Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş was the on air guest of Ersoy Dede on 24 TV. President Ateş described the July 15^th invasion attempt as “greater evil”, and said that “Trojan horse revealing itself was fortunate”.

Ersoy Dede, stating that Turks around the world face with FETO's traps, asked Yunus Emre Enstitüsü President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş about FETO's deceits and what Enstitü does against these activities. Reminding that Yunus Emre Enstitüsü has 45 centres worldwide, has more than 80 contact points under universities, and access almost all corners of the world by way of various projects, President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş spoke as follows: “By way of various projects, we operate in most countries of the world even if we do not have a centre there. We see that particularly in some countries, Turkey's name is used in relation to FETO. As Turkish President addressed just a while ago in the meeting held with governors, the names Turkey and Turks are used. This terrorist organisation claims in many countries that they carry out these operations on behalf of Turkish Republic. This is what official authorities convey to us most of the time. The main issue here is organisation exploiting the name Turk and Turkish image.”

 Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş continued with an example as follows:

“There is benefit in making comparison at this point. July 15^th is a great evil however a Trojan horse was revealed at the same time. If you remember, Saddam's army was very strong back in 2003. And although Saddam fought particularly against USA and Iran previously for years, Saddam army surrendered to America without resistance and this is a case in point. Studies later established that in that period Saddam's army, Iraq army was promised two things. First was as long as Iraq did not fight against America, Saddam and his family would have residence permits, receive Green Cards and would be untouchable for life. Second was religious argument. America aspired to be powerful across Islam geography and therefore a fight against people of the book and America was necessary.

“Now there is the following about the group: we lastly opened an Enstitü in America and naturally we maintain bilateral discussions with America concerning issues but we face difficulties. However the same country grants more than 5000 teachers affiliated with FETO with residence permits. Lately in Europe, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü activities are cancelled in numerous European countries as Germany, France and Netherlands; visa issues for various reasons. However FETO easily enters these countries, directly enter and leave without any difficulties and continue their activities there. But we will express ourselves. Resistance of the people on July 15^th, the national stand set a great example for world nations at the same time. We witness that the synergy is positive in Islam geography after July 15^th.”

 FETO EASILY OPERATES IN THESE COUNTRIES

Stating that 50 thousand people have been discharged from public services in Turkey which is a significant number, continued as follows: “This number we uttered demonstrates how organised this Trojan horse is mainly in Turkish Military, and that it has taken control of many institutions. However more have fled to countries where they can operate easily and have more elbowroom. As I addressed before USA has granted more than 5000 FETO teachers visa and residence permit.” Prof. Ateş marked that FETO easily operates although Enstitü experiences serious difficulties as formal officials and continued as follows: “This is not the case solely in USA but also applies to many European countries. They still have power in Bosnia-Herzegovina we recently visited, Albania, Pakistan and even across our border, in Iraq and other countries and their schools continue to operate. However as Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, immediately after recovering from the initial shock, we took action to express our true and justified reasons through an intense campaign. I hope soon these will be handed over alongside the activities of Maarif Foundation and name Turkish will be exclusive to Turkish Republic's governmental institutions and affiliated public organisations or public foundations. Maarif Foundation has been established. Numerous countries including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Pakistan have requested the government to carry out this fight months ago. Particularly the schools should be handed over. A few days ago we were in Hungary with Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Veysi Kaynak. FETO schools operate there as well. Turkish community do not send their children to FETO  schools however they are searching for a new alternative. This demand will be met promptly.”

COUNTRIES' APPROACH TO FETO SCHOOLS

Reminding that each country holds a different approach towards FETO schools abroad, Prof. Dr. Ateş continued as follows:

“For instance, Azerbaijan is the first country to suspend these schools, to discharge FETO's teachers, and ran and still running these schools. The schools continue to provide education but Azerbaijan maintains these schools using state's means. For instance, schools are still open in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Pakistan. These schools have thousands of students. Their proposal is to establish alternatives to FETO schools. But that is not the case in European countries and USA. It is not possible in those countries to seize schools of legally established non-governmental organisations and foundations. If we open schools alternative to FETO schools in those countries presenting Turkey's arguments, people who live there and love Turkey will eventually send their children to these schools. This is why Maarif Foundation's operations are significant. However until Maarif Foundation becomes fully operational, we as Yunus Emre Enstitüsü do not only organise Turkish language and culture activities for foreigners but at the same time we organise Turkish lessons, culture-art activities, and various other projects aimed at Turkish citizens or Turkish community and their children in various countries by way of NGOs. This way we enable them to stay in contact with Turkey and Turkish. Of course as soon as Maarif Foundation undertakes a more active role in the area, this organisation (FETO-PDY) will be prevented from carrying out activities against Turkey. Unfortunately, particularly Western European countries clear the way and even encourage FETO groups, enable them to make propaganda, as is the case for PKK. And our voices are now lower both on media and other platforms. But we will not surrender. We express Turkey's arguments one by one to the world by way of cultural centres, publications, magazines we established there and we will continue to do so. Because we are right, it is apparent we are right.”

FETO DOES NOT HAVE CREDIT IN THE BALKANS

Şeref Ateş expressed that FETO is a terrorist organisation and this was demonstrated in 2014 by NSC decisions, and underlined that there is no such implementation in Western Europe and USA. Ateş continued as follows: “So we come across them all around; they speak freely and do not miss a chance to defame us. These defamatory campaigns are carried out not only against YEE but also numerous organisations from Turkey. Many organisations and agencies such as TIK, YTB and YEE face these and they present arguments, continue disinformation and misinformation concerning our activities even before we are operational. They do this in Belgium, Germany, France and USA but countries closer to us, especially those in the Balkans do not give them credit. We will continue to struggle against them and their manipulations. This is why it is necessary to present images, documents, arguments in a format that appeals to Western peoples. Especially the resistance of people on the night of July 15^th! Had that taken place in a Western country, that nation would be promoted to the world as the most heroic, humanist, democratic nation. However unarmed Turkish nation resists to tanks and guns. They persist so that this awareness becomes visible. We, as YEE, made short films and videos for this purpose. We promote the images in countries in respective languages and we make efforts to speak in a language they would at least understand. Translating the language does not suffice; the arguments should suit to local climate of that country.”

MASTERMIND REQUESTED FETO TO OFFER ENGLISH EDUCATION

Prof. Dr. Ateş expressed that he believes that particularly Islam countries and Africa, Asia and Far East will be free off FETO soon and explained the reason behind this as follows:

“Turkey came to the fore as the new pioneer and leader on July 15^th. This aspect of Turkey has been re-established. Turkey demonstrated that it is a country that represents Muslims and the oppressed all around the world and proved it with the nation. As African countries leading, we have expanded to numerous countries in Africa, in Sudan and Somalia. We make collaborations. At the end of the agreement we made with Ministry of Health and University of Health Studies in Istanbul, Turkish will be the language of communication in hospitals we opened in African countries by way of TIKA. Again, the schools University of Health Studies will establish medical schools; a nursing school will be operational in Mogadishu as of October. YEE assigned Turkish instructors so that this education will totally be in Turkish and this way the language of communication in Africa region will be Turkish. There is a basic fine strategic line here. FETO provides education in English in its schools because it is master-mind's request. Turkish classes were not offered but only elective Turkish courses. But we position Turkish as a language of science and communication so that they will stay in contact with Turkey and Anatolia for life. Additionally there are similar campaigns against us in Europe and USA however as Turkey grows stronger in time, our justified struggle and legitimacy will become evident.”