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Istanbul (AFP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced confidence Friday that he and Donald Trump can open a "new page" in troubled Turkey-US ties when they meet next month, after discord over Syria and last year's failed coup.

The May summit between Erdogan and Trump, their first face-to-face encounter as heads of state, is a chance to mend a relationship between two key NATO allies that was strained by a series of disputes under former president Barack Obama.

"I believe that we will open a new page with Mr Trump in Turkey-US relations," Erdogan told the Atlantic Council Istanbul summit ahead of the May 16 meeting in the United States.

Erdogan made clear he expected a turnaround from Trump on the use of the Syrian Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG) as the chief US ally on the ground in Syria in the battle against Islamic State (IS) jihadists.

Turkey says the YPG is merely the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) separatists inside Turkey, who have waged an insurgency since 1984 that has left tens of thousands dead.

"We expect our American friends to better understand the threats our country is facing and to show the solidarity that we need," said Erdogan.

- 'Working with terror group' -

Of the US alliance with the YPG in Syria he said: "We can never accept cooperation with a terror organisation that is aiming at the lives of our people on the pretext of fighting against Daesh (IS)."

He said that "concrete support" given to the YPG by the United States in Syria was "harming the spirit of alliance and partnership".

His comments came after Turkey angered the United States this week by bombing YPG positions in Syria. There have also been successive clashes between the Turkish army and the YPG over the border in the last days.

Erdogan warned the YPG that Turkey would fire back against any assault and thwart the creation of any Kurdish state in northern Syria.

"Are we going to leave them unanswered? We are doing what is necessary. We will take this kind of measure as long as the threats continue."

Blasting "fools" who he said were trying to form a Kurdish state in norther Syria, he said: "We will not allow the formation of such a state."

- 'Late but welcome' -

The spat over the YPG has so far held up any plan for Turkey and the United States to work together in Syria to prise the jihadist de-facto capital of Raqa out of the hands of IS.

Erdogan said 2,500-5,000 IS fighters were believed to still be in Raqa. A joint operation with the United States but excluding the YPG to take Raqa "would be nothing difficult for us. We can do this together," said Erdogan.

But Erdogan praised Trump for showing a "more determined" approach than Obama against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad after the air strikes this month that followed a suspected chemical attack.

"It was late coming but something that we welcomed," he said of the US air strikes. "The Assad regime has seen for the first time in six years that there will be no silence to the massacre of innocents."

- 'Bodes well' -

Along with the Syrian Kurds, the second main thorn in the side of Turkey-US relations is the future of Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara blamed for the failed July 15 coup and resides in a secluded Pennsylvania compound.

Ankara has pressed for the extradition of Gulen -- who denies the charges -- to face trial and was disappointed by the slack progress under Obama.

Erdogan said Turkey was "seriously concerned that the terrorist chief can easily go about his business," referring to Gulen.

He said that the arrest of Gulen by the United States was a "basic expectation" of Turkey.

James Jones, chairman of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council and former US national security advisor, said in Istanbul that he believed the relationship between the two men would be a good one.

"I am optimistic that the personal relationship on a presidential level is off to a good start. It bodes very well," he said.

Original post:
Erdogan sees 'new page' in Turkey-US ties under Trump

Ottomon snowflake thats what Turkeys president is being called after he filed a nine-page legal complaint in Ankara on Friday against an American think tank scholar for publishing insulting tweets.

For a man who depicts himself as a great leader on the world stage, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems fragile, an Ottoman snowflake, wrote American Enterprise Institute scholar Michael Rubin after learning of the Turkish leaders complaint.

On Friday,Erdogan asserted in court papers that Rubin has threatened the Turkish leader and his family on Twitter and through columns published online.

Erdogan also alleged that Rubin, a former Pentagon official, is a supporter of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric living in exile in Pennsylvania who Erdogan considers his greatest political foe.

Rubins illogical accusations and insulting tweets are not only a reflection of his hatred and anger toward President Erdoan but also against the Turkish Republic, reads the complaint from Erdogan, according to Anadolu Agency, Turkeys state-controlled media outlet.

Erdogan cited various columns and tweets from Rubin, including one in which he alleged that Erdogan used the failed July 15 coup attempt to purge society of political and ideological opponents.

