Chief of General Staff Basbug reiterates commitment to democracy and the rule of law

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is committed to democracy and the rule of law, and anybody who dissents against these principles will find no place in the army and will not be tolerated by the TSK, Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug said yesterday. At a press conference at General Staff headquarters in Ankara, Basbug rejected the possibility of any link between the TSK and hidden weapons and ammunition caches found in the course of the investigation into Ergenekon, a secret crime network accused of plotting to overthrow the government. "None of the weapons and ammunition found in excavations as part of a probe being conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is registered in the TSK's weapons' inventory," he said. Asked about retired or active duty military members detained or arrested under the Ergenekon probe, Basbug expressed the TSK's commitment to the democratic regime and the rule of law. "Among the fundamental values of democracy are the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law," he added. "Everyone should refrain from any act that could damage our judicial system. The TSK is extremely careful in respecting the rule of law and the judicial process." He also criticized media reports accusing TSK members of involvement in Ergenekon. "We respect the principle that everyone is innocent until they are found guilty. Does everyone respect this principle?" he asked. "So who will repair the damage caused to these individuals? And another point is respect for the confidentiality of the judicial process. Do all of you respect this principle? You see, here great responsibility falls on the shoulders of the media." Commenting on alleged coup plots by active and retired army officers, he said no one in the TSK is engaged in any act against Turkey's democratic regime, dismissing the prospect of a military investigation into individuals accused of planning to overthrow the government. On talks between Turkey and Armenia towards normalized relations, Basbug echoed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying: "Turkey will not open its border with Armenia unless it puts an end to its occupation of Azeri territory." Asked whether US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Michael Mullen had conveyed any US requests on Iraq or Afghanistan during a recent visit to Ankara, Basbug said that he had not. Basbug said Turkey is expected to take over the command of the international peacekeeping force in Kabul this November as part of a rotation among the contributing countries. When it takes command, Turkey may have to send additional forces to boost its 795-800 troops in Afghanistan, he said, but insisted that the troops' duties and responsibilities will remain the same. Ankara backs the US-led efforts to stabilize Afghanistan but says it will not send combat troops to confront Taliban insurgents there. Asked about Israeli uneasiness over recent military exercises between Turkey and Syria, Basbug said the drills are between Turkey and Syria and are not an Israeli concern.