DEM Party's Bakırhan calls for a 'solution process' commission in Parliament: 'Let its chair be from the CHP'

DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncay Bakırhan made statements to journalists in Istanbul.

According to a report by Can Uğur from Cumhuriyet; Tuncer Bakırhan stated that if a process is to begin, it must be achieved through concrete steps rather than just extending a hand. Emphasizing the need for a process, Bakırhan said, "I don't know if this process is that process; we will all see this together." 

'I HOPE IT TURNS INTO A PROCESS'

Bakırhan said the following: 

"I hope it turns into a process. But for us to call it a 'process' right now, certain good-will steps need to be taken. There is a serious lack of trust. We have experienced the solution process before. There cannot be a so-called new process. A new policy or a new process cannot begin with finger-wagging. Just the other day, nearly 270 of our party officials were detained. Our provincial and district co-chairs are being arrested. The bodies of sick prisoners are still coming out of prisons. I could list many other things. We are also trying to watch, understand, and analyze what is happening. We are discussing it in our own boards." 

'LIFTING THE ISOLATION ON ÖCALAN'

Tülay Hatimoğulları also used striking expressions regarding the issue. Regarding the question about the claim made by journalist Amberin Zaman that a meeting took place between the imprisoned leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, and Qandil (PKK leadership), Hatimoğulları gave the following response:  

We have no information regarding Amberin Zaman's report. We also do not know if there is a situation involving a meeting with Imralı. We have met with Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, and Selçuk Mızraklı. The ground on which the DEM Party stands is clear. The DEM Party is in favor of peace. We are going through a war. That is why achieving peace is so important. If there is to be a process, it cannot be done with just a handshake. There must be a 'clearing of the path.' Our friends in prison are also thinking about this.

Hatimoğulları explained what she meant by the emphasis on 'clearing the path' in her speech with the following words: "The implementation of Constitutional Court decisions and European Court of Human Rights decisions, taking legal steps to remedy the grievances created by Statutory Decrees, operating the legal process to ensure such arbitrary practices do not happen again, expanding the democratic ground, and lifting the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan."  

WHY WOULD BAHÇELİ GREET?

Regarding the question of whether the process that began with a handshake is related to a new constitution, the prominent parts of Bakırhan's answer are as follows:  

It is not a very surprising situation. Internal and external developments are forcing us somewhere. We are talking about Turkey's most important, most fundamental problem: the Kurdish issue... We are talking about a problem that has swallowed 3 trillion dollars of this country. 3 trillion dollars of our country, which has a foreign deficit of 512-513 billion dollars, has been spent on security, the defense industry, and to ensure "the Kurd does not speak their mother tongue." "Instrumentalizing it for the constitution," an "advance investment" for an election whose date is not yet certain; I think neither of these two headings covers it.

I have been watching for days; there is a debate that links it to the constitution and even goes as far as saying we were deceived. Even if we as a party were deceived, would the Kurdish people go and vote? I don't know if there will be a process, but there is a situation of learning lessons from previous processes. Looking at Mr. Bahçeli's speeches, he actually determined the interlocutors of the problem himself. He made a call to Qandil. He made a call to Imralı. He made a call to the DEM Party. Just as we said; because this is a problem with many actors, very comprehensive, and addressing a wide ground, I think there is a reading there.

Constitutional amendment is a separate issue. A constitution is not something that will be made only with political parties. We are talking about a social contract. I think we need to watch for a while. But does the mind that governs this country really want to instrumentalize this process? Does it want to reach somewhere? Is it really finding a way to solve this issue sincerely by learning lessons from the past? We are also trying to understand this. We are not a political party or a political movement that would say 'no' to any sincere step or initiative. Prisons are full of us. Trustees are being appointed to us... We are the ones being detained, arrested, investigated, and sued. We are the ones being massacred. With special policies and dual law, the region has officially become a center of drugs, prostitution, criminal activities, and decay. A party that experiences such a heavy result and wants the solution to the problem it experiences the most cannot remain indifferent to sincere hands, steps, statements, and initiatives. Therefore, we do not have the chance to reject it in advance. If we see sincerity, we don't have to ask anyone. We are Turkey's third-largest party. Why should we meet behind closed doors when we meet with someone? We sit and meet openly and share it with the public.

