 ANKARA
(Hurriyet)—The anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
the founder of modern Turkey, was overshadowed by a heated
debate Tuesday in Parliament as the ruling Justice and
Development party (AKP) attempted to discuss its Kurdish
initiative to end Turkey’s 25-year conflict with its Kurdish
minority.The AKP last week submitted a motion to Parliament
requesting a discussion of its Kurdish initiative with
opposition parties in Parliament on Tuesday.
Opposition parties reacted negatively to the chosen date,
saying parliamentary discussion of the Kurdish initiative would
likely overshadow commemoration activities for the founder of
the Turkish Republic, who died on November 10, 1938.
Despite the opposition, the AKP brought the issue to
Parliament on Tuesday for discussion. The Republican People’s
Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) submitted a
motion to Parliament asking for the Kurdish move to be discussed
another day and tension inside the hall started to escalate.
Prior to the session, CHP leader Deniz Baykal held his
party’s parliamentary group meeting and harshly criticized the
AKP’s insistence on the Nov. 10 date, as well as the Kurdish
initiative in general.
“We are witness to the first time in Turkish history that a
plot is being staged and implemented by the ruling government
against the accomplishments of the Republic. They are staging
this plot in the name of developing democracy,” Baykal said,
adding that the AKP’s inability to accept secularism has led to
a constitutional conflict.
“We shouldn’t let ambushes wear down the Republic. We should
oppose the ethnic-oriented discriminatory efforts,” Baykal said,
stressing the importance of preserving the principles, values
and legacy of Ataturk.
Baykal also criticized the AKP’s insistence on discussing the
Kurdish move on the anniversary of Ataturk’s death and said such
a move implied a kind of veiled plot against the founder’s
accomplishments. “I don’t know whether the Nov. 10 date is
coincidental, but it is a kind of contempt against the Turkish
nation to discuss the issue on such a date,” the CHP leader
said. “We should not forget such initiatives if they are
demonstrated in a challenging way.”
Mehmet Şandır, MHP parliamentary group leader, called the
AKP’s move discriminatory.
“It is not right for such an issue to be discussed on the
anniversary of Atatürk’s death,” Sandir said. “The AKP insisted
on this day and it is very unfortunate to bring the issue to
Parliament on such a date when the flags are lowered to
half-mast. Who are you challenging?”
AKP Kahramanmaras deputy Avni Dogan criticized the
opposition’s approach and his speech sparked tension in the
parliamentary hall. “The AKP says it brought a project of
democracy, peace and unity. Today is not a day for mourning. You
[the opposition], however, say Ataturk didn’t die but lives in
our hearts but also refuse to discuss the Kurdish initiative
saying that today is a day for mourning,” Dogan said.
“Kemalism doesn’t mean a deadlock and it anticipates making
the terrorists come down from the mountains,” Dogan said as he
accused the opposition parties of applauding the military coup
plotters.
His words sparked tension and CHP’s Kemal Anadol and MHP’s
Mehmet Sandır reacted strongly.
Taking the floor, Hakki Suha Okay, CHP’s parliamentary group
deputy leader, also criticized the AKP’s decision to discuss the
Kurdish move. “You [AKP] couldn’t make the terrorists come down
from the mountains. You welcomed them with a state ceremony and
you chose Nov. 10 on purpose. It is a challenge and taking
revenge from Ataturk!’” he said.
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