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| The Grand Turk |
| Erdogan says Gulen a pawn backed by a 'mastermind' |
| 2016-08-03 |
| [DAWN] The US-based Moslem holy man Fethullah Gulen blamed by ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... for orchestrating a failed coup this month is a pawn backed by a "criminal mastermind", President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, hinting that greater powers were behind the attempted putsch. Erdogan often refers to a "criminal mastermind" in his speeches, a reference widely seen as an allusion to the West in general and the United States more specifically. The holy man, Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in the self-imposed exile in the United States for years, has denied any involvement in the failed coup of July 15-16. Conspiracy theories have flourished in Turkey since the attempted coup, with one pro-government newspaper saying the putsch was financed by the Central Intelligence Agency and directed by a retired US army general using a cell phone in Afghanistan. The United States has denied any involvement and any prior knowledge of the failed attempt Curses! Foiled again! to overthrow the government. Erdogan also issued a new presidential decree Sunday that introduced sweeping reforms to Turkey's military in the wake of the failed coup, bringing the Turkish armed forces further under civilian authority. The decree, the third to have been issued after a three-month state of emergency was declared following the attempted coup, gives the president and prime minister the authority to issue direct orders to the commanders of the army, air force and navy. It also announces the discharge of 1,389 military personnel, including Erdogan's chief military adviser who had been tossed in the clink Youse'll never take me alive coppers!... [BANG!]... Ow!... I quit! days after the attempted putsch, the Chief of General Staff's charge d'affaires and the defense minister's chief secretary. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #10 The Russians were really upset when Britain forced Russia to accept Turkey's militarization of the Bosphorus in the treaty of whatever. Unfinished business. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2016-08-03 17:47 |
| #9 James Baker? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2016-08-03 13:14 |
| #8 Maybe Erdogan is on board with [THIS] |
| Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspiracy 2016-08-03 13:01 |
| #7 SteveS, I think you may be right. Crimea was the cranberry sauce, the stuffing comes next, then the white meat? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2016-08-03 12:52 |
| #6 9. Russia - not easily because they just kissed and made up Somewhat off topic, I've got this nagging feeling that Putin is not quite done with Turkey. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2016-08-03 12:18 |
| #5 Then that leaves one man - Dick Cheney! |
| Posted by: Raj 2016-08-03 11:42 |
| #4 We just selected Hildabeest and the Donald to be our presidential candidates. There are no masterminds here ! |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2016-08-03 10:35 |
| #3 Mastermind possibilities 1. USA - problem is if he said that he would be under pressure to restrict commercial ties and that would reduce the bribes people pay him 2. Secretary Kerry - problem is he isn't smart enough to be a mastermind 3. Israel - problem is he just signed a commercial agreement there too and he would have to forego some really good bribes 4. Iran - problem is that Gulan is a Sunni 5. Assad - problem is that if he said that he would be under pressure to use his military against Assad and the military is in poor shape thanks to Erdogan himself 6. International Zionists - not bad, how Zionists could manipulate Gulan is difficult to imagine but if you are crazy you could imagine it 7. Catholic Church - same problem as with Zionists 8. Freemason Society - Weird but perhaps if you are crazy enough (same with Scientology, Mormon Church, etc.) 9. Russia - not easily because they just kissed and made up |
| Posted by: lord garth 2016-08-03 09:21 |
| #2 Could it be? |
| Posted by: Bobby 2016-08-03 06:50 |
| #1 Why does all the good stuff come out after Tom has left us ? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2016-08-03 04:37 |