Turhan Dilmaç: ‘The official position of Turkey — Fethullah Gülen is a terrorist’

'The arrests are taking place en masse, but they are legal'

We followed the events of the coup from the beginning. Events are becoming more and more. The Turkish media reported that there are mass arrests – the dismissals of the teachers, arrests of officials, soldiers, intelligence officers. According to the latest data, the number of prisoners has reached or even exceeded 50 thousand people. For the Russian it is unusual, it reminds us the events of 1937. Still, what's happening?

At first, we should understand what exactly has happened, assess the subject and discuss what happened. Imagine, some event happens in your country, the army of your own country is used, weapons are used. Imagine that someone is trying to kill the President of your country at the hotel where he's resting. Warplanes bombing the Parliament building, the members of which represent the people, the nation. The military open fire on civilians, women and children who went to the streets to protest against these events, against those who do violence and attacks on the elected by the people based on the principles of democracy government. This is one side of the issue.

'We know that arrests are taking place en masse, but they are legal and after the necessary legal procedures and checks. Aome of the detainees are released without claims.'

It also need to be said about who these people are. Here is even more terrible picture. It turns out that these people obey the man who now lives in America — Fethullah Gülen. During the trial, perhaps, it will be cleared up more precisely, but their involvement became obvious from the first received testimony. There is no such state that would accept in its system of hierarchy some structure from outside, which is subordinate to another person, another organization. Yes, people may have different political or religious views, people may have different preferences but one should not confuse these views with the state vision. In general, the struggle against this group was started long time ago. Only in connection with the attempt of a military coup it became clear that this group has a terrorist base.

We know that arrests are taking place en masse but they are legal and after the necessary legal procedures and checks. Some of the detainees are released without claims.

The government adopted a decree according to which the country declares the state of emergency for three months. We hope that the results of audits and actions the things will get better.

'It's one thing — to have some kind of special point of view on matters of religion, and completely another – to try to invade the country, depose the leadership that came to power through democratic means .'

'The coup was just an attempt of a small group within the army'

However, people in Russia have different opinions about Fethullah Gulen. It is known that this movement is represented in our country. The members of this movement were not deprived of attention of the Russian security services, and they are quite hard to respond to their activities. However, there are two points of view. First, this is the religious movement. However, some experts think that Fethullah Gülen as a political opponent of the President has become a victim of a political showdown, and the protagonist is still the army that more adheres to the values of the secular republic. Not all experts believe in the union of these two different forces.

Perhaps, now we can openly say that Russia is one of the first one that drew attention to the dangerous side of this movement. It's one thing — to have some kind of special point of view on matters of religion, and completely another – to try to invade the country, depose the leadership that came to power through democratic means. If someone believes themselves an opponent of the current government, nothing prevents them to create their own party and to use the legitimate ways to express their political point of view, to gain votes in the elections. To 'nest' within the army, which represents the people, to use weapons, which is acquired for taxes received from the people, to use this weapon against the people — this phenomenon around the world is called the same — terrorism. Who has the right to cause Turkey, the people such harm?

We still need to clarify what all the opposition parties in our country opposed the coup attempt, condemned it and supported the current government. One thing — to express their views peacefully, and quite another — to illegally use the army and the military forces to express their position.

However, do you agree that in previous years the army has undergone a quite rigid purge (the case of Ergenekon, the Operation Sledgehammer). Don't you have the feeling that it is the reaction of the military elite, which accounts for four military coups?

No, I am not of your point of view. The leadership of the General Staff and a large part of the army initially opposed the coup attempt. The coup was just an attempt of a small group within the army.

'There is a very important indicator in clarifying of the position of the American side'

It could be argued who were the current actors in this coup — Fethullah Gülen, the army. But there is a version that they were puppets and that there were some external forces, who used them in this situation. Also, it is being actively discussed that the President of the Turkish Republic has strictly demanded the extradition of Gülen, there were some hints of the deterioration of relations with the United States. The Americans say that they have nothing to do with the coup. Is there any role of the external forces in these events?

Yesterday in the interview, the President noted that Obama had also contacted him by phone and said he supports the elected government. America is our ally.

There is a very important indicator in clarifying of the position of the American side. The man, who is said to has planned this, has been residing in America for a long time. Turkey had also demanded the extradition of Gülen before, but now it requested officially to conduct the investigation. His extradition to Turkey in the legal framework will be a key indicator.

'We can understand and forgive some things, but the Turkish people has special attitude to the Turkish army, with great respect. To imagine that these people could be motivated, get an impetus from the outside from this person — it is impossible. It's unforgivable action, when the soldiers fight against their government .'

About Fethullah Gülen: 'The official position of Turkey — this man is a terrorist'

If we have touched upon the topic of Gülen, the Russian media is actively discussing the figure of this man: who is he — a humble preacher or a multi-billionaire with a lot of contacts and the business empire? What is the official position of the Turkish Republic? Is it true that this movement is so influential?

