Erdogan slams US charges against Turkish guards

ISTANBUL, Sept 1 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday slammed as biased an indictment by Washington's general prosecutor against Turkish security personnel for roughing up protestors outside the Turkish embassy on May 16.
Erdogan, during a briefing to journalists in Istanbul, said US authorities are responsible for safety of visiting officials.
The American security forces declined to protect Turkish citizens in face of attacks by activists of the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK) in front of the Turkish embassy, a situation that had prompted the Turkish guards to resist the attackers, he said.
Such developments in the United States "are not good," Erdogan said assailing, anew, Washington for hosting Fethullah Gulen and charging that the PKK "is about to get the same protection." Erdogan has repeatedly urged Washington to extradite Gulen, who lives in exile. Ankara accuses him of masterminding latest major coup de'tat in the country.
On conditions in the region, Erdogan regretted that despite advent of the joyful Eid Al-Adha, the Muslim nation is distressed due to the ongoing violence in Syria, Iraq and Myanmar.
Erdogan indicated the Eid advent was not coupled with utmost pleasure in Turkey due to ongoing State measures against terrorism.
Turkey is continuing diplomatic efforts to "stop massacres against the Muslims" in Myanmar, he said, criticizing the international community for its silence and inactivity toward plight of the oppressed Muslims in the Asian nation. (end) ta.rk