[April 18, 2006] CHP leader claims Zapsu selling Turkey out Tweet (Turkish Daily News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday leveled harsh criticism both at the government and remarks reportedly made by a senior advisor to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the face of U.S. criticism of the Hamas visit to Ankara in February, Erdogan advisor Cuneyd Zapsu reportedly asserted during talks in Washington last week that the U.S. administration was meeting with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a statement that some analysts said would strain bilateral ties between NATO allies Turkey and the United States. The statements made by Zapsu in Washington on behalf of the prime minister escalated tension within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as well, with some deputies awaiting an explanation from the government about Zapsu's remarks. During a meeting with U.S. officials, Zapsu advised them to utilize Erdogan instead of exerting efforts to remove him from power, as he reportedly said the AKP would remain in power for six to seven years more. Baykal claimed that things in Turkey were being addressed in an irresponsible way and said it was up to the nation as to how the remarks reportedly made by Zapsu would be evaluated. In reference to a 2003 incident when U.S. soldiers placed sacks over the heads of 11 Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq, Baykal said Zapsu's reported remarks make the Turkish nation wear a heavier sack on their heads when compared to the ones worn by those Turkish soldiers. "The prime minister is marketing Turkey and now his advisor is marketing the prime minister himself. While doing this, he [Zapsu] is selling out Turkey," Baykal said in apparent reference to Zapsu's reported remarks suggesting U.S. officials "utilize" Erdogan. "Those remarks are an indicator of contempt and show how this government is dragging us toward such contempt. With those remarks, the government was caught red-handed and it has become apparent what it is trying to do," he added [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]