All of the appointments were
approved by President Abdullah Gul and Erdogan.
Erdogan blocked the promotion of 12 generals because of their alleged
connection to a coup plot against the pro-Islamist government. This included
the recommendation by the military that Gen. Hassan Isgiz become the next
Army commander.
"In democracies, the last word — even on military affairs — belongs to
the civilian authority," Turkish analyst Hassan Cemal said. "They [military]
know perfectly that their privilege of unaccountability is about to end."
Officials said the most difficult problem during the eight-day standoff
was the appointment of the Army chief. They said Gul and Erdogan rejected a
series of names submitted by Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, including Ozel, and Gendarmerie Command
chief Gen. Aslan Guner. Gul was said to have dismissed Guner because he
served as a staff officer rather than a field officer over the last 20 years.
On Aug. 9, the government announced the appointment of Gen. Erdal
Ceylanoglu as Land Forces commander. Officials said Ceylanoglu, commander of
the 1st Army Corps., would hold the position for only one year before he
retires.
Officials said the appointment would pave the way for current Army
commander Gen. Isik Kosaner to replace Basbug, who
plans to retire at the end of August 2010. They said Gen. Necdet Ozel would
become the commander of the Gendarmerie Forces.
"You must respect the choices of the civilian government," Turkish Bar
Association chairman Vedat Cosar said. "Civilians rule the military,
not the other way around."
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