Yeni Şafak challenges Devlet Bahçeli over 'İmralı' visit!

In the second reconciliation process, which MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli architected and the government calls a 'Terror-Free Turkey', the DEM Party front frequently demands that the commission established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) meet with the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan.

MHP Chairman Bahçeli gave the green light to this demand from the DEM Party, and during his party's group meeting at the TBMM yesterday, he argued that the commission should listen to terrorist leader Öcalan. Bahçeli stated, "It will strengthen the process if the deputies selected from the commission go to İmralı to receive the necessary messages firsthand and directly. The MHP is ready to participate in such a delegation. There is no need for fear or anxiety. To date, İmralı has kept its word and stood behind its statements."

Following these remarks by Bahçeli, which dominated the agenda, the pro-government newspaper Yeni Şafak published today's edition with the headline "The commission should not go to İmralı."

The same news was also featured as the top story on the newspaper's website.

The report included a public opinion survey conducted by the Areda Survey Research Company regarding the İmralı meetings.

According to the survey results, 76.7 percent of citizens responded negatively to the commission going to İmralı to meet with terrorist leader Öcalan.

The report included the following statements:

“Reports that the parliamentary commission conducting the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process will go to İmralı have drawn reactions from the public. According to the survey conducted by Areda Survey, 76.7 percent of citizens are against the commission going to İmralı to meet with Öcalan. There is concern that the meeting will harm the process."