SNUBBED OVER ATATURK: TURKISH PM CANCELS ARGENTINA TRIP AFTER ARMENIAN LOBBY MOVE
31.05.10 | 10:52
News
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has canceled his scheduled
visit to Argentina that was due on May 30-31 as part of his South
America tour. Ankara said on Saturday the cancellation came after the
Buenos Aires Autonomous Administration halted plans for a ceremony
opening a monument to Turkish republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
News of the ceremony brought outcry from the Armenian community,
prompting officials to not go through with plans that included
Erdogan’s participation.
“Upon the developments, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had talks
with his Argentinean counterpart in the Alliance of Civilizations
Forum and asked Argentinean government to stick by their pledge
on the opening of the monument,” reported Turkish television TRT
(). “The Argentinean President called Erdogan and
said they justified Turkey’s reaction but could not exceed authority
of the Autonomous administration in accordance with the Argentinean
constitution.”
Premier Erdogan still reportedly canceled his visit to Argentina,
proceeding to Chile from Brazil, noting that he did not find the
attitude acceptable whatever the reason was.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry further said, as reported by Turkish media,
that “Argentinean authorities are expected to take required steps
to compensate the situation, which was shadowed by a wrong decision
by anti-Turkey circles-led Buenos Aires Autonomous Administration,
in the shortest time.”
From: A. Papazian