Reconciliation process to proceed, despite provocations Deputy PM says


The reconciliation process must continue without violence or threats to security, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan said on Saturday."We cannot allow the Kurds to suffer oppression or tyranny, as it is our debt of honor to protect and promote the rights of all our citizens, Akdoğan said, speaking at the Justice and Development Party Polatlı district congress."Mafia elements had mobilized and tried to reverse the solution process with the Gezi Park protests, exactly when discussion of the solution process began. "They all came together to topple Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, then Prime Minister of Turkey, but they could not. Why did they fail? Because this nation protects its people and their will, protects their own government," Akdoğan commented. Akdoğan noted that the government has worked for Kurdish citizens by making investments in the regions where they live - mostly in eastern and south eastern Turkey - protecting their rights and the rule of law and working for them with compassion -- unlike the terrorist groups. The terrorist groups pressure the people, harass them when they are going to vote, destroy construction equipment and scare away investments in the region, he said. He also added that the upcoming general elections in 2015 will be critical for the reconciliation process and the new constitution of Turkey. The elections are also very important for the future of the oppressed in the region, he added, saying that the Arabs, Turkmen, Kurds, Christians and Muslims were all coming together under the Turkish flag and living in peace, Akdoğan said. Also touching upon the parallel state structures - illegal networks that threaten national security - Akdogan said they will not be tolerated and the government will protect the democracy, law and the national will.