Turkey: US House of Rep. legislation 'not constructive'

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's Foreign Ministry has called a recent U.S. House of Representatives resolution condemning alleged "attacks by Turkish bodyguards on protesters" during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Washington last month "undue" and "not constructive."

"The steps taken by the U.S. legislative branches to distort and politicize the matter are not constructive. This is also against the spirit of alliance and partnership between Turkey and the U.S.," spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The "undue resolution" was passed Tuesday after having been previously voted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week.

The resolution to condemn Turkish Presidency's security guards that were involved in the melee outside Turkish envoy's residence in Washington was unanimously (397-0) passed.

Violent clashes erupted on May 16 outside the residence of Ambassador Serdar Kilic as Erdogan arrived for previously scheduled meetings.

A group of anti-Turkey protesters clashed with some Turkish-Americans who had gathered outside to welcome Erdogan.

In response, Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador to Turkey in protest against the "aggressive and unprofessional actions" of American security personnel towards the foreign minister’s protection team.

According to police, 11 people were injured in the incident, including a police officer. Nine were hospitalized.