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It really doesn't look like he's "bowing" and lol @Muhaha ... Mr. Spock is J3wish, lol.
Here is more about that "coup" in Turkey
Turkey accuses 51 of plotting coup
Prosecutors on Tuesday interrogated 51 Turkish military commanders, including former air force and navy chiefs, over alleged plans to destabilize the country by blowing up mosques to trigger a coup and topple the Islamic-rooted government.
It was the highest profile crackdown ever on the Turkish military, which has ousted four governments since 1960. For decades Turkey's senior officers, self-appointed guardians of the country's secular tradition, called the shots.
But the balance of power in this EU-candidate country appeared to have shifted Monday as police rounded up the 51 military commanders, following the gathering of wiretap evidence and discovery of an alleged secret coup plan, dubbed "the sledgehammer."
The nationwide sweep was launched after experts determined military documents leaked by Taraf, a daily newspaper, were authentic, an English-language newspaper reported Tuesday.
The government denies the crackdown is politically motivated or designed to silence government critics, as is claimed by opposition parties.
Suspects include generals, admirals
The suspects included former air force chief Gen. Ibrahim Firtina and navy chief Adm. Ozden Ornek, who allegedly chronicled some failed coup attempts, as well ex-deputy chief Gen. Ergin Saygun.
All of the suspects, including nearly two dozen retired and active duty generals and admirals, were expected after questioning to appear Tuesday in an Istanbul court that is hearing all coup plot allegations.
The suspects face charges of attempting to topple the government by force, and membership in an illegal organization for that purpose, the Istanbul-based Milliyet newspaper reported Tuesday.
Monday, February 22, 2010
ISTANBUL - Agence France-Presse
A huge poster showing Israel's president bowing to the Turkish prime minister was hung from an Istanbul crane Sunday in the latest round of sniping between the two nations.
The picture, unfurled from a crane in a city suburb, combined an image of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan standing upright with one of Shimon Peres leaning forward; making it look like the Israeli president was bowing.
Erdoğan was due to visit the area to inaugurate a new road network, and officials from his office had the poster removed before he arrived, the Akşam newspaper said on its Web site.
It was not clear who was behind the stunt, the newspaper said, though it appeared to be retaliation for the public dressing down given to the Turkish ambassador to Israel last month.
The diplomat was called in protest of a Turkish television series which showed Israel in bad light and was made to sit on a lower couch during the meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.
Turkey has been a close military ally of Israel since 1996 but relations between the two countries have been tense in the wake of Israel's devastating war on Gaza in late 2008 and early 2009, which Turkey vehemently criticized.
In a memorable outburst, Erdoğan stormed out of a debate at the World Economic Forum, accusing Israel of "barbarian" acts and telling Peres, who was sitting next to him, that "you know well how to kill people."
Earlier this month Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman slammed Turkey for what he called its recent "anti-Israeli" stance but said his country would continue efforts to rebuild ties with long-time ally Ankara.
Hürriyet Daily News is the leading news source for Turkey and the region.
------------------
What a gay poster.
For how much longer though, Israeli's are getting more pissed off at Turkey by the day; maybe a few years and they will be forced to cut those ties for good.
It really doesn't look like he's "bowing" and lol @Muhaha ... Mr. Spock is J3wish, lol.
Here is more about that "coup" in Turkey
Turkey accuses 51 of plotting coup
Prosecutors on Tuesday interrogated 51 Turkish military commanders, including former air force and navy chiefs, over alleged plans to destabilize the country by blowing up mosques to trigger a coup and topple the Islamic-rooted government.
It was the highest profile crackdown ever on the Turkish military, which has ousted four governments since 1960. For decades Turkey's senior officers, self-appointed guardians of the country's secular tradition, called the shots.
But the balance of power in this EU-candidate country appeared to have shifted Monday as police rounded up the 51 military commanders, following the gathering of wiretap evidence and discovery of an alleged secret coup plan, dubbed "the sledgehammer."
The nationwide sweep was launched after experts determined military documents leaked by Taraf, a daily newspaper, were authentic, an English-language newspaper reported Tuesday.
The government denies the crackdown is politically motivated or designed to silence government critics, as is claimed by opposition parties.
Suspects include generals, admirals
The suspects included former air force chief Gen. Ibrahim Firtina and navy chief Adm. Ozden Ornek, who allegedly chronicled some failed coup attempts, as well ex-deputy chief Gen. Ergin Saygun.
All of the suspects, including nearly two dozen retired and active duty generals and admirals, were expected after questioning to appear Tuesday in an Istanbul court that is hearing all coup plot allegations.
The suspects face charges of attempting to topple the government by force, and membership in an illegal organization for that purpose, the Istanbul-based Milliyet newspaper reported Tuesday.
Past military coups against the civilian government occurred because of America's active support, especially during the cold war. Now, its the reverse. The elected government coup against the military is happening only because America supports it.
The next step on the AKP's agenda is to bring Fetullah Gulen back to Turkey. Once this happens, all hell will break lose. Tension are only increasing. The only solution is an early snap election, which should result in the AKP being forced into coalition.
