Opposition rejects PM's invitation to discuss terror

“I will convey my invitation as soon as possible. We will see who will come. I would like to discuss these issues [related to terrorism] with those who accept the invitation. I would like to hear what kind of contribution they would make. It does not matter whether it [the meeting] happens between two individuals or between delegations, as long as we reach a consensus and address these problems. I will invite all parties, both those in Parliament and outside it. This is not unusual for me. I have no prejudices,” the prime minister said yesterday during his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting.

Erdoğan's invitation kicked off a series of exchanges among party leaders in Ankara yesterday. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who had previously signaled that he would meet with Erdoğan to discuss terrorism, said he would not accept such an invitation since he expects a visit from the prime minister first.

“I do not know whether the prime minister thinks of himself as the president, but we are waiting for him to pay a visit to our party. ... There is no tradition in our country of the prime minister gathering political party leaders. It is the president who invites party leaders,” he said.

Erdoğan took no time to respond to Kılıçdaroğlu’s comments. “I did not say that I am the president. I am the prime minister, and I am at the helm of the executive body. I have to take necessary steps on this issue as the head of the executive body. And I will take these steps as I did before. I will later make an assessment in accordance with the responses I receive,” said Erdoğan.

Kılıçdaroğlu said on Saturday that he would meet with the prime minister to discuss the rising terrorism in the country if the prime minister requested a meeting. “Of course, if the esteemed prime minister feels such a need and wants to listen to our opinions on the issue, we will convey them with all sincerity,” he said.

An immediate rejection to Erdoğan’s call came from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, the harshest critic of government’s democratic initiative. He said he does not think that such a meeting would be fruitful.

“The esteemed prime minister has lost his sincerity and credibility. There’s no way of knowing what kind of lies and smears we would face after the meeting. So, we will most likely refuse to attend such a meeting,” Bahçeli said yesterday as he answered questions from reporters following his party’s parliamentary group gathering. He added that he would attend a meeting bringing together party leaders if it is organized by President Abdullah Gül.

“But I have a recommendation. The esteemed president should have such meetings and he should invite political party leaders. He can both have one-to-one or group meetings. But, we do not think that a meeting with the prime minister would be fruitful. The responsibility should be on the president. The president has been drawing attention with his calmer and more analytical approach. So, I think it would be better if he held such meetings,” Bahçeli said.

During his speech in Parliament yesterday, Erdoğan recalled that his party also previously took the initiative to meet with political party leaders to discuss the democratic reforms it launched last summer to address Turkey’s long-standing Kurdish issue and to end terrorism. Noting that the AK Party was exposed to “impolite and ugly” criticism on the issue, the prime minister said they did not close their doors to anybody despite the negative reaction. Neither the CHP nor the MHP has agreed to meet with the government on the democratic initiative thus far.

Erdoğan: Everyone can contribute to this process

“If there are really those who would like to meet with us and contribute to this process -- those from the media, civil society and even individuals -- we would meet with them. We would take into consideration all proposals for a solution to the nation’s problems, no matter who voices them. Turkey cannot proceed on its way to the future with this [Kurdish] issue. There is no way, other than solving it. We will join hands with all of Turkey’s 73 million people and solve this issue,” the prime minister said.

Tension and violence have escalated in Turkey recently, after Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists attacked dozens of military personnel and civilians, bringing terrorism to the top of the country’s agenda.

Erdoğan also said the issue of fighting with terrorism is a national one, underlining that the government and the security forces are not the only bodies responsible for the issue. “The opposition, all political parties, NGOs, opinion leaders and the media all have responsibility in this issue, as much as the government and security forces have. Turkey has been trying to address this issue for 26 years. All governments have been faced with this problem throughout the years. They worked to solve it, but terror could not be ended since radical and courageous measures were not taken,” Erdoğan said. The prime minister also added that using terrorist attacks as an opportunity to wear down the government deals the biggest blow to counterterrorism efforts.