Özel to pay a visit to CHP leader

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel will pay a visit to main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu Aug. 9, a day after allegations surfaced that the two are at loggerheads.

The meeting was announced on the same day a news report alleged that Kılıçdaroğlu was at odds with Özel, whom he recently criticized for crying at the funeral of a soldier who was killed during a clash with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Kılıçdaroğlu did not shake hands with Özel or other commanders at Sgt. Kamil Çetinkaya’s funeral at Ankara’s Kocatepe Mosque on Aug. 7, daily Milliyet reported Aug. 8.

The CHP released a written statement early in the morning denying the report, saying Kılıçdaroğlu and Özel’s relationship continues in accordance with the customary practices and traditions of the Turkish Republic.Kılıçdaroğlu said he is not at loggerheads with Özel, speaking to reporters after visiting soldiers under treatment in GATA military hospital Aug. 8. “We did not shake hands, but we greeted each other. Our relationship is continuing in accordance with our traditions and customary practices. He will pay a visit to CHP headquarters tomorrow,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.