Bahçeli's Öcalan call is legally impossible to realize: Response comes from Chief Advisor Uçum

Recently, allegations had been made regarding a rift within the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı) based on statements made by MHP Chairman Bahçeli. Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum clarified this issue during a live broadcast.

Uçum, who keeps a pulse on the political agenda with his social media posts, participated in Candaş Tolga Işık's program on Ekoltv. Chief Advisor Uçum made evaluations there regarding Bahçeli's call for Öcalan.

He clarified reports suggesting that Bahçeli made his move regarding Öcalan without the knowledge of AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan.

Chief Advisor to the President Mehmet Uçum stated the following:

The state has changed a paradigm. This is a call... Both our President and Mr. Bahçeli have made statements regarding the partnership between Turks and Kurds and the steps they have taken together.

Looking at the statements made right now, we cannot say that this is a resolution process. This is a state initiative. It should be viewed as such. The state has taken an initiative on this matter, and there will be steps it will take to reach the goal of a Turkey without terrorism.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO BAHÇELİ'S ÖCALAN CALL?

Was what Mr. Bahçeli said there a form of symbolism? Or was it realism? No one has made this distinction yet. This is an extreme example. Everyone thinks, 'Oh, if this were realized, Öcalan would come out, come to the parliamentary group, and speak, etc...'

First of all, what did Mr. Bahçeli say while saying that? He stated the goal of a Turkey without terrorism, said the terrorist organization would lay down its arms, said it would surrender, said the terrorist organization would be dissolved...

He said if these conditions are met, let him come and make his statement, and the 'Right to Hope' (Umut Hakkı) can be discussed. Now, to treat an extreme hypothetical example tied to these conditions as if he should just come to parliament and speak immediately, or even have special permission issued while his state of conviction continues—it is not even legally possible!

REMARKABLE WORDS FROM A MARTYR'S RELATIVE

Chief Advisor to the President Uçum responded to Işık's question, "Are you not worried about the reactions from martyrs' families to Bahçeli's Öcalan move?" with an interesting example.

Stating that he travels to many parts of Turkey and keeps a pulse on the public, Uçum said that the Turkish people can act very differently when it comes to the interests of the country and when it is a matter that concerns future generations and is for their benefit. Uçum relayed the words of a martyr's relative he spoke with in Erzurum and said the following:

He told me, "Let terrorism in Turkey end, let it be liquidated; forget about Öcalan being released, if I don't serve him breakfast in my home, I am not a man."

Erzurumlu şehit yakını:
'Türkiye’de terör bitsin, tasfiye edilsin, bırakın Öcalan'ın serbest bırakılmasını ona evimde kahvaltı vermezsem adam değilim' pic.twitter.com/pFdo7GhgTl

— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) November 14, 2024

WAS MR. ERDOĞAN AWARE OF BAHÇELİ'S STATEMENTS?

There is a very great harmony between them. There is an advanced cooperation and division of labor regarding all kinds of political issues. Thinking that there is a communication problem between the strong leader of the People's Alliance and President Erdoğan are moves made for operational purposes.

WAS THE MHP CHAIRMAN'S AHMET TÜRK MOVE A REACTION TO THE TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT?

Mr. Bahçeli says that Ahmet Türk is being exploited; a rift cannot be produced from these issues, there is a very great harmony between the two.

IS IT NOT WRONG TO APPOINT A TRUSTEE WHILE MAKING AN ÖCALAN CALL?

The fight against terrorism is not just a field struggle; it is also a struggle against its logistics and its personnel. Trustees are also a method of struggle in this regard. It is said that mayors should be elected from the municipal council.

Responsibility in the fight against terrorism lies with the government. The government that assumes the responsibility must have the authority and duty to appoint trustees; otherwise, if you remove someone from office and elect a member from the council, you cannot prevent the provision of logistical support to terrorism.

Trustees are only appointed in terrorism investigations; such a practice does not occur in other matters. These steps are taken because the fight against terrorism is in the executive branch.

INVESTIGATIONS OPENED INTO MUNICIPALITIES

No prosecutor or judge conducts investigations and prosecutions to have a political effect. Of course, these have an effect on political life, but they should stay away from our prosecutors and judges; this judiciary is our national judiciary. Trying to resolve problems and conflicts experienced in politics through the judiciary is an extremely problematic behavior.

There may be shortcomings in judicial practices, but targeting the judiciary by saying it is playing politics and acting with political calculations is extremely wrong. There may be erroneous and incomplete investigations. There are different authorities for this.

Criticism is a right, but threats and humiliation are not. These need to be evaluated correctly...

WAS THE ISSUE OF INFLUENCE AGENTING YOUR PROPOSAL?

When state security units need a rule, they bring it to the executive branch, just like ministries in the executive branch. The system works like this for us: there are ministries and presidencies. All structures prepare a draft when they need a rule. This discussion is held under the chairmanship of our President's deputy... The issue of whether this rule need is met by law or by decree is discussed.

When this came to the agenda, it was discussed in the commission and this draft was approved. We do not write this draft; this issue comes before us and we expressed our opinion on it. There are also ministry and party representatives. We said that activities against the security and political interests of the state could be a crime under certain conditions.

This is a concept used by intelligence; the name of the crime is a crime committed against the security of the state...

I ask those who call this 'influence agenting': well, should this be free in Turkey? Why should influence agenting be free in our country?

The name of this crime is a crime committed against the security and political interests of the state... Let's name it correctly, let's not do it in a way that leads to arbitrary practices.

It will be discussed with other parties, debated, and will come to the agenda again. We discuss every topic that will be for the benefit of the country.

FIRST 4 ARTICLES DEBATE

I make statements routinely on Sundays, and I did not have any specific intention or special reaction regarding the Speaker of the Parliament in this move of mine. Bringing the amendment of the first three articles to the agenda means discussing the national state. If they are going to open the state to discussion, let them go ahead.

We say rule of law, we say flag, unitary structure, Turkish; are we going to open these to discussion?

"WE WANT TO TAKE STRONG MEASURES"

We want to eliminate the perception of impunity; we want to take strong measures. We are doing serious work on this matter. The internet is a field of digital fascism. We will take serious steps against crime and criminals.

Is it normal for the resolution speed of a case to increase when it is shared on social media?

I wish X were not an area of trial by media, I wish it weren't; hundreds and thousands of investigations are being conducted. It is not right to create the perception that courts make decisions faster when it is shared on social media.

In the Narin case, statements are being analyzed, comments are being made on this matter. I do not find such interventions correct either. Let the media be under the guarantee of reporting, but it is not right for it to be so involved in cases.