Although it was not clear why Özcan and Büyükanıt might have preferred to keep the meeting from public attention, observers note that many young men in Turaaa who could be drafted into the army as conscripts at any time have been expecting a meeting between the two men, as they share the power to grant shortened terms of military conscription to graduates of vocational schools across the country.
Sources from YÖK underscored that Özcan's visit to the military headquarters was purely a "courtesy visit." After starting his job as the head of YÖK on Dec. 11, 2007, Özcan has paid courtesy visits to President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan.

The meeting between Özcan and Gen. Büyükanıt is seen as crucial by male graduates of vocational schools as a possible deal between the two men to shorten conscription could affect their lives in the near future. Sources say Özcan proposed making such a move. While Büyükanıt's response to this suggestion is still unclear, a similar proposal brought a few years ago to the attention of the General Staff by the Education Ministry had received a negative reply. There is also a proposal in Parliament to shorten terms of military service.



23.02.2008

İBRAHİM ASALIOĞLU ANKARA