Turkey president critical of coup attempt reaction by United States

Erdogan demands extradition of cleric

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday slammed the U. S. for its reaction to a failed military coup attempt two weeks ago, accusing the country of harboring the man he says is responsible for the violence.

“Instead of thanking this government for thwarting this coup attempt, and for ( maintaining) democracy, you are standing by the ( plotters),” Erdogan said according to the state- run Anadolu Agency.

Turkey continues to demand the U. S. extradite Fethullah Gülen, a cleric living in exile in Pennsylvania whom it accuses of being behind the coup attempt July 15 that left at least 290 people dead.

“The putschist ( Gülen) is already in your country, you are looking after him. This is a known fact,” Erdogan said.

“You can never deceive my people. My people know who is involved in this plot and who is the mastermind. With such statements, you are just revealing yourself. Turkey will not be duped.”

The White House flatly denied Erdogan’s claim on Friday.

“It is entirely false. There is no evidence of that at all,” Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz said. “We feel that talk and speculation along those lines is not particularly constructive.”

Schultz noted that the United States was one of the first countries to condemn the failed coup.

Erdogan also lashed out at Gen. Joseph L. Votel, commander of U. S. Central Command, saying he should not meddle in the internal affairs of Turkey, according to Anadolu.

Votel said Friday “any reporting that I had anything to do with the unsuccessful coup attempt in Turkey is unfortunate and completely inaccurate.”