POLITICS > Turkish PM comments on Obama’s pose with baseball bat

ISTANBUL

White House official photo

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has responded to speculation about why U.S. President Barack Obama was photographed holding onto a baseball bat as the two conducted a recent telephone conversation, daily Radikal reported today.

"Of course, I can’t know what position Obama takes or what he holds in hands while speaking with me," Erdoğan said. "Obama, who I saw and spoke with in the Oval Office, is a respectful person, my friend and [he] shows his respect."

Erdoğan also said he was not taking seriously the speculation appearing in the media over the pose.

The photo was published on the White House official website, with a caption reading: "President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey in the Oval Office, July 30, 2012."

After being pressed by reporters about a possible hidden meaning to the pose, White House representative Jay Carney said all he could say was that the president was a baseball fan and an avid Chicago White Sox supporter.

August/06/2012

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wtmgeo george91

8/11/2012 7:42:10 PM

The Turkish response shows how differently Turks and Americans feel about our relationship. Of course the baseball bat was meant to be a gesture of coercion, and it was meant to look tough to Syria and Iran, but it was certainly not directed at Turkey! Many people in Turkey fail to understand that Americans, and particularly our government, have very high respect for Turkey and see the relationship as of great importance. Too much paranoia about the USA, your great democratic ally, in Turkey.

Pyotr Ivanovich

8/6/2012 6:47:18 PM

A Baseball bat is a comonplace item in almost every American house and home. Specially so if you have growing children, both male and female, sooner or later, every child tries his/her hand at the game. It is quite natural for parent(s) to act as a Coach. Junior League Games are eagerly attended by the parents and some of those parents never shy in loudly objecting to the Game's outcome.

Tevfik Alp

8/6/2012 4:10:06 PM

They must be looking for a calf under the bull. That's about the size of the event.

Ramazan Siracoğlu

8/6/2012 4:07:42 PM

Who can exactly approve and say that the US President's photo was taken while his talking with Turkish PM Mr. Erdogan ?The bringing up the same subject insistently during a few days to is nothing but to divert public opinion. Both leaders know the rules of international labels very well, as they have sufficiently consultants, who help them to make speech and whisper always how it's done, of course. I think there are many topics more current issues will be interesting for all of us.

Dennis Kavaz

8/6/2012 3:34:06 PM

The white official, or any one else for that matter should be given (presented) a large spoon. That is a sickening tale.

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