Support for Bahçeli from the AKP front: 'A message to come together one last time'

While the new "solution process" debates that began following the call made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli last week at his party's group meeting to Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK leader imprisoned in İmralı, continue, a message of support has come from AKP Deputy Chairman Nihat Zeybekci.

In his assessment of Bahçeli's statements, Zeybekci said, "We are behind it all the way. Because this statement is a declaration made for the nation, the homeland, and the country." Regarding the members of the terrorist organization in Qandil, Zeybekci said, "We know very well where those sold-out individuals in Qandil have been sold to. My Kurdish brothers are children of this homeland; they are the same as I am. However, there are those who have been deceived and misled in some way, and we know that they are being directed by other people."

A FINAL CALL FOR UNITY

Emphasizing that they stand behind Bahçeli's statement, Zeybekci said, "We have the opportunity and the chance to say 'come, let us be one' to them one last time. Because we know very well where those in Qandil will flee to and what they have sold their souls for. We will certainly bury them in those lairs of theirs. However, in the meantime, if there are those who are regretful and were deceived, it is about embracing them, nothing else."

WHAT DID BAHÇELİ SAY?

Bahçeli, who made statements at his party's group meeting last week, stated that Öcalan should speak in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (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 legal arrangements regarding the use of the right to hope be made, and let the path for him to benefit from this be opened wide. Let the address extend not from Qandil or Edirne, but from İmralı to DEM, 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 HAD COME FROM THE DEM PARTY

The response to this call from Bahçeli did not take long from the DEM Party. DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları responded to Bahçeli's call, saying, "The interlocutor of 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 absolutely be lifted. We say let him come physically and speak. Let us all see together what he says. Steps must be taken urgently on this matter without wasting time. I underline once again that we, as the DEM Party, are ready to do whatever is necessary on this matter."