A research fellow at the Brookings Institution whose area of specialization includes the Turkish military stated that although he had heard of the Association for the Forcibly Retired, he had no details about the organization (29 Jan. 2002).

In describing the situation of officers "forcibly retired" from the Turkish military, the research fellow stated that due to the military's concern over alleged Islamist infiltration of the officer corps, steps are taken to "weed out" those officers suspected of Islamist sympathies, including those who have a family member suspected of such sympathies (28 Jan. 2002).

Officially, an officer is warned twice before "being cashiered" (ibid.). In the past, however, "forcibly retired" officers have learned of their retirement through newspapers that published the names of those retired (ibid.). The research fellow further stated that suspect officers "are often passed over for promotion during the annual [consultation] that occurs every August," and that those who are not given a promotion are "generally encouraged to retire" (ibid.).

According to various sources, 30 August is celebrated as Victory Day in Turkey (Turkish Embassy n.d.; Turkish Press Review 1 Sept. 1997; Ankara Anatolia 29 Aug. 2001; BBC 31 Aug. 2000) and commemorates the end of the war with Greece in 1922 (ibid.).

According to Izmirfsc.org, a Website developed for American army personnel and their families posted in Izmir, Turkey, Turkish military promotions are announced on 30 August every year, which is also the date when new assignments are given and when non-commissioned officers and officers begin their military service after graduating from school (n.d.).

No further information on the Association for the Forcibly Retired could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Ankara Anatolia. 29 August 2001. "Turkey: President Sezer Issues Victory Day Message." (FBIS-WEU-2001-0829 29 Aug. 2001/WNC)

BBC. 31 August 2000. "Army Chief Demands Islamist Purge." http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_904000/904576.stm [Accessed 7 Feb. 2002]

Izmirfsc.org. n.d. "Victory Day August 30." http://izmirfsc.org/turkey/mehmet/mehmet39.htm [Accessed 24 Jan. 2002]

Research Fellow, Brookings Institution, Washington, DC. 29 January 2002. Follow-up correspondence.

_____. 28 January 2002. Correspondence.

Turkish Embassy, Washington, DC. n.d. "2001 Calendar of Holidays and Events in Turkey." http://www.turkey.org/events/calendar.htm [Accessed 24 Jan. 2002]

Turkish Press Review. 1 September 1997. Turkish Press Review. "Nation Marks Victory Day." http://www.byegm.gov.tr/YAYINLARIMIZ/CHR/ING97/09/97X09X01.HTM [Accessed 25 Jan. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Jane's Intelligence Review

LEXIS/NEXIS

Oral Sources:

Unsuccessful attempts to contact two academic sources

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

Hellenic Resources Network

Human Rights Internet

Human Rights Net

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Without Frontiers

Info-Turk

International Coalition of Religious Freedom

International Relations and Security Network

Radio Free Europe

Turkish Daily News

UN News

World News Connection