Erdogan: "Surrender of terrorist PKK members is part of the democratic initiative"

Speaking at his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan touted the recent surrender of a group of terrorist PKK members as a positive development. A group of terrorist PKK members recently surrendered to Turkish authorities at the Habur border gate between Turkey and Iraq amid Ankara's push for its democratic initiative, details of which are expected to be revealed soon. "Could one not be hopeful upon seeing that picture?" said Erdogan. "Good things are happening in Turkey." Criticizing opposition parties for their intransigence towards the initiative, Erdogan said, "Even if we are left alone, we will continue our fight to complete the initiative with the support of our people." He added, "The tears of mothers and the blood of martyrs are above all political interests. There are some who are trying to block us from proceeding on our path. Why don't you contribute to the process?" Eight of the group members came from the Qandil Mountains, where the PKK has camps, and the rest came from Mahmour, a refugee camp, both in northern Iraq. Erdogan said the terrorists' mass surrender was part of what he called a "brotherhood project." He said, "We are together in this country and accept no division under any circumstance. I call on terrorists who are currently in the mountains and in Europe to return to their country. Parties who seek to turn such a return into a political show should act responsibly. Irresponsible statements will not yield any benefits for the process." Erdogan also expressed his regret at the removal of Turkish flags around monuments in Azerbaijan commemorating Turkish soldiers who fell in battle on Azeri soil fighting the Russian and Armenian armies in 1918. The flags were removed after a rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia and the signing of protocols between the two countries. "We never take any step that would disturb our Azeri brothers," he said. "Let them be sure about this. For us, the Azeri flag is as sacred as Azeri soil. Our martyrs resting in Baku are a testament to this. Let no one test Turkey's sincerity. We should be on alert against provocations." Stating that he had spoken with Azeri parliamentarians about the pacts with Armenia, Erdogan said, "I told them that it's out of the question for Turkey to take any step against Azerbaijan. Circles of instigation are trying to mislead the public with slander. Our Azeri brothers should not allow this."