22.04.2026 17:46
At the New Path group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ahmet Davutoğlu, who made evaluations regarding the agenda, conveyed that in 2005, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Eric Edelman, was not given an appointment for 6 months, and during the meeting, President Erdoğan brought up the images of the mosque in Fallujah, saying, 'You are asking for an appointment from me, but first account for these photos.'
The Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu, in his speech at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, recounted a striking incident from the period when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was Prime Minister.
COULD NOT GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR 6 MONTHS
Starting his words by celebrating the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day, Davutoğlu stated that Eric Edelman, who was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara in 2005, could not get an appointment from the Prime Ministry for about 6 months. He expressed that despite the attempts made during this period, the meeting did not take place.
"IF YOU WANT AN APPOINTMENT FROM ME..."
Noting that he was also present at the meeting when the appointment was given, Davutoğlu drew attention to the photographs Erdoğan showed to Edelman. Davutoğlu conveyed that Erdoğan, pointing to the images of American soldiers entering a mosque in Fallujah, said, "You are asking for an appointment from me, but first account for these photographs."
Here is the relevant part from Davutoğlu's speech;
"One day, an arrogant ambassador named Eric Edelman was appointed. Our esteemed President was the Prime Minister at that time, and I was the chief advisor.
In 2005, we did not give him an appointment for 6 months. He came for 6 months but could not get an appointment.
When the appointment was given, I had prepared and given him a file to be presented to him. He sat down in a somewhat reproachful manner, and Mr. Erdoğan opened the file in his hand.
He said, 'You are asking for an appointment from me, but first account for these photographs.'
The photographs contained images of American soldiers entering a mosque in Fallujah.
'As long as these photographs exist, we will not give you an appointment.' he said. We also respect that Mr. Erdoğan."