Pro-government media censors Bahçeli's 'Imralı' remarks: The cold war continues!
While MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's statement, 'If necessary, I will go to Imralı with three of my friends,' received extensive coverage in newspapers, it was noted that Sabah, a newspaper close to the government, did not carry this remark on its front page.
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In the speech delivered by Chairman Devlet Bahçeli at yesterday's MHP Group Meeting, firm messages were given regarding the Imralı process, which has been a subject of debate for a long time.
Bahçeli stated that the discussions regarding potential contacts with Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, need to be clarified.
'IF NECESSARY, ONE CAN GO TO IMRALI' MESSAGE DELIVERED
During the meeting, Bahçeli used the following expressions regarding the ongoing debates over whether the commission established in Parliament should meet with Öcalan:
"A period must be put to the days-long debate over whether or not to go to Imralı. If a Turkey without terrorism is the goal, there is no point in dragging one's feet about going to Imralı. If contact cannot be established with one of the main interlocutors of the process, how will results be achieved? If the commission cannot make a decision on this matter, if no one takes a step regarding a visit, and if people play the three monkeys, I say it clearly: I will take three of my colleagues with me, and I will not hesitate to go to Imralı with our own means."
Bahçeli further emphasized that there were no reservations and stated that they would not refrain from speaking directly and mutually.
Continuing his speech, Bahçeli addressed the deputies in the group hall and asked, "Do you give me permission to go to Imralı?" The MHP Group stood up and supported this request with applause. Following this support, Bahçeli remarked, "Here is the essence of the nation, and this is the nation's essential decision."
HEADLINE CHOICES OF PRO-GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPERS COME TO THE FORE
Bahçeli's move received extensive coverage in the national press. Many newspapers reported the statements either as their main headline or on their front page. However, it was noted that the Sabah newspaper, known for its proximity to the government, did not include the MHP leader's words in its headlines or on its front page.
On the other hand, it did not go unnoticed that Yeni Şafak, which had run the headline 'The commission should not go to Imralı' in recent days, covered this statement on its front page but with low visibility.
Following Sabah's failure to show the Imralı move on its front page and Yeni Şafak's limited space, attention turned to the headlines of other national newspapers. Many national media outlets highlighted Bahçeli's words. Here are the headlines of the day:
