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Turkish leaders in 'plot' summit Turkish leaders in 'plot' summit
(30 minutes later)
Turkey's leaders are meeting the head of the armed forces, Gen Ilker Basbug, about an alleged plot to stir up chaos and justify a military coup.Turkey's leaders are meeting the head of the armed forces, Gen Ilker Basbug, about an alleged plot to stir up chaos and justify a military coup.
The talks between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and Gen Basbug come after 20 military officers were charged over the case.The talks between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Abdullah Gul and Gen Basbug come after 20 military officers were charged over the case.
They were called amid rising tension between the government and military.They were called amid rising tension between the government and military.
Former heads of the navy and air force were due to be questioned on Thursday and could yet be charged. Former heads of the navy and air force are still being questioned and could yet be charged.
The military has denied any coup plot and has held its own officers' summit to discuss the "serious situation" in the wake of the latest arrests.The military has denied any coup plot and has held its own officers' summit to discuss the "serious situation" in the wake of the latest arrests.
The generals believe the AK Party has a hidden agenda to subvert the country's secular system Roger HardyBBC regional analyst Turkish military faces crossroadsThe generals believe the AK Party has a hidden agenda to subvert the country's secular system Roger HardyBBC regional analyst Turkish military faces crossroads
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says the Turkish government is embroiled in the greatest test yet of its authority over the armed forces.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says the Turkish government is embroiled in the greatest test yet of its authority over the armed forces.
Turkey's military has overthrown or forced the resignation of four governments since 1960 - most recently in 1997 - though Gen Basbug has insisted that coups are a thing of the past.
The scale of Monday's operation against the military was unprecedented. Those arrested include two serving admirals, three retired admirals and three retired generals.The scale of Monday's operation against the military was unprecedented. Those arrested include two serving admirals, three retired admirals and three retired generals.
A number of them are being kept in jail while 12 have reportedly been freed.A number of them are being kept in jail while 12 have reportedly been freed.
Retired air force commander Ibrahim Firtina and former navy chief Ozden Ornek arrived at court on Thursday morning for questioning.Retired air force commander Ibrahim Firtina and former navy chief Ozden Ornek arrived at court on Thursday morning for questioning.
'Mosque plot''Mosque plot'
Dozens of current or former members of the military have been arrested in the past few years over similar plot allegations, and some have been charged.Dozens of current or former members of the military have been arrested in the past few years over similar plot allegations, and some have been charged.
Ex-Air Force head Gen Ibrahim Firtina was among those being questionedEx-Air Force head Gen Ibrahim Firtina was among those being questioned
The latest men to be charged were arrested over the so-called "sledgehammer" plot, which reportedly dates back to 2003.The latest men to be charged were arrested over the so-called "sledgehammer" plot, which reportedly dates back to 2003.
Reports of the alleged plot first surfaced in the liberal Taraf newspaper, which said it had discovered documents detailing plans to bomb two Istanbul mosques and provoke Greece into shooting down a Turkish plane over the Aegean Sea.Reports of the alleged plot first surfaced in the liberal Taraf newspaper, which said it had discovered documents detailing plans to bomb two Istanbul mosques and provoke Greece into shooting down a Turkish plane over the Aegean Sea.
The army has said the scenarios were discussed but only as part of a planning exercise at a military seminar.The army has said the scenarios were discussed but only as part of a planning exercise at a military seminar.
The alleged plot is similar, and possibly linked, to the reported Ergenekon conspiracy, in which military figures and staunch secularists allegedly planned to foment unrest, leading to a coup.The alleged plot is similar, and possibly linked, to the reported Ergenekon conspiracy, in which military figures and staunch secularists allegedly planned to foment unrest, leading to a coup.
Scores of people, including military officers, journalists and academics, are on trial in connection with that case.Scores of people, including military officers, journalists and academics, are on trial in connection with that case.
'Painful transformation''Painful transformation'
Analysts say the crackdown on the military would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.Analysts say the crackdown on the military would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
HOW 'COUP PLOTS' EMERGED June 2007: Cache of explosives discovered; ex-soldiers detainedJuly 2008: 20 arrested, including two ex-generals and a senior journalist, for "planning political disturbances and trying to organise a coup"July 2008: Governing AK Party narrowly escapes court banOctober 2008: 86 go on trial charged with "Ergenekon" coup plotJuly 2009: 56 in dock as second trial opensJan 2010: Taraf newspaper reports 2003 "sledgehammer" plot to provoke coupFeb 2010: More than 40 officers arrested over "sledgehammer"; 20 chargedHOW 'COUP PLOTS' EMERGED June 2007: Cache of explosives discovered; ex-soldiers detainedJuly 2008: 20 arrested, including two ex-generals and a senior journalist, for "planning political disturbances and trying to organise a coup"July 2008: Governing AK Party narrowly escapes court banOctober 2008: 86 go on trial charged with "Ergenekon" coup plotJuly 2009: 56 in dock as second trial opensJan 2010: Taraf newspaper reports 2003 "sledgehammer" plot to provoke coupFeb 2010: More than 40 officers arrested over "sledgehammer"; 20 charged
The army has regarded itself as the guardian of a secular Turkish state. It has overthrown or forced the resignation of four governments since 1960 - the last time in 1997. The army has regarded itself as the guardian of a secular Turkish state, but its power has been eroded in recent years, with Turkey enacting reforms designed to prepare it for entry to the European Union.
But the power of the army has been eroded in recent years, with Turkey enacting reforms designed to prepare it for entry to the European Union.
"Transformations may sometimes be painful," Economy Minister Ali Babacan said Wednesday.
"We are trying to make Turkey's democracy first class."
Gen Basbug has insisted that coups in Turkey are a thing of the past.
Many Turks regard the cases as the latest stage in an ongoing power struggle between Turkey's secular nationalist establishment and the governing AK Party.Many Turks regard the cases as the latest stage in an ongoing power struggle between Turkey's secular nationalist establishment and the governing AK Party.
Critics believe the Ergenekon and sledgehammer investigations are simply attempts to silence the government's political and military opponents.Critics believe the Ergenekon and sledgehammer investigations are simply attempts to silence the government's political and military opponents.
The AK Party has its roots in political Islam, and is accused by some nationalists of having secret plans to turn staunchly secular Turkey into an Islamic state.The AK Party has its roots in political Islam, and is accused by some nationalists of having secret plans to turn staunchly secular Turkey into an Islamic state.
The government rejects those claims, saying its intention is to modernise Turkey and move it closer to EU membership.The government rejects those claims, saying its intention is to modernise Turkey and move it closer to EU membership.
"Transformations may sometimes be painful," Economy Minister Ali Babacan said Wednesday.
"We are trying to make Turkey's democracy first class."


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