Clearly, he is not a preacher and not a religious figure. As for the goals and objectives, there are also some doubts. There were serious allegations before the coup attempts. We can understand and forgive some things, but the Turkish people has special attitude to the Turkish army, with great respect. To imagine that these people could be motivated, get an impetus from the outside from this person — it is impossible. It's unforgivable action, when the soldiers fight against their government. I think that it was an organized grouping, it is abbreviated and called 'The terrorist organization FETÖ (Turkish abbreviation, widely used now in the Turkish media, stands for 'the terrorist organization of Fethullah'). In addition, the official position of Turkey — this man is a terrorist.

Could you tell something about his business, his sphere of influence? We know that educational institutions around the world have relation to him, he also was somehow connected with the preparatory courses for entry into university. Clearly, it is also about television, radio, media.

You have already answered the question. It's a really large network. Some of the projects are associated with the business, a part — with the educational processes. There is no normal state, a normal head who would accept, allow another state to exist that would have its network and would receive commands from the outside. Just imagine, in Russia it is possible or not?

'We have managed to save the very essence of relations with Tatarstan'

The Turkish-Russian relations have experienced a challenging period since November of last year. Could you conditionally sum up this cooling, i.e. the losses suffered by both sides in the economic, cultural terms?

Indeed, this seven-month period in Russian-Turkish relations was tough. Answering to your question, I will assume more the consular district, for which I am responsible. Fortunately, we have managed to preserve the basis of the economic relations and investments. To be honest, the humanitarian, cultural and educational ties have suffered more as a result of decisions taken at the federal level.

Geographically, Russia and Turkey are neighbors. Judging by the fact that we can not change the geographical position, we, as neighbors, should always think how we are going to build our relationships. The same situation between the Tatars and Turks: we are brothers and between us there is a special bond. These realities of life are not changed by any political situation.

For example, in Bolgar, I participated in the foundation ceremony of the Bolgarian Islamic Academy. One of the journalists asked me: 'Before, we heard about Turkey all the time. All the time there were talks about our cooperation. But now, not a word was said in a speech about Turkey'. I didn't even pay attention to it. Mentioned or did not — it is not so important. Arriving home and reflecting on this topic, I recalled that the text, laid down in the capsule addressed to posterity, mentioned the names of Yusuf Akura, Sadri Maksudi, Gayaz Ishaki. They are common figures for us — both Turkish and Tatar enlighteners. Therefore, it is not so important, what sounded or not sounded in the greetings, it is important that it was written in the foundation and what our fraternity will be eternal.

'The most important thing is that such problems did not affect the peoples of our countries. It is important not to take actions, the results of which would be irreversible, which are difficult to change .'

Turkey and Russia had tough periods in the relationships. The main thing is that such problems did not affect the peoples of our countries. It is important not to take actions, the results of which would be irreversible, which are difficult to change. It is crucial so that there were not such situations that would affect our good-neighborly relations, in case of Tatarstan – the fraternal relations.

The very essence of relations with Tatarstan, and with other regions that refer to the consular district, we have managed to save. We hope that during August our presidents, Mr. Putin and Mr. Erdogan, will meet. And there will be meetings of our Vice Prime Ministers and the Ministers of Economy. This will be advised in the coming weeks. Previously they said that this meeting can take place in the special economic zone Alabuga on the occasion of the opening of factories. But from a logistical point of view, it is not very convenient, so the meeting will be held in Moscow.

In the midst of crisis, the President of Tatarstan was one of the few who spoke out for the maintaining relations, for which he was partly criticized in the federal media. What dividends can be received by the Republic for such a bold move?

It's, probably, more internal issues of the country I think, and here I'll refrain from commenting. Indeed, the words that he said received a very warm response in Turkey, and they were some kind of guarantee for our investors. But, even in these times of crisis it is important to be able to separate politics and economics. It has become a very important indicator, which improved investor confidence in the region.

Could you tell us about the results of your work as Consul General? What have you succeed to do and have not during this two years?

Coincidentally, I worked during a very productive period and during critical and difficult period. First and foremost, I should note Tatarstan and the other regions, we have overcome a great distance together in building our connections and relationships. In the crisis period, all forces were sent to keep the essence of our relationship. For example, in my first year of work, the President Rustam Minnikhanov visited Turkey four times, our Minister of Economy visited Tatarstan three times. I'm not even talking about the visit of the Chairman of the Parliament of Turkey to Tatarstan, the deputies, the businessmen. A lot of different productions have been opened. There are cultural projects that have been suspended. The main objective now is to wait for the meetings of the presidents of our countries and then to improve relations with Tatarstan, Bashkortostan, Chuvashia and other regions that refer to the Consulate.