Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said today Turkey could deploy «elements of the armed forces» to help quell anti-government protests if needed, after more than two weeks of violent demonstrations in several cities.
«Our police, our security forces are doing their jobs. If it’s not enough then the gendarmes will do their jobs. If that’s not enough … we could even use elements of the Turkish Armed Forces,» Arinc told Turkey’s state-run TRT television.
His statements were made as riot police backed by water cannon faced off with around 1,000 trade union workers in the capital Ankara.
Police officers used megaphones to order workers to stop their march towards central Kizilay district.
«Those of you on the streets must stop blocking the streets. Do not be provoked. The police will use force,» they shouted, as several water cannon were positioned a few hundred meters away.
Further marches by striking workers were planned in Istanbul today, despite government warnings that demonstrations would not be tolerated.
«There is an attempt to bring people to the streets through strikes and work stoppages. These will not be allowed,» Interior Minister Muammer Guler told reporters.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald