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Sledgehammer team evaluated generals' potential to back coup
The generals were categorized in a document that was later included in a civilian investigation into the alleged plot. The document features the symbols “+”, “-” and “?” as well as short notes such as “A meeting has been held,” “He will lend support” and “He will not lend support.”
According to the document, 16 generals were expected to lend full support to a coup while strong objections were anticipated from 55 generals. There was uncertainty over the reactions of 24 of the generals to a prospective military takeover.
The Sledgehammer plot mentions subversive plans such as bombing the most-frequented mosques in İstanbul in an attempt to trigger chaos in the country to provide a pretext for military intervention. The plan led to nationwide outcry, with many calling for the authorities to punish those behind it, but some had suspicions that the plan was fabricated to defame the military.
The generals whose names are followed by more than one plus in the document are believed to be among the team behind Sledgehammer. Generals who need to be persuaded to cooperate with the plan have just one plus on the document. Those listed include Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ, who was the Land Forces commander at the time. “He needs to be persuaded. He acts with Aytaç [Yalman] Pasha,” reads the note by Başbuğ’s name.
The document was reportedly prepared on Jan. 13, 2003, on a computer at the 1st Army Command.
The document also features detailed information about the health problems of generals. “He has cardiovascular problems and hypertension,” it reads, referring to Gen. Dursun Bak.
Two other generals are listed as “He has knowledge on nothing other than table soccer” and “He is very difficult to get on with.”
Then-Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Özkök also appears in the document, but without a symbol or note.
Then-Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt was not expected to lend support to a planned military takeover, according to the document, which classifies him with a minus. Büyükanıt later became the military chief. A similar note is also seen on the document for Gen. Işık Koşaner, the current Land Forces commander. Koşaner is expected to become the chief of General Staff this year.
Sixteen generals whose names have three pluses on the document have suspected ties to a number of alleged military plots to topple the government. Among them are retired generals Çetin Doğan, Ergin Saygun, Ayhan Taş, Metin Yavuz Yalçın, Nejat Bek, Yurdaer Olcan and Hurşit Tolon and 3rd Army Commander Gen. Saldıray Berk.
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