MHP slams government over equal rights to Kurds

ANKARA

Nationalist Movement Party’s leader Devlet Bahçeli says the PKK’s views and pressures have been adopted by the ruling AKP, Justice and Development Party. AA photo

The Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP) leader has lashed out at Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç for his promise to give Kurds equal rights and accused the government of assuming the mission of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“If [Arınç’s comments] were not voiced senselessly, then we will evaluate this as a progression of their betrayal. This person, who does not contribute or sacrifice for the welfare of our land and the unity of our nation, is using his temporary powers to hand out our national values to their supporters like it’s a prize,” MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli said in a written statement over the weekend.

“Those who say they are Kurds – we will give them at least as much education, language, culture and identity rights as we all have in this country. We will grant and acknowledge all of their cultural and constitutional rights,” Arınç said during a budget meeting last week.

“From what we can see, the ruling party has taken on the mission of the political separatists in Parliament, thus making their hidden agenda on Kurdish and minorities clear. The PKK’s views and pressures have been adopted by the AKP [Justice and Development Party],” Bahçeli said.

“It is no coincidence that the sub-identity missionaries and separatists have met with the AKP. This is the result of a planned organization. We have to accept that there are no differences between the AKP and the BDP [Peace and Democracy Party]. The AKP is united with [the PKK] in an effort to poison our lands,” he said.

“The deputy prime minister’s personal intention with his uncontrolled statement at the budget meetings is Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s expectations for the future and commitment in advance to the known circles making calculations over Turkey. Their efforts will yield no results,” Bahçeli said.

“Everyone needs to be certain that as long as the MHP exists, no one can take a share from our land, reach their goals of a federation and democratic sovereignty, or damage the national and unitary structure of our government. The AKP and the BDP will not achieve their goals of making separatism legal through constitutional changes,” said Bahçeli.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.