DEM Party responds to Bahçeli's remarks following flag provocation

A response has come from the DEM Party camp to MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's statement regarding the DEM Party: "The DEM Party must make a decision: Is it on the side of the founding leader of the PKK, or is it against him?"

"IT IS CLEAR WHERE WE STAND"

DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan, in her assessment of Bahçeli's words, stated that their party's position is clear and used the following expressions:

"It is clear where we stand; we stand on the side of peace and democracy, and we are not wavering."

"OUR STANCE ON THE FLAG IS CLEAR"

Emphasizing that their party has clearly demonstrated its stance in similar debates in the past, Doğan said, "It is clear what we stand for through the struggle we have waged for years. Let us talk about the flag, of course. You know that there have been provocative attempts tried several times in Turkey's recent political history. Our party has always demonstrated its stance without any hesitation."

"ÖCALAN'S CONDITIONS MUST CHANGE"

Ayşegül Doğan also touched upon Bahçeli's assessments regarding Abdullah Öcalan and said the following:

"We have been responding to Mr. Bahçeli's assessments regarding Mr. Öcalan from the very beginning in this way. It is necessary to provide Öcalan with conditions where he can communicate freely. Currently, this is not the case. We have expressed from the very beginning that we welcome Mr. Bahçeli's stance."

"WE ARE IN FAVOR OF NON-CONFLICT"

Emphasizing that the DEM Party's fundamental approach is non-conflict, Doğan stated, "Our party is in favor of non-conflict. Turkey must now exit the historical cycle of conflict and non-conflict. How can there be a permanent exit? A relationship of trust and assurance..."

In her statement, Doğan noted that the peace process can only progress on the basis of justice and law, and made the following assessment:

"It can be with the influence of justice and law. Even before the February 27 call, we have been saying that we support Öcalan's peace efforts, that the path for this must be opened, and that he must have the conditions that should exist by the nature of negotiations."

"THERE IS NO WAVERING"

Referring to the last meeting Öcalan held with the DEM Party delegation, Ayşegül Doğan said, "In his last meeting with the DEM delegation, Öcalan underlines the importance of the February 27 call. He expresses where he stands. There is no wavering or drifting for the DEM Party."

"WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY"

Emphasizing that the DEM Party's political line has not changed, Doğan stated, "Our right to engage in politics, to draw attention to negatives, and to put forward both proactive and reactive politics for this has always been attempted to be overshadowed. We stand on the side of peace and democracy, and we are not wavering. As the DEM Party, we are trying to put forth every effort under extraordinary conditions to bring the February 27 call to life."