PM accuses opposition of provoking students against government

After incidents between students and the police at METU (Middle East technical University) in Ankara, PM Erdoğan said “The main opposition CHP and the media are encouraging student violence, PM Erdoğan”

As controversy over protests at ODTÜ continue thousand of students marhced at the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) yesterday. On the same day ODTÜ rector Ahmet Acar was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Abdullah Gül.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stuck to his harsh language over last week’s incidents at METU, prior to his meeting with the rector.

He said that it was students who had provoked the police in the first place to use disproportionate force. This was interpreted bu manya as an attempt to to legitimize the police violence at the ODTÜ campus.

While the PM was hosting the rector, students in several cities staged demonstrations to protest rectors who sided with Erdoğan over student protests.

While reiterating his resentment over the support extended by the lecturers, Erdoğan blamed the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) for praising violence and provoking student protests.
He said “God forbid, if another political party puts its own masses in front of those students, what will the CHP chair then say, how will he give account of his irresponsibility?” and added the CHP and the media should avoid exploiting the student protests.

28.12.2012
SOURCE: BTT