Kurds’ division intended with Barzani visit: Main opposition CHP

ISTANBUL - Radikal

The AKP seeks religion-based solution to the issue, Loğoğlu says.

The President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Massoud Barzani’s recent visit to Diyarbakır shows the government’s intention, “to create a division among Kurds,” which will make resolving Turkey’s Kurdish issue more difficult, according to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is aiming to give the message, “You’re not alone on the stage,” to Abdullah Öcalan, jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the PKK’s leadership in the Qandil mountains, by hosting Barzani in Diyarbakır, CHP Deputy Chair Faruk Loğoğlu said on Nov. 18 at a press conference at Parliament. 

“Turkey took the Kurdish issue beyond its borders because it cannot resolve the issue within its own borders. They are hoping for Barzani’s help. But what will happen when the message, ‘You are the patron of the Kurds in the region’ is given to Barzani?” Loğoğlu asked. “Those who are dreaming about an independent Kurdish state will be more encouraged. The course of such events will make resolving the Kurdish issue for Turkey even more difficult and may pave the way for turning the Kurdish issue into a regional revolt dynamic.”

‘Vote endeavour’

Stressing that Barzani deserves to be respected and they are not against his visit to Diyarbakır, Loğoğlu said they are against seeking Barzani’s help in Turkey’s peace process, aimed at resolving the Kurdish issue.

“The [Diyarbakır] show is the latest result of the AKP’s [the ruling Justice and Development Party] effort to find a religion-based solution to the Kurdish issue,” Loğoğlu said, labeling Barzani’s visit to Diyarbakır as an outcome of the AKP’s endeavors in increasing its votes in southeastern Turkey.

Responding reporters’ questions over recent news reports that CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu would run in the 2014 presidential elections, Loğoğlu said he hasn’t heard such matter among chairman’s visit ovjectives.