PM Erdogan speaks at "Respect to National Will" rally

Erdogan addressed millions at the "Respect to National Will" rally in Ankara on Saturday which also kicked off the Justice and Development (AK) Party's election campaign prior to the local elections in March 2014.

Erdogan said "Those who want to hear the voice of silent people, pay attention to Ankara" related to the Gezi Park protests and added, "The people of Turkey protect their goverment. The people of Turkey protect their democracy and willpower."

Pointing out that the protests were the game played against Turkish nation, Erdogan said "You felt the trap, you understood the real target of the attacks." 

Erdogan also touched upon the 12 AK Party buildings that were destroyed during the demonstrations by saying: "Is this your understanding of democracy and freedom? Is the issue related to "Gezi Park"? We were not among the ones who took to the streets and threw stones and petrol bombs, are these environmentalists? We will not allow Turkey’s split city by city, village by village, region by region, and turn against each other."

Criticizing the international media's partial attitude for the protests, Erdogan said "International media showed every kind of insincerity. Quite different calculations, games and traps are at stake."

Gezi Park to be cleared off by Sunday

Erdogan highlighted that the Gezi Park events coincided with very important political and economic developments.

"They firstly killed our 53 citizens in Reyhanli. I will talk about it later, not now. But main opposition's leader should speak," added Erdogan, by referring to the reveal of a secret connection between Republican People's Party (CHP) and the culprit of May 11 twin bombings in Reyhanli.

Erdogan said, "Why did the CHP parliamentarians go to Syria? Who took them there? Who are engaged in the game? All soon will be revealed," and defined the blasts as "acts to damage growing and empowering Turkey's image".

Describing the Gezi Park events as the second trap after Reyhanli bombings, Erdogan quoted a twit by a Turkish artist in the beginning of the protests as saying "The matter is not Gezi Park only, didn’t you still get it?"

"These will pay the price at the court and in front of Turkish people at the election time 8 months later. We will be patient, wait, resist and hopefully celebrate the victory once again."

Also adressing the "interest rate lobby", Erdogan said, "No one can scare us. No capital holding group or no interest rate lobby can scare us, can lead us to take steps backwards and lead us to suspend democracy with empty talk."

Finally Erdogan said, "Either Gezi Park will be cleared off tomorrow or Turkish security forces know how to do it."

englishnews@aa.com.tr