Joint Declaration from Turkish Political Parties Against Terrorist Attack

In a rare show of unity, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ruling party and the opposition issued a joint parliamentary declaration denouncing the violence and vowing solidarity against “terrorism and separatist attempts.” On Thursday, outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members attacked Turkish forces in Diyarbakır, leaving 13 soldiers and seven PKK members dead. It was the deadliest violence involving the PKK in three years.

The declaration said no power will be able to shake indivisible unity of Turkish state and its nation. “Political and armed attacks against the unity of nation, country and the state are doomed to go in vain,” the declaration said, which is signed by Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group deputy chairman Nurettin Canikli, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentary group deputy chairman Akif Hamzaçebi and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) parliamentary group deputy chairman Oktay Vural.

Reiterating that Turkey’s struggle against terror is democratic, legitimate and legal, the parties said they will stand by the government in its every step within rule of law, democratic principles and human rights while fighting against terrorism and separatist moves.

15 July 2011
SOURCE: TODAYSZAMAN.COM