Posted on 09/11/2017 6:23:21 AM PDT by Texas Fossil
Michael Rubin, academic and former staff advisor for Iran and Iraq at the Pentagon, spoke to ANF English service on the inclusion of one of Erdoğan’s former ministers, Zafer Çağlayan, in the case file of Reza Zarrab, its influence on Zarrab’s case and Washington-Ankara relations, and Erdoğan’s planned visit to the U.S. in mid-September.
Rubin remarked that the arrest warrant issued for Zafer Çağlayan could be a sign that Zarrab is talking to prosecutors and giving evidence. He said: “That's Erdogan's nightmare, because if Zarrab is talking, then Zarrab is also likely talking about Erdogan's dealings. And the thing with judicial proceedings is that they will become public. Erdogan can complain it's a conspiracy against him, but the evidence is there and fewer people--at least outside his core supporters--believes him anymore. Certainly, the warrant on Cağlayan will undercut Washington-Ankara relations but, the U.S. Judiciary is independent and, regardless, U.S. officials simply don't care anymore what Erdogan thinks.”
Rubin pointed out that this issue could go beyond Çağlayan and extend to some other persons or institutions because in Turkey the corruption and the shady dealings didn't stop with Zarrab and Cağlayan.
“Ultimately, the finger will point at Erdoğan. That said, as the head of state, there's little that the United States can do other than expose the information. That said, it would not be wise for his family members to visit the United States ever again.”
Regarding the possibility that the U.S. judiciary could backpedal at this stage, Rubin stated this is not the case as Çağlayan isn't in the United States and Erdoğan won't extradite him. “The case may not go forward, but it won't disappear”, he said.
As Erdoğan will be visiting the U.S. in mid-September, we asked Rubin if this issue could be negotiated and overcome through talks with the US administration. He answered;
“The independence of the judiciary means that neither Trump nor Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would have the power to meet Erdogan's demands should Erdogan be stupid enough to make them. And, frankly, everyone is just going to be watching to see who Erdogan's bodyguards try to attack this time.”
Commenting on the reports by mouthpieces of the Erdoğan media that described this case as the U.S. war against Turkey, Rubin said: “It's nonsense. Erdogan is facing consequences for his bad decisions. His aids sought to use U.S.-based banks to conduct activities illegal under U.S. law. Turkey is the victim of Erdogan, not of the United States.”
Asked about the influence this corruption case could have on the civil war in Turkey, Syria and Turkey’s role in the region, Rubin said this issue has more to do with U.S. sanctions against Iran, noting that he suspects Hakan Fidan is another lynchpin in many of these issues.
Rubin remarked that he doubts any of these suspects will want to travel to Germany anytime soon, adding: “Erdoğan may see himself as the new sultan, but most countries see him as the world's biggest jackass. Simply put, his threats have backfired and few countries care what he says.”
Rubin stressed that: “It appears Zarrab is talking. he is the man who knows too much. And the whole reason he came to the U.S. is that he knew that in Turkey or Iran, he would likely be killed. In the US, he may be imprisoned, but he will be safe. And, someday he could walk free if he becomes an informant against men like Cağlayan and Erdoğan.”
Just WOW!
This is not about Erdogan's body guards beating US citizens in DC. This is about Federal case against very high Turkish Officials who bypassed sanctions against Iran.
This witness "chose" to testify here in the US, he would not be safe elsewhere.
Worth remembering is that initially, Erdogan and Obama were very close, although tactical differences arose over Syria.
Obama was a traitor to the US while he was Erdogan’s best friend.
Yes, it is worth remembering they were very close Muslim Allies.
The ex-Fla Congressman inveigled the US to launch a "cooperative effort to further Turkish economic and military self-reliance," so the US stupidly loaned and granted Turkey more than $7 billion in economic aid and more than $14 billion in military assistance.
So much for "peace and cooperation." Turkey is now acquiring nuclear weapons and the ex-Fla Congressman is now running a.n.o.t.h.e.r Mideast (cough) "Peace" group sucking up US tax dollars. Not yet determined is the number of tax dollars the duplicitous Congressman siphoned off for himself via earmarks to run his (gag) peace group.
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UPDATE--Robert Wexler advised the Obama campaign on Israel and Mideast affairs.
Robert Wexler must have been VERY helpful to get to meet Bibi Netanyahu.
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He's under arrest for bank fraud, suspected of cyber-security breaches, theft of govt issue equipment, etc etc etc ...insurance fraud, bankruptcy fraud....Pakistani Imran Awan first landed a job with former Democrat Rep. Robert Wexler as an "information technology director" in 2004 at the ripe age of 24 or 25.
BACKSTORY Florida Democrat Rep. Robert Wexler got forced out of office---branded a liar. Wexler falsified US govt documents and duped voters to get into Congress---using his MIL's address to establish residency in the district. He actually lived in Maryland.
In July 2008, it was revealed that then-Cong Robert Wexler claimed his mother-in-law's home in Delray Beach, Fla as his official residence (though he was listed on the House roll as "Democrat-Boca Raton")...he actually lived in a Maryland suburb for most of the year.
Edward J. Lynch, a Republican running for Wexler's congressional seat, researched Wexler's living arrangements and took his argument to Fox News. "The house he lists on his voter registration is his in-laws' house, in a gated 55-and-older community," Lynch said. "Legally, he can't move back with children under 18."
After Wexler was confronted about the allegation, he stated that his mother-in-law does own the house in Delray Beach. But he also said he stays there when in Florida which, according to his office is, on average, about twice a month.
As a putative Florida resident, Wexler did not pay personal income tax, and his vehicles were also registered in that state, despite his near-permanent residency in Maryland and the Washington metropolitan area.
Wexler, born in 1961, did not meet the age requirements for his mother-in-law's senior community. Wexler later obtained a separate address within Palm Beach County.
BACKSTORY--CONG WEXLER APPOINTS HIMSELF ISLAMIC PEACEMAKER Then-Cong Wexler founded the Congressional Caucus on US-Turkish Relations and got himself a seat on a Congressional Study Group on Turkey.
As the putative "Fla Congressman (ousted for lying)," Wexler inveigled the US to launch a "cooperative effort" to further Islamic Turkey's "economic and military self-reliance."
At Wexler's behest, the US stupidly loaned and granted Islamic Turkey more than $7 billion in economic aid, and more than $14 billion in military assistance.
Countless US assets---our embassies, ships and military bases are bombed----our military and diplo-personnel savaged, killed, maimed and tortured by fanatics in Mideast hellholes---and invariably the US gets the blame: "We weren't stern enough, we weren't strong enough"---and my personal favorite----"we didn't give them enough money," etc etc etc.
Turkey is itself in a corruption scandal.
“Kilicdaroglu says US indictment of former minister tip of iceberg”
Erdogan and his family are in the middle of a big bribery scandal with money laundering related to the Zarrab lawsuit. It is intertwined with the mess with Gulen.
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