Ozkok: Incidents Dont represent Diyarbakir

Chief of General Staff Ozkok inspects Southeast troops, meets Diyarbakir Governor Ala. Ozkok says developments in Diyarbakir not representative of the whole city and blames provocative elements.

Diyarbakır

n a trip to inspect military units in the Southeast region, Turkey's Chief of General Staff commander Hilmi Ozkok held a meeting with Diyarbakir Governor Efkan Ala on Monday.

In a press statement he made after the meeting, General Ozkok evaluated the recent incidents in Diyarbakir and said "we do not see the developments that have taken place here as incidents representative of Diyarbakir."

Ozkok said that people could express their current problems democratically but noted, "however, there are some provocative elements that step in. The incidents emanate either from a lack of knowledge of the past or an inability to see the future clearly, or by being an instrument for some circles."

He added, "what they have made the people do, does not befit the people. Things like to place a child in the front line and then hide behind the child and throw stones." Ozkok said the people of Diyarbakir were committed to the state and concluded "as the Turkish Armed Forces, we are in the service of all the people. We are always on duty." (TK/EO/II/YE)