Brunson, detained on terrorism charges, has been described as a 'hostage' by Trump [AFP]
CNBC: Trump administration reportedly refuses to give Turkish bank relief in exchange for detained pastor’s release
* Turkey asked the U.S. to drop an investigation into one of its largest state-owned banks in exchange for the release of detained American pastor Andrew Brunson, The Wall Street Journal reports.
* But a senior White House official told the newspaper no such issues would be discussed until after Brunson's release.
The Trump administration rejected a proposal from the Turkish government that would free a detained American pastor in exchange for relief of one of its largest banks, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The report, which cites a senior White House official, said Turkey asked the U.S. to drop an ongoing investigation into Halkbank, one of the biggest state-owned Turkish banks. Halkbank faces major fines for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Iran.
In exchange, the Turkish government would release Andrew Brunson, an American pastor who has been detained in Turkey since 2016. Turkey accused Brunson of spying and trying to overthrow the government after a failed coup that year. President Donald Trump said Friday the charges against Brunson were "phony," adding "he is not a spy."
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Update #1: White House rejects Turkey's offer on detained pastor: WSJ (The Hill)
Update #2: Trump rejects Turkey's attempt to link pastor's release to bank sanctions (Washington Examiner)
Update #3: Trump rejects Turkey's offer to release American pastor if US drops probe of Turkish bank: report (FOX News)
WNU Editor: Halkbank is Turkey's seventh largest bank, and this U.S. investigation is not only hurting the bank, but also the government of Recep Erdogan that permitted the breaking of these sanctions. I do not see President Trump bending to accommodate President Erdogan, and I certainly do not see President Trump dropping this investigation and the billions in fines that have been levied against Halkbank.
1 comment:
Erdogan is solely responsible for his nations economic mess, that's what happens when you assume sole political powers. If he bends a knee to Trump he's political road kill in Turkey.
Now Trump he has made big threats to enforce Iran sanctions so he can't bend a knee to Erodogan, it will make a joke of his withdrawal from the Iran deal.
Turkey looks to be taking the Titanic's approach to ocean boating.
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