US Sees No Need to Choose Between Partnership With Turkey, Gulen Extradition
Date posted: August 11, 2016
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States does not need to choose between its alliance with Turkey and the extradition of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, US Department of State spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said in a briefing on Thursday.
When asked specifically if the United States believes it needs to choose between Gulen extradition and Turkey, Trudeau responded: “We don’t need to.”
“We [the United States] would live up to our obligations absolutely under any extradition treaty and this is completely separate and apart from our deep and abiding partnership with Turkey,” Trudeau stated.
Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the mid-July attempted coup, which claimed lives of over 240 people.
Gulen, who has lived in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied allegations that he orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.
Hizmet movement gets its strength from this independence. Because the movement gets money from no other sources than its own volunteers, it does not take orders. No doubt this is why certain people are made so uncomfortable right now by the Hizmet movement.
Opposition deputy seeks answers on gov’t ban on Kimse Yok Mu
A lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has directed questions at Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on why the government banned charity group Kimse Yok Mu from collecting donations. In a formal parliamentary question, CHP Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrıkulu asked Davutoğlu to explain the legal grounds for the government decision dated Sept. 22 to rescind Kimse Yok Mu’s permission to collect charitable donations
Think over extradition request [for Gulen] with care
In a rare public appearance recently, Gülen stated he had nothing to do with the attempt. Nor has Erdogan provided any obvious evidence that Gülen or his movement were plotting anything. Gülen lives quietly in Ross Township. It will take much detailed research to determine whether to grant Erdogan’s request that Gülen be extradited. U.S. officials should base such a move on only the most compelling evidence. Otherwise, they may be sending a lamb into a lion’s den.
What does Turkey deserve?
Once the remaining human capital exits Turkey, the country will be left to bigoted seculars and even more bigoted political Islamists. Given the shameful silence and support for the worst witch-hunt the country has ever witnessed, maybe this is what Turkey deserves: swaying between secular authoritarianism and popular Islamist dictatorship.
Say What? Ankara Mayor Blames Gulenists for Shaking Turkey With an Earthquake
No joke: Ankara’s mayor suggests that an earthquake that has recently hit Turkey’s northwest might have been caused by the followers of cleric Fethulah Gulen.
Ex-Pentagon advisor says Turkey is heading towards civil conflict, if not civil war
Rubin underlined that Turkey is already dangerously polarized prior to an April 16 referendum on a constitutional package that will grant sweeping powers to Erdoğan and switch the country to an executive presidency. “We know from Turkish political history that such polarization often leads to violence,” he said.
Latest News
Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison
Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney
Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement
ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment
New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement
European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests
ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases
Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade
Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet
In Case You Missed It
President Fox speaks about Fethullah Gulen and Gulen Movement
‘Even deeper than 9/11’
Standing by the Education Rights of Schoolgirls
Fethullah Gülen’s Lawyers: Gülen Movement Has No Link With Zarrab Case In US
Kimse Yok Mu reaches out to tin houses of South Africa
Turkish prosecutor says Gülen movement founded by CIA!