President Erdogan: "Today, the dawn of a great and powerful Turkey is breaking"
President Erdogan: "Today, the dawn of a great and powerful Turkey is breaking"
President Erdogan, in his speech at the AK Party's 32nd Consultation and Evaluation Meeting, regarding the terrorist organization laying down its weapons, said: "Today, the spirit of Malazgirt, the Jerusalem Alliance, and the essence of the War of Independence are taking shape again. Today, the dawn of a great and powerful Turkey is breaking."
President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in the AK Party's 32nd Consultation and Evaluation Meeting held in Kızılcahamam.
Praying to Allah that the consultation meeting would bring goodness to the country, nation, and democracy, President Erdogan sent his greetings to all his companions in the cause and journey who passionately work for the growth, strengthening, and maintaining the peak position of the AK Party in all 81 provinces and 922 districts.
"WE HAVE STRIVED TO SERVE THE NATION IN THE BEST WAY"
Erdogan pointed out that they have taken the command "Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable" as their guide, and noted: "We have always strived for the better, more effective and efficient work, and serving the nation in the best way. We considered different ideas as richness. We saw constructive criticism as a lantern illuminating our path. It is a fact that consultation not only leads to common sense. It also increases blessings, deepens insight, strengthens foresight, broadens horizons, and further strengthens brotherhood and solidarity among cadres. We are conducting our 32nd meeting with this understanding. Our consultation meeting, like previous ones, will function as a platform where we hold a mirror to our party, examine ourselves, and take a precise photograph of all matters concerning the country's politics. I especially request that you share what's in your hearts and minds with us openly. I would like to thank all participating brothers for their valuable ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticisms in advance."
"OUR MARTYRS WILL ALWAYS BE OUR CROWN"
Recalling that 41 years ago, on August 14, 1984, the separatist terrorist organization carried out its first action in Eruh district of Siirt and Şemdinli district of Hakkari, President Erdogan said: "In this terrorist attack, we lost two soldiers as martyrs, and nine civilian citizens were injured. From this date onward, the separatist organization carried out attacks against our security forces and civilians. We lost nearly 10,000 security personnel as martyrs in the fight against terrorism. Nearly 50,000 citizens lost their lives in terrorist incidents. First of all, I once again pray for Allah's mercy on our martyrs and citizens who lost their lives. We have not forgotten them and will not forget them. Our homeland will, God willing, exist forever, and our flag with the crescent and star will, God willing, wave freely in our skies forever. Our martyrs, who watered the homeland soil with their blood and colored our crescent and star flag with their red blood, will always be our crown."
"METHODS OF STRUGGLE OUTSIDE LAW AND LEGITIMACY FUELED TERRORISM"
President Erdogan pointed out that terrorism escalated in Turkey with each passing day after the first action in 1984, using the following expressions: "After that day, many governments came. Each said they would 'eradicate terrorism,' but terrorism could not be eliminated either in our lands or in the territories of other countries where it established bases. Of course, some wrong practices of the state had a share in this. White Toros cars, unsolved murders, Diyarbakır Prison were among these. Burned villages, people forced to migrate overnight, mothers who couldn't speak Kurdish with their children in prison were among these wrong practices. Methods of struggle outside law and legitimacy, instead of ending terrorism, on the contrary, fueled and enlarged it, and provided the terrorist organization with a favorable ground to exploit."
Emphasizing that the price of mistakes was paid together, President Erdogan said, "We not only lost our security forces as martyrs, not only civilians lost their lives, but Turkey also became unstable with these terrorist attacks. We faced a bill of 2 trillion dollars in the economy. Most importantly, the terrorist organization inflicted very heavy damage on our country's peace, harmony, unity, integrity, and brotherhood."
