Turkey: Military chiefs resign en masse

Gerald · 07-29-11, 02:34 PM

The chief of the Turkish armed forces, Isik Kosaner, has resigned along with the army, navy and air force heads.

The reasons were not immediately clear but there has been a history of tension between the secularist military and the governing AK party in recent years.

Gen Kosaner had met PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan a number of times recently.

The meetings came ahead of next week's Supreme Military Council which will decide on promotions, and some reports suggested major disagreements.

It appears the senior military figures wanted to go ahead with scheduled annual promotions for some of the officers implicated in an alleged 2003 coup plot, but that the government had refused.

Gen Kosaner said he was resigning "as he saw it as necessary", the Anatolia agency reported.

The government says the commanders have asked to retire.

There is speculation Gen Necdet Ozel, head of the gendarmerie paramilitary force, may replace Gen Kosaner.
'Sledgehammer'

Gen Kosaner and his senior commanders quit hours after a court charged 22 suspects, including several generals and officers, with carrying out an internet campaign to undermine the government.

This case is the latest element of the so-called "Sledgehammer" conspiracy - a coup plan allegedly presented at an army seminar in 2003.

Seventeen generals and admirals currently in line for promotion were among those jailed in the Sledgehammer prosecutions. Altogether nearly 200 officers were charged with conspiracy.

Twenty-eight servicemen will go on trial next month.

Gen Kosaner was appointed overall head of the Turkish armed forces just a year ago.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14346325

Note: 29 July 2011 Last updated at 18:19 GMT

07-29-11, 02:34 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Turkey: Military chiefs resign en masse The chief of the Turkish armed forces, Isik Kosaner, has resigned along with the army, navy and air force heads. The reasons were not immediately clear but there has been a history of tension between the secularist military and the governing AK party in recent years. Gen Kosaner had met PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan a number of times recently. The meetings came ahead of next week's Supreme Military Council which will decide on promotions, and some reports suggested major disagreements. It appears the senior military figures wanted to go ahead with scheduled annual promotions for some of the officers implicated in an alleged 2003 coup plot, but that the government had refused. Gen Kosaner said he was resigning "as he saw it as necessary", the Anatolia agency reported. The government says the commanders have asked to retire. There is speculation Gen Necdet Ozel, head of the gendarmerie paramilitary force, may replace Gen Kosaner. 'Sledgehammer' Gen Kosaner and his senior commanders quit hours after a court charged 22 suspects, including several generals and officers, with carrying out an internet campaign to undermine the government. This case is the latest element of the so-called "Sledgehammer" conspiracy - a coup plan allegedly presented at an army seminar in 2003. Seventeen generals and admirals currently in line for promotion were among those jailed in the Sledgehammer prosecutions. Altogether nearly 200 officers were charged with conspiracy. Twenty-eight servicemen will go on trial next month. Gen Kosaner was appointed overall head of the Turkish armed forces just a year ago. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14346325 Note: 29 July 2011 Last updated at 18:19 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie