Robert Pearson, former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey: ‘I'm sure that the US had no relationship to the attempt’
Robert Pearson, a non-resident scholar at The Middle East Institute, who headed the American Embassy in Ankara for three years, sees the ideological justification of military coups in Turkey, first of all, in the letter of the founder of the Turkish Republic. In an interview with Realnoe Vremya, he told about the increasing pressure on the economy of this country. He admitted that he does not see the advantages for Russia, except for trade, and surprised a large number of prisoners.
'The number of people who directed the coup is obviously going to be relatively small but with nearly 18 000 people in custody or dismissed'
What do you think about what happened in Turkey? Was it the real coup attempt? Or was it a staging and someone's provocation?
We don't know this point, it's a good question that has been asked, but we don't have the answer. I do not believe it was a fake coup. I think it was a genuine attempt.
Do you agree that the U.S. State Department has relation to the coup attempt in Turkey?
No, I'm sure that the U.S. had no relationship to the attempt. The reasons are clear: the U.S. is very interested as is Russia in destroying ISIS. And the Turkish government was cooperating with it. The coup plotters had one and the main end to withdraw from their portion of that cooperation effort. So I'm quite sure the U.S. had nothing to do with the coup.
'I'm sure that the U.S. had no relationship to the attempt. The reasons are clear: the U.S. is very interested as is Russia in destroying ISIS. And the Turkish government was cooperating with it.' Photo: twitter.com
Who is behind the coup attempt?
We have to wait and see. The number of people who directed the coup is obviously going to be relatively small but with nearly 18 000 people in custody or dismissed. It's too early to know just exactly how widespread this involvement was. It's clear that a number of people are under arrest who probably had nothing to do with the incident but who were political opponents of the AK Party.
'I don't know what other aspect of the relationship might be benefited at this point for Russia'
Erdogan accused the USA. What consequences of that can be for Turkey?
Well, it's his decision whether to complicate the relationship. The USA is interested in continuing to cooperate with Turkey with respect to Syria and with respect to Turkey's security including terrorist attacks by ISIS and terrorist attacks by the PKK. The US has no interest in making the relations more difficult.
How the results of the Turkish crisis can affect the relations with Russia, the relation Erdogan-Putin? Can Russia benefit something from that?
I don't know. That's a very good question. It's good that Russia and Turkey have now begun to improve their relationships and that business is back to normal form now between Russia and Turkey. But I don't know what other aspect of the relationship might be benefited at this point.
'The military has used the letter of Ataturk four times'
'It's good that Russia and Turkey have now begun to improve their relationships and that business is back to normal form now between Russia and Turkey. But I don't know what other aspect of the relationship might be benefited at this point.' Photo: kremlin.ru
How do you assess the results for the economy of Turkey?
The economy of Turkey is under pressure. Foreign direct investment has fallen. Turkey suffered a loss at about 25 billion dollars in tourist trade from Russia and from the other aspects of business last year. And there are no real growth in wages in Turkey and the foreign direct investment is down. So, Turkey's economy will be under pressure as a result of this coup but it was already under pressure.
Why in Turkey the military coup is a commonplace?
When the Turkey's Republic was set up, Kemal Ataturk, the founder, wrote a letter to the Turkish Arm Forces asking them to be the guardians of Turkey's Republic and Turkey's democracy. The military has used that letter four times in the past to take over the political process. But that is what most people, almost everybody, thought was a matter of the past in today's world. So, the coup was completely unexpected.
Reference
W. Robert Pearson — Ambassador (ret). A non-resident scholar at The Middle East Institute. He focuses on Turkey with particular emphasis on U.S.-Turkey relations. His areas of interest include Turkey's relations with the EU, Russia, the Middle East, and Central and East Asia, in addition to the United States.
Amb. Pearson is a retired professional Foreign Service Officer who served as U.S. ambassador to Turkey from 2000 to 2003. He was Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service from 2003 to 2006, repositioning the American Foreign Service to meet the new challenges of the 21st century and winning two national awards for his efforts. He served from 2008 to 2014 as president of IREX, an international development NGO based in Washington, spearheading its expansion to reach more than 125 countries worldwide. He has published numerous articles, blogs and opinion pieces on diplomacy, foreign policy, Turkey, NGOs, and development. He is a frequent speaker on issues concerning Turkey, international development and the role of diplomacy in American engagement abroad.
Education: B.A. Vanderbilt University, J.D. University of Virginia School of Law