President Erdogan stated that after the November 3, 2002 elections, when they came to power, they addressed the terrorism issue in multiple dimensions, adding: "While fighting terrorism on one hand, we also struggled to dry up the swamp that created excuses for terrorism. We took measures to prevent the terrorist organization from trapping our Kurdish brothers and separating them from the state and the nation. We took historic steps to fulfill the law of living together and brotherhood. While we made 'silent revolution' reforms in democracy and human rights at home, we conducted very intensive diplomatic traffic abroad. Along with all these, we developed our defense industry, produced our anti-terrorism weapons without being dependent on others. With cross-border operations, we took our borders under full control. After the treacherous coup attempt of July 15, we cleansed FETÖ from all our institutions, especially our armed forces and police. Thus, we eliminated treachery in the fight against terrorism. In recent years, we completely broke the operational capability of the terrorist organization. We prevented terrorist acts from harming officials or civilians. Our operations in Iraq and the December 8 revolution in Syria have further strengthened our hand in the fight against terrorism."
President Erdogan said that with their alliance partners, they have taken a series of steps to realize the "Terrorism-Free Turkey" project following the historic call of MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli.
THE TERRORISM-FREE TURKEY PROJECT IS NOT THE RESULT OF A NEGOTIATION, A BARGAIN, OR A GIVE-AND-TAKE PROCESS
Emphasizing that security units are working in full coordination, President Erdogan stated that they are managing a very sensitive, very cautious process to take advantage of this opportunity window that has opened up for the country.
Recalling that the terrorist organization PKK announced that it had convened its congress at the call of İmralı and declared its dissolution, President Erdogan said, "Yesterday, the organization announced that it had implemented the decision it made, especially by holding a ceremony to lay down its weapons. As of yesterday, the 47-year-old terrorism plague has, God willing, entered the process of ending. Turkey has begun to close a long, painful, troubled, tear-filled page as of yesterday. Today, let's not forget, is a new day. Today, a new page has been opened in history. Today, the doors of great Turkey, strong Turkey, the Turkish Century have been opened wide."
President Erdogan noted that after the terrorist organization's first action in 1984, Turkey tried every way and method to end terrorism, adding: "Looking at examples around the world, formulas beyond armed struggle were tried to end terrorism. However, none were successful. The Terrorism-Free Turkey Project we have been pursuing is not the outcome of negotiations, bargaining, or give-and-take processes. That's why we were very careful from the beginning. Today we are even more careful. We are closely following any initiative that will stop the bloodshed, end mothers' tears, alleviate suffering, and strengthen brotherhood. But let everyone be sure of this; we will not let the honor and pride of the Republic of Turkey be trampled. We will never bow Turkey's head. We are following our 'Terrorism-Free Turkey' project with this understanding. First of all, I want all of Turkey to know this; questioning the nationalism, patriotism, and love for Turkey of our alliance partner, Nationalist Movement Party Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and his cadre is, you would appreciate, beyond anyone's limit. Similarly, no one can question the nationalism, patriotism, and love for Turkey of myself and the AK cadre, both those here and those not here. This is neither anyone's limit nor right."
WHATEVER WE DO, WE DO IT FOR TURKEY
Emphasizing that together with MHP Chairman Bahçeli and his cadre, they have put their lives, blood, all their experience, and lives on the line for a "Terrorism-Free Turkey," President Erdogan said they are not involved in anything that is not for Turkey's good.
Noting that today, their understanding, policies, direction, and efforts are only for Turkey's benefit, President Erdogan said, "In every initiative that benefits Turkey, you will see us at the forefront. And in every initiative that is not for Turkey's benefit, you will see us at the forefront opposing that initiative. We know very well what we are doing. No one should be afraid, uneasy, or concerned. No question marks should form in anyone's mind. Whatever we do, we do it for Turkey. Whatever we do, we do it for our nation. We do it for our independence. We do it for our future."
Stating that today they are obliged to speak some truths openly, President Erdogan said that terrorism from the very beginning formed a sector, an ecosystem with its opponents.
Emphasizing that those who appear to be against terrorism benefited as much as those on the terrorism side from terrorist acts, President Erdogan said: "They exploited the nation, fueled instability. They tried to derive rent for their own dirty ambitions from terrorist attacks. They are revealing themselves these days. The end of terrorism bothers them the most. Because their rent doors are closing. Because their interests are being damaged. Because their schemes are being disrupted. Because they are losing the toy in their hands. They are making an intense effort to muddy the waters, to darken minds. Let my nation see these people, and let them not forget that we will grow much stronger as my nation sees these people. They say they are 'nationalists,' don't they? They say 'we are patriots.' Terrorism is ending, they should be happy, but they can't be. By reading intentions, dreaming, producing conspiracy theories, spreading fear, blatantly lying, they are trying to overshadow the nation's joy, to break emerging hopes. No matter what they do, terrorism will end, and you will see they will all be left jobless."
TURKEY HAS WON, MY NATION HAS WON
Saying that as terrorism ends, terrorism exploitation also ends, President Erdogan said, "It is now our greatest desire that my nation sees these fake heroes. Let there be no question marks in anyone's mind. As the government, as AK Party cadres, our struggle over the past 23 years, our pressures inside and outside, our efforts have started to yield results. Turkey has won, my nation has won. Every one of our 86 million citizens, be they Turkish, Kurdish, or Arab, has won."
President Erdogan continued his words as follows: "We will not be part of any initiative that aims at our unity, integrity, homeland, state, nation, peace, the honor and pride of our state, and we will never allow such initiatives. The Republic of Turkey stands upright and, in fact, the Republic of Turkey today is much more powerful, more majestic, more proud, more honorable than yesterday, and most importantly, it is much more hopeful for its future than yesterday. Praise be to Allah, the 41-year parenthesis is closing. The wall of terrorism built between the members of our nation is being demolished. Far from being uneasy, every member of our dear nation should rejoice, celebrate from this picture, every street, avenue, every household of Turkey should be adorned with our crescent and star flag."
President Erdogan pointed out that Turks are not a nation that appeared on the historical stage yesterday, that they have existed on the historical stage since the 8th century BC with the names of Scythians and Sakas.
Explaining that Turks became acquainted with Islam en masse in the Battle of Talas in 751 and were honored with Islam, President Erdogan said, "From that day on, when one says Turk, Muslim comes to mind, and when one says Muslim, Turk comes to mind the most. After Mecca-i Mukarrama and Medina-i Munavvara, Samarkand, Bukhara, Ray, Merv, Isfahan, Tabriz, Herat, Diyarbakır, Konya, Bursa, Istanbul, Ankara, and many others became centers of civilization, science, art, and statehood for Turks and Muslims."
Expressing that when Seljuk armies reached Baghdad, Damascus, and Malazgirt, they mingled with their Kurdish and Arab brothers there, President Erdogan said, "The Malazgirt Victory, the Conquest of Jerusalem, the Conquest of Istanbul, the Defense of Çanakkale, the War of Independence are common wars and victories of Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, and many other Muslim peoples. The Baghdad of the Arabian Nights was built by Turks, Kurds, and Arabs. Jerusalem was conquered by Turks, Kurds, and Arabs under the command of Saladin Ayyubi. Damascus is our common city. Diyarbakır is our common city. Mardin, Mosul, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Aleppo, Hatay, Istanbul, Ankara are our common cities."
Stating that when Turks, Kurds, and Arabs allied, the wind of their horses spread cool breezes from the China Sea to the Adriatic, President Erdogan continued: "Peace spread to the geography from the rearing of our horses. The clatter of swords brought peace to this region. We fought shoulder to shoulder, taking our swords out of their sheaths when necessary. When necessary, we divided a slice of bread into three with our daggers. When necessary, we put our swords and daggers back in their sheaths. We took out our pens. Together, we engraved the line 'La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadun Rasulullah' on the earth, the sky, and in each other's hearts. When we allied, no one could stand before our horses, swords, shields, battle cries, and takbirs. When we allied, no one could compete with our civilization, our art, our knowledge, our level of prosperity. If Turks, Kurds, Arabs are together, are one, are united, then the Turk exists, the Kurd exists, the Arab exists. When they are separated, divided, distanced, there is defeat, destruction, sadness. Mongol armies ruthlessly destroyed Islamic lands. Because Turks, Kurds, Arabs were separated. Crusaders attacked Islamic lands. Because Turks, Kurds, Arabs had separated from each other. We lost the First World War, borders were drawn between us, walls were erected. We lost Jerusalem because there was division. Whenever we separated, we lost, we were defeated. Whenever we allied, we directed history. Today, in Gaza, in Palestine, the most cruel, most savage, most barbaric genocide in history is being carried out. Why? Because Turks, Kurds, Arabs cannot come together and form an alliance as they have throughout history.
