İlber Ortaylı warns of 'double standards' regarding the dismissal of lieutenants: 'God forbid, we could all be lost'

Participating in the program "Az Önce Konuştum" (I Just Spoke) hosted by Candaş Tolga Işık, Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı addressed the dismissal of lieutenants, one of the most significant topics on the agenda.

Stating that "what the lieutenants did was not wrong," Ortaylı used the following expressions:

"What the lieutenants did was not wrong. It is a tradition, like throwing caps. The coalition partner said, 'They are using an Atatürk mask.' Forget about this mask business; those who use masks are others. This is not a decision made by a qualified expert.

"WE MUST BE CAREFUL AND SENSITIVE"

Turkey is on a continent surrounded by rogue states and societies. We arrived here this way; this is our historical fortune. We must be careful and sensitive regarding the military.

The opposite would lead us to disaster.

Some countries have been driven out elsewhere because they were left without an army. We must be careful. Turkey cannot function without an army. The army is very important for us."

"DOUBLE STANDARDS ARE NOT APPLIED"

Continuing his remarks on the dismissal of the lieutenants, İlber Ortaylı said, "It is very clear why lieutenants would be dismissed. There are crimes such as theft, drug addiction, alcohol, gambling, and indebtedness.

Such disciplinary offenses do not lead to dismissal. Dismissing someone is a very severe consequence.

They are the ones making the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) a subject of debate.

They are the ones debating the TSK. I have not debated the government regarding its economic measures.

The nation has elected someone; this is the nation's destiny. Such double standards are not applied to the military.

If something happens to this country, God forbid, we could all be lost," he stated.