© The Moscow Times
Concerns have been voiced that they are being replaced by 'ultra-nationalist' and 'anti-Western' officials after experienced staff were removed from their positions. It is estimated that 100,000 state personnel have been suspended or dismissed in Turkey, accused of supporting Fethullah Gulen, a cleric the government claims orchestrated the uprising on July 15, which claimed 240 lives.
Last week NATO's top military officer, General Curtis Scaparrotti, said that around 150 Turkish officers had been recalled or retired, putting a huge strain on his staff. A number of those dismissed have written to General Scaparrotti voicing concerns about their replacements.
One leaked email, The Times reports, said: 'I and my Turkish colleagues observe a considerable rise of ultra-nationalist, anti-western sentiments within our military and throughout our state departments. It is very worrying to witness that some of the newcomers from Turkey to NATO have a radical mindset, some question the values of NATO and even hate western organisations while holding pro-Russia-China-Iran sentiments.'
Comment: Not quite a radical mindset, but a healthy one. After all, who would trust the West that was supporting the coup in Turkey, which cost the lives of many Turkish civilians? Russia helped, the US on the other hand remained silent and only condemned the coup attempt after it was announced that it had failed.
Among those reportedly replaced are two senior officers in the Turkish defence attache's office in London. It would be a huge boost to Russian president Putin at a time of heightened tension with NATO, at a time when Russia is beefing up its military presence on Europe's borders.
It would also reduce the effectiveness of NATO, which depends on agreements between its 28 members.Last month Erdogan described Turkish staff linked to the failed July 15 coup against his regime as 'terrorists'.
He called on countries not to grant purged Turkish NATO officers asylum, telling the Milliyet newspaper: 'How can a terrorist, a terrorist soldier, a soldier who has been involved in plotting a coup, be employed in NATO?'
© Getty ImagesJuly's failed coup saw 240 people lose their lives, and sparked a huge purge by President Erdogan
General Scaparrotti has voiced concerns about the treatment of departed officers, but said he had been given assurances that they would be treated well. He said: 'I had talented, capable people here, and I'm taking a degradation on my staff.' Around half of the 300 Turkish NATO staff were removed from their posts, the military chief said, with around 75 of them replaced so far.
© AFP/Getty ImagesNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has revealed that some Turkish officers working at the alliance had applied for asylum in Europe
And last night after the terror attacks in Istanbul the EU never mentioned the word terror in their messages. It is only terror when it happens in Europe.