HDP: Trump's Words on Kurds at G20 'Embarrassing' for AKP

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Parliamentary Group Chair Saruhan Oluç has held a press conference at the parliament, touching on various issues such as relations with Libya, the S-400 row with the US and the G20 summit.

Oluç said that US President Trump's words on Syria's Kurds were "embarrassing" for the government.

"The translations of the meeting [between Erdoğan and Trump] was reported by the media. We read that. Some words Trump uttered are embarrassing for the government as they were recorded in history this way.

"Trump said, 'He has a big problem with the Kurds, as everyone knows," referring to Erdoğan. He said, 'He was going to wipe out the Kurds, who helped us with ISIS. And I called him and I asked him not to do it. They are, I guess, natural enemies of his or Turkey's. And he hasn't done it.'

"The government of Turkey being reflected on the memories and documents of the states and the international community is really embarrassing.

"We hope that those who govern Turkey feel the same embarrassment and make a positive change in their internal and external policies and policies towards the Kurdish people."

The S-400 row

Commenting on the S-400 row with the US, Oluç said, "We don't think this crisis is over. It is not just about what Trump said. It is also about the stance the House of Representatives in America will take. There is a critical stance not only by Democrats but also Trump's Republicans."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said after his meeting with Trump at the G20 summit that they heard "no such thing as sanctions from Trump." The US President also defended Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile systems from Russia, blaming the Obama administration for not selling the Patriot air defense systems to Turkey.

However, the Pentagon previously warned Turkey that it will not be able to acquire the F-35 fighter planes if it receives the S-400s.

Oluç said that procurement of both systems is wrong for Turkey, given the economic situation. "We said that before, while Turkey is going through such a heavy economic crisis, it does not have the luxury to spare its budget and resources for armament and arms investments."

Detentions in Libya

On six citizens of Turkey being detained in Libya, Oluç said, "If something happens to our citizens in Libya, this is directly related to the government's wrong policies. Turkey almost openly became a side and a part in the civil war in Libya. This government pulls trouble like a magnet."

Oluç added that arms delivery from Turkey to Libya was documented, citing a report submitted to the UN Security Council on September 5, 2018, by a committee for the arms embargo.

Six citizens of Turkey was detained by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar's Libya National Army (LNA) yesterday (June 30). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they were released today. (EMK/VK)