Press for apology and amends: CHP leader

ANKARA

Turkey will obtain the desired result over Syria’s downing of a Turkish jet if it makes “a resolute struggle” on the international platform, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said.

“Syria should formally apologize to the Turkish people and pay compensation, as required by international law. If [Syria] fulfils [those conditions], then we would accept the apology and admit that there has been a mistake,” Kılıçdaroğlu said late June 27 on broadcaster CNN Türk.

Having faced intra-party criticism over remarks in which he said nobody should “dare to test Turkey’s deterrence and strength” in the aftermath of the downing of the Turkish jet, Kılıçdaroğlu added that he was against any kind of conflict with Syria.

Asked whether Turkey should hit one of Syria’s military bases in retaliation, Kılıçdaroğlu responded, “I have never said: ‘Let’s fight with our neighbor.’ I’m advocating peace instead of war. What I was trying to say is that the government’s foreign policy was based on bluff, which harms Turkey’s position in the Middle East.”

Responding a question whether his party would endorse a possible resolution for military intervention in Syria, he said they should examine the motive of the resolution, adding that they would lend their support to any decision required for Turkey’s national interests.