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Former officials sign declaration opposing 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, calling negotiations 'surrender'
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey /Elections & Politics

Former officials sign declaration opposing 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, calling negotiations 'surrender'

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A group of 242 prominent figures, including former ministers and officials, signed a declaration opposing the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process.
  • The signatories argue that negotiating with the PKK leadership is equivalent to surrender and reject the notion of dividing the Turkish nation.
  • They assert that the PKK is a Kurdish separatist terrorist organization and that granting status to its leaders would dishonor the Turkish nation.

A declaration titled 'The Turkish Nation Says No' has been signed by 242 individuals, including former ministers, parliamentarians, academics, and retired officials. The signatories strongly oppose the government's 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, which they believe involves negotiations with the leadership of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

We are all Turkish, and we say 'No!' to the discourse of 'Turk, Kurd, Arab.' Atatรผrk clearly wrote in his own hand: 'The people who founded the Republic of Turkey are called the Turkish nation.' We are the Turkish nation and say 'No!' to bringing partners to our national sovereignty.

โ€” Signatories of the 'Turkish Nation Says No' declarationQuoting the declaration regarding national identity and sovereignty.

The declaration cites Article 66 of the Turkish Constitution, which defines Turkish citizenship. "We are all Turkish, and we say 'No!' to the discourse of 'Turk, Kurd, Arab.' Atatรผrk clearly wrote in his own hand: 'The people who founded the Republic of Turkey are called the Turkish nation.' We are the Turkish nation and say 'No!' to bringing partners to our national sovereignty."

Signatories also referenced Atatรผrk's principles, stating, "Based on the words 'This Constitution... shall be interpreted and implemented with absolute loyalty to its word and spirit... entrusted to the patriotism of the Turkish children who love their homeland and nation,' we, as 'Turkish children,' say 'No!' to any attempt that would lead to the division of our country."

Based on the words 'This Constitution... shall be interpreted and implemented with absolute loyalty to its word and spirit... entrusted to the patriotism of the Turkish children who love their homeland and nation,' we, as 'Turkish children,' say 'No!' to any attempt that would lead to the division of our country.

โ€” Signatories of the 'Turkish Nation Says No' declarationReferencing Atatรผrk's principles in their opposition to national division.

The declaration criticizes the framing of the PKK, stating, "The discourse of the PKK as a 'terrorist organization' is insufficient. The PKK is a separatist terrorist organization. The full name of the PKK is the 'Kurdistan Workers' Party.' Its Kurdish and separatist nature is clear from its name. Therefore, we say 'No!' to negotiations and bargaining with separatist leaders and their political extensions under the guise of 'Terror-Free Turkey.'"

The discourse of the PKK as a 'terrorist organization' is insufficient. The PKK is a separatist terrorist organization. The full name of the PKK is the 'Kurdistan Workers' Party.' Its Kurdish and separatist nature is clear from its name. Therefore, we say 'No!' to negotiations and bargaining with separatist leaders and their political extensions under the guise of 'Terror-Free Turkey.'

โ€” Signatories of the 'Turkish Nation Says No' declarationCritiquing the government's approach to the PKK.

Concluding with a strong stance, the signatories declared, "Negotiating with a defeated enemy is surrender. As the Turkish nation, we say 'No!' to surrender. Entertaining the leader who has been convicted as the murderer of tens of thousands of our people, granting him status, or pardoning members of the separatist terror group in any way will not bring honor or prestige to any state institution, party, or group. We are the Turkish nation, and we say 'No!'

Negotiating with a defeated enemy is surrender. As the Turkish nation, we say 'No!' to surrender. Entertaining the leader who has been convicted as the murderer of tens of thousands of our people, granting him status, or pardoning members of the separatist terror group in any way will not bring honor or prestige to any state institution, party, or group. We are the Turkish nation, and we say 'No!'

โ€” Signatories of the 'Turkish Nation Says No' declarationStating their firm opposition to any form of negotiation or pardon for PKK members.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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