I hope secularist/Kemalist parties will learn not to rely on military coups to topple Islamist governments. There is more than enough support to force AKP into coalition. CHP especially must reform. Though, its already a rotten apple. I personally will be supporting Mustafa Sarigul's new party, "Turkiye Değişim Hareketi" (Turkey's Change Movement) His deputy mayor in Sisli, Istanbul is Armenian.
Past military coups against the civilian government occurred because of America's active support, especially during the cold war. Now, its the reverse. The elected government coup against the military is happening only because America supports it.
The next step on the AKP's agenda is to bring Fetullah Gulen back to Turkey. Once this happens, all hell will break lose. Tension are only increasing. The only solution is an early snap election, which should result in the AKP being forced into coalition.
I hope secularist/Kemalist parties will learn not to rely on military coups to topple Islamist governments. There is more than enough support to force AKP into coalition. CHP especially must reform. Though, its already a rotten apple. I personally will be supporting Mustafa Sarigul's new party, "Turkiye Değişim Hareketi" (Turkey's Change Movement) His deputy mayor in Sisli, Istanbul is Armenian.
All signs point to Fethullah Gülen, whose shadowy Islamist movement is rapidly extending its tentacles into all aspects of Turkish political life.
For the first time in more than 600 years, Armenia is free and independent, and we are therefore obligated
to place our national interests ahead of our personal gains or aspirations.
Foreign Policy: How do you feel about being named the world's top public intellectual?
Fethullah Gülen: I have never imagined being or wished to be chosen as something important in the world. I have always tried to be a humble servant of God and a humble member of humanity. The Koran says that humanity has been created to recognize and worship God and, as a dimension of this worship, to improve the world in strict avoidance of corruption and bloodshed. It requires treating all things and beings with deep compassion. This is my philosophy, which obliges me to remain aloof from all worldly titles and ranks. However, I am not indifferent to the appreciation of kind people. [The voters were] extremely kind in naming me the world's top public intellectual, a title to which I can never see myself as entitled.
Turkey's prime minister vowed Friday to put everyone who conspired against the country's democracy on trial, as the number of military officers charged and jailed for allegedly plotting a 2003 coup against his Islamic-based government rose to 31.
The number includes seven admirals and four generals, and represents the largest-ever crackdown on Turkey's military, which has ousted four civilian governments since 1960.
In a new nationwide sweep Friday, police detained 18 more officers, all but one of whom are still on active duty, television stations said.
The officers were detained in 13 different cities and were being transferred to Istanbul, the reports said. It brings the total of officers detained this week to 67.
'No one is untouchable': Erdogan
The military has wielded strong influence on politics for decades but saw its powers dramatically curtailed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, which took steps to put the military under civilian rule.
"An impaired democracy is not the fate of this country," Erdogan told lawmakers at a televised meeting Friday. "No one is above the law, no one is untouchable, no one is privileged."
The probe has fueled tensions between the government and the fiercely secular military and shaken the markets, but Erdogan has dismissed calls for early elections by opposition parties.
Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and military chief Gen. Ilker Basbug held a rare meeting Thursday, later issuing a joint statement seeking to ease tensions.
"The public must be assured that matters will be handled in line with the law and everyone should act responsibly not to damage institutions," the statement said.
On Friday morning, police escorted the last three of almost 50 high-ranking officers who were detained Monday to the court, including Gen. Cetin Dogan, the former chief of the 1st Army based in Istanbul and Gen. Engin Alan, former head of the Special Forces.
The suspects have reportedly denied the allegations, which include plotting to blow up mosques and kill some non-Muslim figures to foment chaos and trigger a military takeover.
Very interesting, I thought all of this is just repeat of history in Turkey but this article is very convincing...............I bet that there are many high level commanders that support AKP as well on top of all this.
Egeli.
Why would the US support an Islamist Turkey? Why is it always someone else's fault in Turkey.
Very interesting, I thought all of this is just repeat of history in Turkey but this article is very convincing...............I bet that there are many high level commanders that support AKP as well on top of all this.
Egeli.
Why would the US support an Islamist Turkey? Why is it always someone else's fault in Turkey.
Fetullah Gulen has been living in self imposed exile in Pennsylvania for nearly a decade. Many of Obama's top aids on Muslim relations are Gulen sympathizers. America actively supported Gulen's movement to stir up Islamic sentiment against the Soviets in Central Asia. Just look at Fetullah Gulen's website, prominent American officials are often guest speakers at his foundation.
The American government does not believe the AKP is Islamist. It is genuinely believed that they are a reforming liberal party. The American ambassador openly made a statement supporting the crackdown on the Turkish military.
Very interesting, I thought all of this is just repeat of history in Turkey but this article is very convincing...............I bet that there are many high level commanders that support AKP as well on top of all this.
Absolutely not. The AKP is the complete antithesis of the TSK. Outside of non-commissioned officers, no officer supports the AKP. Especially at higher levels. To be promoted, ideology is more important than military competence. One must fully embrace Nationalist ideology. At the highest levels, only Kemalist-nationalist ideologues are promoted.
Military bases are often adjacent to residential areas. Ive seen kids in playgrounds talking with military sentries on duty. The TSK draws its strength from public support. This is why they are swallowing the recent incursions into their power.
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