U.S. Played No Role in Coup Attempt in Turkey, Ambassador Says

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (R) gestures as he is flanked by US Ambassador to Turkey John R. Bass (L) during their meeting with representatives of civil society in Istanbul, Turkey, January 22, 2016. EPA/BGNES

The U.S. Ambassador to Ankara has dismissed recent media reports and accusations that his country allegedly played a role in or knew in advance about the failed coup attempt in Turkey, Turkish news daily Hurriyet reported on Saturday.

“I continue to be deeply disturbed and offended by the accusations without a shred of fact in so much of the commentary in this country that the United States government was involved in this illegal coup attempt or must have known about this illegal coup attempt,” U.S.Ambassador John Bass said in remarks posted on hurriyetdailynews.com website.

[…] 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.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said last month that Turkey should avoid "public insinuations" about U.S. involvement in the foiled coup attempt. Kerry's comment followed allegations made by Turkish Labour Minister Faruk Celik that the U.S. government had been behind the coup.

 

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