ISTANBUL: Protesters clashed with police across Turkey overnight despite an apology for police violence from the deputy prime minister designed to halt an unprecedented wave of protest against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan.
Pro-government newspapers signalled a softening of Ankara’s line in the absence of Erdogan, who flew off on a state visit to north Africa on Monday night after a weekend of rioting critics said were inflamed by his denunciations of protesters.
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc was due to meet organisers of last Friday’s demonstration against plans to build a replica Ottoman-era barracks on Istanbul’s Gezi Park in Taksim Square.
But he refuses to talk to unnamed groups he accuses of exploiting anger over police action against the original protest to foment broader violence.
The meeting was called a day after Arinc, in control of the government in Erdogan’s absence, consulted President Abdullah Gul who has been markedly more restrained in his comments on the protests than the prime minister.
Arinc apologised for “excessive violence” by police against the initial Taksim demonstration, comments which contrasted sharply with Erdogan’s defiant dismissal of the protesters as “looters” and comments linking some to “terrorism”.
On Taksim itself, now a gathering point for protesters accusing Erdogan of authoritarian rule, thousands remained at a makeshift camp that is taking on the look of a more enduring settlement.
Small tents have appeared, food and face masks are on sale and a library is in the making. On a street off the square some protesters skirmished with police who used tear gas.
ERDOGAN’S POWER
Erdogan, who has won three successive elections and has a huge parliamentary majority, did not comment on domestic matters at a news conference in Algiers Tuesday.
His return to Turkey Thursday and any comments he makes could prove pivotal to the unrest.
The main concern for the moment is that the prime minister should hold his silence,” said one diplomat close to the administration. “Whatever he says seems to stir feelings.”
US Vice-President Joe Biden, reflecting concern about stability in a NATO ally in the Middle East, urged the Turkish government to respect the rights of political opponents.
“Today’s Turkey has a chance to demonstrate that there’s no need to choose between economic advancement and democracy, the system that empowers the winners of elections and yet protects whose who are in opposition,” Biden said. (Reuters)