Chief of general staff Basbug visits Erdogan

Newly appointed Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug yesterday visited Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Prime Ministry. The meeting lasted about one hour. Afterwards, speaking about Kocaeli Garrison Commander Lt. Gen. Galip Mendi's visit yesterday to retired Gens. Şener Eruygur and Hursit Tolon, who have been under arrest since July for alleged involvement in a right-wing terrorist gang, Erdogan characterized the visit on behalf of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) as being completely humanitarian in nature. "This was a special visit made with special permission from the public prosecutor," he explained. "I think looking for something in this visit other than a humanitarian goal would be wrong, and the (generals') legal procedures are continuing."