Call from retired officers: 'Do not fear the oath taken by the lieutenants, be proud of it'

Müyesser YILDIZ  12punto.com.tr 

Support for the 5 lieutenants and 3 commanders facing dismissal from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) for crossing swords and reciting the Officer's Oath, declaring "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" after the Military Academy graduation ceremony, has also come from retired officers in Ankara. Gathering at the Monument Park across from Anıtkabir, the retired officers said, "Do not fear the oath taken by the lieutenants; on the contrary, be proud of it," and demanded that the High Disciplinary Board, which will review the dismissals, return the files without taking any action.

The event, attended by retired officers, as well as CHP Deputy Chairman and retired Rear Admiral Yankı Bağcıoğlu, the President and executives of the Turkey Retired Officers Association (TESUD), the National Sovereignty Platform, the National Thought Center, and KUMPAS-DER President Ahmet Tatar, began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem.

In his speech, lawyer and retired soldier Levent Bahçetepe criticized the Ministry of National Defense for remaining silent and failing to stand by the lieutenants while certain circles launched attacks that crossed the boundaries of morality following the footage of the oath that our nation is proud of. He emphasized that these attacks are, in reality, attacks on the eternal Commander-in-Chief of the Turkish Army, the founding values and sacred principles of the Republic, and the common conscience of the Turkish Nation.

RETURN THE FILES

Reminding that three successful patriotic officers were also referred to the High Disciplinary Board along with the lieutenants with a request for dismissal, Attorney Bahçetepe addressed those who will review these files on Thursday as follows:

"There is no indiscipline by the lieutenants in what occurred. Being soldiers of the eternal Commander-in-Chief is the duty of every soldier. Lieutenants who declare their loyalty to the Republic and constitutional values cannot be accused of indiscipline. Thinking otherwise, or showing loyalty to other individuals, sects, or communities outside of these values is a crime, and the closest example of this was seen on July 15. Making a negative decision regarding the lieutenants will mean further politicizing our beloved army and taking on a historical burden by making loyalty to Atatürk a subject of trial. Do not touch the lieutenants; the lieutenants are the future of the TSK, do not allow them to be worn down. Do not fear the oath they took; on the contrary, be proud of it. The young lieutenants expressing their loyalty to Atatürk is not a crime, but a sign of patriotism."

Finally, demanding that the High Disciplinary Board return the files without taking any action, Attorney Bahçetepe said, "Whatever decision is made, the only truth that will not change is that the Republic of Turkey is a democratic, secular, and social state of law bound by Atatürk's nationalism, and that every Turkish soldier is a soldier of the eternal Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal."

The event concluded with all participants saying, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal."