YAS convenes

The Supreme Military Council (YAS), chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, convened yesterday at General Staff headquarters, along with Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul. Attending YAS for the first time in their new posts were Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, Land Forces Commander Gen. Isik Kosaner, Naval Forces Commander Adm. Metin Atac, Air Forces Commander Gen. Aydogan Babaoglu, and Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Atila Isik. According to an official statement, the meeting focused on such issues as personnel, education and disciplinary problems within the Turkish Armed Forces, and the fight against the terrorist PKK at home and abroad. The statement said that 24 military personnel were dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) due to disciplinary problems or reactionary activities. Afterwards, Erdogan and YAS members visited Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum. President Abdullah Gul later hosted a luncheon in honor of the YAS members at the Foreign Ministry residence, with Erdogan, Buyukanit and Gonul also in attendance. Following the second part of the gathering, the decisions of YAS were submitted to and approved by Gul.