TODAY, TURKS AND KURDS ARE EMBRACING EACH OTHER AGAIN WITH AFFECTION WITHOUT OBSTACLES
Expressing that the ultimate aim of terrorism is not to divide Turkey, President Erdogan said, "No one has the power to divide Turkey. But they distracted us, made us lose time, caused economic loss, spent our energy. Most of all, they tried to sow discord between Turks and Kurds. Who won in 41 years? Terrorism barons, the terrorism sector, those who feed on blood won. Those who had dirty calculations on Turks, Kurds, Arabs won. Today, we are breaking, overturning this dirty game, this dirty scheme, this discord movement. History is repeating itself. Today, Turks and Kurds are embracing each other again with affection without obstacles. Today, the spirit of Malazgirt, the Jerusalem Alliance, the nucleus of the War of Independence is taking shape again. Today, the dawn of a great and powerful Turkey is breaking. Now we will sit and talk. Not with weapons, violence, not for fighting, but for affection, brotherhood, we will talk face to face, heart to heart, removing the obstacle of terrorism between us."
Underlining that they will solve every issue through dialogue, President Erdogan noted: "Every citizen of this country, whether Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, Sunni, Alevi, rightist, leftist, rich, poor, every citizen is a first-class citizen before the state. The Republic of Turkey is our common home, our roof. We 86 million are one, together, brothers from eternity to eternity. Despite all our differences, together we are Turkey. We have been fighting for this for 23 years. And God willing, Turkey is crowning this struggle. Our Kurdish brothers, do you have an issue? We will sit and talk without weapons, violence, terrorism in between. Our Alevi brothers, do you have a problem? We will solve it through dialogue. Believe me, blessings will come to our table. Peace will come to our broad Turkish home. With that blessing, with that peace, we will overcome every obstacle and walk towards the future."
President Erdogan emphasized, "Let's not forget, when hearts are one, borders disappear. As a first step, we will establish a commission in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and we will start discussing the legal needs of the process under the roof of the Parliament. I emphasize, as the People's Alliance, together with the AK Party, the Nationalist Movement Party, and the DEM delegation, we will develop this process and carry it to the future."
Recalling that the DEM Party delegation met with the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, yesterday, President Erdogan said, "We believe that the strong contribution that our Veteran Parliament will make to the process is critically important for the work being carried out. In this process, we met with our late brother Sırrı Süreyya, then with Mrs. Pervin Buldan, and Mithat Sancar this week, we sat down, we talked. We discussed what we can do together for this journey. It seems it has been possible, better things will happen."
IT IS OUR SINE QUA NON THAT OUR KURDISH BROTHERS IN SYRIA ALSO LIVE IN PEACE AND SECURITY
President Erdogan emphasized that he hopes the Parliament will support this beneficial process with the widest possible participation and with a constructive and facilitating approach, adding: "Here, I also want to express with all my sincerity; not only the issue of our Kurdish citizens but also the issue of our Kurdish brothers in Iraq and Syria, don't forget, is our issue. We are discussing, talking about this process with them too, and they are very happy. These developments in Turkey, especially the steps taken yesterday, created very different voices in Iraq. It is our sine qua non that our Kurdish brothers in Syria also live in peace, tranquility, and security."
