High military council kicks off with absences

ANKARA

Chaired by PM Erdoğan, a top military board begins its annual four-day-long review of the military’s readiness for war with two top generals fail to make appearance. DHA photo

The Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting has began with two absence due to their legal situations as Prime Minister Erdoğan gives Syria messages before the meeting.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired yesterday’s meeting, which took place in the military headquarters with the participation of Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel, Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz and other high-ranking military officers. YAŞ members Gen. Nusret Taşdeler and Gen. Bilgin Balanlı were unable to attend the meeting as they were arrested for allegedly having links to the Ergenekon organization aimed at toppling the government. Among the issues discussed at the meeting was the legal situation of 68 arrested generals, which has hindered the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) from opening new cadres for lower ranking officers to be appointed to higher ranks.

Before YAŞ begins its annual four-day-long review of the army’s readiness for war and completion of military personnel promotions, Erdoğan visited Atatürk’s mausoleum (Anıtkabir) with other members of the YAŞ. Turkey will continue its long march to becoming a global and regional power while carrying on efforts to bring peace and stability to its region, Erdoğan has wrote in the special book of the Anıtkabir, referencing ongoing turmoil in Syria.

“We are exerting sincere efforts for ending the wars and clashes in our region and for [encouraging] fraternal peoples to live in peace as part of a humanitarian and conscientious responsibility that our history necessitates to us,” Erdoğan wrote in the special book of the Anıtkabir during his visit to Atatürk’s mausoleum with other members of the YAŞ. “While Turkey is surely advancing to become a global and regional power, it does also continue to contribute to a permanent peace, stability and comfort in its geographical region,” Erdoğan said. President Abdullah Gül must approve all YAŞ decisions before they are scheduled to be announced on Aug. 4.