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Turkish riot police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons in an effort to clear Istanbul’s central square of protesters, on orders from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Michael Fjetland, president of Sugar Land-based Armor Glass International, had scheduled a trip to Turkey this autumn.
“It really does erode the confidence of business people, like myself and others, who normally would feel very much inclined to business with Turkey, because it is one of the more stable countries, or has been. But now, with all this going on, and the show of force, it’s enough to give one pause, for sure.”
Turkish Airlines inaugurated the first direct flights between Istanbul and Bush Intercontinental Airport in April — in support of growing Houston business interests in Turkey. Service on the route remains unaffected by the unrest, which has now spread to nearly 80 cities around the country.
