US ambassador denies 'lack of respect' for Turkish govt

ANKARA (AA) – The U.S. ambassador to Turkey has said that a statement circulating on the Internet which suggests a lack of respect for the Turkish government was falsely attributed to him by sympathizers of alleged coup leader, Fetullah Gulen.

In a statement on Monday, John Bass said: “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 Fetullah 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 added.

Bass also denied some media reports and speculation that the U.S. supported Friday’s failed coup attempt:

“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.

“As I have said many times, Turkey and the United States are close friends and strong allies. We are bound by shared values, deep historic ties, and a NATO alliance, pledging each of us to the mutual defense of the other.

“I reject 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,” Bass said.

The ambassador went on to say that from the first moments of the attempted coup, the highest levels of the United States government including President Barack Obama, and Secretary of State John Kerry “categorically expressed our strong position as Turkey’s ally,” reiterating “the United States’ absolute support for Turkey’s elected, civilian government and democratic institutions”.

Bass said coups had no place in a modern democratic society and praised “the Turkish nation’s resolve against this violent intervention and their support for democratic institutions”.

As for the extradition of U.S.-based Gulen, Bass said the United States would be willing to provide assistance to the 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, stressing that the extradition treaty and U.S. laws had specific requirements that had to be met before a suspect individual could be transferred to another nation’s jurisdiction.

The deadly coup attempt happened late on Friday when rogue elements of the Turkish military attempted to overthrow the country's democratically elected government.

At least 208 people, including members of the security forces and civilians, were martyred in Istanbul and Ankara and nearly 1,500 others wounded as they protested against the coup.

The government has said the attempted coup was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through supporters within the Turkish state, particularly the military, police and judiciary, forming the so-called ‘parallel state’.

*Hale Turkes contributed to this report from Ankara.