US spokesperson ‘not aware’ of Turkish PM’s New York visit

WASHINGTON

U.S. State Department spokesperson Marie Harf was taken aback on March 4 when a reporter questioned her about a visit to New York by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, saying she did not know anything about the visit.

During a daily press briefing in Washington, a local reporter started to ask about Davutoğlu’s visit to meet with investors, which was ongoing at the time of the briefing.

“Currently, the Turkish prime minister, the foreign minister and the deputy prime minister are all in New York and they will stay there for about two or three days. It looks like they are not coming to D.C,” the reporter said.

However, just as he started his question, Harf interrupted him and said she “hadn’t heard that.”
“There is no meeting scheduled with Turkish officials, right?” the reporter asked.

“I can check. I’m sorry, I hadn’t heard that. I can check,” said Harf, who appeared confused.