WASHINGTON (AA) - White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said on Monday that the United States continues to follow the events at Taksim Gezi Park closely and with concern.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Press Secretary Carney commented on Taksim Gezi Park protests and incidents in Turkey as he answered questions.
"We continue to follow the events there closely and with concern. And as we have said, the United States supports full freedom of expression and assembly, including the right of peaceful protest, as fundamental to any democracy. And we believe that the vast majority of the protesters have been peaceful, law-abiding ordinary citizens exercising their rights," he noted.
Carney also touched upon allegations of excessive use of force by Turkish police and warned parties of violence, saying "We continue to have serious concerns about the reports of excessive use of force by police and large numbers of injuries and damage to property, and welcome calls for these events to be investigated. We also continue to urge all parties to refrain from provoking violence."
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