Erdogan blames west for economic fluctuations

By Ferdi Turkten, Sarp Ozer and Ilhan Toprak

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed western allies and international credit rating agencies for the fall of the Turkish currency, which recently plunged to record lows against the U.S. dollar.

Addressing village heads (mukhtars) at the presidential complex in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan, referring to international markets, said: "Our economy is being targeted by floating exchange rates. They try everything to slow economy by troubling suppliers and consumers. They take every chance to scare investors and block investments.”

“A lot of international institutions, notably the European Union, make unfair accusations,” he added, referring to recent unflattering reports on Turkey’s situation.

Erdogan went on to say that Turkey would not let anyone threaten it through terror, gangs of traitors or the economy.

FETO and PKK

The president later shed light on recent numbers of remanded and arrested people linked to the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO).

Erdogan said in FETO operations following the deadly July 15 coup attempt, 43,000 people have been remanded in custody while 95,000 public employees were dismissed so far.

“More to come,” he added and vowed further purge of FETO members from public institutions.

He also provided details on anti-PKK operations.

“Turkey switched from defending to attacking. Just in the fight against the PKK terrorist group, we have 871 martyrs from security forces including officers, soldiers and village guards. And 337 civilians were martyred in one year and a half whereas up to 10,000 terrorists were neutralized and 12,000 suspects remanded in connection with the PKK.”