United States officials are prepared to work and discuss with their
Turkish counterparts on Turkey’s demand of the extradition of Fethullah
Gülen, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara John Bass has said, categorically denying claims that Washington played a role in staging the coup attempt on July 15.
“With
regard to the question of possible involvement in the coup attempt by
persons residing in the United States – we have been clear that the
United States would be willing to provide assistance to Turkish
authorities conducting their investigation into the coup attempt. If
Turkey decides to submit an extradition request for anyone legally
resident in the United States, it will be considered under the terms of
the U.S.-Turkey extradition agreement,” Bass said in a written statement
on July 18.
“To that end, U.S. Government officials in the U.S.
and in Turkey, including representatives of the U.S. Department of
Justice, are prepared to work with their counterparts and to discuss
what will be required to meet the legal and evidentiary standards set by
our bilateral extradition treaty. I underscore that our extradition
treaty and U.S. laws have specific requirements that must be met before a
suspect individual can be transferred to another nation’s
jurisdiction,” he added.
Bass applauds Turkish people’s resolve
Bass also stressed that the coup attempt was “deeply disturbing” for everyone.
“We
join our Turkish friends in mourning the tragic loss of life caused by
attempts to violently overthrow Turkey’s democratically-elected
government. Coups have no place in a modern democratic society. I
applaud the Turkish nation’s resolve against this violent intervention
and their support for democratic institutions,” he said.
The
ambassador recalled that the highest levels of the U.S. government had
categorically expressed a strong position as Turkey’s ally in the early
hours of the coup attempt, with President Barack Obama one of the first
leaders urging support for the democratically-elected government.
“Some
news reports – and, unfortunately, some public figures – have
speculated that the United States in some way supported the coup
attempt. This is categorically untrue and such speculation is harmful to
the decades-long friendship between two great nations,” Bass said.
‘Fabricated news aim to hurt Turkey-US ties’
The
ambassador also draw attention to the fact that some pro-Gülen social
media users were trying to “hurt Turkish-American relations” by
attributing false statements on him.
“I am aware that false
words, attributed to me, are currently being circulated on social media,
largely by users who appear to be sympathetic to Fethullah Gulen,
suggesting a lack of respect for Turkey’s democratically elected
government. That purported statement is an absolute fabrication that
appears designed to heighten tension between the United States and
Turkey and undermine Turkey’s security,” he stressed.
‘US does not try to undermine Turkish security’
Bass
reiterated that ties between Turkey and U.S. are close and strong, and
“rejected the narrative that suggests the United States is trying to
undermine Turkish security and prevent Turkey from being a strong,
successful country.”
“Our alliance shows that we have
continually invested in Turkey, in its security and its prosperity, and
that we remain committed to helping everyone in this country realize a
future in which Turkey and the Turkish people are strong and
prosperous,” he said.