Tuncer Bakırhan responded to the question about what happened during MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli's handshake move and whether they expected such a move as follows:

'BAHÇELİ GREETED TWICE WITH HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS'

Was there anyone here expecting Bahçeli to come and say 'We must ensure Turkey's peace'? It was not something we expected, let me say that. We even thought, is he coming towards us, or is he going to exit from there because there was an exit between us and the SAADET group? Our Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Hanım was next to me. She whispered in my ear, 'Chair, Bahçeli greeted twice with his facial expressions.' I said, 'Don't do that, why would he greet you?'

I think it was something pre-planned, calculated, and discussed. He did well by coming. I care about it. Parliament already exists for such a ground. There is nothing more natural than political parties shaking hands, coming together, chatting, and negotiating issues on this ground. Otherwise, the parliament itself loses its meaning.

THE SUBJECT OF SELF-CRITICISM

Hatimoğulları also spoke about their visits with Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ. Upon being reminded of AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan's words that they should engage in self-criticism with Demirtaş, Yüksekdağ said the following:

When we visited Chairman Selahattin, he expressed this very clearly regarding the issue of self-criticism; "What have we done to engage in self-criticism? Is there a crime? This is a political revenge case, and those who rained down so many sentences are the ones who should engage in self-criticism. My view on this matter is clear." Some clever people say 'Demirtaş should not be involved in the process,' and some interpret it the exact opposite. Since we cannot read the President's mind, I don't know what I will interpret here. But I know what we think about this as the DEM Party, and I can say that. Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ should be released, especially when there are ECHR decisions and Turkey needs to comply with ECHR decisions. We add one more thing to this; Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ stated this very clearly: Of course, we would contribute more to the peace process if we were outside, but whether we are inside or outside, we will be a part of this process within the framework our party will draw.

DEMİRTAŞ'S STATEMENT ON ISOLATION 

Hatimoğulları said the following regarding the isolation debate:

You asked why I mentioned the release of Öcalan first in the 'clearing of the path' instead of Demirtaş and Yüksekdağ. Today, Demirtaş said it himself. He said, 'No one should try to create such a dilemma.' He said, 'My precondition or the first reflex I will give for the peace process to begin is the lifting of the isolation (on Öcalan).' It is that simple, clear, and precise. Therefore, he also pointed to the path and address that we and everyone know. For us, all our imprisoned friends are equally important. We do not have such a distinction. 

THE SITUATION OF THE CHP

Touching upon the importance of establishing a peace commission in parliament in the event that a possible process begins, Tuncer Bakırhan emphasized that the CHP should also play a role in this issue. Bakırhan said the following:

There could be a peace commission in parliament, and I think a representative of the party that is in the first position in Turkey (referring to the CHP) could also head it. I think the most important thing is for the Republican People's Party to contribute to this issue and not stand against it. As a party, since we have not yet convened our boards, I am not saying anything about 'wise people,' but we are thinking of coming together with all the actors who have pondered, spent time, written, and drawn on this issue in the past. Discussing the past a little, understanding how they look at the past and where the issue got stuck can also pave the way for us.

THANKS TO ÖZEL 

Stating that peace should be socialized, Bakırhan said they would also meet with the political parties in Parliament. Bakırhan, who also conveyed his thanks to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, spoke as follows: 

One of our first steps is that; the political party tour. To discuss this issue with them and exchange ideas. But the place where the Republican People's Party stands right now is valuable and important. I find Özgür Özel's statements, at least the things he has done during this process, very valuable and precious. Through you, I would like to thank Mr. Özgür. He is at a good point right now; at least we read that he will not stand against it. Our exchange of ideas and meetings will continue intensively in the coming processes. But this business cannot happen without the Republican People's Party."

Tuncer Bakırhan stated that the most important role falls to the CHP, which is Turkey's leading party.

News Source: 12punto