If only it weren't for those retired soldiers!..

There is a famous saying often attributed to one of the Ottoman Ministers of Education: "If it weren't for these schools, how well I could manage this education system."

We are facing exactly such an example; but the actor here is not the Ministry of National Education, which has already been completely dismantled, but the Ministry of National Defense.

First, let us recall some developments that directly concern the Ministry of National Defense (MSB).

Greece did not just equip its country with US bases; it filled Alexandroupoli, located 40 kilometers from our border, with US weapons and soldiers...

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis commemorated the Armenian genocide slander on April 24...

Again, just before his return visit to Erdoğan on May 12, Mitsotakis visited a military unit on the island of Chios—which should not be armed according to the Treaty of Lausanne—together with the Chief of General Staff...

Following Mitsotakis's visit was the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. As is known, our "friend" (!) Greece considers May 19 a "Pontic genocide" day. While the government and its media continued to shower praise on Mitsotakis's visit, he went and called on the international community to recognize the "Pontic genocide" slander...

Finally, regarding Ankara's supposed reactions to the decision to create marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean seas, Mitsotakis declared: "What does a matter concerning environmental protection within our sovereign territory have to do with Turkey?"

THE ACTIONS OF YAŞAR GÜLER'S COUNTERPART

Assuming all of this indirectly concerns our Ministry of National Defense, let us move on to the actions of Minister Yaşar Güler's counterpart, Nikos Dendias.

Our media considers Mitsotakis a "dove" and Dendias a "hawk"; let's see what he has done.

On February 22, he claimed that "everything beyond 3 miles from the Turkish coast in the Aegean belongs to Greece"...

He also commemorated the "Armenian genocide" slander on April 24, stating that "historical truth must be recognized so that crimes against humanity are not repeated."

Shortly before Mitsotakis's visit to Turkey, he also conducted a landing on islands that were never ceded to Greece and should remain in a non-military status according to the Treaties of Lausanne and Paris, under the guise of "visiting the East Aegean islands," where he inspected military units together with Greek generals...

On May 19, he also commemorated the Pontic genocide slander by mentioning "353,000 victims"...

And finally, he claimed that "Greece is facing an existential threat from Turkey"...

Have you seen or heard our Minister of National Defense or TSK officials show any reaction to these events so far?

IF ONLY WE HAD A "HAWK" TOO

Let us share a conversation here that reveals the state of our media and, of course, our Ministry of National Defense.

A writer of ours who chatted with Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler during Mitsotakis's visit made the observation that "Defense Minister Dendias, who keeps his distance from rapprochement with Turkey due to political calculations within his party, is not in the delegation that came to Ankara with the Greek Prime Minister today," and then asked Minister Yaşar Güler about the current situation.

The conclusion drawn from what was told is this: the government policy of de-escalation is being fully implemented by the Ministry of National Defense... Meanwhile, Minister Güler sufficed by saying that "they exchange messages with the Greek Defense Minister when needed"...

It is unthinkable for any of us to "keep a distance from rapprochement with Greece due to political calculations," but why is there not even one person who will play the role of a "hawk" for the sake of the nation's and the country's honor?!

ELECTIONS IN "TERRORISTAN"

After Iraq, the US trained and equipped PKK/YPG terrorists in Syria with weapons.

Despite Ankara's statements that "we will not allow a Terroristan to be established," they are now preparing to hold municipal elections on June 11 in the region they call the "Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria."

So, what does our Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler say about these hostilities by the US? He says the following:

- "Some friends are providing pilot training to the PKK/YPG. We say, 'If you are supporting them, admit that you are supporting them.' We say, 'Do not mock our intelligence.'"

- "We tell our friends, 'My dear friend; we see what you are doing and what you are trying to do. If your concern is the fight against DAESH, we are with you. If not, do not mock our intelligence by saying, 'The PKK-YPG-PYD is not a terrorist organization.'"

WHO WANTED THIS BAN?

What is the reason for us telling you all this?

Someone must have thought, "If it weren't for these retired soldiers, how well we could manage the Ministry of National Defense," and a few days ago, a perfect solution was found.

And a draft law was prepared regarding retired commanders informing the relevant commands before appearing on television. A prison sentence of 6 months to 3 years was foreseen for those who do not comply with the restrictions to be introduced.

First of all, let us state this; as far as we have learned, the Ministry of National Defense itself prepared this proposal and presented it to Erdoğan. He also found it appropriate.

Wow, why didn't previous Ministers of National Defense think of this?! For example, so many things were said about former minister Hulusi Akar, and he always settled for filing lawsuits, but such a thing never crossed his mind!..

It is a complete absurdity. Retired soldiers are not talking about operations or plans within the TSK!.. On the contrary, as former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım put it, those who announce upcoming operations with "drums and pipes" and those who explain troop deployments and the locations of our bases with pointers in their hands are the spokespeople of the government.

What is apparent is that they are not bothered by them, but by the handful of retired soldiers who reveal and criticize what is happening, as in the example of relations with Greece or the US.

Let someone also explain what is going on in response to the bombardment of "success" stories!..

ARE TELEVISION STATIONS MILITARY GUESTHOUSES?

Until now, they were imposing entry bans to TSK social facilities on those who directed the slightest criticism at commanders. The latest example of this was retired colonel Orkun Özeller; when he revealed the state of the borders, an entry ban to the military guesthouse was imposed.

Then what did we learn? That soldiers on active duty were smuggling people in official vehicles... Oh, the shame of it!..

Clearly, they are going to turn television stations into military guesthouses too!..

It is understood and desired that;

Retired soldiers, like the pro-government media, should create a "spring atmosphere" in our relations with Greece...

They should not mention that they are occupying our islands or violating Lausanne, and should say "Welcome, our dear neighbor" to Mitsotakis in Greek...

They should present the US as our "friend and ally" no matter what hostility it directs toward our country...

The attempt to ban retired soldiers is the first step. If they succeed, just watch and see how the rest will follow.

One voice, one breath... Oh, what a wonderful country!..

Müyesser YILDIZ

May 27, 2024