23 May 2017•Update: 23 May 2017
By Emin Avundukluoglu
ANKARA
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader voiced support for Ankara's stance vis-a-vis the U.S. ambassador to Turkey over clashes in Washington last week.
In his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Devlet Bahceli said that violence between Turkish security staff and terrorist PKK supporters should be studiously investigated.
Bahceli said that the provocation by PKK members "was swept under the mat" by the U.S. administration, and that instead Turkey was blamed after the clashes.
"Doing this... is a shameful situation [for the U.S.]," he said. "In this context, the diplomatic and verbal note that was given to the U.S. by Turkey is right, judicial, correct, and also not enough."
The Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the U.S. ambassador to Turkey in protest against the “aggressive and unprofessional actions” of American security personnel towards the foreign minister’s protection team outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington last week.
The incident took place on May 16 when Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was visiting the U.S. capital along with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during an official visit to meet President Donald Trump.
Fighting broke out between a group of anti-Turkey protesters and Turkish-Americans, who had gathered to welcome Erdogan.
'Tillerson's remarks unacceptable'
Bahceli slammed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for saying -- the MHP leader claimed -- that Turkish violence was "simply unacceptable".
"Speaking of 'Turkish violence' by the U.S. foreign minister is a decayed claim which does not include any kindness," said Bahceli. "Throwing together Turkey with violence is out of place and out of the league of the new U.S. foreign minister."
Bahceli said that Tillerson should look to Iraq to see serious bloodshed of innocent people. "We suggest that he consider the situation from Afghanistan to Syria and Bosnia if he is curious about [bloodshed]."
He added: "Those who should be terrified are the violent groups such as al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, PKK, YPG, which are used as killers for hire."
Two weeks ago, the Pentagon announced that Trump had approved the arming of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ahead of an attempt to drive Daesh from Raqqah, the last Syrian city held by the terror group.
The SDF is spearheaded by the PKK/PYD and its armed wing, which Turkey views as the Syrian affiliate of the terrorist PKK, which has fought a 33-year war against Turkey and is also listed as a terror organization by the U.S. and EU.
However, the U.S. has used the PKK/PYD as its ally in Syria in combatting Daesh. Turkey has repeatedly called on the U.S. to end its ties to the PKK/PYD and offered to help take Raqqah.
Erdogan's Washington visit
The PKK resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015. Since then, it has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 Turkish security personnel and civilians, including women and children.
Bahceli said Erdogan's visit to Washington last week was very important to make the U.S. aware of Turkey's sensibilities and expectations in the fight against terrorism.
He congratulated the president for presenting Ankara's viewpoint to his American counterpart.
"I thank him in the name of our nation," he said.
Erdogan and Trump discussed ways to strengthen the Turkish-American relationship during their first face-to-face in White House on May 17.
In a joint news conference following the meeting, Erdogan criticized the U.S for directly arming the PKK/PYD.
Engaging the group as partners, "no matter which country does it, certainly does not fall in line with the global agreement that has been reached" on terrorism, Erdogan said.
