Nation will bury coup Constitution at referendum, says PM Erdoğan

Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Erdoğan said, “My nation will bury this coup d’état Constitution in history at the referendum.” He also said he was confident that although the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will be campaigning for “no” votes, the party’s grass roots will support the package in the referendum.

He also dismissed any possibility of an early election. “Nobody should expect untimely elections. Turkey is no longer one of those backward countries with a culture that holds elections daily.” He said there were times in Turkey’s history when governments changed every 16 months.

Erdoğan recalled that in its last term, the government stayed in power for four years. “This is an indication of development. This is the culture of holding elections, and this is how we will live. Investors also look at this [when making] decisions.” He said both domestic and international investors took note of election periods in their risk calculations.

He also stated that Turkey has posted a record growth rate in the first quarter of 2010. He said his opponents would in fact be happy if Turkey’s economy had shrunk. “The only thing they care about is how they can remove the AK Party from power. They never tell the truth. They always distort the facts. They don’t care about what happens to Turkey as long as the AK Party fails. This is how they see things. We will continue to make them unhappy and make our nation happy.”

He said his party greatly valued consulting with experts and larger segments of society as well as extensive dialogue. Erdoğan said in the past seven-and-a-half years that the AK Party has been in power his party has talked with political parties, civil society organizations, academics, writers and journalists who have opened their doors to them and stated that they will continue to do that.

“We have never held any grudges, we have never sought revenge, we have never turned our backs on anyone. We spoke to everyone that would benefit our nation without compromising our principles. Those who claim that the AK Party avoids dialogue and consultation are being unfair,” he said.

Erdoğan stated that his party has spoken to various groups including Alevi, Roma, Bosnian and Albanian communities in Turkey as well as non-Muslim minorities. “This was the first time they were treated as partners by the government and the state. We listened to everyone, from artists to actors and athletes. We listened to those segments whose ideas had never been sought under any government.”

I respect MHP grass roots

He said every political party had to deal with terrorism in the past 30 years. “Unfortunately, although terror is a national and supra-political issue, it has always been an instrument exploited to wear out governments. Many a government feared taking brave steps due to populist pressure from the opposition.” He said terrorists made good use of this.

He said his party has talked to the MHP about every important issue since 2007; however, the MHP rejected cooperation in crucial matters. “We suggested that we work together to stop the bloodshed and let our young men live. They shunned cooperation in such crucial matters,” he said. Erdoğan said the MHP was not willing to take any part in the country’s fight against terrorism.

“I respect the MHP’s grass roots. But I don’t think the party administration and the grass roots’ approaches regarding the referendum [on the constitutional reform package] overlap. Although this current [MHP] administration is not part of democratization efforts, their voters will be part of this and vote yes in the referendum.”

He also recalled that the AK Party was refusing to talk to the MHP and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) because they use terrorism for their political goals. He also thanked the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Felicity Party (SP) and the Grand Unity Party (BBP) for opening their doors to the AK Party to discuss this vital issue.

Meanwhile, Erdoğan had his first meeting with DSP leader Masum Türker yesterday. The meeting was held at the DSP headquarters in Ankara. Türker welcomed Erdoğan at the door of the building. Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek, Interior Minister Beşir Atalay and Public Order and Safety Undersecretary Muammer Güler accompanied the prime minister.