White House welcomes Deputy Prime Minister Arinc’s apology to protestors
White House Spokesperson Jay Carney reiterated importance of Turkey for the U.S., welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc’s more conciliatory tone, and once again, urged all parties to refrain from violence on a press briefing on June 4. Read the full excerpt below:
White House calls for an investigation of excessive use of violence in Turkey protests
White House Spokesperson Jay Carney answered questions in regards to the ongoing protests in Turkey on June 3. Carney reiterated the full support of the United States for full freedom of express and assembly, including right to peaceful protest, expressed that the U.S. concern over reports of excessive police violence, and called for an investigation of these events. Read the full excerpt below:
Secretary Kerry: “The United States supports full freedom of expression and assembly”
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave a statement on the protests in Turkey during a press conference with his Polish counterpart, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski after their meeting in Washington on June 3. Kerry expressed the U.S. support for freedom of expression, assembly, and a right to protest as well as U.S. concern over the excessive use of police violence, urging all involved to avoid any provocations of violence. Read the full excerpt below:
State Department: We are concerned about the number of injured
Department of State Spokesperson Jen Psaki commented on the Gezi Parki protests in Turkey on May 30 during the Daily Press Briefing. Psaki expressed the State Department’s concern “about the number of people who were injured when police dispersed protesters in Istanbul’s Gezi Park.” She continued, “We believe that Turkey’s long-term stability, security, and prosperity is best guaranteed by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, which is what it seems these individuals were doing.” Read the full excerpt below: