Anzac threat sparks a diplomatic row

AUSTRALIA last night was reviewing travel advice for tourists planning to visit Gallipoli after “deeply offensive” and “insulting” threats made by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

The diplomatic row was sparked by Mr Erdogan’s claim Diggers fought in Gallipoli for “anti-Islam” reasons and that Australians visiting Gallipoli would “return in coffins like their grandfathers ” if they had an “anti-Muslim” sentiment.

It comes as travel groups say restrictions will be a blow to tourists making pilgrimages to Gallipoli and that the president’s remarks do not reflect the “warm and friendly” greeting the Turkish people generally give to Australians.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison summoned Turkish ambassador Korhan Karakoç to Parliament House over the issue and said he did not “accept the excuses that have been offered for those comments”.

“Remarks have been made by the Turkish President Erdogan that I consider highly offensive to Australians, and highly reckless in this very sensitive environment,” Mr Morrison said. “They are offensive because they insult the mem- ory of our Anzacs and they violate the pledge that is etched in the stone at Gallipoli, of the promise of Ataturk to the mothers of other Anzacs.

“I am expecting, and I have asked, for these comments to be clarified, to be withdrawn.”

Mr Erdogan criticised New Zealand and Australia for sending troops to Turkey in the World War I Gallipoli campaign, claiming their motive was anti-Islam-oriented.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence Darren Chester said the Government was monitoring the security situation in Turkey and “regards the safety of Australians who plan to visit the Gallipoli Peninsula as its highest priority”.

“The current advice is for travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Ankara, Istanbul and in Turkey overall,” Mr Chester said.