ANKARA
Turkish Acting Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Tuesday, "Our and Turkish people's common wish is towards a dominating peace, safety and common sense on the streets. I'm happy to say that protests, involving violence and vandalism, have lost steam in the last two days."
Speaking at a press conference at the Turkish Prime Ministry in Ankara, Acting PM Arinc commented on Taksim Gezi Park protests and the following incidents throughout Turkey which enter the eighth day.
Arinc expressed pleasure on the cooling incidents and violence across Turkey, saying, "I'm happy to say that protests, involving violence and vandalism, have lost steam in the last two days."
Acting PM Arinc stated "We are not in a mood of obstinating with the community and will not be", rejecting the claims over deliberate violence by the police and government.
Arinc also underscored the need for all Turkish citizens and all parties to calm down and called for restraint in the face of provacations.
Detailing the recent number of casualties and the total loss, Arinc noted that "The total cost of Taksim Gezi Park protests is over TL 70 million."
"244 police officers and 64 protesters were injured across Turkey. Unfortunately, a young citizen, Abdullah Comert, lost his life during protests in southern Hatay province," told Arinc.
Pointing out the damage caused by extremists and vandals who dragged the protests into violence, Arinc said, "Across Turkey, 110 police vehicles were damaged and 207 civil vehicles were torched. Some threw stones at ambulances and harrassed citizens, trying to restrain human rights and freedoms."
Acting PM Arinc also warned Turkish citizens of extremist triggering and escalating violence and vandalism. "Innocent and democratic reactions by our citizens are being exploited by marginal and illegal groups," he said.
Arinc said that the initial protests triggered by environmental concerns were "rightful and legitimate" and it was natural that people claim their rights by protests but only in a democratic and peaceful manner.
Hinting at the possible faulty acts and discourse of Turkish government towards the incidents, Arinc expressed the need for the government to well-assess the incidents and criticize itself.
"The ruling people in democracies should act and speak in more constructive and encompassing way," noted Arinc.
Arinc highlighted that the protests were actually launched by citizens with innocent and democratic concerns over the environment, unfortunately it turned into an organized violence by marginal groups.
He pointed out that violence was unacceptable no matter from what party it came from, and apologized to those suffered in protests and clashes, saying "I apologize for the police aggression against our citizens who were involved in the initial protests and acted with environmental concerns."
Answering a question on United States Secretary of State John Kerry's remarks on Taksim Gezi park protests and incidents, Arinc stressed that "(US Secretary of State) Kerry or others; the likes of what is happening in Turkey also happen in dozens of instances in their respective countries. We expect them to diagnose and react to the happenings in Turkey in the same way that they do to similar incidents in their societies."
Arinc also called upon Istanbul Municipality to act on consensus with the residents of Istanbul for the planned projects and hold a referendum if necessary. "I would support a municipal referendum for the (Topcu) barracks project in Taksim".