Erdogan has accused Gulen of masterminding that coup attempt and considers Gulens network of followers to be a terrorist organization. The U.S. government does not agree with that assessment, much to Erdogans displeasure.

In a blistering blog entry entitled Oops, I hurt Erdogans feelings, Rubin acknowledged criticizing Erdogans corruption and crackdown on political dissent. He also copped to suggesting that Erdogan is pushing Turkey down a path to ruin.

He denied being a supporter of Gulen, and noted that Erdogans followers have criticized him in the past for criticizing Gulen. Erdogan and Gulen were political allies until the pair cut ties in 2013 following a corruption investigation.

Now, President Erdogan, heres some advice: When you have truth on your side, you neednt try to arrest or intimidate your opponents, Rubin wrote.

As for your case against me? Im not alone. People arent stupid. Youre trying to show yourself as strong to your supporters, but such antics only expose you as weak.

Erdogan has arrested tens of thousands of Turks and purged tens of thousands more from their jobs in the wake of the coup. More than 200 journalists who have been critical of the government have been jailed in recent months.

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Erdogan Called 'Ottoman Snowflake' After Filing Complaint | The ... - The Daily Caller

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region A Kurdish calligrapher from Ranya, Sulaimani province has been awarded for his work by the Turkish president in Istanbul. Ali Hassan Zaman received the prize from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after entering the International Hilya al-Sharif Contest held in Turkey. It is such an awesome feeling when you are awarded by a president of a state and you see the outcome of your efforts, said Zaman.

Hilya is a physical description of the Prophet Mohammed that has been developed as a decorative art form by calligraphers and illuminators.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Erdogan said, Our ancestors special efforts in calligraphy and Hilya al-Sharif stem from our profound and heartfelt love for our Prophet. Zaman, 46, a native of Ranya on the north shore of Dukan Lake, now lives with his spouse and two children in Istanbul. He has worked as a goldsmith but has been focusing on calligraphy for five years. He told Rudaw More than 700 people took part in the competition. Because I was among the top ten participants, Recep Tayyip Erdogan awarded me.

Zamans piece will be displayed in one of Turkeys museums, he explained, and he received a certificate and a cash prize.

He has also been offered Turkish citizenship.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised to offer Turkish citizenship to me, my spouse and two children, Zaman said. I am working on this. I will probably become a Turkish citizen a near future.

Zaman said he has no plans to return to the Kurdistan Region, saying he is comfortable in Istanbul, because I feel that my works are appreciated and given importance here.

He did not receive similar appreciation for his art in Ranya, he explained. Once I opened an exhibition in Ranya and called on the mayor to open it and see the works, but he did not come. Zamans spouse supports his work. Sometimes he asks for my consultation in his works, and I offer him suggestions, she told Rudaw. He often accepts my suggestions. It happened often after he put my suggestions in practice, they turned into beautiful works. Zaman previously came first in the Safer international calligraphist competition held in Najaf in 2016.

Another Kurd, Zeyad Muhandis from Erbil, was also awarded by the Turkish president in the competition. Five others, Farhad Yasen, Khalil Mantik, Saman Kaka Dewan, Serwan Barzinji, and Marewan Salih, ranked between 11th and 20th in the competition and received awards from the Turkish Ministry of Culture.

Continued here:
Erdogan offers citizenship to Ranya calligrapher - Rudaw

posted at 10:41 am on June 5, 2017 by Jazz Shaw

You may remember NBA forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Enes Kanter. Hes the one who Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would like the United States to turn over to him because of his outspoken criticism of the regime which is currently eradicating democracy in Turkey. For the time being Kanter seems to be safe enough here in the United States, but his positions have caused him a lot of trouble in his native land. His own family disowned him, either out of disapproval of his positions or in fear of their own government. That wasnt enough to save Kanters father, however. Hes been arrested by Erdogan and disappeared like so many of his other countrymen. (The Hill)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter is calling on the world to rally in opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his father was reportedly arrested by the Turkish government on Friday.

Kanter said Friday that his father, who lives in Turkey, was imprisoned and potentially vulnerable to torture because of the NBA players vocal opposition to Erdogan, whom he has repeatedly called the Hitler of our century.

