Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANKARA4378
2006-08-01 06:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKISH LAND FORCES COMMANDER BUYUKANIT APPOINTED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAK #4378 2130632 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 010632Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7555 INFO RUEHAK/USDAO ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:PDUSDP/ISA:EUR/ISA:NESA/DSCA// PRIORITY RUEUITH/ODC ANKARA TU PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J-3/J-5// PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RHMFISS/425ABS IZMIR TU//CC// PRIORITY RHMFISS/39ABG INCIRLIK AB TU PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004378
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2031
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH LAND FORCES COMMANDER BUYUKANIT APPOINTED
CHOD
REF: ANKARA 3772
Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt,
reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 004378
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2031
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH LAND FORCES COMMANDER BUYUKANIT APPOINTED
CHOD
REF: ANKARA 3772
Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt,
reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Turkish Council of Ministers, in a surprise move,
on July 31 appointed Land Forces Commander General Yasar
Buyukanit as the next Chief of the General Staff (CHOD)
beginning on August 30 when the current CHOD, GEN Hilmi
Ozkok, retires. President Sezer approved the appointment the
same day. While the decision to appoint Buyukanit was
expected, the timing of the announcement was not. The
decision was broadcast the day before the opening of the Aug.
1-4 annual Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting to decide
on the promotion, retirement and dismissal for cause of
military officers. The announcement of the CHOD appointment
and other decisions is typically held until the end of the
week-long meeting.
2. (C) COMMENT: Given the increasing tensions between the
government and the military (reftel),the early decision
could be an attempt by the government to set a positive tone
for the YAS and to start off on the right foot with the new
CHOD as Turkey continues a difficult battle against the PKK
terrorist organization and weighs participation in a Lebanon
PKO. The announcement will relieve the government of a week
of press speculation and diversion from its priority issues.
END COMMENT.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2031
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH LAND FORCES COMMANDER BUYUKANIT APPOINTED
CHOD
REF: ANKARA 3772
Classified By: Political-Military Counselor Carl Siebentritt,
reasons 1 .4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Turkish Council of Ministers, in a surprise move,
on July 31 appointed Land Forces Commander General Yasar
Buyukanit as the next Chief of the General Staff (CHOD)
beginning on August 30 when the current CHOD, GEN Hilmi
Ozkok, retires. President Sezer approved the appointment the
same day. While the decision to appoint Buyukanit was
expected, the timing of the announcement was not. The
decision was broadcast the day before the opening of the Aug.
1-4 annual Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting to decide
on the promotion, retirement and dismissal for cause of
military officers. The announcement of the CHOD appointment
and other decisions is typically held until the end of the
week-long meeting.
2. (C) COMMENT: Given the increasing tensions between the
government and the military (reftel),the early decision
could be an attempt by the government to set a positive tone
for the YAS and to start off on the right foot with the new
CHOD as Turkey continues a difficult battle against the PKK
terrorist organization and weighs participation in a Lebanon
PKO. The announcement will relieve the government of a week
of press speculation and diversion from its priority issues.
END COMMENT.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/
MCELDOWNEY