In Soultheastern Anatolia camoaign stops, Erdogan stresses ınity

Campaigning over the weekend for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) ahead of local elections late next month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about unity to rallies of thousands of people in the southeastern Anatolia provinces of Diyarbakir, Adiyaman and Kahramanmaras. "All of us are fundamental elements of this country," he said in Diyarbakir. "All of us are first-class citizens. No one is superior to another. We embrace all with the same sincerity." Touching on government efforts to solve regional economic problems and expand the cultural rights of people living in the region, Erdogan said that the new TRT 6 channel, Turkey's first Kurdish-language state TV station, has attracted great interest not only in Turkey, but also from places as varied as Western Europe and the Middle East. In Adiyaman, Erdogan said, "We founded this country together. No instigation can harm the Turkish people's unity. No power can divide Turkey." Stating that his party bases its policies on the pillars of justice, service and freedom, Erdogan stressed the government's determination to improve and protect democracy. Criticizing the opposition for what he called a smear-based election campaign, Erdogan said politics is done in public rallies, within and for the people, not through using the media to spread slander. Erdogan also pledged the government would continue to equally bring all public services to all regions of the country without any discrimination. Dismissing opposition claims that the government is using social aid programs to win votes in the upcoming elections, Erdogan said, "Our duty is to serve the public." In Adiyaman, Erdogan also inaugurated public facilities such as a hospital.