Hürriyet visits military academy in Thessalonica

Hürriyet has become the first Turkish newspaper to visit a military academy in Greece, take pictures and interview the staff. The military academy is located in Thessalonica, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was born. The historical visit by Turkish ground forces commander General YaÅŸan Büyükanıt is planning to visit the academy June 22 - 24. The academy is In vicinity of the Thessalonica airport, and is part of the Dalipi Barracks. Hürriyet's impression from visiting the academy is that there is an air of excitement and preparation for the Turkish General's visit. The commander of the academy, Brigadier General Yorgos Nenos, who graduated from the Moscow Military Academy, answered Hurriyet's questions. Nenos speak fluent Russian. Which courses are taught at the academy? "We are providing undergraduate education for army officers. The courses are mostly on tactics and operations. The art of being a commander is taught, as well as classical and contemporary operation strategies. Courses on asymmetric threats and peace-keeping are also part of the curriculum." What do you think about the mutual visits between military academy students from Turkey and Greece? "I do believe that the upcoming visit by the ground forces commander will enhance the relationship between the two countries." What are your expectations from Büyükanıt's visit? "This is an honour for our students and our professors alike. This visit will be the beginning of a new era between the armed forces of the two countries." Have you ever visited Turkey? Have you met any Turkish colleagues? "I haven't had the chance of visiting Turkey just yet." Have you any message for your Turkish colleagues? "First I would like to extend my gratitude to you and your newspaper for giving me the chance to get my message across to my colleagues in a neighboring, friendly country. We should not let our prejudices, which are rooted in the past, hinder our relationship today. We need more co-operation and peace in this strategic part of the world. We should be following the way paved by our commanders." Following the interview, Hürriyet were able to take a tour around the academy. The library contains well over three-thousand books, amongst which are titles about Atatürk. There is also a section for books on Turkey, by Greek and foreign writers. A Greek translation of one of Turkish journalist Mehmet Ali Birand's books is also in the librabry, as well as a Greek version of the Holy Koran.Â