US lawmakers rebuke Erdogan over anti-Kurdish video

WASHINGTON – Several Republican senators rebuked Turkish President’s bid to depict Syrian Kurdish forces as terrorists in a meeting Wednesday at the Oval Office.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan played a propaganda video for Republican senators attending Wednesday’s meeting, drawing strong criticism from US President Donald Trump’s allies.

Participants said Erdogan played a propaganda video for Republican senators attending Wednesday’s meeting, drawing a rebuke from Sen. Lindsey Graham and others, as first reported by Axios.

Senator Lindsey Graham said Thursday that he asked Erdogan: “Do you want me to get the Kurds to play a video about what your forces have done?”

Senator Rick Scott said the three-minute video didn’t change any of the Republican senators’ minds.

The lawmakers also told Erdogan that he risked economic sanctions by going ahead with a new Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

“If we can’t unwind this deal with the S-400 (missiles) and if we can't find a safe zone more acceptable to the region and the United States, we will take up some version of the House sanctions that will get 95 votes,” Graham said.

Scott warned on Twitter that Congress must consider taking further action unless President Erdogan agrees to change course.

Last month, the Democratic-controlled House overwhelmingly approved tough sanctions against Turkey for its attack on the Kurds in northern Syria. Turkey’s invasion came after Trump pulled back American forces in what even close GOP allies said was a huge miscalculation.

Wednesday’s exchange behind the scenes was far more confrontational than the reception Trump gave Erdogan in public.

“It’s a pretty difficult relationship right now,” said Scott, adding that Erdogan didn’t persuade anyone with his video.