Bahçeli's statement on 'Lieutenants': 'Oaths other than the legal oath should not be covered up with Atatürk'

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made significant statements regarding the "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" slogan chanted by lieutenants following their oath-taking ceremony at the Military Academy graduation. Bahçeli stated that oaths taken outside of the legal oath should not be covered up by using the name of the late Atatürk.

In his written statement, Bahçeli expressed that this incident, which came to the agenda immediately after August 30 Victory Day, has occupied Turkey and given hope to certain circles. Bahçeli said, "Oaths other than the legal oath should not be covered up or hidden behind the name of the late Atatürk. It is essential that the second oath incident, which overshadowed August 30, occupied our country, gave hope to adversaries, and excited the exploitation lobby, be clarified in every respect."

'A CAMPAIGN OF HUMILIATION IS BEING KEPT ALIVE'

In his statement, Bahçeli noted that those with treacherous plans regarding Turkey's spirit of national unity and solidarity have increased recently, stating, "Unfortunately, there is an escalation in the actions and rhetoric of guided extras who rely on collaborative and exploitative politics, threatening our national security and national existence. A harmful and humiliating campaign that tests the patience of the Turkish nation, pushes the thresholds of tolerance, and damages and irritates its nerve endings is being kept alive."

Emphasizing that externally linked operations are in effect, Bahçeli stated that fake news spreading on social media, destructive ambitions fueling polarization, and provocative moves attempting to sow seeds of discord between the state and the nation have reached dangerous dimensions. Stating that these developments are an effort to make Turkey suitable for internal and external impositions, Bahçeli expressed that attempts to force early elections could also be evaluated within this scope.

'THE EFFORT TO DRAG THE TSK INTO DISCUSSIONS IS A GRAVE MISTAKE'

Emphasizing that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are being intentionally dragged into discussions, Bahçeli stated that these attempts will fail. "The Turkish army is an army of law and has emerged from the bosom of the Turkish nation. The coup eras are behind us, and those dark periods have been put to an end. Everyone must accept this undeniable and unquestionable truth," said Bahçeli, reminding that every officer who joins the Turkish Armed Forces is carefully vetted before beginning their field duties.

Bahçeli stated that a group of lieutenants took another oath after the official oath at the graduation ceremony, and discussions began around this. Asking, "What is the purpose of this oath, which has occupied the politics and social agenda and is being 'autopsied' in the media every day? Who or who decided on this?" Bahçeli warned that such attempts could create division within the Turkish Armed Forces or in the defense of the homeland.

'ATATÜRK IS OUR COMMON VALUE'

Finally, the MHP leader stated that the CHP and other opposition parties are trying to exploit the oath issue, saying, "No one should attempt to exploit the cherished memories and sacred works of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and create a wave of polarization in this context. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the common value of the Turkish nation, our first President, and the leader of the National Struggle."