Gallipoli threats prompt warning

AUSTRALIANS planning to go to Turkey for Anzac Day should exercise caution and await further advice after incendiary comments by the country’s president.

Australia’s travel advice to Turkey is under review after its president said Australians with anti-Muslim views would be sent home in coffins like their grandfathers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison does not accept the excuses offered by Turkey for the inflammatory remarks.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was referencing the WWI battle at Gallipoli, in which thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers died fighting the Turks, as he responded to the Christchurch mosque massacres.

Mr Morrison refused to accept that the President’s comments reflected the views of the people of Turkey and declared “all options were on the table” in Australia’s response.

One option could be to expel the ambassador.

“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 yesterday. “They are offensive because they insult the memory 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.”

Mr Morrison summoned the Turkish ambassador Korhan Karakoc to Parliament House to explain the remarks.

“I do not accept the excuses that have been offered for those comments,” he said, adding that comments being made “in the heat of the moment” or in an “electoral contest” were no justification.

Several more high-level meetings are planned in the coming days.

“We had a frank exchange with the Prime Minister and

THEY (THE COMMENTS BY TURKEY’S PRESIDENT) ARE OFFENSIVE BECAUSE THEY INSULT THE MEMORY OF OUR ANZACS PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON

the Gallipoli spirit will always remain,” the ambassador said on his way out of Parliament House. Australia’s travel advice for Turkey is “exercise a high degree of caution”.

The Turkish President played footage of the Christchurch mosque massacre at an election rally before telling Australians: “Your grandparents came, some of them returned in coffins. If you come as well like your grandfathers, be sure that you will be gone like your grandfathers.”

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said: “These are foolish and offensive remarks at a time when New Zealanders are mourning.”