Özgür Özel reveals details of MIT Chief Kalın's presentation: 'We requested intelligence support'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel answered questions from Kübra Par on TV100.

Describing the visit of National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Chief İbrahim Kalın to the CHP Headquarters yesterday to deliver a presentation as being of "historical importance," Özel stated the following regarding the details of the meeting:

“As the CHP, we are the strongest candidate for government and the leading party of the last elections. The fact that the MIT came to the CHP to give a presentation and answer the CHP's questions is valuable in itself, regardless of the content. I attach importance to this. Communication was established between our private offices and a date was set. For security reasons, the time and the entry and exit points were kept confidential. We said, ‘Come to the 12th floor, take whatever precautions you wish.’ Before the meeting, MIT officials took the necessary security measures in the meeting hall, conducted a sweep for listening devices, and secured the room. This confidentiality was applied with sensitivity in accordance with the MIT's working principles. We met at 11:00 AM, but we agreed to announce it during the day.”

"WE REQUESTED INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT FROM THE MIT"

During the meeting, presentations were made on three main topics: the PKK, FETÖ, and DAESH. The presentations also provided information on other Islamist terrorist organizations linked to DAESH. Three different experts gave the presentations, with İbrahim Kalın contributing in between. Following these presentations, we asked the 15 questions we had prepared. We received answers to 9 of our questions, and I personally re-asked the remaining 6 questions in detail. We also had a request for support from him.

We receive numerous applications for the CHP's offices abroad. We requested intelligence support from the MIT to ensure that FETÖ or other terrorist organizations do not infiltrate the CHP during membership recruitment. We are going to open representative offices for the CHP in many states in the US, especially now. There is a serious risk there. There is also a PKK threat in Germany. A statement they make there is later attributed to the party. In that respect, it is very dangerous. We asked for help on this matter. They said they could help with great pleasure. Our meeting had such a positive outcome.”

WAS THE MANSUR YAVAŞ ISSUE BROUGHT UP?

In response to the question, “An allegation had been made regarding the surveillance of Mansur Yavaş by the MIT. You had also made a statement about this. Was this issue brought up?” Özel replied:

"No, that topic did not come up, but they had already conveyed to both me and Mr. Mansur that they had no such prior work or job description regarding that matter. That is why we did not bring that subject up again yesterday."

"WE ARE KEEPING THE NAMES CONFIDENTIAL"

When asked who attended the meeting, Özel said, "We are keeping those names confidential. I can only give the name of our Secretary General, Selin Sayek Böke. Even the deputy chairmen do not know who entered. I told them, 'If these names leak from here, I will not give you another task.' We are paying attention to privacy."

"THIS SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A REVENGE"

Özel evaluated the scuffle that took place yesterday between Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and CHP deputies at the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Planning and Budget Committee as follows:

"I was not happy to see the Interior Minister of the Republic of Turkey or my party's deputies in that frame. As sad as the scene in front of the Esenyurt Municipality was, yesterday's scene was just as sad, but this should not be seen as a revenge. I wish neither the Interior Minister nor our friends had been part of that image. I am truly saddened by this part of the matter. Furthermore, I know that the citizens do not want to see fighting. Citizens want the toughest debates, but they do not want to see pushing and shoving. Therefore, let this incident be a 'nazar boncuğu' (a small mishap) within the constructive politics and effective opposition approach we are pursuing."

"INTERNAL FRONT" EMPHASIS

On the other hand, Ahmet Hakan, known for his proximity to the government, also emphasized the 'internal front' regarding the meeting in his column in Hürriyet newspaper. Hakan wrote, "I learned that İbrahim Kalın left the MIT briefing at the CHP satisfied. Kalın thinks this meeting went very well," adding, "They talk about keeping the internal front strong... The internal front is strengthened through such initiatives."

News Source: 12punto