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Merkel 'appalled' at Turkey's clampdown on protests Merkel 'appalled' at Turkey's clampdown on protests
(about 2 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she was shocked at Turkey's tough response to anti-government protests but she stopped short of demanding that the EU call off accession talks with the candidate country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed shock at Turkey's tough response to anti-government protests, but she stopped short of demanding that the EU call off accession talks with the candidate country.
"I'm appalled, like many others," Merkel said of Turkey's handling of two weeks of unrest that began over a redevelopment project in an Istanbul park but has grown into a broader protest against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government. "I'm appalled, like many others," Merkel said of Turkey's handling of two weeks of unrest that began over a redevelopment project in an Istanbul park but has grown into a broader protest against prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.
"I would like to see those who have criticism, who have a different opinion and a different idea of society, having some space in a Turkey that moves into the 21st century," Merkel told German broadcaster RTL."I would like to see those who have criticism, who have a different opinion and a different idea of society, having some space in a Turkey that moves into the 21st century," Merkel told German broadcaster RTL.
Her comments came as riot police backed by water cannon warned around 1,000 trade union workers to stop blocking a major avenue in the centre of the capital Ankara on Monday.Her comments came as riot police backed by water cannon warned around 1,000 trade union workers to stop blocking a major avenue in the centre of the capital Ankara on Monday.
The workers were trying to march towards the central Kizilay district, waving flags and chanting slogans, as part of a national strike called by several labour groups in support of anti-government protests.The workers were trying to march towards the central Kizilay district, waving flags and chanting slogans, as part of a national strike called by several labour groups in support of anti-government protests.
"Those of you on the streets must stop blocking the streets. Do not be provoked. The police will use force," police officers shouted through megaphones as several water cannon were positioned a few hundred metres away."Those of you on the streets must stop blocking the streets. Do not be provoked. The police will use force," police officers shouted through megaphones as several water cannon were positioned a few hundred metres away.
Asked whether Ankara's response to the protests was in line with the way an EU accession candidate should act, Merkel said: "What's happening in Turkey at the moment is not in line with our idea of the freedom to demonstrate or freedom of speech.Asked whether Ankara's response to the protests was in line with the way an EU accession candidate should act, Merkel said: "What's happening in Turkey at the moment is not in line with our idea of the freedom to demonstrate or freedom of speech.
"They are terrible images … I can only hope that the problems will be solved peacefully," she said in the German TV interview, which was due to be aired later on Monday."They are terrible images … I can only hope that the problems will be solved peacefully," she said in the German TV interview, which was due to be aired later on Monday.
EU politicians are divided on whether interrupting accession talks would help or hamper democratisation in Turkey.EU politicians are divided on whether interrupting accession talks would help or hamper democratisation in Turkey.
Merkel has backed Turkish accession talks while at the same time expressing scepticism about its future EU membership.Merkel has backed Turkish accession talks while at the same time expressing scepticism about its future EU membership.
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