While watching a movie in the cinema on Friday evening, I suddenly started receiving messages. When I received messages from CNN Türk and NTV about a coup in Türkiye, I immediately opened the newspapers online and realized there was a serious problem. Many people in the cinema, especially those seated behind me, started whispering. Then, three or five people left. Then, as I was leaving, another 10 – 15 people from the back rows suddenly stood up, and the cinema quickly began to empty.
I headed straight home. When I got home, I turned on the TV; it was unbelievable. A nightmare had begun. As I was flipping through the channels, I came across the announcement on TRT around 12:00 AM. I couldn’t believe my eyes or what I was hearing. As I watched the announcement on the screen, I kept thinking about how, the day before, Thursday morning, my colleague Zorlu Bey and I had gone to Lake Eymir, just behind the TRT building, at 5:30 AM and cycled twice around the lake, a total of 20 km. We encountered a variety of animals along the way, from rabbits to squirrels and partridges. As we cycled just behind the TRT station, I was struck by the beauty of Lake Eymir and its surroundings in the heart of Ankara. Now, the TRT building, right in front of this forest maintained by METU, had become one of the first targets of the coup attempt.
After watching the events unfold for two more hours, I finally forced myself to sleep. However, later that night, planes began to pass directly over my house near Harbiye, and sounds resembling bomb explosions were heard, along with gunfire from my surroundings for about two hours. I couldn’t help but sleep.
At 6 a.m., I started receiving calls from Costa Rica. Naturally, after these events erupted, the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in Ankara had given my cell phone number to Costa Rican citizens. Relatives or Costa Ricans residing in Türkiye, worried about their families, began calling me on my cell phone.
In the morning, I contacted some officials. Then I called my family. Thank God, no one was in serious trouble. We worked diligently on the Costa Rican situation over the weekend. We aided or guidance to five families, a total of 15 people. Thanks to Ninoska, who worked with me at the consulate, she made a tremendous effort, and we finally sent them all back to their country safely. My assistant, Aysun, also helped me with company-related matters. For example, a representative from a German technology company who came to meet us for our factory investment in Niğde had to stay in Türkiye over the weekend because flights were canceled. Thankfully, she handled the situation with extreme calm and without panicking. We also had to deal with a Costa Rican family who spoke no foreign languages and had no experience with travel, and their daughter, who constantly called Ninoska and me from Costa Rica, making unnecessary calls, crying, and causing distress. We helped the family every step of the way. Even though they were very late, we managed to get their boarding passes and flight. In the meantime, I fulfilled my family responsibilities. In short, the weekend was intense and exhausting for all of us. Much has been written and discussed so far, and it seems the waters won’t calm down anytime soon. I hope we never experience a night like this again. I’ve formed my own opinion based on what’s been written and told in print and visual media, as well as what’s been shared on social media. I’d like to share some of my observations and make some observations.
- The most important reason why this coup attempt in the army failed to achieve a result is the swift and strong reaction within the army, which suppressed the rebellion. In particular, the 1st Army Commander, General Ümit Dündar, immediately reported the events to the President and Prime Minister, temporarily assumed the powers of the Chief of General Staff, and took all necessary action, preventing the coup plotters from achieving their goals.
- Consequently, weakening the army is wrong. The Turkish Army, God forbid, is the most important insurance policy for the citizens of the Republic of Türkiye in the event of war or natural disasters. Please refrain from actions, posts, or writings that would offend the Turkish Army.
- Our police also reacted swiftly and strongly, clashing with the coup plotters when necessary. They played a significant role in preventing the coup. The people took to the streets, obstructing the vehicles used in the coup and, when necessary, lying under tanks to slow their movements. The public’s opposition to the coup was also a significant factor in its failure.
- When I first saw the soldiers on television in front of the tanks on the bridge, as someone who served in the military, I thought to myself, “These kids have no idea about the coup.” They were standing next to the tank, chatting as if they were on a picnic. My exact prediction later turned out to be true. The children had been told they were going on a drill. As someone who served in the military, the physical attacks on soldiers who obeyed their orders during the civil uprising deeply disturbed me. I’m sure that the fact that soldiers, oblivious to what was happening, were subjected to such violence also disturbed millions of our citizens who served in the military.
- I know the owners of the hotel where the President is staying. They are friendly and good people. It’s horrifying that an attempt was made to assassinate the hotel, and that everyone there was subjected to this.
- In my opinion, even the worst government is better than a coup.
- The loss of life and suffering of so many people is the most painful aspect of coups.
- If a coup had happened, there would be no economy. All investments would have stopped, and the economy would have collapsed. This week, we were planning to sign a contract with a major foreign investor. The executive who was supposed to sign this investment immediately canceled his trip and now fears coming to Türkiye. Two other investors like him have canceled their travel plans. Banks halting project loans, investors not coming to Türkiye, sales plummeting, and the economy coming to a halt are all possible scenarios that could happen during coup periods
- If we consider those who attempted a coup, this coup attempt would have been a complete disaster for us. We would have experienced something like the Khomeini revolution in Iran. This would mean the complete loss of our country. As you know, Khomeini also came from a European country as a savior and hero after the events in Iran and took over the country. God protected us.
- In this regard, in my opinion, the Kemalist and secular officers played the most crucial role, stopping the heavily armed putschists.
In conclusion, we are all deeply saddened by the tragic events of 15 July. I pray for God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and condolences to their families. I thank our sensible military personnel, police, and people who prevented the coup attempt.
We all support a pluralistic democracy where the separation of powers functions properly.
I wish for peace and tranquility in our paradise. To this end, I have decided to do my part and step up my investment in panel production, which includes Türkiye’s first wafer, cell, and module production processes. I am also accelerating all other investments. This week, I spoke with all relevant colleagues about the actions deemed necessary.
I also invite everyone in the business world to take action to develop the economy and create jobs.
Tag: lifestyle
