MEXICO-ERDOGAN Turkey's Erdogan slams U.S. response to killing of three young Muslims

Record ID: 217781

  • Title: MEXICO-ERDOGAN Turkey's Erdogan slams U.S. response to killing of three young Muslims
  • Date: 12th February 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF ERDOGAN AND PENA NIETO WALKING ALONG AND SALUTING MEXICAN TROOPS
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZDIF35BGRE5909F8X3CEVE65
  • Story Text: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday (February 12) for his silence following the killings of three young Muslims in North Carolina this week.
    Turkey, a European Union candidate nation and member of the NATO military alliance, is a key U.S. ally in the fight against Islamic jihadists. But Erdogan, a devout Sunni Muslim, has become increasingly outspoken about what he sees as rising Islamophobia in the West.
    Three Muslims were shot dead on Tuesday (February 10) near the University of North Carolina campus in an incident police said was possibly a hate crime. The White House said on Wednesday (February 11) it would await the results of the police investigation before commenting.
    Speaking alongside Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto during a state visit to Latin America's No. 2 economy, Erdogan said the silence of Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry was "telling" and they should take a position following such acts.
    "In (North) Carolina, there are three Muslims who have been killed. President (Barack) Obama, Mr. Kerry, Biden, at this point have not made any declaration of respect. This is telling. These people were not 'terrorists.' They were three persons. Their families were of Syrian origin. Their fathers, mothers were significant figures in their respective societies. They were doctors in their society and their families studied dentistry and they were also studying architecture and engineering. Three brothers in their house were killed and those in charge of the country, like the House of Representatives, are not making any official declaration of respect. I made a call to Mr. Obama. I have also done the same with Mr. Biden, Mr. Kerry. We are politicians and we are responsible for everything that goes on in our countries. We ought to show our stance with respect to what has happened. When people vote for us, they are also voting for the security of their well-being, their life, that's what's at stake at the ballot boxes. And If you stay silent when faced with an incident like this, and don't make a statement, the world will stay silent towards you. The world sooner or later, and I am not just talking about ourselves anymore, but future generations will see all this, and I hope that the (three dead) rest in peace, but I also profoundly condemn those who have committed these acts," he said.
    Despite working together to combat the Islamic State, differences have arisen between the United States and Turkey over how best to tackle the insurgents.
    On Wednesday, Obama sent Congress his long-awaited formal request to authorise military force against Islamic State, which covers the next three years and bars any large-scale invasion by U.S. ground troops.
    Erdogan spoke out during the final and Mexican leg of his tour through Latin America. He has also visited Colombia and Cuba.
    During his two-day trip to Mexico. Erdogan and his delegation will take part in business activities in order to promote a greater flow of trade and reciprocal investment. His visit comes after President Enrique Pena Nieto signed agreements during a visit to Turkey in December 2013 for assistance in customs matters, tourism and air services in addition to issues related to taxation, investment and trade promotion.
    The two heads of state signed more agreements at the Mexican National Palace.
    According to the Ankara-based Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, trade volume between Turkey and Mexico was around $1.2 billion back in 2013.
    Most of Turkey's investments are found in Guanajuato, the state of Mexico, Quintana Roo, Nayarit and Nuevo Leon. There are a total of 51 registered Turkish companies in Mexico.
    Erdogan leaves Mexico on Friday (February 13).
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register