ANKARA
Prime Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed thousands of people as part of the "Respect for National Will" rallies in the Black Sea port city of Samsun, saying "the game played on Brazil recently was the same game that was played on Turkey" referring to the Gezi Park protests.
Erdogan stressed that the people living in the Black Sea Region of Turkey never ran "wild although they were full of anger and anxiety" over anti-government protests.
He asked the people chanting pro-government slogans not to pay attention to broadcast on televisions about Taksim incidents, adding their games were already spoiled by the excitement of thousands of people rallied in Turkish provinces of Adana, Mersin, Ankara, Istanbul, Kayseri and Samsun.
Erdogan said Gezi Park demonstrations were carried out with "malicious intentions from the very beginning."
"These protests have from the beginning been carried out with grave misconduct, and with malicious intentions," said Erdogan. "They constantly lied, engaged in constant manipulation, published fabricated news, hurled insults, and trampled on justice."
Referring to the claims that police used excessive force, Erdogan said, "It is a betrayal to show Turkish police as pro-violence in the international media. The police is ours and they are doing their duty."
"I am asking you. Who is the winner at the end of the protests going on for three weeks now? I will tell you. The winners are the 'interest rate lobbies' as well as Turkey's enemies. Who had lost? Turkey's economy, tourism, and international strength and the image of Turkey."
Referring to the young people taking part in Taksim Gezi Park protests, he said they became "the pawns in a dirty game and were deceived gravely."
Criticizing Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) over Taksim Gezi Park protests, Erdogan said, "CHP has made a complaint to Germany about its own country instead of talking to Turkish people just as he did as in the case of Syria and cooperated with (Syrian President Bashar) Assad. Wherever there is something against Turkey, you will find CHP behind it."
Underlining that nobody could prevent Turkey from moving ahead, Erdogan said the Turkish people would overcome all of the problems with their patience by "giving the ultimate answer in the elections."
He said Turkey tested its economy as well as its democracy, and most importantly its friendship in the process during the Taksim protests.
"Friendship is what matters indeed. Nobody but God will have the power to overthrow our government," said Erdogan.
Stating Turkey ranked top among 20 developing countries during the decade, Erdogan promised to make Turkey one of the strongest economies in the world.
"We will not only repair the demolished buildings and streets but also the broken hearts and move ahead in friendship."
Erdogan touched on the recent incidents Brazil have been facing, saying "It was the same game being played on Brazil, and same symbols, same banners, and the same international media. They are doing their best to achieve in Brazil what they could not achieve in Turkey," he said.
The rally in Samsun was the fourth in the series of Erdogan's “Respect the National Will” rallies ahead of local elections scheduled for March 30, 2014.
The fifth of such rallies will be held in the eastern province of Erzurum on Sunday.
