‘Don’t end up being the one in the wrong,’ ruling AKP spokesman warns protesters
ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency
Turkey's ruling AKP Deputy Chairman and Spokesman Hüseyin Celik addresses the media in Ankara June 12. REUTERS photo
By pursuing their demonstrations the Gezi Park protesters risk ending up being those in the wrong, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesman Hüseyin Çelik warned June 15.Çelik, criticized the Taksim Solidarity Platform’s announcement earlier today to continue their action despite the government’s commitment to comply with a court decision that would suspend the redevelopment plans for the park.
“If the issue is the environment, the respect for green, all the messages have been received. All the world has understood it, but if you don’t want to end up being the one in the wrong when you are right, your manner has to stay reasonable,” Çelik told reporters’ adding that the issue had become about more than just the trees.
“Extending [the protests] is to strike a sour note, to marginalize it,” he added.
Çelik participated in both meetings held in the last two days between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and representatives of the protesters, announcing the government’s concessions each time. He had initially raised the possibility of a referendum, before assuring that the government had no intention of going against a court ruling that barred the construction of the historic barracks project on the site of Gezi Park. He added that the government intended to put the project to a referendum in the case that the appeal to the ruling was upheld.
