Basbug lashes out at media claims of military neglience

Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, alongside other high-level commanders, held a press conference yesterday lashing out at media claims of military negligence in the recent terrorist PKK attack on the Aktutun military outpost in the southeastern province of Hakkari, which left 17 soldiers dead. Charging that anyone who presents the actions of the terrorist group as successful is responsible for this and future bloodshed, Basbug said that the incident, while he said was a near-suicide attack for the terrorist group, showed the heroism of Turkish soldiers. Basbug's remarks followed a lead story in a national newspaper claiming that intelligence reports on the PKK prior to the attack had been ignored. Stating that a systematic attack against the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) began in the wake of the Aktutun attack, Basbug stressed that that attack would do nothing but strengthen the TSK's determination and power. "The TSK is stronger, more determined and more decided than ever today." Basbug said, "An investigation into the attack is underway, and the army will share the results with the public as any institution with full self-confidence." He also said that the army was taking legal action against those who leaked secret military intelligence and information on the PKK attack and added, "The response any army would give to such systematic attacks, and groundless and excessive claims, is obvious. So I call on everyone to act carefully and take the right stance."