No magical solution to Kurdish problem: PM
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 01, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - Amid continuing debate over the solution to the Kurdish issue, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Saturday that there is no magic formula to solve the issue. "We do not have miracles that we can create overnight.
But we want to solve the problem in good faith," Erdoğan said, speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP’s, congress in the eastern city of Bingöl.
Defining the start of the solution process as an important step, Erdoğan stressed that converting identity politics into a primary issue is treachery. "We candidly endeavor to staunch Turkey’s bleeding wounds. We want an end to terrorism and blood," he said, calling on everyone to act responsibly on the issue. "The struggle against terrorism is the joint issue of 71.5 million citizens in the country," he said.
Erdoğan also emphasized the government’s determination to bring peace and stability to the region, defining the attacks against security forces by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, as an axe taken to the process.
The PKK last Thursday exploded a landmine in Hakkari, killing six soldiers, one of whom was from Bingöl. The attack drew harsh criticism from various segments of society.
During his address, Erdoğan announced that efforts to develop the region would be intensified.
"Now, we are closer to a solution. Next week, we are planning to introduce new incentives for employment and investments in the region," the prime minister said, adding that the government is working to supply equal opportunities for all citizens. "We want to remove the regional differences between the east and the west," he said.In a clear reference to the opposition, Erdoğan said , "Those who have not planted even a tree in the region before today are currently resting under the trees planted by the AKP." He also criticized the mentality that associates every citizen of Kurdish origin with terrorism, saying: "We are trying to destroy this."
Defining the start of the solution process as an important step, Erdoğan stressed that converting identity politics into a primary issue is treachery. "We candidly endeavor to staunch Turkey’s bleeding wounds. We want an end to terrorism and blood," he said, calling on everyone to act responsibly on the issue. "The struggle against terrorism is the joint issue of 71.5 million citizens in the country," he said.
Erdoğan also emphasized the government’s determination to bring peace and stability to the region, defining the attacks against security forces by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, as an axe taken to the process.
The PKK last Thursday exploded a landmine in Hakkari, killing six soldiers, one of whom was from Bingöl. The attack drew harsh criticism from various segments of society.
During his address, Erdoğan announced that efforts to develop the region would be intensified.
"Now, we are closer to a solution. Next week, we are planning to introduce new incentives for employment and investments in the region," the prime minister said, adding that the government is working to supply equal opportunities for all citizens. "We want to remove the regional differences between the east and the west," he said.In a clear reference to the opposition, Erdoğan said , "Those who have not planted even a tree in the region before today are currently resting under the trees planted by the AKP." He also criticized the mentality that associates every citizen of Kurdish origin with terrorism, saying: "We are trying to destroy this."