TURKEY: PKK ATTACK PUTS MILITARY UNDER A MICROSCOPE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 001806

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: PKK ATTACK PUTS MILITARY UNDER A MICROSCOPE

REF: A. ANKARA 1732

B. ANKARA 1440

C. ANKARA 430

Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, Reasons 1.4 (b,d)

Summary
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1. (C) Since the October 3-4 PKK attack on the Aktutun
military outpost, Turkey's military has come under
unprecedented press criticism. This included calls for the
resignation of the Deputy Chief of Staff (for failing to
prevent the attack) and of the Chief of Turkey's Air Force
(for being caught playing golf at a resort following the
attack). Most explosive was an October 14 article by
left-leaning newspaper Taraf publishing intelligence
information purportedly leaked from the Turkish General Staff
(TGS) which indicated that the TGS had received advance
warning of the Aktutun attack, but took no action to prevent
it. On October 15, TGS Chief General Basbug gave an angry
reaction to the criticism, sharply rebuked the press for
publishing classified information -- which could give aid to
terrorists -- and "warned" that such behavior would not be
tolerated. The ruling AKP party has thus far defended the
TGS anti-terrorism action, but press rejection (by
influential columnists on October 16) of Gen. Basbug's rebuke
may begin to weaken this solidarity. End Summary.

Igsiz in the Crosshairs
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2. (C) Oddly enough, one reason for the new level of press
criticism is a new policy -- implemented since Gen. Ilker
Basbug became TGS Chief in August 2008 -- which is trying to
establish a new, more open, relationship with the press. On
October 5, TGS Deputy Chief General Hasan Igsiz briefed the
press extensively following a deadly PKK terrorist attack
against a military outpost in Aktutun (ref a). Instead of
applauding the TGS for its increased transparency, many in
the media savaged the military, zeroing in on Igsiz's
statement that the TGS did not move some of the vulnerable
border outposts, including Aktutun, due in part to a lack of
funds. The Ministry of Finance subsequently announced that
the TGS had returned unused funds to the Treasury this year,
further undercutting the military in public.

3. (C) Opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Treasurer
and Istanbul MP Mustafa Ozyurek publicly called Igsiz's claim
of the TGS lacking funds "a shame for Turkey," and said "Why
is it that the necessary budget allocation could not be found
given the enormous budget dedicated to national defense?"
The Turkish public's anger has been further fueled by images
of these outposts' shoddy construction, claims based on
allegedly leaked classified documents indicating that the
military received advance intelligence warnings about a
possible attack on Aktutun, and that Igsiz, during his
previous assignment as Second Army Commander, visited Aktutun
three times and still took no action to improve or relocate
the facility.

"Golf-Gate"
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4. (C) Turkish Air Force Chief Babaoglu has also been
weathering calls for his resignation after images surfaced in
the media of him golfing at a Mediterranean resort on October
4, the day after the Aktutun attack. In response to
questions, Babaoglu said he had been unaware of the attack
until later, a claim the TGS backed with an official
statement released on its website. Media commentators have
rejected this explanation given the blanket coverage the
attack received on October 3 and 4, and have asked whether it
is better that the air force chief was unaware of a deadly
attack against Turkish forces or that he kept golfing despite
the attack. Gungor Mengi and Ismet Berkan, columnists for
moderate Vatan and liberal Radikal papers, respectively, have
publicly called for Babaoglu's resignation in their columns.
Revelations that the Turkish military had constructed golf
courses on nine Air Force bases and at a military academy
have fueled the scandal and led CHP Deputy from Konya Atila
Kart to submit a motion to investigate decision-making and
expenditures associated with the construction of these golf
courses.

ANKARA 00001806 002 OF 002



Basbug Fires Back
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5. (C) Responding to the press stories, General Basbug, in a
brief, harshly-worded statement to the press on October 15,
warned the media to stop attacks against the Turkish armed
forces. Basbug said that the 2nd Army is investigating the
Aktutun attack, and vowed to share the results with the
public. He also said judicial authorities are investigating
the leaks of classified information that have fueled the
criticism against the military. Calling the media criticism
a "systematic attack" against the Turkish military, Basbug
said, "Such attacks are not based on accurate knowledge and
go beyond the limit of (fair) criticism. It is predictable
how any military would respond to such attacks." Basbug
concluded by urging "everyone to be careful and to take a
correct position," and accused journalists who termed the
attack on Aktutun as a success of supporting the PKK's goals.



6. (C) Media reaction to Basbug's statement was equally
harsh. While respecting Basbug's desire to defend the
integrity of the military, commentators across the political
spectrum criticized Basbug's tone as harsh, threatening,
inappropriate and lacking respect for press freedom.
Milliyet editor Sedat Ergin wrote, "Basbug can use such an
approach in army headquarters, but not in dealings with the
media." Mainstream Hurriyet columnist Oktay Eksi noted
Basbug's tone was irritating the media world.
Islamist-leaning Yeni Safak columnist Ali Bayramoglu called
Basbug's statement a "declaration of war" and wrote that "in
democratic countries, army commanders cannot dare to direct
such accusations against the media. The military should
understand that they cannot silence the criticism by shouting
and hurling threats." Influential Radikal columnist Murat
Yetkin called Basbug's statement "disappointing."

Erdogan, Gul Support the Military - Sort Of
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7. (C) Despite on-going tension between the institutions on
other issues, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)
has again felt the need to defend the military in the midst
of public and opposition criticism. President Gul said
publicly on October 15, "No comment or criticism shall aim at
weakening the struggle of the military and police forces."
Prime Minister Erdogan on October 10 said he believes the
military is "sincerely doing its best." Erdogan had also
backed the military in public statements in August and
February when the military came under opposition and media
criticism (refs b and c).

Comment
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8. (C) Although the Turkish military has long been, and
continues to be, the most widely respected institution in
Turkey, it has not been immune to public criticism,
particularly in its intervention in politics and alleged
involvement of military officers in the "Ergenekon" plot.
This latest round of criticism following the Aktutun attack
is unusual not only because of its breadth and staying power,
but also because the focus of the criticism has been on the
way the military conducts one of its primary missions:
fighting the PKK.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey

WILSON