Chief of General Staff General İlker Başbuğ announced that an investigation has been launched into the plans allegedly concerned with the so-called "Balyoz" ('hammer') coup attempt.

Başbuğ declared that the alleged coup plans, of which details have been published in Taraf newspaper since 20 January, were part of an exercise plan made seven years ago. The Chief of General Staff informed the public furthermore that he expects the investigation run by the Land Forces Command to yield results very soon, saying that "the truth will be revealed".

Başbuğ did not take questions from the journalists. He made a speech in the course of a special commemoration event for Kazım Karabekir, a Turkish general and politician during World War I. Başbuğ also declared that another investigation has been carried out into the leakage of information.

Başbuğ summarized that until the present, 61 investigations have been launched in the context of leakage of information within the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), nine of those were taken to court, one military officer was sentenced to three years imprisonment and suspended from office and currently another ten people are detained in relation with the investigations.

Başbuğ conceded that leakage of information could occur in any kind of institution. However, he put forward the importance of the issue since their institution is being "targeted".

Regarding the published allegations that mosques were going to be bombed to create disorder for the coup in the scope of the "Balyoz" plan Başbuğ commented, "How could the TSK think about something like bombing mosques? This is unscrupulousness". Reminding the allegation that a Turkish war plane was going to be shot the Chief of General Staff said, "How can you accuse the whole army? Also the army has only got limited patience".

"Political rulers will change by means of elections"

Başbuğ indicated that coups and coup allegations have lately become issues of the main agenda and argued that the TSK's position on coups is very clear:

"These incidents are left behind by now. We think that everybody got his fair share of lessons. We are in the year 2010. As the TSK we think that our country needs repose and peace. What everybody should believe wholeheartedly and what is the most important subject in democratic administration is the fact that the government is to be changed by elections and democratic means".

"Who is going to benefit?"

Having said that, Başbuğ argued, "I ask a legitimate question: Who benefits from these coup allegations? I do not think that this is a topic to take advantage of".

Başbuğ reasoned his speech by saying that it would have been misinterpreted if he had not made an announcement regarding the allegations at all. Referring to Karabekir's words who said "Wrong information is the source of disaster. First of all, seek and learn the truth about any issue, then discuss it the way you want", Başbuğ concluded: "I think this is what we really need in these days". (TK/VK)