Speaking at a news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Biden said work was continuing by U.S. legal experts to evaluate the evidence produced by Turkey “that need to be supplied to an American court” for an extradition.
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He said the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and People’s Protection Units (YPG), which are considered off-shoot of the outlawed Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), should not spread west of Euphrates, and Turkey and the U.S are on the same page regarding this issue.
The dual nature of Turkey’s security concerns in neighbouring Syria was underlined by its USA -backed incursion this week, which it said was as much about stopping Kurdish militia seizing territory as it was about eliminating Islamic State. “But we need to meet legal standard requirements under our law”. But Turkish officials say a network of Gulen supporters for years infiltrated Turkey’s military and public offices to create a “parallel state”.
“Only an American court can do that”, Biden said after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım.
Turkey’s defense minister, Fikri Isik, said Thursday that Turkish forces were securing the area around Jarablus.
“If the extradition process of this terrorist leader could accelerate, if our cooperation on this matter continues like this, the Turkish people will quickly recover from their sadness and disappointment”, the premier said.
He also warned that President Barack Obama wouldn’t intervene in the extradition process.
“Under American law no president of the United States has authority to extradite anyone on his own power. Vice President as well, have clearly and explicitly condemned the coup attempt”, Yildirim said, indicating he accepted the validity of their words.
US Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the US is ready to offer any necessary support to Turkey after the July 15 failed coup attempt against the Turkish government.
Turkey is disappointed that cleric Fetullah Gulen, who should be detained according to extradition treaty, still roams freely, Turkish President Recep Erdogan told media on Wednesday in Ankara.
“We are cooperating with Turkish authorities”, Biden said, referring to the extradition request.
It is “totally understandable why the people of Turkey are angry”, he added.
The Ankara government is adamant that Syrian Kurdish forces must not fill any void left close to the Turkish border by IS fleeing.
“Having technical team from the US on the ground is a clear sign from your side that you’re taking this seriously and attaching great importance to it”, Yıldırım told Biden. “The United States of America did not – did not have any foreknowledge of what befell you on the 15th”. The United States is asking for evidence against the cleric and asking that Turkey allow the extradition process to take its course.
Earlier, Biden also toured the parliament building, which was damaged in the coup attempt.
During and for several days after the coup, Turkey shut down flight operations at Incirlik.
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Biden hopes to smooth relations, but has limited leverage.
