ANKARA - Deniz Baykal, chairman of Republican People`s Party (CHP), said on Friday that the statement released by General Staff HQs included unacceptable qualifications and insults. "A serious accusation is in question", he added.
Speaking at a tv program, Baykal responded to questions on cross- border ground operation of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) against terrorists based in north of Iraq.
Baykal said the operation took place under very severe conditions and the troops fought heroically. "We wished the operation to end in a way to relieve Turkey, instead of being stopped abruptly," he added.
Recalling that U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates made statements on the third day of the operation asking that it should be short, Baykal said, "he not only wished the operation to be short, but at the same time stated that they would impose sanctions. He said a political solution was necessary as the military operation was underway," Baykal remarked. He also recalled that civilians were not harmed and economic infrastructure of Iraq was not destroyed.
When reminded the General Staff statement that was made after the criticisms of CHP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Baykal said in democratic countries political parties, acting in responsibility, talk in a transparent way in front of the public. "Naturally, we are assessing the political and diplomatic dimensions of the military operation. Nobody should be vexed over this. This is our democratic mission," he noted.
"CHP never asked question to Turkish Armed Forces. Our statements were related to political and diplomatic framework of the event. Nobody has the right to forbid us from talking," Baykal also said.
Baykal said Turkey was located in a harsh geographical location and TSK was the guarantor of the country, adding that "CHP has a great esteem towards TSK and never made it a part of its political accounts, however we will use our democratic rights."
(AY-ULG)