Özgür Özel's 'peace process' outburst: 'AKP has offloaded the risk to its junior partner'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel visited NEFES Newspaper alongside CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Böke and CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir. During his visit, the CHP leader made important statements. 

Özel gave striking messages, particularly regarding the debates on a new resolution process. Criticizing the way the AKP manages the process, the CHP leader emphasized that families of martyrs and veterans should also be included in the process.

''AKP HAS OFFLOADED THE POLITICAL RISK TO ITS JUNIOR PARTNER''

In his statements regarding the resolution process, Özel criticized the AKP's approach to the process, stating that the government is avoiding political risk. Özel said, “The AKP has pulled itself into a corner. It is trying to eliminate political risk by having its junior partner make all the statements. If the process goes well, it will claim ownership; otherwise, it will shift the responsibility to its junior partner. This is mocking people's intelligence and is insincere.”

Stating that as the CHP, they acknowledge there is a Kurdish issue in Turkey, Özel expressed that the AKP maintains a duplicitous stance on this matter. Özel continued his words as follows:

“While they used to say ‘There is a Kurdish issue, we will solve it,’ they are now holding the stick of appointed trustees in their hands. They are interfering with the will of the people by removing elected Kurdish mayors from office. The solution to the Kurdish issue is possible through democratization.” 

''FAMILIES OF MARTYRS AND VETERANS SHOULD BE THE INSURANCE OF THE PROCESS''

Stating that families of martyrs, veterans, and victims must be included in the process for it to progress healthily, Özel said, “If this process is to benefit Turkey, our country must be the winner in the end. We are against putting the AKP's interests ahead of Turkey's. Similar mistakes were made in the past; now, those same mistakes must not be repeated.”

Stating that as the CHP, they have sought the opinions of families of martyrs and veterans on this issue, Özel said, “We visited 146 associations of martyrs' families and veterans across Turkey. We listened to their views on the process, and we argue that these voices must absolutely be at the table. Including families of martyrs and veterans in the process will serve as the insurance of the process,” he expressed.

TOUCHED UPON ÖCALAN'S STATEMENTS 

Evaluating the statements made by PKK leader Öcalan regarding the resolution process, the CHP leader expressed his doubts about the AKP's way of managing the process. Özel said, “It is implied in Öcalan's statements that terrorism will end with a magic wand. But what is critical here is the AKP's stance on the process. Erdoğan is testing the pulse of the public to claim ownership of the process. If society reacts positively, he will say ‘this is my project’; otherwise, he will say ‘I have no involvement.’”

''TWO COMMANDERS PUSHED THIS PROCESS''

Özel also evaluated the process regarding the lieutenants dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces. Stating that they are following this process closely as the CHP, Özel said, “The Minister of National Defense and the Chief of General Staff made efforts to resolve the dismissals without punishment. However, the Commander of the Land Forces and the Commander of the Naval Forces pushed the process. We know that the Commander of the Naval Forces, in particular, worked directly with the Presidential Directorate of Communications. If Erdoğan continues to stand behind these two commanders, he may find them against him in the coming days,” he said.

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOR İMAMOĞLU 

Making statements on how the CHP's presidential candidate will be determined, Özel evaluated the possibility of Ekrem İmamoğlu entering the primary as the sole candidate and said the following:

 “We have called for the ballot box. If 1 million of our members go to the ballot box and vote, this will start a new era for Turkish politics. If 1 million people stand behind a candidate, that candidate cannot be defeated.” 

News Source: 12punto