The United States has criticized \u00c5\u201cunhelpful comments\u201d by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who once again said \u00c5\u201cextremists\u201d and \u00c5\u201cterrorists\u201d are stoking violence in his country.\n<\/p>\n
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Thursday that Washington would support peaceful demonstrations in Turkey, but it “would encourage any official there to refrain from unhelpful rhetoric and unhelpful comments that will not help calm the actions… happening in Turkey.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Erdogan made the remarks in Tunisia\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s capital Tunis on Thursday as he wrapped up his North African tour, upending the demonstrators\u00e2\u201e\u00a2 expectation who had hoped for a sign of compromise.\n<\/p>\n
A week of unprecedented protests in the Turkish cities began as a campaign against the redevelopment of a park in Istanbul but turned into anti-government demonstrations with angry protesters calling for the resignation of the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s three-term prime minister over what they called the authoritarianism of Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party.\n<\/p>\n
Erdogan\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s latest comments brought more wood to the fire that had been ignited by the police\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s heavy-handed response to the protests from day one.\n<\/p>\n
The prime minister also said that plans to redevelop the park would go ahead. Reports say a large protest group has called for more demonstrations in response to Erdogan\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s comments.\n<\/p>\n
The Associated Press reported that many protesters had gathered at Istanbul airport to greet him.\n<\/p>\n
MA\/HN
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