DEM Party reveals the issue on which they share a common view with Devlet Bahçeli: 'We think the same thing as him'

While the agenda in Turkey is dominated by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's invitation to PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan to speak in Parliament, the stance to be taken by the DEM Party, one of the parties involved, and the statements made from this front carry great importance.

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan answered questions about the agenda during a live broadcast on Halk TV.

Here are the key highlights from Bakırhan's statements:

We did not hear about a 'guarantor country' request being made during the Imralı meeting; nothing of the sort was conveyed to us by our party's deputy, Ömer Öcalan.

Whichever channel we turn on, we are hearing things we have witnessed for the first time. For example, things like 'contact has been established with the organization, weapons have been laid down.' If only the issue were one that could be solved with just a handshake, it would have been solved easily. We stated that the hand extended to us is valuable, but the issue is not just a handshake; Öcalan has announced that he is ready for a process, and we, as the DEM Party, have long wanted a process to be initiated and for this to be resolved through democratic means.

When such a clear stance has been put forward, one could ask: 'Öcalan said I am in, the DEM Party gave its approval,' if it were me, I would ask how the AKP intends to solve it!

The DEM Party stated that the extended hand is valuable and that it will take on the responsibility that falls to it to resolve this matter. It is not right to create new inferences by cherry-picking phrases from the final declaration...

The process must proceed on an equal footing... As DEM Party co-chairs, we stated that this lock must be opened and that we should enter the 100th year with the Kurdish issue resolved. We have made statements to ensure this is resolved. We will soon hold meetings with our provincial and district organizations, we will meet with democratic mass organizations, and we do not accept the words in a final declaration being used as a threat against us.

We invite Bahçeli to common sense; one needs to look at what our co-chairs are saying. If there is good will and sincerity, the DEM Party will act as one of the primary actors in this process; we do not clench our fists at an extended hand.

As people who have been the defendants, witnesses, and victims of the suffering of this issue, we are not in a position or discourse that would sabotage or hinder a new process, but we do not accept the mentality that draws a route for us every time! There is no ambiguity in our sincerity; these discussions should evolve into a process, and what the President will say should be discussed.

"WE ARE A PARTY THAT CARES ABOUT ÖCALAN'S THOUGHTS"

There was a state of isolation; we were pleased that Ömer Öcalan went to the meeting. As the DEM Party, we are a party that cares about Öcalan's thoughts, and the statements made were welcomed with joy by our base.

REGARDING THE MEETING HELD IN IMRALI

There are claims that there has been contact with Öcalan for a year, but these are nonsensical claims...

Öcalan said that he has the belief that he will solve this if the conditions are created. Öcalan is ready for a process to begin; as the DEM Party, we want this to evolve into a process, and we ask: what were you thinking by opening the doors of isolation, what were you thinking by extending your hand? These must be explained...

We will not have any inclination to make predictions like a fortune teller on issues where we have not been informed.

Perhaps some conversation was held about family, the environment, and the situation outside. In any case, what Öcalan is focusing on is the creation of conditions for a solution and peace. Our deputy Öcalan conveyed to us that his health is in good condition and that an environment where it is discussed by the public that 'he sent a message to his organization, he spoke' has not been created.

The Middle East is in crisis; we cannot predict where these will spread, we do not know where the conflicts will reflect. While we expect Turkey to stay away from these issues and solve the Kurdish issue, we find it extremely meaningless to discuss cherry-picked words instead of breaking the perception in the public eye of 'I wonder what was discussed' and discussing the truth.

IF BAHÇELI'S ÖCALAN PROPOSAL WERE REAL...

It would be very good; I wish Turkey could encounter such a picture as Bahçeli said. We would perceive it as if all issues were on the path to resolution.

If there will be no loss of life in this country and if the problem that has affected many issues that have not been solved for 100 years within itself is to be solved in this way, then it is our duty...

The issue on which we share a common view with Mr. Bahçeli is the address where the Kurdish issue will be solved; we think the same thing as him. This issue is solved with its real parties, but his statement today that 'there is no Kurdish issue' is actually an approach that contradicts his own rhetoric; in fact, saying there is no Kurdish issue is the real issue!

The Kurdish issue exists, it has its parties, and we know very well what it is.

What Bahçeli said was meaningful and important... We are curious about what the President and the government think about what Bahçeli said. We find it appropriate for Mr. Erdoğan to also make a statement on this matter so that we can think that this could be a process. If this turns into a process, we are ready to take steps in this regard.

CHP'S STANCE IN THE PROCESS

The CHP's stance and steps are important and valuable to us. It is currently Turkey's leading party! It is valuable to us that the CHP has declared that it will not be an obstacle to the resolution of the issue. The Kurdish issue is not just the DEM Party's issue; we find the stance of a party that is Turkey's leading party and claims to govern Turkey as important as the stance of the current government, which is why it is important for Mr. Özel to take clearer stances and present a roadmap.

ERDOĞAN'S SILENCE

In the process that has taken place, we have not had any contact with any AKP or MHP official; we have not had such contact behind closed doors. If one of the members of the ruling power comes on this issue, we will sit, talk, and discuss, but there has been no such open or closed contact or meeting.

It seems illogical to me that the President would not be aware of such a critical move by Bahçeli. I am not sure if Bahçeli could make such a move out of the blue, but considering that even the smallest issue is discussed by the ruling partners and that Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan come together, I think Erdoğan is aware, and this is part of a strategy...

I wish such a situation existed and that this move was the product of a state mind. If it had been carried into a process discussed by the ruling partners.

The President is silent because he is trying to understand public opinion. We do not talk about the votes our steps will gain us or poll results; our concern is not to be in parliament or to get more votes, our goal is to solve the issue. He is likely evaluating the reactions of the public.

Not an inch of progress has been made in the policy of denial. Those who love the country, those who think about the country's future, need to say that this issue must be put on the path to resolution, so I did not find Bahçeli's words strange; denial, rebellion, and prisons did not solve it...

REGARDING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

If the Kurdish issue is to be solved, it must also have a counterpart in the constitution. As Kurds living in Turkey, we do not have demands that will put everyone in a difficult position; we want to keep our own language alive, and local democracy needs to be developed.

We are not all Turks; the definition of citizenship must be restructured!

Steps must be taken to eliminate femicide!

Turkey must truly become a country governed by democracy!

But as is being discussed on the agenda, the idea that these steps are being taken for Mr. Erdoğan to be re-elected is, of course, disturbing. We will not be part of such a formation; we will not be a prop for anyone. We are striving for the rights of the Kurds to be granted.

ON THE MEETING WITH ÖCALAN...

The isolation has been lifted, and from now on, whatever the law and justice are, they should be implemented. Lawyers and family should go constantly, and if these discussions are to evolve into a process, intellectuals and politicians should also visit.

If Mr. Bahçeli accepts that place as an interlocutor, the locks of Imralı must be opened and Öcalan's ideas must be shared with 85 million people.

BAHÇELI'S HANDSHAKE REQUEST

We were not expecting a handshake move from him; he had said so many things about us at the group meeting three hours earlier... We did not think Mr. Bahçeli would come and shake our hands, but of course, we would not leave such a move unreciprocated. However, the statements he made afterwards still maintain their currency; the idea that he said he wants world peace is important...

We were invited to the Republic reception at the Parliament and we are thinking of attending, but we did not receive an invitation for Beştepe; if such an invitation comes, our party council will decide.