‘Piece of paper' comment removed from TSK Web site

On June 26, Chief of General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ referred to the effort expended by Turkey over a “piece of paper” as a waste of energy, belittling the document. A transcript of his remarks, which he made while surrounded by the top military commanders, was published on the TSK's Web site. As of yesterday, the statement has been removed from www.tsk.tr -- meaning the greatest supporter of this portrayal of the conspiracy against the government and the public has withdrawn from its position.

The document details plans to frame individuals in the government and the Gülen movement as terrorists by planting arms and munitions in their homes using the resources of state agencies. It also includes a plot to foment ethnic tension, purge conservative Muslims from the ranks of the military, manipulate the judiciary and create a military-friendly media. "We believe that this piece of paper was prepared with the aim of damaging and defaming the TSK. … Turkey has wasted too much energy on this piece of paper. … You may or may not like the results of the military investigation [which concluded no investigation into the document was necessary]. However, you cannot engage in disrespectful acts against the results,” Başbuğ had said back in June.