President Erdogan pointed out that the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, is also the Special Representative for Syria, saying, "They also held discussions and meetings in Syria, and the messages given from there were really very positive and were pleasing for us as well."
THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY WILL BE MUCH STRONGER THAN BEFORE
President Erdogan announced that they continue to work with the new Syrian government and their international partners for such an atmosphere to form rapidly.
Emphasizing that they sincerely believe that the terrorism chapter will close there as well, and brotherhood, unity, togetherness, and integrity will win, President Erdogan said, "Now, AK Party, Nationalist Movement Party, DEM, we have decided to walk this path together at least as three. We have a concern, we are concerned, since we have a concern, since we are concerned, since we have joined hands, with Allah's permission, we will overcome these obstacles. Let everyone know that there is no need to clench fists anymore. We will purify, we will embrace, we will talk, we will walk taking steps towards each other.
Emphasizing that they will build the Turkish Century together, hand in hand, heart to heart, President Erdogan continued as follows: "With the end of terrorism, the Republic of Turkey, don't forget, will be much stronger, much more self-confident than before. We will now give our energy to our main work. We will mobilize our resources not for fighting terrorism, but for development, for prosperity, for a prosperous and victorious Turkey. Turkey will grow with brotherhood, Turkey will strengthen with democracy, Turkey will walk towards the future in stability and confidence. You will see, we will soon reach a very different Turkey. I underline and say again; we provide all kinds of facilities to those who take a step. Don't forget, we open the door wide for those who seek a way out, but if the waters flow in reverse, we do what is necessary."
President Erdogan underlined that no one should be uneasy, "The Turk is much more secure, much stronger than yesterday. The Kurd, the Arab is much more secure, much stronger than yesterday. Overcoming the pains will not be easy, I know, leaving painful memories behind will certainly not be easy. Our losses will undoubtedly not return, but with Allah's permission, our youth will not leave us again in the spring of their lives. God willing, our mothers will not shed tears, they will not experience the pain of losing a child."
President Erdogan noted that they have gone through calamities, overcome traps to reach today, adding: "We heal our wounds and continue on our way much stronger, much more determined. As a country and a nation, we abundantly have this self-confidence, this will. Without hurting, saddening, or offending anyone, we will facilitate in accordance with the sensitivity of the process for the work to be swiftly concluded, we will meticulously follow the surrender of weapons through the established mechanism. Mothers of martyrs, fathers of martyrs, I kiss your hands, no one can extend their hand to the dear memory of our martyrs, they cannot stain their legacy. Yes, be at ease, with the point reached, the aim of our martyrs will have reached its destination. My veteran brothers, be at ease, with the point reached, your sacrifice will be crowned. Our martyrs carried Turkey here, our veterans carried it, we are grateful to each of them, and we will never let their memory be desecrated."
Emphasizing that Mehmet Akif Ersoy had heralded 104 years ago what needed to be said today, President Erdogan recited the verses of the National Anthem: "Wave like the dawn's lights, O glorious crescent, so that our blood shed may be finally blessed. May all the blood we have shed now be blessed. Eternally, there is no extinction for my race, neither for you. Freedom is the right of my ever-free flag, independence is the right of my God-worshipping nation."
Saying "May our Lord make our path and our fortune open," President Erdogan concluded his words as follows: "I once again express my gratitude to the heroic members of our heroic army, our police, gendarmerie, coast guard units, our security guards who fight in the front lines against terrorism, the unnamed heroes of our National Intelligence Organization, our esteemed veterans and the valuable relatives of our martyrs, and to our dear nation who, despite all the pain they have experienced for half a century, have not allowed a stain on their eternal brotherhood in these lands.
I once again heartily thank our alliance partner, the Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the DEM Party delegation who embraced the process with a sensible tone, and especially the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder, the political parties and actors who show the wisdom to take a national stance on national issues even though we are in different lanes, the press organizations and journalists who support the process with a responsible broadcasting line, and also our other friends whose names are preserved with us."