ERDOGAN TO TRUMP

‘Turkey’s democracy is not for sale’

Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the international community to teach the United States “a good lesson” in an upcoming UN General Assembly vote on Washington’s controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reports Al Jazeera.

Erdogan’s comments come after the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, warned on Wednesday that she would be “taking names” of the states voting against the decision and pass them to President Donald Trump, who has threatened to cut off aid to the countries in question.

The vote on Thursday is non-binding, but it is expected to pass easily in the 193-member UN body.

“Mr Trump, you cannot buy Turkey’s democratic will with your dollars. Our decision is clear,” Erdogan said at a cultural awards ceremony in Ankara on Thursday.

“I call on the whole world: Don’t you dare sell your democratic struggle and your will for petty dollars.

“I hope and expect the US won’t get the result it expects from there (the UN) and the world will give a very good lesson to the US,” Erdogan added. Trump, on December 6, announced the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, deviating from decades-old policy and the international consensus that the city’s status should be resolved through peace talks. On Tuesday, the US vetoed an Egyptian-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that asked countries not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem. The US, one of the five permanent members of the UN body with veto power, was outnumbered 14 to 1 when it vetoed that resolution.

Turkey has been highly vocal in criticising the US administration over its Jerusalem decision, leading calls at last week’s summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Istanbul last week to officially recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

 

 

ERDOGAN TO TRUMP

Turkeys democracy is not for sale

Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the international community to teach the United States a good lesson in an upcoming UN General Assembly vote on Washingtons controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reports Al Jazeera. Erdogans comments come after the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, warned on Wednesday that she would be taking names of the states voting against the decision and pass them to President Donald Trump, who has threatened to cut off aid to the countries in question. The vote on Thursday is non-binding, but it is expected to pass easily in the 193-member UN body. Mr Trump, you cannot buy Turkeys democratic will with your dollars. Our decision is clear, Erdogan said at a cultural awards ceremony in Ankara on Thursday. I call on the whole world: Dont you dare sell your democratic struggle and your will for petty dollars. I hope and expect the US wont get the result it expects from there (the UN) and the world will give a very good lesson to the US, Erdogan added. Trump, on December 6, announced the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, deviating from decades-old policy and the international consensus that the citys status should be resolved through peace talks. On Tuesday, the US vetoed an Egyptian-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that asked countries not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem. The US, one of the five permanent members of the UN body with veto power, was outnumbered 14 to 1 when it vetoed that resolution. Turkey has been highly vocal in criticising the US administration over its Jerusalem decision, leading calls at last weeks summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Istanbul last week to officially recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.