'Belgium must face the facts and fight terrorism'

By Ozcan Yildirim

ANKARA

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin Thursday criticized the Belgian government for "denying the facts" and urged the country to take a firm stand against terrorism.

"The Belgian government must adopt a sincere, decisive, and principled attitude towards the fight against terrorism and take steps to rectify crucial mistakes without delay rather than denying the clear facts," Kalin said in a statement.

Mentioning President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks about the Belgian government's support for both the PKK and Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), Kalin said its support for the PKK, which is described as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, is known by the international community.

"However," he continued, "according to Belgian press reports, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel argued that President Erdogan's statements were 'absurd, unfounded, and defamatory' and warned the Turkish government not to interfere with Belgium's internal affairs."

He added, "It is not possible to understand the reaction of the Belgian government, which has been following an unprincipled attitude towards the fight against terrorism, in the face of the rightful criticism of our president."

Kalin said the Belgian authorities' policy on the PKK was revealed clearly when they allowed a PKK tent during the Turkey-EU summit this March and in August, when they allowed a march by PKK supporters marking the anniversary of its first terror attack in 1984.

Kalin also mentioned how Belgium protected Fehriye Erdal, a fugitive from Turkish justice in the assassination of Ozdemir Sabanci, and a number of DHKP-C terrorists in its territories and allowed the activities of FETO, the terror group accused of orchestrating Turkey’s July 15 coup plot.