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geek tragedy

(68,868 posts) Mon Jul 18, 2016, 09:51 AM Jul 2016

Kerry urges Turkey to maintain democratic principles after coup attempt

Source: Washington Post

BRUSSELS — Secretary of State John F. Kerry said NATO will be scrutinizing Turkey in coming days to ensure that it fulfills the alliance’s requirements for democracy and the rule of law following a failed coup attempt.

“NATO also has a requirement with respect to democracy,” Kerry told reporters after European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned Turkey not to execute coup plotters. She noted that countries with the death penalty cannot join the European Union, as Turkey, a NATO member, has sought to do.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said that while NATO will be watching Turkey carefully, “it’s too soon to say that their membership is at risk.”

Kerry said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has repeatedly assured him that the government will respect democracy and the law. Kerry warned that NATO will “measure” its actions.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/kerry-warns-turkey-nato-membership-potentially-at-stake-in-crackdown/2016/07/18/f427ba8a-4850-11e6-8dac-0c6e4accc5b1_story.html

The WaPo emailed out a 'correction' on the original headline which said Kerry was warning Turkey that its NATO membership was in jeopardy.

Seems the original headline was correct.

7 replies

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Kerry urges Turkey to maintain democratic principles after coup attempt (Original Post) geek tragedy Jul 2016 OP

NATO will NEVER kick out Turkey uawchild Jul 2016 #1

only so long as the oil addiction lasts geek tragedy Jul 2016 #2

Nah, our support of Turkey isn't about oil, uawchild Jul 2016 #3

during the cold war it was a bulwark against the USSR. geek tragedy Jul 2016 #4

We both have valid points uawchild Jul 2016 #5

And I'm sure Erdogan and the Islamic extremists will listen. ananda Jul 2016 #6

Nothing says "maintaining democracy" like a prepared order to arrest a list of 2000+ judges ... Nihil Jul 2016 #7

uawchild

(2,208 posts)

1. NATO will NEVER kick out Turkey

Reply to geek tragedy (Original post)

Mon Jul 18, 2016, 12:14 PM

Jul 2016

Let's be serious. He can declare himself Sultan and start up a harem and Turkey won't be kicked out of NATO.

It's too important geo-politically, and Erdogan knows that -- hence his audacity in the current purge.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

2. only so long as the oil addiction lasts

Reply to uawchild (Reply #1)

Mon Jul 18, 2016, 12:19 PM

Jul 2016

Once the oil's gone the EU and North America will lose interest in the middle east.

uawchild

(2,208 posts)

3. Nah, our support of Turkey isn't about oil,

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #2)

Mon Jul 18, 2016, 12:21 PM

Jul 2016

it's always, well mostly, been about "containing" Russia.

That still seems the case, so Erdogan can PURGE to his hearts content with assured continued immunity.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

4. during the cold war it was a bulwark against the USSR.

Reply to uawchild (Reply #3)

Mon Jul 18, 2016, 02:22 PM

Jul 2016

Now it doesn't share a border with Russia.

Middle East--and the refugee situation there--have taken precedence lately.

uawchild

(2,208 posts)

5. We both have valid points

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #4)

Mon Jul 18, 2016, 02:34 PM

Jul 2016

Thanks for discussing them.

ananda

(28,874 posts)

6. And I'm sure Erdogan and the Islamic extremists will listen.

Reply to geek tragedy (Original post)

Mon Jul 18, 2016, 03:17 PM

Jul 2016

Sure.

Nihil

(13,508 posts)

7. Nothing says "maintaining democracy" like a prepared order to arrest a list of 2000+ judges ...

Reply to geek tragedy (Original post)

Tue Jul 19, 2016, 04:41 AM

Jul 2016

As others have noted upthread, there isn't a chance that they'd kick Turkey out
of NATO - this is just more pointless posturing by Kerry to maintain the pretence
that anyone in power actually cares about "justice" or "law" in Turkey.

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