ANKARA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday called on protesters to leave Gezi Park in Istanbul, the epicenter of a nationwide demonstrations, saying that their message has been received.
Erdogan said during a meeting with his party members that his government will let the courts decide the fate of the redevelopment project, which sparked the protests from May 31, adding that even if the courts side with the government, a city plebiscite on the plan will be held.
On Wednesday, the prime minister proposed to hold a municipal referendum in Istanbul on Gezi Park, moderating his stance against protesters.
He also called on the supporters of his ruling Justice and Development Party and other parties such as the Grand Unity Party and Felicity Party to rally in Ankara and Istanbul this weekend.
The protests started more than two weeks ago when a group of environmentalists gathered in Gezi Park in Istanbul to protest against the government's plans to build a replica of Topcu Barracks over the park as part of a Taksim urban renewal project.
Hundreds joined the group later after the police used pepper spray and teargas to disperse them. After that, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Istanbul and several provinces nationwide to show support for the demonstrators and protest against policies of Erdogan's government.
The clashes between police and protesters across Turkey have killed at least five people, including a policeman, and injured some 5,000.
ANKARA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Data shows that the Turkish economy saw only limited losses, although two weeks of nationwide protests, to some extent, prompted cash outflow, and battered tourism and the hospitality industry.
On Friday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the protests have tested the Turkish economy's resilience against shockwaves and the markets have proven their strength. Full story
ISTANBUL, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's ongoing unrest has prompted the European Parliament to issue a resolution denouncing police' excessive use of force in quelling the protests, a move rebuffed by Ankara as "null and void."
In a tone of defiance, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said "I do not recognize any decision the European Parliament takes on us ...Those who passed such a resolution, they should look at Greece, (look at) the protests and police response there."Full story
ANKARA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Thursday slammed a recent European Parliament resolution on the Turkish government's handling of Gezi Park protests.
Addressing his party's members here in Ankara, Erdogan said "I do not recognize any decision the European Parliament takes on us . ..Those who pass such resolution, they should look at Greece, ( look at) the protests and police response there." Full story
ISTANBUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler issued Thursday a warning to protesters staging anti- government demonstration in Istanbul, saying the situation at Gezi Park "could not continue in this way."
The minister indicated that the government may take major action to move protesters out of the Gezi Park, where about 1,000 people have staged the protests for 17 days. Full story
ANKARA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Thursday fired tear gas and water cannons against protesters in the capital Ankara after the latter made barricades with paving stones and roadside signs.
Thousands of protesters gathered at Kugulu Park in Ankara to support Gezi Park demonstrations in Istanbul, hundreds of them marched from the park to the Kennedy Avenue near the embassy of the United States in Turkey, and made barricades to block the armored police trucks carrying water cannons. Full story
ANKARA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday proposed a referendum on the future of Gezi Park, aimed at ending two weeks of widespread protests against the government's plan to demolish the park.
Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party, said the referendum, if held, would only include the Gezi Park in Taksim Square in Istanbul, not the nearby Ataturk Cultural Center, which may also be on the demolition list as part of a program to revamp the square. Full story
ANKARA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Wednesday urged President Abdullah Gul to convene a political leaders' summit to discuss the nationwide protests.
After a meeting of central executive board of CHP early Wednesday, the party's leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu called on President Gul to convene political party leaders to discuss the ongoing demonstrations. Full story
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