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House speaker calls Erdogan visit violence 'indefensible'
Source: Associated Press
House speaker calls Erdogan visit violence 'indefensible'
By RICHARD LARDNER, ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — May 25, 2017, 1:58 PM ET
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that the violence against peaceful protesters by bodyguards for Turkey's president was "completely indefensible," as members of Congress pressed the Trump administration for a more forceful U.S. response.
Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement that Turkey is an important ally and NATO member, but its leaders must "fully condemn and apologize for this brutal behavior against innocent civilians exercising their First Amendment rights" last week outside the Turkish ambassador's residence.
Also Thursday, a bipartisan group of senators urged Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a letter to demand that the Turkish government waive any claims to immunity for the bodyguards. The senators also want members of the security detail to be made available for interviews with U.S. law enforcement.
If the Turkish government won't agree, Tillerson should revoke the diplomatic credentials of Serdar Kilic, Turkey's ambassador, and rescind visas for other unspecified Turkish government officials, according to the lawmakers, led by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
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By RICHARD LARDNER, ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — May 25, 2017, 1:58 PM ET
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that the violence against peaceful protesters by bodyguards for Turkey's president was "completely indefensible," as members of Congress pressed the Trump administration for a more forceful U.S. response.
Ryan, R-Wis., said in a statement that Turkey is an important ally and NATO member, but its leaders must "fully condemn and apologize for this brutal behavior against innocent civilians exercising their First Amendment rights" last week outside the Turkish ambassador's residence.
Also Thursday, a bipartisan group of senators urged Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a letter to demand that the Turkish government waive any claims to immunity for the bodyguards. The senators also want members of the security detail to be made available for interviews with U.S. law enforcement.
If the Turkish government won't agree, Tillerson should revoke the diplomatic credentials of Serdar Kilic, Turkey's ambassador, and rescind visas for other unspecified Turkish government officials, according to the lawmakers, led by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/house-speaker-calls-erdogan-visit-violence-indefensible-47638127
