Diaries need to be investigated

I was surprised about it. To tell the truth, I did not take his speech personally or as coming down on me. Besides, I am a person who has never been scolded by anyone, who doesn’t like being scolded Ğ doesn’t matter by whom Ğ and who wouldn’t remain in a place where he gets scolded.

Yesterday I was again invited to the General Staff to talk about something else. Gen. Başbuğ was surprised when he read my article. He said, "That’s not the case. If you took it that way, I’ll be sad." And I replied, "It was just a normal discussion." And that’s my real opinionÉ Besides I still insist on what I said regarding "weapons bursting out of the soil." Even if Gen. Başbuğ does not accept it, the perception in the public is like that. "Burst out" is a metaphor, and we as journalists are allowed to use metaphors.

The chief of staff did not like me using this, but it is correct. Recently, no matter where you dig everywhere you’ll find weapons and ammunition.

I accept that this is an extremely complicated issue. One part of the findings does not belong to the military. It’s a range of illicit ties. But whether all are like that or whether we are just talking about the ones found in Poyrazköy, I don’t know for sure.

When we asked about the whereabouts of the other weapons and whom they belonged to, we were told, "That’s none of our business; prosecutors and the court should find out." It is obvious that there is some confusion. And Başbuğ, knowing that, said he increased supervision.

If I were to summarize, the issue of weapons wandering around is way too important to leave it to the police or prosecutors.

The point that drew my attention the most was the reply I received to my question regarding Başbuğ’s democracy and Adm. Özden Örnek’s diaries.

When talking about his loyalty to democracy, he said, in a very clear and loud voice, that they will not allow those who plan to make a coup or think differently regarding loyalty to democracy to take shelter within the TSK.

It was striking.

But I was amazed at the fact that all these years nobody conducted an investigation regarding the Özden Örnek diaries. It is not necessary to share this investigation with the public. While such developments take place in such a big institution, one keeps wondering why the highest-ranking authority, the General Staff, does not conduct a secret investigation?

Başbuğ contented himself with quoting former Chief of General Staff Gen. Büyükanıt’s words. He said, "In addition we have no document in hand regarding a coup preparation." He did not take any further step despite telling him that the diaries have been published in the Nokta magazine and even this much is notification of proof.

Interestingly, he did not shut the door completely and said something along the lines of "if the court wants we could start an investigation." As you see, the General Staff is not yet brave enough to take a step in the diaries issue. These diaries will come around sooner or later.

It does not suffice to say, "We are loyal to democracy. " The TSK for the first time should examine itself and be transparent if something like this has ever happened. As long as the diary issue does not fall into place these discussions won’t end.

One other subject Gen. Başbuğ made very clear was the issue of military service by payment. The quoted numbers and the reasons behind his refusal of the system were very convincing. Compared to the demand of soldiers the number of applicants decreased and only 66 percent was fulfilled last year. He said this percentage would be 60 in 2011. He also put forth a morale justification. He said, "While people die in the struggle with terror, we cannot justify in public the selling of a soldier’s duty for money."

Correct.

But then there are those who are victims without paying any value. I was going to ask whether there is such a project for them as well, but I did not have the guts. I was afraid to be put in a position of defending deserters at the time when nine young men were martyred.

I experienced social pressure.

’Not everyone expects something from us’
Başbuğ made another interesting warning regarding a habit of the media. He said, "You are writing that everybody coming to Turkey wants something or requests concessions. No, my friends, there is no such thing. Turkey is a large country, and those visiting us come to ask our opinion."

This was a very true finding. We really have the ill habit of believing that every foreigner comes to take something or requests concessions from us.

While, for example, giving details about his meetings with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and Obama’s security adviser, Başbuğ put forth that the dialogue between Ankara and Washington is progressing well.

The chief of general staff answered some of the expected questions of the media. Let’s see whether he will next time come before us with old new attitudes. We’ll see.