Interview with Henri Barkey on the Hizmet Movement

Henri Barkey, who has been one of the leading Turkey analysts in Washington.
Henri Barkey, who has been one of the leading Turkey analysts in Washington.


Date posted: March 18, 2016

Henri Barkey, who has been one of the leading Turkey analysts in Washington, joined journalist Ruşen Çakır’s live broadcast via Periscope. He made interesting comments about the claims of the “parallel structure,” the situation of Fethullah Gülen in the US, and the appointment of trustees to the Zaman daily.

Barkey said that the US government does not want to interfere with what is happening in Turkey, yet the government normally reacted against the appointing of trustees.

Here are the main points of Barkey’s comments:

“The US government could not help but be disturbed by the seizing of the Zaman daily. It is a major newspaper and media company, and there is no real evidence against the movement. Nobody in the US believes that there is a terrorist organization as ‘FETO.’ What we understand from a terrorist organization is a group of people bombing this or that place. We did not see Fethullah Gülen, the people around him, or the writers in Zaman throwing bombs around.”

The claims of “Parallel Structure”

“They (the Gülen (aka Hizmet) Movement and the ruling Justice and Development Party) were together until December 2013. The predominant thought in Washington is, “If there is any parallel organization, it must have been formed within the knowledge of the government.” So I do not think they take these claims seriously… We have not seen Gülen break the US laws so far.”

The claims of connection with the CIA

In answer to the question, “Does not he have any relation to the CIA?” Barkey said: “He has no relation at all with the CIA. He cannot have. I worked for the US foreign affairs, I know that there is no such connection. They are just making up such conspiracy theories in Turkey.”

Will the US deport Fethullah Gülen?

“President Obama cannot do it even if he wanted to… If you want to deport someone, you must sue him first. This can only happen by court decision. You need to show evidence to the court. So what is the evidence here? Some accusations about a “terrorist organization” claimed by the Turkish government… I think it is very difficult to prove this in an American law court. Namely, you cannot deport someone for you do not love him.

Fethullah Gülen is a legal resident. He is not someone who passed from the Mexican border at midnight and then issued false documents of citizenship.

He will ask ‘What wrong did I do?’ What proof can you show against him?

The greatest threats for the US are organizations like the ISIS and al-Qaeda.

First of all, somebody must come up with a file with real evidence about Fethullah Gülen.

Turkish government claims that they gave it. They are saying that there is a ‘parallel structure’ led by Fethullah Gülen. But according to American law, you must prove that.

The Gülen Movement is not something new. They have been in the US since 1999.

The US government does not want to get involved in what happens in Turkey but it has to say certain things. The US government could not keep silent after the seizing of the Zaman daily.”

“Erdoğan is trying to meet Obama”

“Erdoğan is coming to the US soon. He is trying to meet Obama. He is trying to bring Obama to the opening of a mosque here but I think Obama will not go.”

Source: HizmetMovement , March 17, 2016


Related News

Scholars at Abant Meeting call for EU negotiations, domestic reform

Menekse Tokyay for Southeast European Times As Turkey’s EU bid has stalled, a group of prominent scholars agree that negotiations can only proceed if Turkey advances democracy, drafts a new civilian constitution and resolves of the Kurdish issue. The Abant Platform has long been a progressive force in Turkey, bringing together intellectuals to debate and […]

Crackdown in Turkey felt in Capital Region

Volunteers at the Turkish Cultural Center of Albany offered Turkish language and cooking classes, invited the public to Ramadan friendship dinners and sought to build a bridge between East and West by leading a dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims. They were research scientists, professors, graduate students, state employees and restaurant owners.

Turkish press council condemns false reports on Gülen movement

The High Committee of the Press Council in Turkey, following an appeal by the lawyer of Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, has examined certain articles from the Sabah and Takvim dailies and condemned them for violating its basic principles of journalism.

Turkish anti-terrorism police carried out raids in six cities, detaining at least five people with alleged links to al-Qaida

The police raid “is a deliberate attack on the IHH,” said Yasar Kutluay, the group’s secretary general. “They are trying to portray the group as an organization with links to terrorism.” He blamed Israel and Gulen’s supporters, for the operation — a charge Gulen’s movement immediately rejected as “slander and false incrimination.”

CHP: Anti-Hizmet ops were part of agreement between Erdoğan, military

Main opposition Republican People’s Democratic Party (CHP) İstanbul deputy Barış Yarkadaş has said the release of suspects in the historic Ergenekon trial and the government-initiated operations against the Hizmet movement were part of an agreement between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish military.

Turkey is gateway to Europe: exporters urged to collaborate with Turkish companies

Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) is organising a new track of its world famous series of international business summits, more than 2000 visitors from more than 124 countries are expected to participate in the event, expecting business agreements to the tune of $3 billion.

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

21st century Pharaoh rises: The tragedy of Turkey’s failed coup

Pakistan: Parents oppose handing over school chain to Turkish NGO

Turkish gov’t detains more than 70 women over their alleged financial support for jailed Gülen followers

Islam-state-society relationship: the Turkish model

Turkish volunteers reach out to orphans in Nairobi

Australian PM praises int’l language festival’s contribution to peace

Ishik University To Educate Students About the Threats of [the so-called] Islamic State

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News