Erdogan: "We're determined to continue the democratic intiative"

Addressing Parliament during budget debates yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed determination to press ahead with the democratic initiative to resolve the decades-old so-called Kurdish question or southeastern Anatolia issue through expanding the democratic rights and freedoms of Turkey's Kurdish-origin citizens. Erdogan emphasized Turkey's continued path toward European Union membership and the government's commitment to the initiative. On last week's Constitutional Court ruling closing the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) on the grounds it became a focal point for ethnic separatism and failed to sever its links to the terrorist PKK, Erdogan said, "We're against the closure of political parties, but even in the most civilized countries terror is rejected." Erdogan also criticized the opposition, asking what the other parties in Parliament had contributed to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party)-led democratic initiative. "The world looks favorably upon Turkey's accomplishments," he said. "But where do these accomplishments come from? What did you do, distinguished opposition leaders?" Erdogan said, "We wanted the opposition to participate in the democratic initiative. Parliament is where we find solutions. I'm inviting everybody to come and debate in Parliament." Erdogan also said all problems could be overcome through unity and solidarity within the framework of the initiative. Asked afterwards by a reporter if the government will continue passing laws under the initiative, Erdogan replied, "Absolutely."