Turkish president blames coup attempt on PA man
ANKARA, TURKEY -- As tanks roll through cities in Turkey, the nation's president is blaming the attempted coup on his once political rival Fethullah Gülen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.
"Tonight we find out that Erdogan says it's this guy in the Poconos, Gulen, who is responsible for this coup against me," said foreign affairs expert Ed Turzanski.
On Turkish TV, Erdogan said, "Turkey will not be run from a house in Pennsylvania."
AP EXPLAINS: The cleric being blamed for Turkey coup attempt
Turzanski says it's too early to know who's calling the shots, but says the uprising isn't surprising.
President Erdogan has gained opponents by pushing for strict Islamic laws and allowing ISIS to use the country to transport weapons and fighters.
Then there was the bombing last month at the Instabul Airport.
"With the attack on the airport in Instabul, what you saw was deep, popular dissatisfaction with Erdogan, the belief that his policies had put the country in real danger," said Turzanski.
The owners of Kobobeesh Turkish Restraurant in South Philadelphia say they are watching the situation carefully and want Erdogan out of power.
They tell us their thoughts are with the family members back in Turkey, who are largely in the dark about what's happening.
Meanwhile, Turzanski says the implications of the attempt are immense and leave American leaders in a tight spot.
"These coups have happened before and each time American policy makers have had to square the circle so to speak to find a way to have constructive engagement while at the same time not encouraging coups," said Turzanski.
Statement by Alliance for Shared Values on Developments in Turkey:
For more than 40 years, Fethullah Gulen and Hizmet participants have advocated for, and demonstrated their commitment to, peace and democracy. We have consistently denounced military interventions in domestic politics. These are core values of Hizmet participants. We condemn any military intervention in domestic politics of Turkey.
Events on the ground are moving quickly and it would be irresponsible for us to speculate on them. We remain concerned about the safety and security of Turkish citizens and those in Turkey right now.
Comments by pro-Erdogan circles about the movement are highly irresponsible.
