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EU, US Back Coup Plot Investigations In Turkey

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  • EU, US Back Coup Plot Investigations In Turkey

    EU, US BACK COUP PLOT INVESTIGATIONS IN TURKEY

    Asbarez
    http://www.asbarez.com/77806/eu-us-back-coup-plot -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.
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