The critics of this proposal argued that allowing foreign countries, particularly Israel, to clear the mines along Turkey's Syrian border would put Turkey's national security at risk. The article included in the proposal that drew the most ire from the opposition was one allowing the chosen mine-clearing company to lease the territory, using it for agricultural purposes for up to 44 years. Upon mounting pressure, the AK Party withdrew its proposal and is now planning to revise the proposal by removing this article. “Where is Israel in this tender?” Erdoğan asked on Tuesday, noting that the criticism of some circles about the mine-cleaning issue were far from being serious, drawing support from some columnists who say the critics acted too early to react.In reference to the opposition campaign launched mainly by the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) against the AK Party's proposal, Zaman's Mustafa Ünal says it is necessary to accept that the reaction of the opposition parties has been influential on society and confused the minds of even some AK Party deputies. Explaining the details of the AK Party's upcoming proposal, Ünal talks about three options for the clearing of mines. According to the first plan, he says, a tender to clear the mines will be given to a company that submits the most competitive bid and the area to be cleared of mines will not be leased to that company for any period of time. If this does not work, the way before NATO's Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) clearing the mines will be opened. And if both alternatives fail, the third option, the build-operate-transfer model, will be implemented, allowing the company winning the tender to use the land for agricultural purposes for a specified period of time. “I do not think there will be any need to resort to the third option, and one should not easily reach the conclusion that the tender will be given to Israeli firms if this option is put into practice,” says Ünal.
Star's Şamil Tayyar says he cannot remain indifferent to the ongoing efforts to give an end to the tragedies caused by mines along Turkey's Syrian border as someone who grew up along this border, who lost some friends in mine explosions and saw others disabled by such explosions. In the wake of the remarks of critics who argue that Turkey will "sell" this land to Israeli firms for a period of 49 years, Tayyar says: “How do you know this? Has any law been enacted, have any offers for a tender been received, has the way the tender will be held been determined? No. Then, what is the problem? The build-operate-transfer model is only one of the proposed methods. If a better method can be thought of tomorrow, it can be considered as well. First, see what kind of a method will be followed; if a need arises, you can surely voice your opposition.”
