PM Should Explain Who Gets Money from the US

Gul should explain who and what he was talking about, said Eksi.

"One who claims something owes the explanation"

Eksi called on Gul to explain what the meant by saying:

"Local media reported that during the Justice and Development Party (AKP) meeting on January 14, 2003, you said, 'The U.S. has reserved billions of dollars for winning support for its war.' You then continued to say, 'Part of this money is transferred to media organizations in Turkey.'

This is a dangerous claim. One, who claims such a thing, should explain his/her evidence, and say who, in the Turkish media is so shallow to sell his/her views to a foreign country in return of money. That is why I am calling on the prime minister to explain, without any delay, who and what he was talking about."

Abdullah Gul's claim

During a closed-door address to the AKP group in parliament, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, "The U.S. has reserved billions of dollars for war. It is said that this money will be used in a number of countries in the world, and also in Turkey."

"Some claim that part of this money, reserved for winning support and lobbying for war, is transferred to media organizations in Turkey," said Gul.

Gul continued:

"The U.S. is determined about an operation in Iraq. It is trying to win support from everywhere in the world, for this war. It is trying to win support for war in Turkey too.

The U.S. has reserved billions of dollars to win this support. We, as the government, are for a peaceful solution. We will not act according to the U.S.' guidance but according to Turkey's interests." (BB/EA/NM)