Turkey bans YouTube after Syria security talk leaked

Turkey bans YouTube after Syria security talk leaked . AFP By Fulya Ozerkan 3 hours ago A view of a computer screen showing a digital portrait of the Turkish Prime Minister and text reading Yes we ban on a laptop computer screen, in front of graffiti in Istanbul, on March 27, 2014 Ankara (AFP) - Turkey banned YouTube on Thursday after the video-sharing website was used to spread damaging leaked audio files from a state security meeting debating possible military action in Syria. Turkey moves to block YouTube but attempt fails Associated Press Turkey vows 'any measures' against Syria threats AFP Turkish court orders lifting of Twitter ban AFP Turkey blocks Twitter after PM's threat to 'wipe out' service AFP Turkish Web Watchdog Blocks Twitter The Wall Street Journal The recording purports to be of senior Turkish government, military and spy officials discussing plans to stage an armed clash in Syria or a missile attack that would serve as a pretext for a military response. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- already ensnared in a corruption scandal and hit by recent mass protests ahead of crucial local elections on Sunday -- angrily lashed out at his political opponents for leaking the recording. "They have leaked something on YouTube today," he told a campaign rally in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir. "It was a meeting on our national security. It is a vile, cowardly, immoral act. We will go into their caves. Who are you serving by eavesdropping?" Erdogan did not mention his foe by name, but he has in the past used the "cave" reference for his former ally-turned-nemesis, US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose movement has many followers in the Turkish police and judiciary. The premier last week banned Twitter, sparking international condemnation, after the micro-blogging service was used to spread a spate of other audio files implicating Erdogan and his inner circle in corruption. An Ankara court Wednesday overturned that ruling as a limit on free speech. Turkey's telecommunications regulator TIB has 30 days to appeal the decision, and Twitter has yet to be restored, although the ban has been widely circumvented. - YouTube 'national security threat' - Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting in Diyarbakir on March 27, 2014 … NATO-member Turkey's European and American allies condemned the YouTube ban. "This is another desperate and depressing move in Turkey," tweeted European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes. Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the US had been "very strongly saying (to Turkish officials) that they need to stop doing this". Thursday's YouTube leak is the first to focus on national security. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu labelled it "a declaration of war against the Turkish state and nation", while his ministry said some sections had been distorted. TIB said it was blocking YouTube on the grounds of a "primary threat against national security," private NTV television reported. - 'Justification can be fabricated' - The audio recording, which could not be independently verified, features a voice that sounds like that of Turkey's spy chief Hakan Fidan saying: "If needed, we will launch an attack there." The voice also talks about dispatching "four men" and launching missiles, adding: "It is not a problem. A justification can be fabricated." The discussion also focuses on a historic site inside war-torn Syria that is technically part of Turkish national territory under an historic treaty. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militant group has threatened to attack the site -- a tomb of Suleyman Shah, grandfather of Ottoman Empire founder Osman -- which is located in Aleppo province. Another voice, purportedly of Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, is heard saying that "from the point of legitimacy, the whole world would stand by us in case of an operation against ISIL". Erdogan's parliamentary opponents have in the past accused him of planning military action in Syria to distract voters from his domestic troubles. Main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu this month warned that Erdogan "could decide to move the army into Syria before the elections" and cautioned the military against it, saying: "Don't send Turkey on an adventure." Davutoglu told AFP on Wednesday that "Turkey is ready to take any legitimate step under international law if its national security, including the area where the tomb of Suleyman Shah is situated, is threatened". In the recording, a voice allegedly belonging to Davutoglu is heard saying: "Between you and me, the prime minister said over the telephone that this (attack) should be used as an opportunity when needed." =================== “I'll make up a cause of war by ordering a missile attack on Turkey.” The leaked audiotapes that reveal Turkey’s highest ministers staging an anti-Assad military intervention in Syria, have already caused YouTube to be shut down in the country, as well as leading to fevered accusations of treachery and betrayal of Turkey’s political interests – “a declaration of war,” as Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu put it. ============ YouTube ban: How Turkish officials conspired to stage Syria attack to provoke war Published time: March 28, 2014 12:52 Edited time: March 28, 2014 16:34 Get short URL Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (AFP Photo / Adem Altan) Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (AFP Photo / Adem Altan) Share on tumblr Trends Syria-Turkey Tags Al-Qaeda, Arms, Conflict, Opposition, Politics, Scandal “I'll make up a cause of war by ordering a missile attack on Turkey.” This