Seating arrangement of Tom Barrack and Yaşar Güler sparks major backlash: 'Is he a colonial governor?'

A critical meeting held in Ankara has become a subject of debate due to the seating arrangement. Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler received U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack. However, the fact that Barrack sat in a single armchair while Minister Güler sat in the side seats sparked major backlash on social media and in political circles.

The photograph of the meeting between Minister Güler and Barrack became a major topic of public discussion. The image, in which Barrack appeared to be sitting as if he were the host rather than a guest, drew criticism.

BACKLASH FROM CHP WAS SWIFT

Following the meeting, CHP Deputy Chairman Murat Bakan stated regarding the photo, "As a citizen of this country, I am both sad and angry." Bakan emphasized that the image damages the seriousness of the Republic of Turkey's representation and its protocol.

Bakan stated, "A minister of the Republic of Turkey must distinguish between diplomacy and personal familiarity. State relations are not conducted with familiarity or courtesy, but with protocol and the principle of equality. What you call protocol is not a formality; it is a measure that demonstrates the weight of the office, the equality of the parties, and the seriousness of the state to the outside world," expressing that the seating arrangement harmed Turkey's sovereignty and reputation.

A FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE CANNOT BE THE "HOST"

Murat Bakan continued his statement as follows:

“If the meeting is taking place in the Ministry of National Defense office, and Turkey’s Minister of National Defense appears to be ‘pushed to the side’ in his own office, under his own flag, and in his own institution, we cannot just call this a ‘bad photo’ and move on. There is no framing error there; there is a picture that damages the seriousness of the state.”

BACKLASH ALSO CAME FROM AKP

AKP member Şamil Tayyar stated on his social media account that the photo was “very hurtful,” saying, "The Ambassador has received our delegation as if he were the President or Prime Minister! Such a seating arrangement is unacceptable, it is very hurtful. If nothing else, you shouldn't have published it."

"IS HE A COLONIAL GOVERNOR?"

Journalist Alican Uludağ also criticized Barrack’s seating arrangement, saying, “Is Tom Barrack a colonial governor? Is he in a position superior to the Minister of National Defense? What kind of seating arrangement is this?”

News Source: 12punto