Deputy PM slams opposition for 'insincere' Egypt coup criticism

ISTANBUL

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arınç gives a press conference on June 4, in Ankara. AFP photo

The Turkish main opposition leader is not sincere in his criticism of the military coup in Egypt, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç told reporters today, accusing Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of trying to intimidate the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

"While commenting the events in Egypt, speaking softly, Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu in fact carries a big stick aimed at the AKP. Shame. On the one hand condemning halfheartedly the coup, while on the other telling elected governments 'Beware, you may end like this too' does not suit the leader of a party that can come into power," Arınç said.

"We thought that those who were waiting saying, 'We can't get rid of them so the military should stage a coup,' had become well-behaved, but it's recurring. There are those who see these movements somewhere else and long for it to happen here. Even though their numbers are decreasing," he added.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) leader had said that what happened in Egypt should be "a lesson" for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, criticizing him for using religion in politics. “The Egypt event has brought another reality into the world agenda: There is no place in democracies for those who use religion as a tool for scoring in politics. It has brought up this reality: ‘No one should pick a spot for themselves between the God and the mortal, no political actor should locate oneself between the God and the mortal.’ This should be a lesson to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Support to Morsi

Arınç also gave his full support to the deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, calling for his release. "We are in solidarity with Morsi and the Egyptian people. We are in solidarity with everyone who is helpless in facing the boots of the coup-stagers," Arınç said, criticizing countries that have not called his ouster a coup.

He also urged Egyptians not to fight, warning them of a plot. "There may be people who want you to enter fights. Undo these plots. Be assured that democracy is strong enough to undo them all," Arınç said.

Turkey has voiced the strongest criticism after Morsi's ouster on July 3. Erdoğan argued yesterday that there was no such thing as a "democratic coup" and slammed Western countries for their reaction.