Turkey is certain. Turkey is going toward an advanced democracy, a state of law and EU membership. Our citizens should rest assured that Turkey’s route will not damage anybody,” Erdoğan said.
The prime minister also called on everyone to help and respect the running of the judicial system as it will separate the innocent from those involved in crimes.
Erdoğan said what has been taking place in Turkey is normalization, adding that a running democracy and judicial system will not harm anybody. “The thing that should be feared is efforts to block the running of democracy and the judicial system.”
In the meantime, directing criticism at some of his party’s deputies who made controversial statements recently, Erdoğan called on AK Party members to be careful about their remarks.
“Please think about what you want to say before saying it and see whether it befits the party you are a member of. Our party is not responsible for statements that run against the policies of our government,” he added.
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