Letters: Extradite cleric to keep Turkey as ally

ISSUE | TURKEY

Extradite cleric

The time has come for the United States to recognize that exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen is not a man of honor - he is a traitor ("Turkey requests cleric's extraditon," Wednesday). Through his network of henchmen, Gulen instructed and encouraged a military coup that failed earlier this month.

Civilians, police, and young soldiers were drawn into a situation that could and should have been avoided. Lives have been lost unnecessarily, and families are suffering. Europe is in a state of heightened alert. It is time for unity, to bring stability to our region.

Until Gulen is extradited from Pennsylvania and tried, the risk can continue.

As a strategic partner and a NATO ally, it is realistic and necessary that the United States support Turkey, specifically relating to Gulen. If the United States were to request an extradition in similar circumstances and Turkey refused, it would be deemed unjust and unacceptable. If the United States ignores Turkey, it will risk losing an ally and allowing Gulen to stain the fabric of American society through his network of charter schools.

It is time to put an end to this uncertainty and bloodshed. It is time for democracy to make a stand against terror.

|Egemen Bagis, former European Union minister, chief negotiator, and member of parliament, Ankara, Turkey