Gen. Başbuğ and suspect Berk photographed together

Gen. Başbuğ, who arrived in Kars aboard a plane belonging to the Air Forces, asked Gen. Berk, who was among the people greeting Gen. Başbuğ at the airport, to get into his official car and they went to the barracks together. Security officials at the airport tried to prevent photographers from taking pictures of the two generals.

Gen. Berk, accused of membership in a terrorist organization, is hosting the military exercise in Kars -- which comes as no surprise because some officers are never suspended or discharged, regardless of the gravity of accusations leveled against them.

Earlier this year Gen. Berk was called to testify by former specially authorized Erzurum Prosecutor Osman Şanal, who was later stripped of his authority by the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) for issuing an arrest warrant for Erzincan Chief Prosecutor İlhan Cihaner. Berk was summoned by Şanal in the investigation but still has not testified.

Berk is accused of membership in the Ergenekon terrorist organization. On Feb. 26 Cihaner’s office and home were searched, and he was detained. He was arrested on Feb. 27. Cihaner has been indicted for membership in a terrorist organization, falsification of official documents and blackmailing or threatening more than one individual.

According to an indictment prepared by an Erzurum specially authorized prosecutor, Berk tried to intimidate prosecutors by having a military convoy belonging to the Erzincan 3rd Army Command drive into Erzurum shortly after he was subpoenaed by prosecutors to testify. The indictment said the show appeared to be an attempt to frighten the prosecution.

Meanwhile, the General Staff has indicated that the military drill in the Sarıkamış district of Kars was to be closed to the media and that only the chief of General Staff, force commanders and the gendarmerie commander were expected to attend.

In a statement posted on its Web site, the General Staff’s explanation included that the winter 2010 military exercise was coordinated by the 3rd Army Command and was being held by the 9th Corps Command on March 1-5 near Akbaba, Kars. The statement also indicated that the Air Forces had participated in the exercise.

“The purpose of the exercise is to improve the military units’ ability to respond in harsh winter conditions and provide shelter, clothing and food,” it said, adding that 1,574 personnel, seven planes and 14 helicopters are taking part in the exercise, which has been a topic of controversy because of its host.

Both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and then-Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Özkök as well as all force commanders participated in the Sarıkamış drill held on Feb. 23, 2006.

The 2008 drill, which President Gül was also expected to attend, was canceled due to an ongoing military operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) bases in northern Iraq. Neither Gül nor Erdoğan included the 2010 drill in their agendas. Answering questions from reporters on why he did not attend the military exercise, thereby breaking with tradition, Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül said he did not find it necessary to attend.

“This was what was required, and it’s been done,” he said without elaborating. When asked if his decision was based on the fact that the exercise was hosted by Berk, who is a suspect in the Ergenekon investigation, Gönül said, “Everyone is free to hold an opinion.” He was also asked about the absence of the president and the prime minister. Gönül said the question should be directed at them.

Reporters asked Prime Minister Erdoğan yesterday about his absence from the military exercise. The prime minister said “there was no special reason” to attend. “I attended the Sarıkamış exercises once. There is no special need [to attend],” he said. A reporter further asked the prime minister about the decision, and he said current discussions did not play a role in his decision not to attend the exercise. Erdoğan also criticized speculators who “make up” stories about the issue.