In the wake of the video clips that have surfaced involving four senior members of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) having affairs with women and insulting right-wing voters, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli accused those “beyond the [Atlantic] ocean” of having a role in the emergence of the video clip scandals.
He was referring to Gülen, who resides in the US. Gülen, who has pioneered educational activities in a number of countries, along with efforts to promote intercultural and interfaith activities around the world, strongly denies these accusations.
Commenting on Bahçeli’s statements, Çakmak said it was very inappropriate for the MHP leader to associate the videotape scandal with Gülen.
“If you have evidence [to prove Gülen’s involvement in the scandal], you hand it to the prosecutors. If you attempt to defame people without having any evidence, you will go down in history as the ‘slanderer of the century’,” Çakmak said.
Çakmak also commented on the response of Gülen regarding the accusations directed to him.
“We can resort to self defense in the face of ruthless smear campaigns, accusations and attacks or make explanations or refutations against them. If there are people who insist on wrongdoing, then we can sue them for damages. These are our legal rights. But we will never act in a violent manner as they do. We will not show them our fists as they do to us. Even if they threaten to slap us, we will not respond to them with slaps,” Gülen said on Monday in his latest speech broadcast on website Herkul.org.
Çakmak said Gülen’s response is the kind of a response that would be given by a sincere and openhearted person. “There is a decency in his statements even for those who launch a smear campaign against him as he says he is ashamed to refer the slanderers to God.”
Bahçeli’s Gülen reference not compatible with nationalism
“If his ‘beyond the [Atlantic] ocean’ reference refers to Gülen, this is a very big injustice. A reasonable person would not dare to be involved in such slander. Bahçeli’s ‘beyond the [Atlantic] ocean’ reference does not adhere to the principle of nationalism,” said Zeybek. The DP leader acknowledged that Bahçeli is in a difficult situation due to video scandals involving senior members of his party; however, it is wrong for him to blame Gülen to get out of that difficult situation.
“People should not judge each other easily on presumptions. It is out of the question for Gülen to be involved in such things [video scandals]. I don’t think there is any evidence to support Bahçeli’s accusations. I think he is just trying to cover up the incident by diverting people’s attention somewhere else. But this is not true. This is not an acceptable style,” said Zeybek. He also praised Gülen for the services he has rendered to increase the prestige of Turkey. “We all know Gülen. His services are obvious. Those services are ones that should receive appreciation and praise by every reasonable person who loves and cares about Turkey,” he said.
Published on Today's Zaman, 11 May 2011, Wednesday
