Blaming Turkish government for Paris killing ‘tactless,’ PM says

ISTANBUL

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Pinning responsibility for the killings of three female Kurdish activists in Paris is irresponsible and tactless, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said today during a party meeting in Parliament, daily Hürriyet has reported.

“Accusing [the Turkish] state and government right after the assassinations in Paris is no different than putting an opportunity on a silver platter for the real perpetrators,” Erdoğan said.

The prime minister also slammed the Republican People’s Party (CHP), accusing them of not being actively part of the process to end Turkey’s long-running Kurdish issue but continuing to falter as the main opposition.

“We asked some questions to Paris on Saturday. The response came from the CHP leader, not Paris,” Erdoğan said. “Are you a lawyer for France, a spokesman of Paris? Is this your job? [They] have not clarified which country’s opposition party they are. He and his friends have to decide whether they stand against this process or support it.”

Sakine Cansız, one of the founders of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as well as Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez, were gunned down in an office in central Paris on Jan. 9. It remains unclear who the perpetrators were.

Talks with Öcalan

Erdoğan also commented on recent talks with jailed PKK head Abdullah Öcalan, saying government officials had long expended efforts to begin a positive process with the group’s leader.

“The usage of the state’s branches as an instrument by the government is making them uncomfortable,” Erdoğan said. “Our intent is good; I hope the aftermath will be good.”

Erdoğan also asked the Turkish people to stand firm against propaganda and ignore slander as part of the talks.