ANKARA
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday urged immediate halt of protests which started more than 2 weeks ago as a sit-in against a construction project at Gezi Park, a green area in Istanbul's central Taksim Square, but then spiralled into broader anti-government demonstrations and rallies in many provinces across the country.
"People who do not respect the government will pay the price. I appeal to my friends who are being played in (Ankara's) Kizilay, Kugulupark and here and there, please stop the protests," Erdogan told his supporters on Sunday who gathered to welcome him in Turkey's capital Ankara upon his return from Istanbul.
Erdogan said some groups inside and outside the country were troubled because of Turkey's "powerful steps", adding "Can the international media dream be positive about Turkey? Now, the media attacks our government. And they cooperate with the interest rate lobbies, with domestic and foreign."
Erdogan blamed "interest rate lobbies" for causing volatility in financial markets and vowed to stop them, adding, "Those who attempt to sink the bourse themselves will be trapped under the debris."
"We had a $23,5 billion debt to IMF. Now we have closed the IMF chapter but they feel uncomfortable about this. The central bank used to have $27.5 billion in its foreign currency reserves and now they have $130 billion. It is not about the Taksim Gezi Park. It is not an issue to root out 15 trees and carry them to another place. Believe me, 95 percent of the population did not now the name of the Gezi Park until now," he said.
"Interest rate lobbies have made fortunes in this country. You had to stop them. We were very patient until now but when the interest rates fell, these lobbies felt uncomfortable and they do not want a strong Turkey."
Erdogan also accused protesters of vandalism saying, "they burned down public buildings, vehicles, public buses, cars and injured about 600 police officers. And they are responsible for the death of one of our police officer."
"If you do not stop the protests and continue this war we will speak in the language you understand. My patience has its limit. You can not show this country as a country where terror prevails."
"The interest rate lobbies who continue to battle us, market speculators, who continue to support these groups, those who use universities and students for your games, you will all fail. If you believe in democracy, if you believe in freedom the way of democracy passes through the ballot box", Erdogan said.
Erdogan also invited people to join rallies of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party to be held next weekend in capital Ankara on Saturday and Istanbul on Sunday.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
