CHP ready to take risk in Kurdish issue

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu says he would take any kind of risk just so long as Turkey’s interests are served, and its unity and integrity are preserve. DAILY NEWS photo, Selahattin SÖNMEZ

Main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said he is ready to assume any risk and even forego his entire political career if it were to help produce a solution to Turkey’s Kurdish problem.

“If the interests of this country see it fit to end my political career, then I am ready to sacrifice my political career for this country. I would take any kind of risk just so long as this country’s interests are served, and its unity and integrity are preserved,” Republican People’s Party (CHP) head Kılıçdaroğlu told a live program on March 8 on private channel Sky Türk 360.

The main opposition CHP already made two proposals that might have ended the Kurdish problem, but the government rejected them, he said. The CHP accordingly recommended the establishment of a reconciliation commission in Parliament and another commission comprised of academics and public opinion leaders from outside of Parliament, said Kılıçdaroğlu. All talks would then be conducted through this second commission, he added.
“[The presence of armed] conflict in this land does not befit Turkey in the 21st century. Turkey’s political [machinery] in the 21st century ought to be ready to solve this problem. Otherwise it ought not to be in power either,” Kılıçdaroğlu was quoted as saying by Anatolia news agency.

“It is our people who bleed and die,” he said, adding that they were going to strengthen Turkey’s position by taking care of its people and its interests.

Meaningful visit

Meanwhile, Kılıçdaroğlu also paid a visit to the home of deceased Turkish singer Cem Karaca’s wife, Ilkim Karaca, in Istanbul’s Baltalimanı neighborhood on March 9, according to Doğan news agency.
Kılıçdaroğlu picked up certain personal effects that once belonged to the renowned singer that were donated to the CHP by Ilkim Karaca.

The belongings will be displayed at the party’s museum, Kılıçdaroğlu said.