leaked conversation is coming back to haunt the highest echelons of the Turkish government as it plans a provocation in Syria, while scrambling to contain social media internally. The leaked audiotapes that reveal Turkey’s highest ministers staging an anti-Assad military intervention in Syria, have already caused YouTube to be shut down in the country, as well as leading to fevered accusations of treachery and betrayal of Turkey’s political interests – “a declaration of war,” as Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu put it. This is of course after intelligence chief Hakan Fidan suggested seizing the opportunity to secure Turkish intervention in the Syrian conflict - a war that has already claimed 140,000 lives, and counting. In the conversation, Davutoğlu is heard saying that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sees any attack as an "opportunity" to increase troop presence in Syria, where it has staunchly supported the anti-Assad rebels. Below is a transcript of that conversation in full. The video can be found below. Ahmet Davutoğlu: "Prime Minister said that in current conjuncture, this attack (on Suleiman Shah Tomb) must be seen as an opportunity for us." Hakan Fidan: "I'll send 4 men from Syria, if that's what it takes. I'll make up a cause of war by ordering a missile attack on Turkey; we can also prepare an attack on Suleiman Shah Tomb if necessary." Hakan Fidan: “I’ll send 4 men from Syria, if that’s what it takes. I’ll make up a cause of war by ordering a missile attack on Turkey Feridun Sinirlioğlu: "Our national security has become a common, cheap domestic policy outfit." Yaşar Güler: "It's a direct cause of war. I mean, what're going to do is a direct cause of war." -------- FIRST SCREEN: Ahmet Davutoğlu: I couldn't entirely understand the other thing; what exactly does our foreign ministry supposed to do? No, I'm not talking about the thing. There are other things we're supposed to do. If we decide on this, we are to notify the United Nations, the Istanbul Consulate of the Syrian regime, right? Feridun Sinirlioğlu: But if we decide on an operation in there, it should create a shocking effect. I mean, if we are going to do so. I don't know what we're going to do, but regardless of what we decide, I don't think it'd be appropriate to notify anyone beforehand. Feridun Sinirlioğlu: But if we decide on an operation in there, it should create a shocking effect. I mean, if we are going to do so. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but regardless of what we decide, I don’t think it’d be appropriate to notify anyone beforehand. Ahmet Davutoğlu: OK, but we're gonna have to prepare somehow. To avoid any shorts on regarding international law. I just realised when I was talking to the president (Abdullah Gül), if the Turkish tanks go in there, it means we're in there in any case, right? Yaşar Güler: It means we're in, yes. Ahmet Davutoğlu: Yeah, but there's a difference between going in with aircraft and going in with tanks... SECOND SCREEN: Yaşar Güler: Maybe we can tell the Syrian consulate general that, ISIL is currently working alongside the regime, and that place is Turkish land. We should definitely... Ahmet Davutoğlu: But we have already said that, sent them several diplomatic notes. Yaşar Güler: To Syria... Feridun Sinirlioğlu: That's right. Ahmet Davutoğlu: Yes, we've sent them countless times. Therefore, I'd like to know what our Chief of Staff's expects from our ministry. Yaşar Güler: Maybe his intent was to say that, I don't really know, he met with Mr. Fidan. Hakan Fidan: Well, he did mention that part but we didn't go into any further details. Yaşar Güler: Maybe that was what he meant... A diplomatic note to Syria? Hakan Fidan: Maybe the Foreign Ministry is assigned with coordination... Residents of Syria's besieged Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp, south of Damascus, stand amidst debris as they wait to receive food parcels on March 24, 2014. (AFP Photo / Rami Al-Sayed) Residents of Syria's besieged Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp, south of Damascus, stand amidst debris as they wait to receive food parcels on March 24, 2014. (AFP Photo / Rami Al-Sayed) THIRD SCREEN: Ahmet Davutoğlu: I mean, I could coordinate the diplomacy but civil war, the military... Feridun Sinirlioğlu: That's what I told back there. For one thing, the situation is different. An operation on ISIL has solid ground on international law. We're going to portray this is Al-Qaeda, there's no distress there if it's a matter regarding Al-Qaeda. And if it comes to defending Suleiman Shah Tomb, that's a matter of protecting our land. Yaşar Güler: We don't have any problems with that. Hakan Fidan: Second after it happens, it'll cause a great internal commotion (several bombing events is bound to happen within). The border is not under control... Feridun Sinirlioğlu:I mean, yes, the bombings are of course going to happen. But I remember our talk from 3 years ago... Yaşar Güler: Mr. Fidan should urgently receive back-up and we need to help him supply guns and ammo to rebels. We need to speak with the minister. Our Interior Minister, our Defense Minister. We need to talk about this and reach a resolution sir. Ahmet Davutoğlu: How did we get special forces into action when there was a threat in Northern Iraq? We should have done so in there, too. We should have trained those men. We should have sent men. Anyway, we can't do that, we can only do what diplomacy... Ahmet Davutoğlu: How did we get special forces into action when there was a threat in Northern Iraq? We should have done so in there, too. We should have trained those men. We should have sent men. Feridun Sinirlioğlu: I told you back then, for God's sake, General, you know how we managed to get those tanks