Posted on 10/04/2014 7:21:04 AM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded an apology from U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, if his reported comments about Turkey's "mistakes that paved the way for the rise of the jihadists" were true.
"If Biden told these words, then he will be history for me. I never uttered such remarks," Erdogan said after the morning prayer for Eid al-Adha--the festival of sacrifice observed by Muslims all over the world--in Istanbul on early Oct. 4.
"President Erdogan told me, he is an old friend, said you were right, we let too many people through, now we are trying to seal the border," Biden had said during a speech on foreign policy at Harvard Kennedy School on Oct. 2, while complaining about the conduct of his country's regional allies that led to the rise of the Islamic State and Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"I was Prime Minister at the time. We absolutely didn't provide even the smallest amount of support to any terrorist organization, including the ISIL. Nobody can prove it. Foreign fighters never crossed from Turkey to Syria. There were people coming to Turkey as tourists and went to Syria, but nobody can suggest that they were armed while crossing the border," Erdoğan said.
Turkish President also stressed that Ankara's "sensitivity" over the issue continues, as do its measures to prevent the jihadist flow into Syria.
"I see [Biden's remarks] regretfully. I never admitted any mistake nor did we told them that they 'were right' during my visit to the U.S. If Mr. Biden uttered these remarks at Harvard, he should apologize. I'm telling this clearly. And we won't accept slender, indirect explanations," Erdogan added.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Biden's remarks are unacceptaple.
"It is impossible to accept his criticism. All the U.S. authorities and Biden very well know that Turkey, on its own, has hosted millions of refugees for four years. If all the warnings that Turkey made had been taken into consideration, [ISIL] would not be an issue today," Davutoglu told reporters following the prayer for Eid al-Adha in Istanbul on Oct. 4.
The Turkish prime minister also said that the tomb of Suleyman Shah, a sovereign Turkish territory in Syria, was safe.
Turkish soldiers have been alert for potential attacks as there have been concerns that ISIL was getting close to the tomb.
"Soldiers are today wishing each other a happy Eid. We are, as a whole nation, together with them, and we will always proudly appreciate their efforts, patience, and determination."
Joe Biden is the best protection 0bama can have. If something ever happened to 0bama Joe is who’d we get.
However, if you REALLY feel that slighted....
ISIS has consulates operating in Turkey!
Noting but lies are said today. Nothing but lies at every turn.
Lying is one of the (not so) hidden pillars of Islam.
Uncle Joe might be crazier than a rabid bat, and dumber than a box of rocks, but I’ll take his word over the Mohammedan on this one.
Reading that, I'm reminded of Big Jule's line in Guys and Dolls: "I used to be bad when I was a kid. But ever since then I've gone straight, as I can prove by my record — 33 arrests and no convictions."
The democrat party needs to replace both Obama and Biden. The party knows how Biden got that job. Replace both of the boobs at once. Who can give the Obama/Biden Boob Replacement order?
Well, Joe Biden “says alot things”...we all know this.
Exactly - Erdogan is pissed off because Biden wasn't supposed to tell the truth.
I think he’s right blojoe does owe an apology, for saying that it was turkeys mistakes. There were no mistakes, erdogan is a hard core muslim and his government intentionally aided and paved the way for isis.
Turkish P.M. Erdogan
Now if that isn’t a dilemma....who do you believe, uncle Joe or a muslim? Looks like a toss up to me.
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