In address to nation, Erdogan stresses bounds of democratic intiative on Southeastern Anatolis

In a televised address to the nation yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan characterized the government's recently announced democratic initiative to solve Turkey's longstanding so-called Kurdish question or southeastern Anatolia issue as a project of fellowship, and called on opponents of the initiative to abandon their stance, warning that they are doing the nation grave harm. Rebuffing accusations by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli that the initiative amounts to treason, and claims by Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal that the package would damage the republic's unity and political identity, Erdogan said, "Whoever tries to find a treasonous plan in this project of fellowship is causing the most damage to Turkey. The limits laid down by the Constitution are clear: We will never allow any intention or attempt to divide Turkey or cause damage to our national unity or to the unitary structure of our state. We will not take even the smallest step that could harm Turkey's interests. What we are doing is for the benefit of our country. It is for the benefit of our 71.5 million citizens. Our government has always emphasized this: one nation, one country, one flag, one state." Erdogan added, "Everyone should know this very clearly: The purpose of this move is to establish a democratic environment where everyone living in this country can freely express themselves." Stating that the initiative would bring an end to mourning over fallen sons, Erdogan said, "We want our children to live in peace in these territories. This is a democratic initiative, an initiative of love and fraternity. This initiative is a revelation of the common mind." Stressing that the southeastern Anatolia issue cannot be resolved by military means alone, Erdogan called it a multifaceted issue, with social, economic, cultural and psychological dimension dimensions, adding, "Above all, it has a diplomatic dimension. It is an issue of humanity. It is an issue of democracy." Erdogan called on everyone to support the government's efforts to solve the country's problems, including this one. "Everything we have lost is a source of grief for us," he said. "Why add to our losses? Why continue adding new generations of our country to our losses? Why victimize the future of our country for such dark intentions? We will not. … We have always denounced terrorism, and we continue to do so. We have declared the terrorist PKK our enemy. We believe that the focus of evil will lose power as democratic initiatives gain ground, and no one will be able to use terrorism as a method for solving problems. Within democracy, every problem has a remedy. Let's stick to sincerity on every issue, starting with democracy."