Turkish generals: Probe of military plot against Islamist government based on a 'forgery'
ANKARA — Turkey's military, breaking more than a year of silence,
has announced that an alleged plot against the Islamist government of Prime
Minister Recep Erdogan was a fabrication.
A military investigation of the plot attributed to former and current
officers was said to have been based on a forged document. More than 150
people, many of whom army and police officers, have been arrested and
indicted on links to the plot, announced in June 2007.
"Drawing on the clues obtained so far, we have reached the conclusion
that the document was not drawn up in any of the General Staff's
departments," the military said on June 15.
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The document was said to have outlined a plan by senior Turkish Army
officers to discredit the ruling Justice and Development Party, Middle East Newsline reported. The
purported plan outlined measures to shatter support for Erdogan's party and
divide the movement that has dominated Turkish politics since 2002.
The statement by military prosecutors said an initial investigation
determined that the plan, which did not discuss a coup, was a forgery. The
military said it would try to acquire the original document that would
enable "a definite conclusion on whether it is forged or real."
The purported military plot called for planting weapons and ammunition
in universities dominated by Islamic groups that support Erdogan. One
supporter cited was Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, leader of a movement that
sought to end Turkey's secular republic.
The military statement ended about 18 months of silence on the Interior
Ministry investigation of the alleged coup. In 2008, Turkish military
commanders expressed concern over the arrest of several retired generals
charged with being linked to efforts to overthrow Erdogan.
Comments
This cold war between the Turkish army and the ruling party is not good. The politicians need to understand that the Turkish army has protected Turkey's interests all along. In 1980 the coup was helpful in restoring law and order and peace. Otherwise Turkey would have been sucked into a civil war. The Turkish army is a friend of the Turkish people.
The politicians need to tread a more conciliatory path.