‘Kurdish-Turkish conflict’ in Vienna: Ambassadors summoned

* Photo: Vienna / Selay Dalaklı - bianet

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The authorities in Austria have announced that they will investigate the clashes that unfolded between the Turkish and Kurdish protesters on the streets of its capital city of Vienna last week.

Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a "Press Release Regarding Pro-PKK Rallies in Austria and Attitude of Austrian Government."

Condemning the "harsh intervention of the security forces" and accusing Austria for "turning a blind eye to the use of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) symbols," the statement of the ministry has briefly read as follows:

'It is completely unacceptable'

"The rallies which were organized by the PKK-terrorist organization and its supporters in Vienna in recent days have been a new manifestation of insincerity in the fight against terrorism.

"Allowing PKK propaganda through these rallies, turning a blind eye to use of PKK's symbols and targeting of Turkey are completely unacceptable.

" Efforts to provide a lifeline to the PKK terrorist organization which is in terminal decline as a result of Turkey's successful operations are futile.

"Likewise, we condemn the harsh intervention of Austrian security forces that caused the injury of young people of Turkish origin as well as damage to business places belonging to the Turkish community.

'The Ambassador of Austria to be summoned'

"We urge the Austrian authorities to fight properly PKK which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the European Union (EU), and not to make of the issue material for populist politics.

"The Ambassador of Austria to Ankara will be summoned to the Ministry in order to share our concerns regarding the fact that the PKK-linked groups were allowed to organize rallies four days in a row and that the Austrian security forces used violence against the Turkish youth."

What happened?

Last week, on June 25 and 26, around 300 Kurdish protesters and Turkish counter-protesters clashed on the streets of Vienna.

Speaking in a press conference, Minister of Interior Karl Nehammer said that both sides attacked the police and added, "It is completely unacceptable that the conflicts concerning Turkey took place in Austrian territory."

Police also fined some protesters for using a banned hand gesture associated with the "Grey Wolves," a Turkish nationalist group.

While 11 people were taken into custody, seven police officers were also wounded in the clashes. (PT/SD)