Here Comes the Pain- Part II. Former military chiefs are questioned Today

Oh God, even an ordinary sergeant feels and acts like a God in the barracks and now I wonder what these Chiefs feel. Falling from heaven? While Western accomplices like Gareth Jenkins (a great critique of Mr. Jenkins’ report –Between Fact And Fantasy:- that questions the Ergenekon Trial can be found here in Turkish) works hard to spread pro-Ergenekon viewpoints abroad, judiciary process continues and today we reach another top point:

Oramiral Özden ÖrnekOrgeneral Aytaç YalmanOrgeneral İbrahim Fırtına

Questioning of former military chiefs in Ergenekon trial begins

Hurriyet Daily News
The accusation said no hard evidence has been found to directly link the top commanders to the Ergenekon gang, but the coup journals show that the

Turkey braces for commander’s testimony in plot probe (AlertNet)

Source: Reuters By Thomas Grove ISTANBUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Three retired military commanders were expected to testify this weekend at an in-camera investigation into a plot to overthrow Turkey’s Islamist-inspired

there is too much pain for the Ergenekon gang. Arbitrarily I named part I here:) A huge roundup follows:

Supreme Military Council convenes under shadow of devious army plots
Today’s Zaman
Öğütçü was forced to retire at this August’s Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting, reportedly due to his suspected ties to Ergenekon, a clandestine

A promising move

by FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK

As prosecutors conducting an investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine network charged with plotting to overthrow the government, will question three generals who are mentioned in a journal as detailing plans to stage a coup d?état, everyone is becoming more optimistic about the improvement in democracy in Turkey, where those responsible for coups have so far escaped punishment.

Turkey gets tough on alleged armed forces coup plotters – The National Newspaper

Why is Erdoğan feared?

by ETYEN MAHÇUPYAN
The reflection of the Cage Operation Action Plan, which was discovered as part of the Ergenekon investigation, in the media has created a real shock. Even fanatical secularists who believe the army must stage a coup to overthrow the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) had difficulty accepting what they read in the plan.

Forensic report confirms authenticity of Cage plan
Today’s Zaman
Dozens of Ergenekon members, including businessmen, members of the military and journalists, are currently incarcerated while standing trial.

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan leaves after a wreath-laying ...

Turkey’s Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan leaves after a wreath-laying ceremony with members of the High Military Council at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara December 4, 2009. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Retired generals to testify on coup allegations
Hurriyet Daily News
The three commanders, Aytaç Yalman, Özden Örnek and ibrahim Fırtına, are expected to testify at the Istanbul courthouse in Beşiktaş this weekend.

Late colonel knew about corruption within TSK
Today’s Zaman
The third indictment into Ergenekon, a clandestine organization accused of attempting to create chaos and undermine the stability of the country in order to

Four soldiers testify to civilian prosecutor over assassination plot
Today’s Zaman
That discovery came as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine organization whose suspected members are currently standing trial on charges

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center left, and ...

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center left, and Turkey’s Chief of Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, center right, are seen during a meeting of the High Military Council with top Turkish army generals and Defense minister in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. (AP Photo )

Retired generals to testify on coup allegations
Hurriyet Daily News
A new chapter has opened in the Ergenekon case with three retired top commanders being called to testify about the alleged coup plots from during their time

‘Power of judiciary not absolute,’ top justice official says
Today’s Zaman
During the course of the investigation into the Ergenekon case, which probes a clandestine network that allegedly plotted to create havoc in the country by

International Views | Ruling through manipulation and provocation: The unwritten history of Turkey

Erdoğan wins appreciation in Kızılcahamam

by FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which gathered at the party?s caucus in Ankara?s Kızılcahaman district over the weekend, reiterated its determination to continue with its democratic initiative, which aims to resolve Turkey?s long-standing Kurdish problem.

Was It the ‘Fascists’ Who Threw Stones in Izmir?

