USA Today: Unions march in Turkey as Erdogan threatens force

Turkey’s government warned Monday it may deploy the military against protesters who continue to defy officials by taking to the street in what the interior minister called “illegal” demonstrations.

The warning is the first time the Islamist-rooted government has mentioned use of the military to restore public order. The military establishment traditionally has been seen as a bastion of secularism in Turkey and a foe of past Islamist political figures.

“First, if necessary we will deploy the police,” Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday. “If that’s not enough we will call on the (national guard). But if events still require further action, and the governor so wishes, we will resort to calling on the military to contain these protests.”

Arinc said further street action is unlawful and that security forces would have a free hand to quash demonstrations.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/06/17/turkey-protest/2429697/