(GEN) TURKISH PARLIAMENT DEBATES "DEMOCRATIC MOVE".

ANKARA, Nov 11, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkish parliament debated the government's democratic move aiming at widening democratic rights and freedoms in a general session on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), Onur Oymen said, "although Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lost his life on November 10, his ideals, targets, principles and reforms continue in the hearth of this country. And today's move is totally contrary of Ataturk's policy for fight against terrorism. We lost many people throughout our history. But no one even think about ending that fight. You are the first to offer this. Because, you do not have the courage to fight against terrorism."

"There are nearly a hundred deputies of Kurdish descent at the parliament who prefer the fight to negotiation. Do they represent our people in the region or do spokesmen of terrorism represent? Why do you talk to those who act as spokesmen of terrorism instead of those deputies? According to your understanding of law, those who join the terrorist organization can be released but those expressing their views should be imprisoned. You accept those who uprise against the state, but cannot take those who criticized the government. This approach is undefendable," Oymen added.

Oktay Vural of the Nationalist movement Party (MHP) said on behalf of his political party, "they talk about a historic opportunity. What is this opportunity? They are trying to show depersonalization of our people, disruption of tranquility and separation as solution. We are loosing our values. How can these be an opportunity for us? This is an opportunity for those who are trying to fulfil their own desires and strategic targets."

"We are aware of the reasons of your efforts to hide targets and goals (of this move). You know that Turkish nation would not accept those targets and goals. You can get over them, but our people will never bear them. Our nation cannot digest being interlocutor with the terrorist organization. We will object those who try to equate martyrs with terrorists, we will not allow separation of our people with policies of ethnic identity, we will try to protect the honor of our martyrs. The MHP will put an end to the problem of terrorism and separation. Mothers will not shed tears any more and our nation will not be separated," he said.

Gultan Kisanak of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) said, "for years, the Kurdish problems has been discussed at National Security council (MGK) meetings and military headquarters. In fact, it is the parliament which should discuss it. And this debate will be a test for both the parliament and the democracy. We need to develop a joint solution all together since it is the problem of whole Turkey. All our citizens expect us to find a peaceful solution on the basis of democracy, freedom, equality and brotherhood."

"The parliament should prepare a civil, democratic and pluralist constitution in which differences should be considered cultural assets. The constitution should frankly express that everyone should have the right to use their mother tongues in private and public areas besides the official language of the country. Such a constitution will create an opportunity for a lasting solution to the Kurdish issue. The government has so far asked for support by defending that it was sincere. But we cannot say even that it took a positive step," she said.

(UK)

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)