SNUBBED OVER ATATURK: TURKISH PM CANCELS ARGENTINA TRIP AFTER ARMENIAN

[Yervant1]

SNUBBED OVER ATATURK: TURKISH PM CANCELS ARGENTINA TRIP AFTER ARMENIAN LOBBY MOVE

 

http://www.armenianow.com/news/23391/erdogan_cancels_argentina_trip_over_ataturk

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

(www.trtenglish.com). "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."