EU, US BACK COUP PLOT INVESTIGATIONS IN TURKEY

Asbarez
-investigations-in-turkey/
Feb 24th, 2010

ANKARA -Both the European Union and the United States have released
statements backing adherence to the law in the investigation into the
alleged "Sledgehammer" coup plotters, reiterating once again their
support for Turkish democracy.

The EU and US both stated on Monday their belief that actions
proceeding from this week’s detention of 49 military officers, almost
half of them retired or active duty generals and admirals, over links
to the alleged Sledgehammer coup plan should be made transparently
and in accordance with Turkish law.

European Commissioner Stefan Fule and US Assistant Secretary of State
for Public Affairs Philip J. Crowley both expressed their views on
the historic detentions of those high-ranking officers. While Fule
backed the functioning of the law in Turkey and said Turkish citizens
have the right to learn the truth there, Crowley told reporters that
the US does not have any specific concern over the detention of top
commanders as part of investigations into alleged coup plots.

On Monday, 50 military officers, both retired and active duty,
were detained over alleged links to the Sledgehammer plot. Among the
detainees were 17 retired generals, four admirals, 27 other officers
of various ranks and a noncommissioned officer.

Speaking at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission meeting in
Brussels on Monday, Fule described the allegations of some officers’
intentions to stage a coup as worrisome.

"Alleged attempts to destabilize Turkey which involved some military
personnel are worrisome. It is the right of all Turkish citizens
to learn all of the realities concerning this case. That means the
construction of trust and the rule of law and democracy. These are
vital bases," said the commissioner.

He added that they are carefully following the ongoing Ergenekon case,
in which defendants are standing trial accused of plotting to topple
the democratically elected government and asked Turkey to advance
its democratization efforts, noting that the military is still not
under control of the civilian administration in the country.

Fule listed the European Commission’s priorities for Turkey in that
respect as "judicial and constitutional reform and civilian oversight
over the military."

Crowley answered reporters’ questions at the US State Department’s
daily press briefing. In response to a question asking whether the
US had any concern about potential political instability in Turkey
in light of the recent detentions of alleged coup plotters, he said
the State Department did not have any specific concerns.

"These issues in the evolution of politics and society in Turkey
are not new. I don’t think we have any specific concerns. Obviously,
any action taken should be in accord with Turkish law and should be
transparent," Crowley said.

Crowley also labeled the US-Turkey alliance as the "most successful
alliance in history" and said the two are working closely with each
other on a variety of issues from Middle East peace to the situation
in Cyprus and the situations in Iraq and Iran.