Statement from Özgür Özel after US contacts: 'It is wrong to view the Turkish House as a headquarters'

Having completed his contacts in the US, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made important statements regarding his visit to the Turkish House (Türkevi) in New York.

Emphasizing that it is wrong to perceive the Turkish House as a political party headquarters, Özel said, "We will come to this house with CHP ministers in a year. Turkey's 50-year-old house is there, and we will host all the world's leaders in that house." Drawing attention to the lack of information regarding the association of the Turkish House with TÜRGEV and TÜGVA, Özel added, "The CHP cannot have any hostility toward this building."

THERE ARE THOSE WHO MUST FACE THE CONSEQUENCES

Addressing the discussions regarding the Turkish House's occupancy permit, Özel said, "The judiciary and the law are very strong in America; no one is under pressure. If someone has committed a crime, they will face the consequences. Those who make bribery allegations against the Republic of Turkey have done the greatest harm to Turkey. They, too, must face the consequences."

REACTION TO AKEL ON CYPRUS

Özel showed a strong reaction to the AKEL Party from the Greek Cypriot side, which characterized the presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus as an "occupation" during the Socialist International meeting held within the scope of the United Nations summit.

Stating that they left the hall after hearing these expressions, Özel said that the Turkish Cypriot people view this situation as heroism and that they will continue to defend Turkey's theses all over the world.

"The Cyprus issue is a matter inherited by the CHP from Ecevit. We took the right side and will continue to do so," said Özel, adding that they would also provide support in acting as a bridge in disputes between the government and the opposition in Cyprus.

Özgür Özel announced that they would make changes to the CHP's organizational structure in the US. Stating that they have severed ties with the professional representation in Washington, Özel said that they would create a new organizational model with volunteer Turkish community representatives in many states, starting from New York. "We receive 80 percent of the votes here, but the participation rate is low. We will consolidate our power by increasing this," he said.

Touching upon the diplomatic contacts to be established with the new US president, Özel said, "We will conduct diplomacy based on institutional relations with the US, just as we do with other countries. We will establish rational and lasting relations with Turkey's trained foreign policy experts."