Turkey overcame postmodern '97 coup with unity: Erdogan

By Duygu Yener

ANKARA (AA) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Turkey was able to overcome the 'postmodern' coup of Feb. 28, 1997 with unity.

Erdogan shared his view on the coup on his Twitter account.

“There is a Turkey with a strong democracy, a developing economy and an increasing self-confidence after the 'postmodern' coup of Feb. 28. Turkey is also a source of inspiration to many other countries,” he wrote in a tweet.

“Turkey was able to overcome the 'postmodern' coup of Feb. 28 with unity. We will continue to struggle shoulder to shoulder with 81 million all together in order not to experience days like this again,” Erdogan said.

In February 1997, the military was involved in the collapse of late Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan’s administration amid concerns expressed by generals about the government’s alleged Islamist program.

Erbakan's government was forced to step down following a National Security Council meeting. His Welfare Party was later also outlawed. A new civilian government then took over from Erbakan in a move that became known as Turkey’s 'postmodern' coup.

Last December, a prosecutor recommended life sentences for two former generals over the 1997 military memorandum.

The prosecutor requested that 60 suspects, including Ismail Hakki Karadayi, then-Chief of General Staff, and Cevik Bir, his then-deputy, be produced for trial. The case includes a total of 103 suspects.