In bid to derfuse tension, Gul to meet with former chief of Gen. Staff Ozkok

President Abdullah Gul will meet today with former Chief of General Staff retired Gen. Hilmi Ozkok at the Cankaya Presidential Palace to help defuse political tension amid the ongoing Ergenekon probe into an alleged plot to overthrow the government. Ozkok has recently warned that the country is in a very dangerous political crisis and suggested that an official actor with the support of the people should act to ease the tension. Implying that Gul should intercede in the dispute over Ergenekon, Ozkok had said that the Constitution makes it clear which figure bears responsibility for coordinating various state institutions. Gul has already held a number of meetings with civil groups and political party leaders in an effort to halt worsening political polarization. As part of these efforts, next week he will also meet with former European Court of Human Rights Judge Rıza Turmen. DATE.10-07-08