Sorum ve Genelkurmay Başkanı Büyükanıt'ın Unutulmaz Cevabı

Chief of General Staff Büyükanıt's Unforgettable Remarks - 2007 - In the United States-Turkey relations, virtually nothing has changed from the past to the present regarding the debates surrounding support for terrorist organizations. In 2007, at a large meeting at the General Staff Headquarters in Ankara, the question I posed to then-Chief of General Staff General Yaşar Büyükanıt and Büyükanıt's response were widely discussed. In statements reported as breaking news by the AP, Reuters, and AFP, Yaşar Büyükanıt harshly criticized the US and stated that Iraq would be irreversibly disintegrated. General Yaşar Büyükanıt reacted to Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani's remarks targeting Turkey by saying, "The words he uttered are truly despicable. But I'm looking at those who made him say them, those who coddled him." General Yaşar Büyükanıt responded to my question, "Will Turkey's reaction to that pampering power become more intense in tone and style, or should it become more intense?" as follows: One of the dangers in Iraq is the threat of division. If it is divided, it will be divided into three. These three groups, we must be logical; it is difficult for them to coexist. Because bloodshed has already broken out. Sunni groups view the Kurds as US pawns. Will the US establish and deploy troops in Northern Iraq? If the US deploys troops there, it will also bring terrorism there. Therefore, I do not believe there can be a solution in Iraq in the short or medium term. I see a greater likelihood of this situation getting worse. Indeed, developments continue to unfold as Büyükanıt predicted. Iraq, which became increasingly unstable and divided after the US invasion, is now a hub for various terrorist organizations. The fact that Türkiye's fight against terrorism continues with such heavy costs and losses is largely due to the steps Washington has taken there. (April 13) (2007 press conference) #hakançelik #yaşarbüyükanıt #pkk