US tries to protect coup fellows: Nationalist party leader

ANKARA

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has accused the United States of trying to protect its “fellows” who took part in the coup attempt against the Turkish government in 2016 and has suggested U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s recent “attacks” on the Turkish economy have been for this reason. 

“The U.S. is trying to seize Turkey in terms of economy and politics,” he said, speaking to party members who had gathered at the MHP headquarters for an Eid-al Adha greeting on Aug. 22.

The U.S. is harming its relations with its ally and its friend Turkey over a pastor, he said, referring to the detaining of U.S. evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey, which has caused a diplomatic rift between Ankara and Washington.

He questioned Trump’s real intentions and said “it is not just a matter of a pastor.”

“The U.S. is trying to protect its coup fellows,” Bahçeli said. He suggested the U.S. is about to grant asylum to 200 coup plotters.

“Global powers are protecting FETÖ [Fethullahist Terrorist Organization], the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] and ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant],” he said. The MHP leader also praised recent economic support from Qatar to Turkey.

Political parties exchange Feast of Sacrifice greetings

Political parties exchanged Feast of Sacrifice greetings in parliament on Aug. 22, while the issue of economy dominated their visits.

Meeting with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) delegation, MHP deputy chair Mevlüt Karakaya said the Turkish nation should be further aware of “foreign coup” attempts against Turkey, referring to U.S. sanctions.

Visiting the Republican People’s Party (CHP), AKP deputy chair Jülide Sarıeroğlu stressed unity in the country. Turkey has faced a difficult period of attempts against its economy over the past couple of weeks, she said.

The CHP, Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Felicity Party (SP) delegations visited the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).