Başbuğ: Slow down the EU accession processThis should tell you why all Kurdish newspapers and TVs have been facing closure after closure. There is more:
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan was interrogated by Gen. İlker Başbuğ during a security briefing given by General Staff.
Başbuğ: In the past, you stated that you have learned from your experiences. Your actions don't reflect this.
Erdoğan: I improved while changing. The press is twisting stuff, black becomes white. We are respectful to the concept of secularity.
Başbuğ: Not stressing Turkishness [race] and bringing up the Turkish Citizenship [nationality] concept is extremely dangerous.
Erdoğan: We have no problem with Turkey's fundamental attributes. It upsets us that you worry about this.
Başbuğ: We are curious about whether you see democracy as a tool to make Turkey into a moderate Islamic country.
Erdoğan: We don't accept the danger of Islamist radicalism. Islam is my personal point of reference, not my party's.
Başbuğ: You didn't consult with us about the bills on Public Administration, Higher Education Commission [YÖK], Change of Municipality Borders.
Erdoğan: We are not against warnings and requests. We complied with your views on the Public Administration Bill.
Başbuğ: Endorsement of separatism must be avoided. One could act slower on European Membership process.
Erdoğan: If we can't be a member in December 2004, we will put plan B into play. If not either, we are talking with Russia.
It turns out that the generals, who gave "National Security Briefing" to Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan at the General Staff Headquarters requested that his government slow down the reforms for EU accession. The soldiers requested that Erdoğan block the news against TSK and tabled AKP's [Erdoğan's party] 2-year long activities including bills on Public Administration, Higher Education Commission [YÖK], Change of Municipality Borders, etc. down to selection of education officers in cities. The generals didn't stop with AKP's activities and requested that Erdoğan removes the "Turkish Citizenship" concept from his party's program.
"Your statements are contradictory"
The briefing took place on 15 January 2004 and the documents showing the record were captured with Şener Eruygur. [...] The records indicate that "presentations regarding federalism in Iraq, use of İncirlik base by foreign powers, Afghanistan, terror and radical Islamic activities, etc were made".
Gen. İlker Başbuğ, who was giving the briefing reminded Erdoğan of his talk on 24 August 2001 before he was elected. Erdoğan was reminded that he said "I believe to change is virtue". Başbuğ wanted to know how real Erdoğan's change was. [...] Başbuğ continued on to say "your activities will be evaluated. Başbuğ told Erdoğan "A democracy incapable of governing seems to be dominant in your statements and actions rather than a democracy that can govern" and continued:
"Block the news"
[Başbuğ continues on griping and blackmailing Erdoğan about trying to limit the power of military in administration, not consulting the military before making changes to laws or complying with their requests. The laws Başbuğ whines about include education and municipalities. Then he continues...] "There are activities going on in the press to deteriorate TSK's reputation. We know you have influence over the press and we want you to use it. If you cannot control them, then we expect you to oppose to them."
[...]This briefing was on 15 January 2004. It appears this is where the first negotiations between AKP and TSK started and the courtship for AKPasha Inc. began. If you take a look at the notes from the security meeting between AKP and TSK on 4 January 2006 (two years later), you will see how things have evolved.
"Turkish citizenship concept is dangerous"
İlker Başbuğ, aside from the governments activities, also made warnings about AKP's program: "The party's [AKP] program doesn't stress Turkishness but changes the term into "Turkish citizenship". This term is extremely wrong and dangrous."
Regarding PKK: "You need to share your policies regarding PKK with us as they are restructuring in Iraq. If you don't put a stand against PKK activities, our worry will increase."
İlker Başbuğ has another interesting request from Erdoğan: "There is need for political decisiveness in the Southeast [Kurdistan]. For example, you should have taken a stand against HAK-PAR's actions and the events developed so they would be shaken. It's your call." (Taraf's note: HAK-PAR caused a stir because it included "federalism" in its program. One week before the briefing, on 07 January 2004, Ankara Chief Prosecutor's office started an investigation against HAK-PAR).
After Gen. İlker Başbuğ the other commanders stated their positions as well. The commanders stated the following: "Our organizations are uncomfortable with activities that don't fit into the state structure defined by the Turkish constitution".
[The griping continues...]
When commanders asked Erdoğan to slow down the EU accession process, Erdoğan said this to the commanders: "If we cannot enter EU in December 2004, we will put plan B to play. But Turkey definitely has to be a member of a strong organization or has to lead another organization. I told Bush if we cannot join EU take us into NAFTA. If we cannot enter there [NAFTA] we will join and organization with Turkish Republics. We have talks with Russia."
"Our intentions are good, take us serious"
Chief of staff Gen. Hilmi Özkök in his first talk stated that the evaluations are not to cause stress but to present TSK's position to the related party. After listening to Erdoğan, Hilmi Özkök said: "Today we came here to tell you the issues that bother us. I hope that after our evaluations which were presented to you, the TSK will not be forced to take a stand on protecting the country's fundamental values. These statements and the warnings we make sometimes must be taken serious."
It should be evident now who really is in charge in Turkey and why the current administration is called the AKPasha Inc.
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