WE ARE DEEPLY GRIEVED BY OUR LOSS
Egemen Bagis, the Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, in commemoration of the martyrs of Gaziantep and victims in Uludere, said: “This terrorist organisation with blood on its hands will not destroy our brotherhood. With the strength we get from the legacy of Sehit Kamil and Sahin Bey, two important martyrs of Turkish history, we will not fall into this trap.”
Bagis, in response to the questions of press regarding the bombing in Gaziantep and the traffic accident in Uludere, said: “We see unfortunately that the terrorist organisation is undertaking great efforts to overshadow the renewal of spring and to darken our bright future.”
Bagis indicated that the recent attack in Gaziantep by the terrorist organisation, aiming to mar the enthusiasm of eid al-fitr had grieved us all as a nation and said: “We commemorate the lives of the victims and our courageous martyrs whom we lost in Antep and Uludere. We are deeply grieved by our loss.”
Minister Bagis also said the following:
“The terrorist organisation has gone so far out of control as to make an attempt on the lives of young children who are on their way to visit their grandparents on eid al-fitr. However, the sagacity of the people of Gaziantep and the wisdom of our people has and will always set back such attempts. This seed of sedition will never flourish in our country.
My recommendation to those that lack the judgement and reason to comprehend this is to take a look at the reasons why Antep was given the title of “Gazi”. They should look at the courageous resistance put up by Gaziantep during the War of Independence. The title “Gazi” is by itself sufficient evidence that no seed of sedition shall flourish in this country. Gaziantep is a city of heroes and brave men. Gaziantep is the city of Şehit Kamil and Şahin Bey, two important martyrs in Turkish history.
Gaziantep is a place where Özdemir Bey, the Commander of the Nationalist Forces said: ‘Turkish people cannot live under any other flag. There was no other choice for the people of Antep. They would either die or fight for their country.’ I hope these murderers learn from the words of Mustafa Kemal: ‘Each city, town and even a smallest Turkish village could take Gaziantep as an example of heroism.’ With such a legacy, Gaziantep has protected brotherhood even more than ever and will continue to do so.”
Minister Bagis, emphasizing that the terrorist organization would not be able to undermine the brotherhood in Turkey, also said: “With the strength we get from Şehit Kamil and Şahin Bey, we will not fall into this trap. As the descendents of Selahaddin Eyyubi, the Sultan of the Ayyubids, we will not fall into this trap.
Even King Richard, one of the most famous commanders of the West said, referring to Selahaddin Eyyubi, his most formidable enemy and the conqueror of Jerusalem ‘I have learned humanism from Selahaddin Eyyubi.’ These words are a lesson from history even for those who have not received their share of humanism.”
Stating that there would not be any concessions made on brotherhood under any circumstances and that the terrorist organisation would be expelled from our country , Bagis said: “We will neither give up on the military struggle against terrorism , nor compromise our determined stance in favour of democracy and fundamental rights and freedoms to extinguish terrorism.”
Bagis said “If courage be needed, then we are more courageous; if determination, then we are more determined; if patriotism, then we are more patriotic; and if liberty, then we are more liberal than anyone else. Bağiş said it was unquestionable that this treacherous organisation did not and never could represent our brothers of Kurdish origin and their values. Bağış indicated that the PKK was also the greatest enemy of the Kurdish people and stated that terrorism was condemned to be defeated by unity, solidarity and brotherhood.
Bagis reminded that it was the Kurdish people living in the region who were the first to assist the military personnel in the traffic accident in Uludere, and said: “just like other issues, Turkey is strong enough to overcome the terrorism issue. Neither terrorism nor those who benefit from it will be able to survive in the country.
Stating that the efforts of those trying to use the terrorist organization to weaken Turkey’s regional and international influence would fail, Bagis also indicated that no power, effort or organisation would be able to silence the conscientious voices in favour of justice and equity. He also pointed out that no power would weaken Turkey’s increasing regional and global influence.
Bagis, emphasizing that efforts for sedition would not be able to decrease the courtesy shown by the peoples of the region towards Turkey, also said: “Turkey will continue to advance with determination in unity and solidarity to achieve its aims for attaining the level of contemporary civilizations.”
Source: AA
