Posted on 09/17/2018 1:17:32 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
ISTANBUL (REUTERS) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended his decision to accept a luxury plane from Qatar at a time of economic hardship, saying it was a gift, not a purchase, and that it had been donated to the Turkish state, not to him personally.
State broadcaster TRT Haber said last week the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani had given Mr Erdogan the aircraft, which Turkish media said was a Boeing 747, sparking criticism from Turkey's opposition.
A lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Mr Sezgin Tanrikulu, had expressed concern that the aircraft had been bought rather than donated, noting that Turkey was in an economic crisis, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.
The plane, which would normally carry 400 people, had been refitted to seat just 76, the newspaper said.
Mr Erdogan said Qatar's emir had donated the plane, which he said was worth around US$500 million (S$686.91 million), to the Turkish state after hearing that Turkey had expressed interest in buying it.
(Excerpt) Read more at straitstimes.com ...
“and that it had been donated to the Turkish state, not to him personally.”
Which he will gladly use until the day he dies. . At least as soon as he declares himself President for Life.
L
He does not wish to be President for life. Presidents are elected. He wants to be Sultan for Life. Question, how long is a lifetime?
“Question, how long is a lifetime?”
That depends, now doesn’t it.
L
Yes, the Region is a very hostile environment.
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