Turkey hopes White House to change its Middle East policy

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

Ankara hopes that Trump’s administration will take into account Turkey’s scrupulous attitude towards the Syrian conflict and the struggle with Fethullah Gulen’s (FETÖ) movement.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmush said in an interview with TV channel A Haber that with Donald Trump’s coming to the White House there will be a change that will affect the relations between Washington and Ankara, Anadolu agency reports on Monday.

"The U.S., in particular, will have to make changes in its Middle East policy and to stop supporting terrorists PYD (PKK offshoot in Syria). In other words, Washington should realize that the PYD is not the way to achieve U.S. goals in the region," said Kurtulmush.

With regards to extradition of the leader of the terrorist flow Gülen (FETÖ) from the U.S. to Turkey. he stressed that the US has to make a choice between the leader of FETÖ and Turkey, with its well-established democracy.

“Unfortunately, Gulen has been living in the United States for many years. The fact that FETÖ leader still continues to operate his criminal network affects the relations between Turkey and the United States in a negative way,” said Kurtulmush.

He believes that most likely, the new U.S. administration will make a decision in favor of relations between the countries. They will probably extradite Gulen or detain him in order to prevent the damage that it can cause for Turkey.

Kurtulmush also commented on Obama administration officials’ claim that the representatives of PYD should participate in talks on Syria in Astana.

"Turkey's position on this issue is clear and concrete. Terrorists of IG, PYD or "Dzhebhat en-Nusra" should not participate in the talks on Syria, whether in Astana, Geneva or any other place," said Deputy Prime Minister.

He thinks that only the Assad regime supporters and the Syrian moderate opposition may be at the negotiating table.

Ankara hopes that Trump’s administration will take into account Turkey's sensitivity when it comes to Syrian issue, as it is important to advance the negotiations.

FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen has lived in Pennsylvania since 1999. In the July 15 coup attempt that he planned, a military junta tried to depose the democratically elected president and government in Turkey and impose martial law. The attempt was prevented by troops loyal to the government, along with police units and millions of Turkish citizens in favor of democracy. In total, 246 people, mostly civilians, were killed while over 2,000 were injured.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a three-month state of emergency in the country on July 20 in accordance with Article 120 of the Constitution for the early elimination of all factors of a terrorist organization, which committed a coup attempt. On October 3, it was decided to extend the state of emergency for other 90 days.