Turkey condemns Perry's attack

ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Turkey's foreign ministry is firing back at Texas Gov. Rick Perry's accusations against the Turkish government, calling the claims baseless.

Perry, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, said Monday night at a GOP presidential debate in South Carolina that Turkey "is being ruled by what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists" and called for Washington to cut foreign aid to the country.

Perry, who was stationed in Turkey in the 1970s while he was in the U.S. Air Force, said Turkey no longer appears to be the ally it once was.

Selcuk Unal, a spokesman for Turkey's foreign ministry, accused Perry Tuesday of making "baseless and improper claims," CNN reported.

"The unfortunate views of Perry are not shared in any case by Republican party supporters, considering the weak support he has received in public polls and primary elections," Unal said in a statement given to CNN.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the State Department "absolutely and fundamentally" disagrees with Perry's statements. Toner said Turkey is a "stalwart ally" with which the United States has a "strong partnership."

Turkey's ambassador to the United States, Namik Tan, expressed disappointment and concern over Perry's statements,. "Needless to say, the Turkey described in the debate simply does not exist," he said.