Here are the first reactions to the armed attack on U.S. consulate in Istanbul:
ABDULLAH GUL – TURKISH PRESIDENT
“Unfortunately, three police officers were martyred in a terrorist attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul earlier in the day. I offer my condolences to their families. Turkey will fight against those who masterminded such acts and the mentality behind it till the end. Everybody has already seen that terrorism would not serve anything.”
TAYYIP ERDOGAN – TURKISH PRIME MINISTER
“Such betrayed attacks against Turkey’s peace and stability won’t be able to attain their goals thanks to the determination of our security forces.”
ROSS WILSON – U.S. AMBASSADOR
“We remain a close friend and ally of Turkey. Well not be deterred in any way by terrorists who are seeking to strike at us or at U.S.-Turkish relations. Our countries stand together in the fight against international terrorism…. We will confront this as we have confronted similar problems in the past.”
ERIC GREEN – U.S. CONSULATE IN ADANA
“We are grateful to the Turkish police for the bravery they displayed. We always take the necessary measures for our security, and will continue to do so. We receive great support from the Turkish police, and very happy with our relations with them. I don’t want to speculate. I don’t know which terrorist organization is responsible for the attack.”
AMADEU ALTAFAJ TARDIO – EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON
“We strongly condemned the armed attack outside U.S. Consulate in Istanbul. We share the sorrow of the Turkish authorities and relatives of the policemen who were killed in the attack.”