Cemil Çiçek, a founder of the AKP, supports Bahçeli: 'It could lead to a great loss'

Cemil Çiçek, a founder of the AKP and former Minister of Justice, evaluated the call made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and his remarks regarding the "right to hope." Speaking to Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü, Çiçek described these statements by Bahçeli as an important message in terms of a resolution.

Criticizing those who have attacked Bahçeli's recent statements, Çiçek said, "It would be more accurate to evaluate what Bahçeli said in terms of a resolution. Otherwise, politics is being conducted based on what was said in the past."

WOULD IT BE MISLEADING TO COMPARE HIS PAST STATEMENTS WITH TODAY'S MESSAGE?

Referring to Bahçeli's previous statements, Cemil Çiçek emphasized that criticisms such as "You said something different a month ago, what happened now?" do not contribute to the resolution process. Stating that "This is not a subject to be evaluated superficially," Çiçek noted that an analysis must be made by taking the context of the statements into account.

Cemil Çiçek stated, "While supporters of the People's Alliance remained silent, the opposition side turned this situation into material for political strife, just like before 1980. However, looking at it from such a narrow angle could lead to a major loss in the fight against terrorism."

LOOKING AT THE ISSUE FROM A NARROW PERSPECTIVE WOULD BE DANGEROUS

Çiçek warned that addressing Bahçeli's call from a narrow perspective could lead to more confusion rather than solving the problem. "Turning everything into a political conflict hinders the resolution process," he said, expressing that the issue should not be viewed merely as political strife.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in his speech at his party's TBMM Group Meeting on October 22, said, "Today I will speak directly, in a way that leaves no need for interpretation," and made a call regarding PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, stating: "If the isolation of the terrorist leader is lifted, let him come and speak at the DEM Party group meeting in the TBMM, and declare that terrorism has completely ended and the organization has been disbanded. If he shows this resolve and determination, let the path be wide open for the necessary legal regulations regarding the use of the 'right to hope' and for him to benefit from it. Let the address extend not from Qandil or Edirne, but from Imralı 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. For the sake of the homeland, the nation, the state, the flag, a common future, and full independence, we are ready to endure even this to the end."

While Bahçeli's words stirred political circles, the question of "Is a new resolution process beginning?"—which had come to the agenda following his handshake with DEM Party members at the opening of the Parliament's new legislative year on October 1—began to be discussed more intensely.