30 January 2010

Is there a coup brewing in Turkey?



The Beeb has a report on the Turkish military meddling in politics again. What does this do for the public perception of NATO's only Muslim member?
The head of Turkey's armed forces has responded angrily to a newspaper report accusing the military of plotting to overthrow the government.
Gen Ilker Basbug delivered a televised address in which he warned that the military's patience over a stream of allegations had limits.
He insisted coups were a thing of the past, and that power should only change hands through democratic means.
Turkey has experienced three military coups in its recent history.
The armed forces have continued to play a political role behind the scenes.
For the past two years, the Turkish people have been bombarded with sensational revelations about alleged dirty tricks by elements of the military.
Some of the allegations, relating to a sinister "deep state" network known as Ergenekon, have already resulted in the arrest and trials of dozens of people, including retired generals.
But there have been further reports of military plots against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan - backed by some convincing-looking documents - all reported in a two-year-old independent newspaper.

Now keep in mind that the military in Turkey is basically its own political party, so meddling in politics is not a wild assumption.

By: Brant

1 comment:

Greg said...

Federal police raided their version of SOCOM not too long ago during an investigation of some officers agitating and up to general no good. My friends there tell me they don't expect a coup any time soon and this is the most the army has been on the defense ever.