The chief of General Staff was speaking at a panel discussion that took place on May 19, on the 129th anniversary of what is traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Başbuğ spoke at the end of the event, which was held at General Staff headquarters in Ankara. Commenting on remarks at the same event made by Altemur Kılıç, a columnist for the ultranationalist Yeniçağ daily, claiming that the TSK is being worn down by the recent investigations, Başbuğ said he agrees with Kılıç and expressed the belief that the TSK will emerge stronger from this process.A network of people including dozens of military officers both active duty and retired who were charged with plotting to overthrow the government have been arrested as part of an investigation into Ergenekon, a terrorist organization with alleged links to the state. Dozens of high-ranking military officers are charged with devising a number of coup plots, such as the Action Plan to Fight Reactionaryism and the Sledgehammer Security Operation Plan, which include plans to foment chaos in the country and trigger a military takeover.
“No matter what someone does, nobody can break the Turkish nation’s attachment to the Turkish military. There may be somebody trying to do this, but these are temporary periods. The connection between the Turkish nation and the TSK and that trust will never weaken and continues to endure. This is our greatest strength,” Başbuğ said.
The TSK sees reactionaryism as one of the most serious domestic threats Turkey faces and has suspicions that some circles in Turkey, including the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), have plans to change the basis of the state to religion. Başbuğ said that the social, economic, political and legal foundations of the state cannot be based on religion according to Article 24 of the Constitution, adding there will be no problems in Turkey if everyone acts in accordance with Article 24. He also quoted remarks from Atatürk to reinforce his argument that religion’s place in the public sphere should be restricted to enable democracy and the republic to operate well.
Noting that Atatürk was a democrat and had a pro-freedom worldview, Başbuğ said it can be seen from Atatürk’s life that he always acted in accordance with the law.
