PM calls on nationalist leader to apologize army chief over Syria operation


Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu questioned Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's understanding of the word "decency" for harshly criticizing the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in his parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday.In his criticism of the government and the TSK, Bahçeli slammed Chief of General Staff Necdet Özel for the successful military operation that relocated the Tomb of Süleyman Shah in Syria. "Oh, General Özel, what does the motherland mean for you?" Bahçeli said. Özel responded saying that the nationalist leader is not in a position to question his patriotism. "These inappropriate words do not suit his personality," he said.Bahçeli also said former army chiefs would previously "express courage against political leaders when they realize the latter is acting contrary to the national interests of Turkey," but he claimed that the current chiefs do not act in such manner. Commenting on Bahçeli's words in his parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday, Davutoğlu said, "This is a call for a coup,"saying that such autocratic tendencies belong to the old Turkey, and that the current system is based on democratic principles that are obeyed by the military and all other actors. He said that Bahçeli's statements contradict principles of state ethics and added that the opposition leader should apologize for his "offensive and unethical remarks."Furthermore, stressing the domestic security reform bill, Davutoğlu called on the opposition to criticize the government, but also to bring proposals and discuss ideas rather than merely "create chaos.""The AK Party supports all types of freedoms," Davutoğlu said, adding that although the government is in favor of a free society, this does not mean it will allow people to throw Molotov cocktails, threatening the lives of other people and looting cities. "Nobody should give us a lesson in freedom," the prime minister underlined, and said that the only goal for the opposition is to create chaos in Turkey before the elections. He gave reassurances that the government will pass the Domestic Security Reform Package, despite the opposition, to ensure that the suffering experienced during the Oct. 6-7 Kobani protests does not happen again. He underlined once again that the government is open to suggestions, but the Domestic Security Reform Package is in line with international legal norms.Davutoğlu slammed the opposition for calling on people to take to the streets. "They call people to the streets rather than the ballot box," he said, noting that the government always adopts democratic measures and standards rather than street violence and military takeovers. He also criticized the opposition's protests in Parliament and claimed they "insult the spiritual character of Parliament." "Calling people to democracy suits us, but calling people to insurgency suits the opposition" he said.Davutoğlu claimed that the opposition had essentially called on people to join an insurgency against the democratically elected government and said that this cannot be labeled "patriotism" nor be defined by any democratic ethical principle.The Domestic Security Reform Package, which was prepared by the government in efforts to establish a balance between freedom and security of its citizens while enhancing the civilian identity of the state, has been prepared in line with EU standards of security, freedoms and security regulations.