Report: White House denies remarks attributed to Obama about Gülen


Date posted: March 7, 2014

White House has reportedly denied remarks attributed to US President Barack Obama about Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, describing them as “not accurate.”

İlhan Tanır, Washington-based journalist for Turkey’s Vatan daily, included a quote from a White House official in a recent post on his blog.

“The response attributed to President Obama with regard to Mr. Gülen is not accurate,” the official is quoted as saying.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Thursday during a live TV interview that Obama received “the message” about his complaint of Gülen residing in the US.

Erdoğan said: “I discussed these issues with the esteemed Obama. I am hopeful. I said what was necessary. I said, ‘The person who is at the root of unhappiness in my country is in your country.’ I said, ‘He is in Pennsylvania.’ I said it very clearly. And I said, ‘I am expecting you to do what is necessary; you should [have] the right attitude if the men who threaten the internal security of my country are residing in your country.’ And I said, ‘I have the right to demand the extradition of some men as you do for men who threaten the internal security of the US.’ I openly gave these messages to Obama. And he looked at them positively. I mean, he said he ‘got the message’.”

The White House official said in an emailed statement that the President noted the importance of sound policies rooted in the rule of law, as well as the importance of mutually respectful relations between the two countries during a Feb. 19 telephone conversation.

“Our commitment to working together with Turkey, particularly on a variety of regional issues of mutual interest, continues,” the official was quoted as saying.

Source: Today's Zaman , March 8, 2014


Related News

‘Building Bridges Through Education’ explores education’s role in a globalized society

Leaders of more than a dozen universities from around the world recently visited California University of Pennsylvania to discuss collaborative educational opportunities and the cultural gap that education can bridge.

What’s Friendship Got to Do With [Mr. Gulen’s] Extradition?

On a visit to Washington to lobby for Gülen’s extradition, Nationalist Action party parliamentarian Kamil Aydin expressed his belief that “America is going to refuse losing Turkey as a good partnership in the region.” But even if Turkish politicians do not believe that America operates according to the rule of law, they should at least be aware that most Americans are proud to think that it does.

1,500 pounds of frozen meat for needy Staten Island families

Fifteen Staten Island food pantries will distribute 1,500 pounds of frozen meat to needy families this holiday season.

While Erdogan Demonizes a Peaceful Movement, International Community Applauds Them.

It is no secret that the corruption scandal on December 17, 2013 that encircled the Turkish government was one of the biggest threats to Erdogan’s rule since he took the office in 2003.

Ambassador says US having difficulty in seeing clear criterion in anti-Gülen operations

Speaking to a group of reporters in Istanbul on Friday, Bass said although the Turkish government insists that the anti-coup measures it has taken against followers of the Gülen movement are proportionate, it is difficult see that the Turkish government is taking its actions based on a clear criterion. Bass said the US was having difficulty in assessing whether the measures are proportionate and reasonable.

State discrimination against Hizmet movement sympathizers

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government is aiming to take all steps to finish off Hizmet movement sympathizers by any means. Discrimination is one of these steps. Discrimination is a human rights violation. I would like to share five of my personal experiences, of many more, to show what kind of discrimination is being committed against the movement’s sympathizers.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Turkey’s Changing Freedom Deficit

PM Erdoğan also slammed me for my questions on Uludere, says journalist

What’s Friendship Got to Do With [Mr. Gulen’s] Extradition?

John Suthers on Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet (aka the Gulen Movement)

AFSV Statement on Paris Terror Attacks

Prof. John L. Esposito’s keynote at the Gulen Movement conference, Chicago

Hizmet’s approach to politics and politicians

Copyright 2024 Hizmet News