Turkey's military rejects criticism over PKK attacks

[Otis Willie PIO The American War Library]

Turkey's military rejects criticism over PKK attacks
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49E6Y420081015

{EXCERPT} Reuters -... on an outpost in Aktutun near the Iraqi border this month
that killed 17 soldiers, the deadliest single attack on the military for more
than a year....

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49E6Y420081015

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[Ali Asker]

Chief Of Staff Attacks and Threatens The Media

Today, Chief of Staff İlker Başbuğ gave an explanation regarding the
critiques about the Aktütün assault by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK)
that had resulted in the death of 17 soldiers.

Using a harsh tone, Başbuğ attacked the media in his speech.

According to Başbuğ, "The incident that took place at Bayraktepe was
practically a suicide attack by the separatist terrorist organization.
Please read about this. And this was a story of heroism for our
soldiers."

"The task of investigating the incident was given, right after it was
over, to the 2nd Army Commander. The public will be informed of the
results, when the investigation is completed."

The media has been questioning the location of the military post that
was assaulted by the PKK, why this disadvantages position was not
changed, and how the assault was carried when the army had been saying
that the intelligence flow about the movements of the PKK was very
good.

The latest critique came by daily Taraf just yesterday (October 14) as
it published the gendarmerie report about the incident. According to
Taraf, the intelligence about the ambush was taken into consideration.
Taraf also had the images taken by the unmanned aerial vehicles
published.

Without naming anyone, Başbuğ said, "The confidence of the Turkish
Armed Forces in itself is complete. Those who leaked this information,
those who used classified information will be punished. Those who show
the separatist terrorist organization victorious are responsible for
the blood that was shed.The systematic attacks in the recent days will
only increase the strength, resolve and determination of the Turkish
Armed Forces. I invite everyone to be careful, to be on the right
side. "

Yasemin Çongar of Taraf, with whom the NTV discussed the subject,
said, "He was harsh. This is sad for the General Staff. They did not
answer the questions about which the pubic has been wondering.
Soldiers died in Aktütün. It was a sad incident for everyone. It is
good that they have launched an investigation, but the outcome should
be shared with the public. Is it true tat the General Staff knew about
the Aktütün ambush and if it is true, then why did they not take
action?"

"The statements like 'those who find the terrorist organization
successful are responsible for the blood that was shed' and giving
orders about what side people should be on are bothersome."

"We publish the information that we receive as long as we are certain
of its content and find public use in it and we will continue doing
it." (BIA, October 15, 2008)


n 15 Oct, 23:39, Otis Willie PIO The American War Library
<***@pacbell.net> wrote: