Ahmet Davutoglu has denied any contradiction between his reaction to Barack Obama’s 24 April speech and the response of the Turkish prime minister.
After answering questions from MPs in parliament on Monday, Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara that, on the contrary, their reactions complemented each other.
Erdogan said on Saturday that Obama’s statement showed he was sensitive about Turkey’s concerns, welcoming Obama’s avoidance of the word ’genocide’.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, criticizing Obama’s message.
The ministry said, ’We deeply regret this statement which reflects an incorrect and one-sided political perception.’
Davutoglu also criticized Obama’s message, saying it was not right and was unacceptable.
Some columnists raised criticism about Erdogan and Davutoglu’s reactions to Obama’s message, arguing that they were contradicting each other.
Davutoglu said Prime Minister Erdogan did not express happiness at the use of the words ’great tragedy’ by Obama, saying that Erdogan welcomed only the avoidance of the word ’genocide’ as was expected by Armenian circles.
Davutoglu said these circles expected tension in Turkish-American relations and the break up of the rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia. He said these circles also expected Turkey would make concessions under pressure, and out of fear of the use of ’that word’ (genocide), noting that they had waited in vain. He said Erdogan’s remarks showed the world once gain that Turkey would not make concessions under pressure.
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