Turkish opposition changes target from army to AKP
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Turkish opposition parties try to change the axis of the row over the cross-border operation against PKK positions in northern Iraq from their traditional ally, the army, to the Islamist AKP government in a move to end a very rare situation triggered by exchange of harsh words between the military and opposition.
Turkish army and the opposition parties, nationalist MHP and secular CHP, have been at odds over the military's handling the ground operation as MHP and CHP claimed the withdrawal decision came after US pressure, while army criticized them for "hurt their determination to fight with PKK even more than the traitors do".
The Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit told reporters on Monday this disagreement "overshadowed the success of the military", adding they were dragged into a polemic which they didn't want to involve. "We took Mr. Baykal's words as an insult", he added. Previously Buyukanit had said he would take out his uniform if the US intervention claims are proved to be right.
Thousands of Turkish troops, backed by warplanes and attack helicopters, crossed the border on February 21 to root out PKK separatists and destroy their numerous bases. It was Turkey's first major ground offensive against the PKK in northern Iraq in a decade. The withdrawal came a day after US President George W. Bush urged Turkey to end its withdrawal "as quickly as possible" and visiting Gates personally put pressure on Turkish leaders during talks in Ankara.    Â
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of nationalist MHP, turned on Tuesday his criticsm to the government. "Turkey launched it's military operation against terror organization after holding negotiations with US... The United States demanded a short operation" he told his party's parliamentary group meeting.
He heavily criticized government, saying outlawed separatist organization PKK was almost ended when the AKP elected and revived under AKP government. "We afraid that Turkey will be dragged into a big internal struggle... (Prime Minister Tayyip) Erdogan and AKP government will be responsible for that" he added.
CHP echoed similar words on Monday saying their target would be the government not the army. Deputy leader of CHP, Mehmet Ozyurek, told reporters that they applied to convene the parliament to discuss the claims of US intervention. Ozyurek added the General Staff should stay out of this and the government should make an explanation.