News / Foreign Policy

Washington not involved in Turkey coup attempt: US ambassador

Saturday, 06 August 2016 1:18 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 06 August 2016 6:00 PM ]

An image of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seen through a Turkish flag during a rally against the military coup at Kizilay Square in Ankara, on July 25, 2016. (AFP photo)

The American ambassador to Turkey has said Washington was not involved in last month's failed military coup attempt against the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

John Bass made the remarks in an interview with the English daily Hurriyet Daily News on Saturday, in an effort to dismiss persistent accusations by some Turkish officials that the US government played a role in the July 15 incident.

"I just want to say again, as I've said before and as we've said from Washington, the United States government did not plan, direct, support or have any advance knowledge of any of the illegal activities that occurred the night of July 15 and into July 16. Full stop," Bass said.

He added that he was "deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations" targeting Washington.

Tanks move into position as Turkish people attempt to stop them, in Ankara, Turkey, July 15, 2016. (AP)

On July 15, a faction of the Turkish military declared it was in control of the country and the government was no more in charge.Tanks, helicopters, and soldiers then clashed with police and people on the streets of the capital, Ankara, and Istanbul. More than 300 people were killed on all sides in the attempted coup d’état that was gradually suppressed.

Washington has repeatedly denounced the claims of US involvement in the coup attempt as utterly false and harmful to bilateral ties.

And, US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned Turkey not to go too far with its ongoing detainment and ouster of thousands of military personnel, police officers and judges accused of involvement in the failed coup attempt.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (AFP photo)

Erdogan has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has many followers in Turkey and abroad, of masterminding the failed coup, in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2,100 others sustained injuries. Gulen denies the charge and has condemned the coup.

Washington claims that it was not behind the coup in Turkey and supports democracy in the country, and says it is ready to extradite Gulen if Ankara can offer any evidence proving his involvement.

US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass (AFP photo)

"Frankly, if we would have had knowledge we would have told the Turkish government about it immediately," Bass said.

The ambassador said America wants to see a "strong, prosperous, democratic, confident Turkey.”

"Anyone who thinks that the United States somehow profits from Turkey being divided and destabilized I think is misreading history to a profound degree,” he argued.

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