Israel Matzav

Arafat denied it too

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is denying the contents of a Wikileaks cable that claims that he maintains Swiss bank accounts.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey says a US diplomat who reported claims in a State Department memo that he has Swiss bank accounts should be punished for making a false allegation.

Erdogan said Wednesday he was willing to resign if Turkey's opposition can prove the memo was accurate.

The classified cable, released this week by WikiLeaks, is dated Dec. 30, 2004 from then-US Ambassador Eric Edelman.

"We have heard from two contacts that Erdogan has eight accounts in Swiss banks," the cable details. "His explanations that his wealth comes from the wedding presents guests gave his son and that a Turkish businessman is paying the educational expenses of all four Erdogan children in the US purely altruistically are lame."

Yasser Arafat also used to deny he had Swiss bank accounts. Erdogan's bank accounts are allegedly used for bribes. 'Nuff said.

By the way, the cable also says there's an American spy in the Turkish government. Heh.

Labels: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Swiss bank account, Yasser Arafat

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:45 PM