Turkish army chief says has not seen road map for Kurdish peace process
Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Ãzel said he does not know the content of the road map of the peace process led by the Turkish government to end the 30-year-long Kurdish issue.
âThe government has a policy and this policy is ongoing. We do not know the road map of the peace process. Deputy Prime Minister BeÅir Atalay said their work would be sent to public institutions, but nothing has been sent [to us] yet,â Ãzel told reporters during a reception on Victory Day on Aug. 30 at the Ãankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara, hosted by President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄan and his wife.
He added that could only comment on the road map after he sees it.
Responding a question on whether âred linesâ have changed over the past decade on the Kurdish issue, Ãzel said there were "some differences" on the definition of âred linesâ compared to 10 years ago.
âThey [the government] say mothers should not cry any more. This is what we want too,â Ãzel said, while underlining that the "unity of the country" was also significant as a "red line" for the military.
On a separate subject, Ãzel said no official application over the introduction of paid military service had yet been received, after Defense Minister Ä°smet Yılmaz recently said the government has been working on reintroducing paid military service.
Ãzel also responded to a question on the release of several military officers, including high-level soldiers, from prison after the Constitutional Courtâs decision over the Balyoz (Sledgehammer) coup plot case trials.
âThe Constitutional Court made its decision, our friends are free. Whatâs important for me is that they are free now. I am...
- Log in to post comments