Turkish government refuses to approve key military appointments

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish government has refused to approve key military appointments in a move that left two of the country's most senior military positions vacant and highlighted the diminishing political power of the armed forces that long held sway over Turkey. A list of appointments released by the military at the end of the Wednesday's meeting showed no one was named for the posts of chief of staff and land forces commander.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan blocked the appointment of Gen. Hasan Igsız, the officer in line to become the land forces commander, Turkish media reported Thursday, without citing any sources. Igsız has been implicated in an alleged Internet campaign to undermine Erdogan's government, although there are no formal charges against him.

Erdogan's spokesman was not available for comment Thursday, while the military would not comment on the issue. The prime minister's reported veto of Igsız affected a slew of military appointments, such as the planned replacement of the Chief of Military Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, who retires at the end of the month. The government and military, which have sparred for influence since Erdogan's party came to power in 2003, must agree on the appointments before Basbug steps down on Aug. 30.

In addition, 11 generals and admirals charged in an alleged 2003 plot to bring down the government were not promoted by a military panel that is chaired by Erdogan and meets twice a year for deliberations on the chain of command. The government had strongly opposed their promotions to higher ranks.

Igsız, currently the commander for Turkey's western defenses, is suspected of ordering the setting up of Web sites to allegedly disseminate propaganda against the government and its supporters -- an accusation the military rejects. The 11 officers were among 102 retired and active duty officers ordered jailed in an alleged plot to create chaos and trigger a military takeover. The accused face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The military, which has overthrown four governments since 1960, has denied such a plot, insisting the documents were from a military training seminar during which officers simulated a scenario of internal strife.

Critics allege the cases are built on flimsy evidence and illegal wiretaps. They say the accusations are a government attempt to silence Erdogan's opponents, Today’s Zaman reported.