BDP condemns attacks on ministry and AKP HQ in Ankara, warns of provocation

ANKARA

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Gültan Kışanak. DHA photo

The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) condemned today simultaneous attacks targeting the Justice Ministry and the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) headquarters late March 19, while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said some important information about the assaults was gathered.

The condemnation came in the form of a written statement signed by both co-chairs of the party, Gültan Kışanak and Selahattin Demirtaş.

"Everybody who favors a resolution and peace should stand more resolute, more determined and stronger in the face of these kinds of provocations and should not step back," the BDP leaders said.

"The state and the government should take necessary precautions on time vis-à-vis possible new attacks. Preventing the provocations is a duty and responsibility for the government in the first place.

Democratic public opinion should also be more sensitive and careful concerning the developments," they said.

"We once more condemn the attack and present our 'get well soon wishes' to the AK Party and the Justice Ministry," they said.

The double attack comes as jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan is expected to call for a cease-fire tomorrow amid talks with government officials seeking to end the nearly three-decade conflict between PKK militants and Turkish security forces. The call is expected to represent a step forward in the ongoing resolution process which is also supported by the BDP, which shares a constituency with supporters of the PKK.

Serious information gathered: Erdoğan

"Serious information and findings have been gathered," Premier Erdoğan said in the Netherlands A more detailed statement would be made later, he added.

Doğan News Agency reported that the bomb hit a point between the eight and seventh floors of the AKP's headquarters, where Erdoğan is located.

US strongly condemns attack

Francis Ricciardone, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, meanwhile, has strongly condemned last night's attacks on the Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters and Justice Ministry building in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Following a meeting with Turkish Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Ricciardone told reporters that he already had an appointment with the minister and the aim of his visit was to enhance bilateral cooperation against terrorism within the framework of law.

"We condemn last night's attack in the strongest terms," he said.

Assailants hurled two hand grenades at the Justice Ministry building last night, slightly wounding one person, and in a separate attack, a flamethrower was fired on the headquarters of the AKP.

Some media reports said a written statement carrying the name of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) was left at the scene in front of the ministry.

Police have been continuing operations against the group since it claimed responsibility for the Feb. 1 suicide attack targeting the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, which killed one person, as well as the attacker, Ecevit Şanlı.