Bayraktar slams Kilicdaroglu who promised Airport to US company
Khalouk Byaraktar, CEO of Baykar Technology, criticizes the Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, accusing him of overlooking Turkish companies in favor of US Sierra Nevada.
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Kemal Kilidaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) speaks at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, 11 October 2021. (Reuters)
A statement by Turkish opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu has sparked controversy on Social Media after he announced that he would contract US company Sierra Nevada to develop Ataturk Airport, provided he comes out victorious in the upcoming Turkish Presidential elections.
Kilicdaroglu posted a video on his Twitter account promising Turkish voters that he would transform Ataturk Airport into a center for aviation and space studies while promoting the foreign Sierra Nevada as the corporation to carry the process out.
This announcement prompted criticism from Khalouk Bayraktar, CEO of defense company, Bykar Technology. The Turkish businessman questioned the opposition leader's statement on Haberturk TV, saying, "What do you mean when you say you will give up this place (Ataturk Airport) to a company that deals directly with the CIA? The American company adheres to American rules."
Bayraktar pointed to the vast amount of Turkish companies that could take on such a project, questioning Kilicdaroglu's decision to select a US-based company instead of the "10,000 companies" companies in Turkey.
Bykar technology produces Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle which is primarily used by the Turkish Army and sold to militaries all around the world. Its CEO posted a picture on Twitter in response to Kilicdaroglu's plans showing the massive crowds at the TEKNOFEST event which features multiple Turkish aviation companies, held annually at the Ataturk Airport.
Milyondan fazla gencin yarıştığı, dünyanın en iyisi Milli Teknoloji Projelerinin sergilendiği TEKNOFEST’e ev sahipliği yapan Atatürk Havalimanı’nı ABD’li bir şirkete verme fikri…
— Haluk Bayraktar (@haluk) April 27, 2023
Halen “en iyisini” Türklerin değil de ABD şirketlerinin yapabileceğini zannetmek…
Nuri Demirağ’ın… pic.twitter.com/0UL1EAMaDA
Bayraktar believes that it is in the best interest of Turkey to promote national companies instead of relying on foreign corporations which he accused of being affiliated with the CIA.
Kilicdaroglu quote retweeted Bayraktar, urging the businessman to not be "so politicized", underlining that the tech tycoon is valuable to Turkey. The Republican People's Party's (CHP) leader warned the CEO of being utilized as a "propaganda tool" by the Erdogan-led Justice and Development Party (AKP), as the 2023 Turkish elections near closer.
The CHP presidential candidate said there will be "enough room" for Turkish entrepreneurs to invest and operate in the country.
Bu kadar siyasallaşmayın Sevgili Haluk Bey. Siz ailece bizim için çok değerlisiniz. Bir partinin seçim propagandası olmak size yakışmaz. İstikbalde başarılı bütün Türk girişimcilerimize yer var. Uzay hepinize yetecek kadar geniş. https://t.co/KhHoM1QUen
— Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (@kilicdarogluk) April 28, 2023
Kemal Kilicdarogu, 74, is expected to put up a fierce fight against Erdogan who has rotated top governmental positions in the country since 2003, as the opposition leader heads a coalition of parties aiming to end Erdogan's run in Turkey on May 14.
Read more: Turkish Elections 2023: Resurrecting Ataturk or the Empire?
