Gezi Park protests are not exaggerated by White House: Turkish Deputy PM

WASHINGTON - Anatolia News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay has said there is no 'exaggerated perception' about the Gezi Park incidents at the White House. DHA photo

There is no "exaggerated perception" about the Gezi Park incidents at the White House, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay has said.

On an official visit in the United States, Atalay met with U.S. National Intelligence Director James Clapper, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counter Terrorism Lisa Monaco.

Atalay said he hoped the protests would end soon. "We feel upset about Turkey's tarnished image in the international arena. Turkey does not deserve it," he said.

"There is no 'exaggerated perception' about the Gezi Park incidents at the White House or in [Cabinet] departments. They have also perceived the difference of Turkey. However, there is too much disinformation caused by the international media. It is really irritating that the international media has reflected the protests as part of an Arab Spring chain. Turkey is a democratic state."

US decision to arm the Syrian opposition

"Turkey had a big influence on the decision of the U.S." to arm rebel forces in Syria, Atalay said. "We hope that this decision will not remain unfulfilled and that the U.S. will be involved more efficiently, because this decision has created a bit of hope of a solution to the Syria crisis."

The meeting on the Middle East was very productive, Atalay added. "Both of the bilateral and official meetings in the U.S. have been very efficient indeed in those days," he said.