Özgür Özel makes statement after meeting with MYK and PM members: 'It will not dampen our hope'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, regarding the terrorist attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), said, "One must also look carefully at the timing of today's terrorist attack, but nothing will dampen our hope regarding Turkey's brotherhood.

Furthermore, some opportunists and political pickpockets are trying to deceive our citizens with word games, claiming that 'Özgür Özel promised a state to the Kurds.' I promise them democracy and working together for a future where you will fully embrace the Republic of Turkey, feel like the owners of the state, and feel that all 86 million, together with the Turks, are full and equal citizens of this state," he said.

Özel made the statement to journalists as he left the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry, following a meeting where he evaluated the terrorist attack with the Central Executive Board (MYK) members, Party Assembly (PM) members, and deputies who accompanied him.

Özel stated that they were informed of the terrorist attack in Kahramankazan during their visit to the municipality today, and that they held a meeting with the delegation present, as well as MYK and PM members and deputies, in the meeting hall allocated to them at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noting that at the same time, MYK members in Ankara had also gathered at the call of the secretary-general.

Stating that he had spoken on the phone with Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya and received information regarding the number of martyrs and the wounded, Özel said:

"He also shared information that the hostage situation concluded without any harm. Under these circumstances, it is not possible to continue this political trip; we are returning to Ankara. We are heading to the airport from here and returning on the first flight. During this time, we met with the esteemed members of the city council, albeit for a shorter time than planned, after our meeting ended."

Pointing out that the agenda today is terrorism, Özel expressed that they condemn terrorism regardless of who it comes from, where it comes from, or for what purpose it is carried out.

Özel said the following:

"Our entire expectation is for terrorism to be removed from Turkey's agenda, and as we encountered frequently in Diyarbakır today, for there to be no one left—neither in Diyarbakır, nor in Muş, nor in Van, nor in the outskirts of major cities—who says, 'I don't want anything, I want equal citizenship, I want to be equal like everyone else,' and rebels against this.

We expect every Turk, every Kurd, regardless of their ethnic origin or sect, all citizens of the Republic of Turkey, to embrace this country not because the state decides for them, but because they truly feel, 'My problems have been solved and I feel equal.'"

Addressing the terrorist attack, Özel stated that they demand the matter be clarified in all its aspects during such processes. Özel noted the following:

"In such processes, we demand that the matter be clarified in all its aspects. These things happen in such processes; these things have always happened in these lands. That is why one must look carefully at the timing of today's terrorist attack. But nothing will dampen our hope regarding Turkey's brotherhood. Nothing will make us take a step back in our will regarding this matter. Furthermore, some opportunists and political pickpockets are trying to deceive our citizens with word games, claiming that 'Özgür Özel promised a state to the Kurds.'

I promise them democracy and working together for a future where you will fully embrace the Republic of Turkey, feel like the owners of the state, and feel that all 86 million, together with the Turks, are full and equal citizens of this state. Nothing will come of those trying to engage in political pickpocketing from the first word of my statement. If anything comes of it, it will only be the far-right populism that has become a trouble for democracy in Europe and the world. It is clear what they are doing to the whole world and their own countries. That is why we will continue to defend what we know to be right with determination and without being discouraged by such distortions, such lies, and such pickpocketing."

Expressing that the Central Executive Board is in session in Ankara, Özel stated that they would also attend that meeting and examine the issue in all its aspects.

Stating that his words were distorted in his speech, Özel said, "Once again, I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives. I offer my condolences to their families. Our physician colleagues are closely attending to the wounded. We are following their health status. I hope they regain their health in a short time," he said. 

News Source: 12punto