My father is arrested because of my outspoken criticism of the ruling party. He may get tortured for simply being my family member, Kanter said in a statement posted on his website.

Kanters concerns are hardly unfounded or simple, overheated rhetoric. Weve been seeing credible reports from the BBC dating back to last winter about incidents of Erodans opponents being tortured in detention as the military attempts to extract information about other alleged coup participants. Of course, the father could also simply be a bargaining chip right now which Erdogan hopes will either convince Kanter to come home and surrender or get the United States to turn him over. I certainly hope the latter is unlikely because the guy would no doubt wind up in a dungeon somewhere with his feet in an acid bath.

At the same time, relations between Turkey and Germany have hit the rocks. The Germans are upset that Turkey isnt allowing their officials to visit the German troops stationed at Incirlik air base. This is yet another tit-for-tat from Erdogan as he seeks to crack down on his perceived enemies outside of the country. (Associated Press)

Germanys foreign minister is meeting with his Turkish counterpart in an attempt to overcome an impasse over Turkeys refusal to allow German lawmakers visit troops stationed at a Turkish air base.

Turkey blocked the visit to Incirlik Air Base, angered by German authorities decision to grant asylum to soldiers Turkey accuses of participating in last years failed coup.

Incirlik is Turkeys key leverage with everyone in the west at this point (including the United States) and Erdogan is using it to his full advantage. But in the end it all comes down to his anger with Cleric Fethullah Gulen who is currently living in exile in Pennsylvania. Erdogan still blames the coup attempt on him and is focusing his attention on him like Sauron looking for the One Ring of Power. Kanter is a self-proclaimed Gulen supporter and the people Turkey is trying to extradite from Germany are accused of being the same.

In his latest move against the cleric, Erdogan has announced that Gulen will lose his Turkish citizenship in the coming months if he doesnt return home. (AP)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish authorities say U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is blamed for last years coup, will lose his Turkish citizenship if he fails to return to Turkey within three months.

In a decision printed in the Official Gazette on Monday, the Interior Ministry named Gulen among 130 people wanted by authorities and who risk being stripped of their citizenship unless they return.

Wow that must be a tough call for Gulen, huh? He has to decide whether or not to stay here in the United States where he has remained safe for years and lose the ability to freely travel back to the place where he will be immediately arrested, thrown in a dungeon and most likely tortured and killed. Tough call, Im sure. But if Erdogan is ever thrown out of power and replaced by the opposition Im pretty sure that Gulen would be able to get a pass to go back home if he desired.

With all of this in mind, how many more lines can President Erdogan cross before hes gone too far? This tyrant is totally off the rails, but he controls some critical real estate which everyone opposing ISIS needs. Unfortunately he still seems to have all the cards and hes playing them like a master.

Continue reading here:
Now Turkey has arrested the father of an NBA player - Hot Air

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter is calling on the world to rally in opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his father was reportedly arrested by the Turkish government on Friday.

Kanter said Friday that his father, who lives in Turkey, was imprisoned and potentially vulnerable to torture because of the NBA player's vocal opposition to Erdogan, whom he has repeatedly called "the Hitler of our century."

"My father is arrested because of my outspoken criticism of the ruling party. He may get tortured for simply being my family member," Kanter said in a statement posted on his website.

"There could be hundreds of thousands of people that are detained, tortured, or murdered that we are not hearing about," he added. "Freedom of expression is a basic human right, and I ask the WORLD to join me in seeking justice and equality for all and to reject oppressive regimes and dictatorships."

Kanter claimed last month that he had been briefly detained at the airport in Bucharest, Romania, after the Turkish embassy cancelled his passport in retribution for his criticism of Erdogan.

The basketball player is a supporter of Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric who lives in Pennsylvania. Erdogan has accused Gulen of orchestrating a failed coup attempt last summer aimed at overthrowing his government and has urged the U.S. to extradite him to Turkey.

Kanter's backing of Gulen has created a rift between him and his family, particularly his father, who disowned his son last year because of his political views.

""I apologize to the Turkish people and the president for having such a son," his father Mehmet Kanter wrote in a Turkish pro-government newspaper at the time.

Excerpt from:
NBA player urges world to rally against Turkey's Erdogan - The Hill (blog)