Erdoğan's 'opening' letter to families of martyrs and veterans: Notable remarks on 'bargaining'

A National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission has been established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) as part of the new opening process, which began with the call of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli and continued with a group of PKK terrorists laying down their arms.

The commission held its first meeting on Tuesday (August 5) under the chairmanship of Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. The second meeting will be held on Friday (August 8).

While the public awaits with curiosity what will happen in the next stages of the new opening process, referred to as a Terror-Free Turkey, AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has sent a letter to the families of martyrs and veterans.

In his letter regarding the new opening process, Erdoğan stated, "No step has been taken or will be taken that would disturb the sacred spirits of our martyrs or hurt our martyr families and veterans."

Erdoğan's opening letter is as follows:

"I greet you and every member of your family with my most heartfelt feelings. I commemorate with mercy our dear martyrs, who reached the most honorable rank after prophethood, and with gratitude our veterans. Every inch of these lands, the homeland of martyrs, has been kneaded with the blood of our martyrs and veterans. If the Muhammadan Calls to Prayer (Ezan) echo in our skies today with reverence; if our red flag with the crescent and star waves proudly in the heavens; if our 86 million citizens live in peace and security; the greatest share in this, without a doubt, belongs to our martyrs and veterans.

"PROTECTING THEIR LEGACY IS OUR STATE'S MOST FUNDAMENTAL DUTY"

Protecting their legacy is our state's most fundamental duty. From the very first day we took office, we have fought most effectively against all forms of terrorism in our country, at our borders, and in our region. We have martyred thousands of our lives for this cause; thousands of our brothers and sisters have been honored with veteran status; we have sacrificed trillions of dollars of our resources; however, we have not allowed any stain to be cast upon the sacred and cherished values for which our martyrs and veterans shed their blood. Now, we are walking with our nation toward our Turkey Century goals; we are building a “Terror-Free Turkey” that will save our country from a half-century-old scourge forever.

"THERE HAS BEEN AND WILL BE NO ROOM FOR BARGAINING AT ANY POINT IN THIS PROCESS"

I specifically request and implore you to be certain of this: There has been and will be no room for bargaining, negotiation, concessions, or secret and base initiatives at any point in this process. No step has been taken or will be taken that would disturb the sacred spirits of our martyrs or hurt our martyr families and veterans.

"A BRAND NEW PAGE WILL BE OPENED BEFORE US"

When we safely reach our goals of a Terror-Free Turkey and subsequently a terror-free region, a brand new page will be opened before us; our thousand-year brotherhood will reach a brand new stage; the seeds of discord sown among us will be uprooted and cast away forever. I pray that the Almighty may be the helper and supporter of us all. I once again pray for God's mercy upon our martyrs and wish our veterans a blessed and prosperous life. I kiss the blessed hands of the mothers and fathers who raised our martyrs; I kiss the eyes of our dear children who are the legacy of our martyrs. I greet you with love and respect"

News Source: 12punto