Fatih Erbakan's statement on the resolution process: 'The Kurdish people should be the interlocutor'

Yeniden Refah Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan made important statements regarding the agenda during a press conference he held at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). 

Opposing the proposals for the release of terrorist organization PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Erbakan made assessments regarding the terrorist attacks in Turkey and the resolution process.

THE TERROR THREAT STILL PERSISTS 

Drawing attention to the terrorist attack recently carried out against TUSAŞ, Erbakan stated, "This attack clearly shows that the terror threat still persists. This attack on a strategic organization in our country's capital reveals that security vulnerabilities must be addressed," he said. 

'THE KURDISH PEOPLE SHOULD BE THE INTERLOCUTOR FOR A RESOLUTION'

Reacting to MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's statements regarding Abdullah Öcalan, Erbakan said, "Allowing the terrorist leader to speak in Parliament is a heavy blow to our nation's fight against terrorism and the memory of our martyrs." Stating that as the Yeniden Refah Party, they advocate for the protection of the rights of Kurdish citizens, Erbakan continued, "If there is to be an interlocutor for the resolution process, it should be the political parties, NGOs, and opinion leaders representing the Kurdish people. Not the PKK, PYD, or YPG."

ELIMINATING THE PKK IS NOT ENOUGH, THE PYD-YPG THREAT CONTINUES 

Pointing out that the US is training and equipping the PYD and YPG in Syria, Erbakan said, "Eliminating the PKK is not sufficient. While there is a 140,000-strong PYD-YPG army right next to us equipped by the US, the fight against terrorism cannot be limited to just ending the PKK."

Continuing his criticisms of the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı), Erbakan claimed that the potential steps taken by the MHP and AKP regarding the resolution process were driven by political calculations. Erbakan stated, "Bargaining with terrorist organizations for the sake of winning another election is not in Turkey's best interest. This is a major contradiction."

THE PROCESS OF LEAVING THE PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE 

Touching upon the process of leaving the People's Alliance, Erbakan said, "We had red lines, and these were lines set for the good of the country. However, in the time that has passed, steps consistent with these lines were not taken; on the contrary, actions were taken in the opposite direction. Therefore, as of the local elections, we have effectively left the People's Alliance."

WHAT DID BAHÇELİ SAY?

Bahçeli, who made statements at his party's group meeting last week, stated that Öcalan should speak at the TBMM and said the following: 

"If the isolation of the terrorist leader is lifted, let him come and speak at the DEM Party group meeting in the TBMM. Let him declare that terrorism has completely ended and the organization has been disbanded. If he shows this resolve and determination, let the path be opened wide for legal regulations regarding the use of the right to hope and for him to benefit from it. Let the address extend from Imralı to DEM, not Kandil or Edirne, and let this heavy and historical terror problem be completely removed from the country's agenda. I challenge you, we are ready for this."

SUPPORT CAME FROM THE DEM PARTY

The response to Bahçeli's call from the DEM Party was not delayed. DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları responded to Bahçeli's call, saying, "The interlocutor for the Kurdish issue in Turkey is Abdullah Öcalan. If there is to be a beginning, the isolation must be lifted immediately. We are ready to take initiative for an honorable peace. We have been struggling for years for the isolation on Öcalan to be lifted. It must definitely be lifted. We say let him come physically and speak. Let us all see what he says. Steps must be taken on this matter urgently without wasting time. I underline once again that we, as the DEM Party, are ready to do whatever is necessary in this regard."