Erdogan Rejects Criticism of Turkey Protests
June 08, 2013
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (C) waves to supporters after arriving at Istanbul's Ataturk airport early June 7, 2013.
From VOA Learning English, this is In the News.
Turkey’s Prime Minister has rejected criticism of police violence against protesters. Recep Tayyip Erdogan was reacting to comments from a European Union official. The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fuele, had earlier urged Turkey to investigate the violence and punish those responsible. The Turkish leader said on Friday that police in Europe would use even greater force against protesters.
The two men spoke at a conference in Istanbul. Turkey is seeking membership in the EU.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Erdogan had demanded an immediate end to nationwide protests against his government. He spoke at Istanbul’s airport to thousands of supporters. The crowd shouted “We will crush them” and “God is Great” as they waited for him to return from a week-long visit to North African nations.
Speaking to the crowd, the prime minister said the anti-government protests border on illegality.
His comments were far different from an apology earlier in the week from Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc. He said it was wrong to use “excessive force” against people seeking to protect the environment.
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