in, you were there. Yaşar Güler: What, you mean our stuff? Feridun Sinirlioğlu: Yes, how do you think we've managed to rally our tanks into Iraq? How? How did we manage to get special forces, the battalions in? I was involved in that. Let me be clear, there was no government decision on that, we have managed that just with a single order. FOURTH SCREEN: Yaşar Güler: Well, I agree with you. For one thing, we're not even discussing that. But there are different things that Syria can do right now. Ahmet Davutoğlu: General, the reason we're saying no to this operation is because we know about the capacity of those men. Yaşar Güler: Look, sir, isn't MKE (Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation) at minister's bidding? Sir, I mean, Qatar is looking for ammo to buy in cash. Ready cash. So, why don't they just get it done? It's at Mr. Minister's command. Ahmet Davutoğlu: But there's the spot we can't act integratedly, we can't coordinate. Yaşar Güler: Then, our Prime Minister can summon both Mr. Defence Minister and Mr. Minister at the same time. Then he can directly talk to them. Ahmet Davutoğlu: We, Mr. Siniroğlu and I, have literally begged Mr. Prime Minster for a private meeting, we said that things were not looking so bright. Turkish Foreign Affairs minister Ahmet Davutoglu (AFP Photo / Adem Altan) Turkish Foreign Affairs minister Ahmet Davutoglu (AFP Photo / Adem Altan) FIFTH SCREEN: Yaşar Güler: Also, it doesn't have to be a crowded meeting. Yourself, Mr. Defence Minister, Mr. Interior Minister and our Chief of Staff, the four of you are enough. There's no need for a crowd. Because, sir, the main need there is guns and ammo. Not even guns, mainly ammo. We've just talked about this, sir. Let's say we're building an army down there, 1000 strong. If we get them into that war without previously storing a minimum of 6-months' worth of ammo, these men will return to us after two months. Ahmet Davutoğlu: They're back already. Yaşar Güler: They'll return to us, sir. Ahmet Davutoğlu: They've came back from... What was it? Çobanbey. Yaşar Güler: Yes, indeed, sir. This matter can't be just a burden on Mr. Fidan's shoulders as it is now. It's unacceptable. I mean, we can't understand this. Why? SIXTH SCREEN: Ahmet Davutoğlu: That evening we'd reached a resolution. And I thought that things were taking a turn for the good. Our... Feridun Sinirlioğlu: We issued the MGK (National Security Council) resolution the day after. Then we talked with the general... Ahmet Davutoğlu: And the other forces really do a good follow up on this weakness of ours. You say that you're going to capture this place, and that men being there constitutes a risk factor. You pull them back. You capture the place. You reinforce it and send in your troops again. Yaşar Güler: Exactly, sir. You're absolutely right. Ahmet Davutoğlu: Right? That's how I interpret it. But after the evacuation, this is not a military necessity. It's a whole other thing. SEVENTH SCREEN Feridun Siniroğlu: There are some serious shifts in global and regional geopolitics. It now can spread to other places. You said it yourself today, and others agreed... We're headed to a different game now. We should be able to see those. That ISIL and all that jazz, all those organisations are extremely open to manipulation. Having a region made up of organisations of similar nature will constitute a vital security risk for us. And when we first went into Northern Iraq, there was always the risk of PKK blowing up the place. If we thoroughly consider the risks and substantiate... As the general just said... Yaşar Güler: Sir, when you were inside a moment ago, we were discussing just that. Openly. I mean, armed forces are a "tool" necessary for you in every turn. Ahmet Davutoğlu: Of course. I always tell the Prime Minister, in your absence, the same thing in academic jargon, you can't stay in those lands without hard power. Without hard power, there can be no soft power. Civilians inspect a site hit by what activists said were barrel bombs dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Karam Homad district in Aleppo March 26, 2014. (Reuters / Mahmoud Hebbo) Civilians inspect a site hit by what activists said were barrel bombs dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Karam Homad district in Aleppo March 26, 2014. (Reuters / Mahmoud Hebbo) EIGTH SCREEN Yaşar Güler: Sir. Feridun Sinirlioğlu: The national security has been politicised. I don't remember anything like this in Turkish political history. It has become a matter of domestic policy. All talks we've done on defending our lands, our border security, our sovereign lands in there, they've all become a common, cheap domestic policy outfit. Yaşar Güler: Exactly. Feridun Siniroğlu: That has never happened before. Unfortunately but... Yaşar Güler: I mean, do even one of the opposition parties support you in such a high point of national security? Sir, is this a justifiable sense of national security? Feridun Sinirlioğlu: I don't even remember such a period. NINTH SCREEN: Yaşar Güler: In what matter can we be unified, if not a matter of national security of such importance? None. Ahmet Davutoğlu: The year 2012, we didn't do it 2011. If only we'd took serious action back then, even in the summer of 2012. Feridun Sinirlioğlu: They were at their lowest back in 2012. Ahmet Davutoğlu: Internally, they were just like Libya. Who comes in and goes from power is not of any importance to us. But some things... Yaşar Güler: Sir, to avoid any confusion, our need in 2011 was guns and ammo. In 2012, 2013 and today also. We're in the exact same point. We absolutely need to find this and secure that place. Ahmet Davutoğlu: Guns and ammo are not a big need for that place. Because we couldn't get the human factor in order... ===================