Coup attempt was staged by FETO through its members who have covertly infiltrated state institutions over decades
Reading the Op-Ed titled “Horror upon horror in Turkey”, published in The Express Tribune on 23 August 2016, I was surprised at noticing the remarks in the article: “ the dissatisfaction and unease that was parent to the failed coup attempt”. This is totally a misconception of the reality, even amounting to an attempt at whitewashing the terrorist coup attempt by the Gulen network.
Based upon the principle of right to response, I would like to bring to your kind attention the points below, requesting you to reflect in the next edition of your newspaper. People across all segments of Turkish society have resisted and stood united against the coup attempt, showing an exemplary joint stance against it. This unity has been overtly manifested in the Joint Statement of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, convened under sire on 16 July 2016, which was signed by all political parties represented in the Parliament.
This spirit of unity in Turkey among people and political parties against the Gulen terrorist organisation (FETO) is steadfast as the leader of the main opposition party, Mr Kilicdaroglu called on the US to extradite Gulen on 26 July 2016, and major opposition party leaders alongside president Erdogan and PM Yildirim addressed the pro-democracy rally on 7 August attended by millions of people from all walks of life.
The coup attempt was staged by FETO through its members who have covertly infiltrated state institutions over decades. The united stand of Turkey with all its political parties demonstrate that this terrorist organisation has received no support from any political party or social group in Turkey, either during or in the aftermath of the coup attempt.
S Babur Girgin
Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2016.
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