Buyukanit: "Opposition criticism insulted the TSK and overshadowed our success"

Recent opposition criticism of Turkey's cross-border land operation into northern Iraq insulted the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and overshadowed its recent successes, charged Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit yesterday. He made the remarks to reporters before the beginning of the Second International Symposium on Global Terrorism and International Cooperation, organized by the Ankara-based Centre of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism (TMMM). Asked if he had overreacted to opposition party criticism that the land operation had ended prematurely, Buyukanit said that he never allows someone to insult the TSK. "A shadow was cast over operation's success," he added. Delivering the symposium's opening speech, Buyukanit said that terrorist groups are trying to obtain weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear ones. "Terrorists see the nation-state as a major threat to their survival," he continued. "It is clear that no nation-state can succeed against terrorists without international cooperation. For that reason, nation-states should think internationally and act regionally." Buyukanit stated that terrorist groups use modern communication technologies to influence the international public. After the symposium, Buyukanit said that he had "unfortunately" been pulled into arguing with opposition parties over the cross-border operation.