Trump meets freed US pastor Brunson at White House
On Saturday, October 13, US President Donald Trump met with freed US pastor Andrew Brunson when he arrived to Washington and thanked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for release of the pastor.
Trump told to Brunson at the Oval Office meeting, “You are very special for us”. He said, “We have been negotiating long and hard”.
US pastor Andrew Brunson was detained by Turkey in 2016 on charges of links with terrorist organization and their members. On Friday a court in Turkey convicted him on charges of terror links and sentenced him three years one month and 15 days in jail but released citing his good behaviour during the trials.
After the release of the pastor President Trump appreciated Turkey’s efforts and vowed for great relations between the United States and Turkey. Trump wrote on twitter, “There was NO DEAL made with Turkey for the release and return of Pastor Andrew Brunson. I don’t make deals for hostages. There was, however, great appreciation on behalf of the United States, which will lead to good, perhaps great, relations between the United States & Turkey!”
There was NO DEAL made with Turkey for the release and return of Pastor Andrew Brunson. I don’t make deals for hostages. There was, however, great appreciation on behalf of the United States, which will lead to good, perhaps great, relations between the United States & Turkey!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2018
Trump said, “It’s not an easy situation for Turkey either. They had a lot of difficult situations going on and I do want to thank President Erdogan for making this possible”.
Later Turkish President Erdogan responded, “I hope that the United States and Turkey continue cooperation in a manner that benefits two allies”.
US-Turkey relations were seen tensed in recent time on the issue of Pastor Brunson’s release, when US sanctioned Turkey and slapped additional tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum that caused a sharp downfall in the Turkish currency Lira.
