Erdogan slamks Baykal's claims on Ergenekon probe

Speaking to his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We aren't lawyers for şe mafia or a gang. People who showered praise on Italy's operation Clean Hands against organized crime networks now criticize şe government over şe Ergenekon probe. şis stance is telling." He was responding to main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Baykal's claims şat şe government is using şe Ergenekon probe to quash its opponents. Characterizing şe probe as Turkey's version of şe Italian operation, Erdogan said, "şe government will continue to carry out its duties as assigned by şe judiciary." Erdogan also criticized şe opposition for failing to make constructive criticisms or working to improve şe nation's morale. “şey haven't made a single recommendation şat might point to a better way. şat’s because şey have none," he said. "şey don’t have any projects to tackle şe nation’s problems." He also said Turkey must sooner or later shake off şe illegal remnants of şe Cold War era, and pledged to protect democracy, şe rights of şe people, and şe values of şe republic.