By Prof. Dr. Ihsan BAL (USAK Security Studies)

The Democratic Society Party (DTP), which announced proudly that it would take into account the sensitivities of the Turkish society, would want democracy for everyone and would go beyond doing politics based on ethnic nationalism, fails to contribute to the democratic opening process at such a critical time when Turkey needs restraint most. Apparently, the process intensive provocation, which began at the Habur border crossing when a 34-person group of militants surrendered, spread to Izmir.

What is the AK Party after: Democracy, or reconciliation with the oligarcy?

by İHSAN YILMAZ
Almost every day we read about a new horror-story-like military junta document in the papers.

Consolidating gains

by NICOLE POPE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan?s speech during the annual gathering of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Kızılcahamam confirms that a fundamental shift in mentality is under way in Turkey.

Civilian will lacking in ending military influence

by LALE KEMAL
Ongoing tension in civil-military relations recently reached a peak when the top command refused to bring to justice those allegedly responsible for unconstitutional activities such as coup plots, underlining the necessity for deep-rooted reforms to be adopted to ensure that the military will return to its barracks.

“Nobody Wears down the Military, the Military Frays Itself”

from Bianet :: English
At the symposium “The Military’s Political Role in Turkey” participants criticized the lack of monitoring for the military’s spending and demanded to question the “trust in the military”. They also emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and called for more transparency.

Analyzing the Cage Operation Action Plan

by FATMA DİŞLİ ZIBAK

A new document titled the Cage Operation Action Plan was uncovered by the Taraf daily last week and ostensibly reveals military plans to destroy the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) through the assassination of prominent non-Muslim figures in Turkey.


?Yes, we spoiled junta plans? say protestors of Dink murder
Today’s Zaman
Dink was murdered by an Ergenekon gang. The files of the Dink, Santaro and Malatya murders should be merged with the Ergenekon file,? Tarıkan said.

Military silent on weapons to be used to activate Cage plan
Today’s Zaman
Since the investigation into Ergenekon — a clandestine gang charged with plotting to overthrow the government — began in 2007, a large amount of weapons

[Event of the week] Junta’s Cage Operation Action Plan against non-Muslims
Sunday’s Zaman
That discovery came as part of the investigation into Ergenekon, a clandestine gang whose suspected members are currently standing trial on charges of

Armenian Newspaper Weary About Being a Target in Coup Plans

from Bianet :: English
Lawyer Fethiye Çetin argues that it might be considered to merge the Dink murder case with the Ergenekon file if new findings occur that support the “Cage” Operation. He said they would follow up the operation plan’s registry of Agos newspaper subscribers.

Journalist Balbay’s Defence about the “Coup Notes”

from Bianet :: English
Cumhuriyet newspaper journalist Ankara correnspondent Mustafa Balbay said in his defence in the Ergenekon Case, “I did not even incite an unarmed uprising. I took the notes put forward as my diary in order to recall a couple of things later on”.

AKP losing in western Turkey – Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review

Interview with Dr. Taner Akcam on current developments in Turkey (by Dr. Vera Eccarius-Kelly)

by Changing Turkey

Dr. Taner Akcam, Associate Professor of History at Clark University in Worcester, MA, is Kaloosdian/Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies at the university?s Strassler Center. Akcam?s extensive body of research has emphasized a critical examination of Turkish nationalism and the Armenian genocide. Among his many studies and journal articles, two books are particularly well-known to English-speaking audiences, namely From Empire to Republic: Turkish Nationalism and the Armenian Genocide (London and New York: Zed Books, 2004) and A Shameful Act: the Armenian Genocide and Turkish Responsibility (New York: Metropolitan Books, 2006).

This interview was conducted at Clark University?s Strassler Center in Massachusetts by Dr. Vera Eccarius-Kelly, Associate Professor of Political Science at Siena College, Albany, NY. Please contact her at veccarius-kelly@siena.edu if you would like to be interviewed in the future.

VEK:   Turkey appears to be focused on raising its political and economic profile in the region and beyond. Do the recent Turkish-Armenian protocols show that Turkish government is signaling Europe that it is committed to reform and democratization?


Discover more from Erkan's Field Diary

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.