Saadet-Gelecek group meeting... 'If you are stalling the nation, it will purge both terrorism and you'

Saadet Party Deputy Chairman Mahmut Arıkan gave a sharp response to MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's remarks regarding Abdullah Öcalan during the joint Saadet-Gelecek Party parliamentary group meeting.

Criticizing Bahçeli's statement, "If the isolation of the terrorist leader is lifted, let him come and speak at the DEM Party group in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), and declare that terrorism has completely ended and the organization has been disbanded," Arıkan stated that they are determined to resolve Turkey's terrorism issue.

'IF YOU ARE CHASING PETTY AGENDAS...'

Warning the government, Arıkan said, "If you are chasing petty agendas and stalling the nation, this nation will purge both terrorism and you from this country." Emphasizing that they are ready to take every constructive step to solve the terrorism problem, Arıkan invited Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to hold a closed session on this matter.

In his speech, Arıkan reminded that Turkey has a deep-rooted state tradition and said the following:

"A debate about a turning point has been going on since yesterday. Turkey is not a newly emerged country. We are built upon a thousand-year state tradition. Due to the terrorism problem, we have lost our time, our brotherhood, our children, and our peace and security for decades. Governing Turkey requires serious responsibility. This country is not a tribal state where you can say whatever comes to your mind. Its policy and strategy cannot be designed with petty political calculations. You cannot play with the nerves of society with domestic political calculations."

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MOTOR FOR GOOD AND A BRAKE FOR EVIL

Calling on Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to organize a closed session on the Öcalan issue, Arıkan continued his speech with these expressions: "We will sit down and talk with anyone who has a concern for solving Turkey's problems. However, seeking new interlocutors while there are already actors with social, political, and legal standing is not a well-intentioned effort. This search is laying the foundation for opening new fronts, new polarization, and tensions. First of all, whose plan is this? Is it the People's Alliance's? Or is it the plan of the US-Israel duo? Is yesterday's invitation a trailer for the new troubles that Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey will experience? I will state it very clearly: We will stand against any move that centers its own interests rather than the country's. We will stand by every effort that is in the interest of our nation. As we have done until today, we will continue to be 'a motor for good and a brake for evil' from now on."

SINCERITY IS REQUIRED

Pointing out that the terrorism problem is an issue that must be solved with sincerity, Arıkan noted the following: "If you are sincere, if you are going to put your hand under the stone, we are ready to put our bodies under the mountains. But if you are chasing petty agendas and stalling the nation; this nation will purge both terrorism and you from this country. I invite Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş to hold a closed session in Parliament regarding this issue that is occupying the country's agenda."