Posted on 07/15/2016 4:31:08 PM PDT by jazusamo
WASHINGTON -- A member of the Senate Intelligence Committee told CNN that the coup attempt in Turkey "came out of the blue" as the White House said the Islamist ruler of the country should be supported.
"This is a real surprise to all of us," Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said as protesters began facing off with the Turkish military after they seized city centers and key points such as Ataturk airport in Istanbul. "An explosion like this was really unexpected."
The Turkish Armed Forces issued a statement saying they have "completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and the general security that was damaged."
"All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue."
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was on vacation in southern Turkey when the coup began, issued a statement via Facetime on a cell phone from an unknown location urging his supporters to take to the streets to protest the military's action.
Cemal Hasimi, a senior advisor to Erdogan, told CNN by phone that the coup was staged by a "faction of the army that does not represent the army" and he claimed the government would regain control within 24 hours.
Risch predicted that the Turkish government was going to use the national police to counter the military, adding that "how widespread" coup support was in the military "we're not certain yet."
"Probably best judgment right now -- it is a full-blown military coup," he said.
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara issued an emergency message to citizens stressing that "shots have been heard in Ankara and both bridges in Istanbul, Bosphorous and Fatih Sultan Mehmet, are now closed."
"The Turkish Government states that elements of the Turkish army are attempting an uprising, security forces are taking action to contain it, and some buildings are under blockade," the message said. "We urge U.S. citizens to contact family and friends to let them know you are safe. We have seen reports that social media is blocked, but you can contact friends and family by email, telephone, or SMS. We encourage U.S. citizens to shelter in place and do not go the U.S. Embassy or Consulates at this time."
Risch noted that not only are there "a lot of American citizens in Turkey," but the U.S. Air Force's Incirlik base, which was shut down under Force Protection Delta.
Erdogan, stressed Risch, has "tried more and more to give the country more of a religious bent."
The "George Washington of Turkey, Ataturk, said what Turkey is going to be" and "charged the military as the guardian" of modern, secular, democratic Turkey, the senator added.
"We need to keep this country as an ally; that's important."
The White House said President Obama spoke with Secretary of State John Kerry, who was visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, "to discuss the events in Turkey."
"The president and secretary agreed that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed," the statement said. "The secretary underscored that the State Department will continue to focus on the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Turkey."
"The president asked the secretary to continue to keep him updated as the situation unfolds."
Erdogan screwed us in the Iraqi War, Erdogan has pushed Islamization of a secular government, Erdogan has contributed to the mess with refugees in Europe, destabilizing our allies. Does ANYONE need any MORE proof that Obama is a traitor and needs to be impeached??
Our Glorious Leader had a pressing game of golf scheduled this afternoon followed by a Democrat fundraiser tonight.
Let us know who Wins and we’ll support them, unless the wrong side Wins of course. #;^)
Ditto!
Obama continues his pattern of being wrong about everything. From Honduras to Turkey and all points in between.
It was all so “unexpected”.
What the hell are we paying them for if they
can’t do the job?
F Obama
F Erdogan
Worth repeating.
(and F Kerry)
Obama is busy with the WNBA on ESPN.
He was raised in a muslim world, identifies more with Islam than with America, and sides with the muslims against America.
He may not carry a membership card in the Islamic Brotherhood but thinks like a muslim sympathizes with Islam and he probably is a muslim at heart.
But John Kerry is another story.
He is nothing but a traitorous, lickspittle whore who has betrayed America his entire life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The minarets are our bayonets, the domes our helmets, the mosques our barracks and the faithful our army.”
"Islam is Islam. Democracy is the train we ride to our ultimate victory."
-- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; President of Turkey
Agreed!
> The “rebels” now have nothing to lose by continuing the effort.
Yep, either some die fighting or they all find the agony of defeat.
I am still praying the military succeeds.
“Obama and Kerry: All Should Support Erdogan’s Government.”
Obama and Kerry: All Should Support ISIS.
Fixed.
This is much like when Obama stood idly by and let the Iranian government crush the popular uprising there. He always sides with the Islamists and against the people, who want freedom.
Well said...I need no more proof 0bama’s a traitor...Impeachment is warranted.
Who is surprised? Sounds like what he would say to support Salvadore Allende.
Erdogan subverted the Turkey Constitution, purged secularists from the Judiciary, Military and the parliament. Put in Islamist to draw closer to the Fundamentalists of the Koran.
Obama will never admit that Islam is the generating force for death.
It is not “out of the blue.” It is out of Ataturk’s Constitution. The Army is the Constitutional Protector of the Republic and has done its duty twice in the past, in the 70s and 80s when the Turkish government was once taken over by the Communists and once by the Islamists. The Army threw the bums out and held power long enough to clean house then stepped back to allow elections and ceased to intervene in the conduct of government. Until the next time that Constitutional provision gets triggered.
It’s a good thing the CIA is diligently (not) doing their primary job when things like this happens.
It was only unexpected by people who do not remember the past. Mustafa did his work well.
Quote:
“Well said...I need no more proof 0bama’s a traitor...Impeachment is warranted.”
It’s more than warranted but, unfortunately, none of the opposition party’s leaders have a pair.
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