Erdogan calls author Auster ‘ignorant’ Wednesday, 01 February 2012 23:04

ANKARA: Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed yesterday an American author’s boycott of the country over its treatment and detention of dozens of journalists.

“Who cares if you come or not?” said Erdogan in comments directed at novelist Paul Auster. “Would Turkey lose any prestige?”

Auster was quoted in Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News as saying he would not travel to the country in protest at the jailing of more than 70 journalists, who have been pursued by the state over their articles or for alleged anti-government plots. Erdogan also criticised Auster for having visited Israel and failing “to see rights violations” there. “What an ignorant person you are,” the prime minister said.

AFP

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