Erdogan slams critics in farewell PM speech

Erdogan slams critics in farewell PM speech

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a speech delivered on Wednesday, Aug 27, to bid farewell to his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) members and supporters, President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again used aggressive and insulting language when speaking of his critics, Today’s Zaman reports.

He used a relatively mild and peaceful tone as he expressed his wishes for a stronger and democratic Turkey. He praised his AK Party government for its contributions to that end. He said he was ready to extend his hand to all 77 million citizens of Turkey in order to restore peace, but apparently his opponents will be left out of that mass.

While targeting his opponents, Erdogan took a harsher tone consisting of slander, insults and bellicose language.

Referring to some deputies who parted ways with the AK Party in the past couple of months -- especially after the Dec. 17, 2013 anti-corruption investigation became public, Erdogan said those deputies are “doomed to be forgotten by the public.” “No one remembers or will remember those deputies' slander. Those who resigned [from the AK Party] upon [receiving] phone calls from across the ocean are not and will not be remembered by anyone,” he said. With “across the ocean,” Erdogan was referring to Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who inspires the faith-based Hizmet movement and currently lives in the U.S.

Erdogan has accused the Hizmet movement of being behind the allegations of corruption as part of an effort to overturn his government. Gülen has denied the claims repeatedly and the government has failed to present any evidence of such activity.

“Those who have become toys for others have already been forgotten by the people. There are also some people who have not been forgotten yet. But they should beware; they will be thrown into the trash of history soon,” Erdogan stated.

The graft and bribery investigation that came to public attention on Dec 17, 2013 included lawfully obtained voice recordings and substantial evidence indicating that Erdogan, his family and his Cabinet ministers engaged in corrupt practices, received bribes and unlawfully meddled with the judiciary, the business world and sports.

Erdogan also confessed to having picked Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to succeed him as prime minister due to Davutoglu's clear stance against the parallel structure. He said he believes Davutoglu will carry out a very effective struggle against the parallel structure. “Our people have given us the authority. And those who betrayed our country are now being called to account. Treason will be punished. It will be one of my duties to punish treason. No one should expect me to remain silent on this [parallel] issue during my time in the president's office,” Erdogan remarked.

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