Chief of General Staff Gen. Ãlker Baþbuð lashed out at the media on Wednesday for publishing confidential information revealing that the army knew in advance about a terrorist attack on a military outpost in eastern Turkey on Oct. 3 that left many Turkish soldiers dead.
"This is my last word: I invite everyone to be careful and to stand in the right place. … Those who praise the actions of the separatist terrorist organization are responsible for the blood that has been shed and will be shed," he said angrily.
Psychiatrists agree that an angry Baþbuð proved that the TSK does not respond well to criticism and sees itself as an institution that calls others to account.
"There is a tendency for statesmen and military generals in Turkey to convey their messages in the harshest manner possible. Instead of making plausible responses to allegations over the Aktütün assault, Baþbuð delivered an angry speech, which meant no one can question the actions of the Turkish army and generals," said Mehmet Bekaroðlu, a psychiatrist and a former deputy.
A brazen attack earlier this month on a military outpost in the Aktütün area of eastern Hakkari province claimed the lives of 17 soldiers and wounded 21 others. Liberal newspaper Taraf published classified aerial images on Tuesday that showed the outlawed Kurdistan Workers´ Party (PKK) terrorists preparing for the attack hours before they hit the outpost with heavy weaponry. The TSK received harsh criticism from the media, which asked them to respond to the claims.
Baþbuð hastily arranged a press conference in the northwestern province of Balýkesir on Wednesday and said tensely that legal action has been taken against those who leaked the secret information and those who used it.
"Baþbuð displayed a good example of a famous psychological notion that the best way to defend oneself is to attack others. He lashed out at those who questioned the acts of the army. ´You cannot ask me to explain. If there is something to be judged, I will judge it myself,´ is what Baþbuð meant," Bekaroðlu went on to say.
Another prominent psychiatrist who wanted to remain anonymous said Baþbuð´s unrestrained anger could be interpreted as an open threat to those who question the TSK´s ability to eliminate terrorism.
"Baþbuð´s speech expressed both complaints and threats. Those who cannot justify their actions usually try to defend themselves with such threats. I also can infer from Baþbuð´s remarks that he is tired of his position. His mood implies that he regrets having been appointed chief of general staff," he noted.
The chief physician at the Bakýrköy Mental Hospital, Arif Verimli, watched Baþbuð´s speech several times to analyze his mental state.
"It was an angry and tense speech. He was trying to control himself and choose his words carefully when speaking. However, the harshness in his voice was easily observed. I believe political and military leaders should have better anger management and should pay special attention to avoid increasing tension in the society," he stated.
Bekaroðlu also said Baþbuð´s harsh statements have taken the debate over the Aktütün assault to a new dimension.
"The chief of general staff´s speech on Wednesday marked the end of the era of discussing military faults in the Aktütün attack and the beginning of a new era of judging those who accuse the army of neglecting intelligence it received prior to the attack," he remarked.
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