26.11.2025 12:10
During a meeting of the Yeni Yol Group, which refused to send a representative to Imralı, DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan responded to criticisms. Stating that they have supported the process of a terrorism-free Turkey from the beginning, Babacan said, "We are ready to put our bodies on the line for the success of this process. No one should try to compete with us in terms of consistency. What everyone has said to each other before is on record."
DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan responded to those criticizing them for not sending a member of parliament to Imralı. Reminding that they have supported the process from the very beginning, Babacan said, "We are ready to put our bodies under the stone for the success of this process."
ALI BABACAN'S STRIKING WORDS
Speaking at the New Path Group meeting in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Ali Babacan stated: "If the issue is peace, if the issue is the resolution of the Kurdish problem, do not confuse us with others. Five years ago, before anyone else, we said that the terrorism issue cannot be solved only with weapons; it is necessary to benefit from the world's 'conflict resolution' experiences. This issue needs to be approached with a broad perspective."
"OUR LINE HAS NEVER CHANGED"
Three years ago, with our 354-article Fundamental Rights Action Plan, we boldly and clearly presented what is needed for the resolution of the Kurdish problem. Since the very first day we established our party, while we were establishing a solution-oriented dialogue with the DEM Party; during the 2023 and 2024 election campaigns, both Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. Bahçeli harshly criticized us by saying, "they are talking to terrorists," and unleashed their media on us. However, our line has never changed. We have always been consistent. No one should dare to compete with us in terms of consistency. What everyone has said to each other before is on record.
If necessary, we can project it one by one on this big screen and make them ashamed. As I said, do not confuse us with others. Do not confuse our sincerity in solving this issue with those who have invested in the possibility of failure for months. Do not confuse us with those who still hesitate to embrace the decision made by the commission. When it comes to steps towards democratization, do not confuse us with those who bring water from forty rivers. Do not confuse us with those who revert to their original state at every crisis moment they find. Do not confuse us with those who have the mentality of "may the Kurdish mother not see"; those who abruptly cut off broadcasts as soon as they hear Kurdish on their channels.
"OUR ESSENCE IS TO BE ONE, TO BE UNITED"
Do not confuse us with those who try to lull their masses with nationalist tales, or those who flinch when they hear the word Kurdish. Whatever we say in the east of the country, we say the same in the west; we defend what we say everywhere in the country. We said it, and we say it again: We are ready to put our bodies under the stone for the success of this process. We will hold the hand extended from Hakkari in Izmir, do not worry. We will hold the hand extended from Şırnak in Uşak; we will hold the hand extended from Iğdır in Adana, in the Black Sea. There should be no doubt about it. We are here to unite this country, not to divide it. Our essence is democracy. Our essence is altruism; our essence is to be one; to be united.
That is why I repeat once again: Do not confuse us with the intolerant, do not confuse us with the rude. Do not compare us with those who look askance at those who are not like them. Do not compare us with enemies of mother tongue, enemies of the alphabet. I say it clearly and unequivocally: We only compare ourselves with ourselves. We ask how we can do better and work for it. That is why our hearts are at ease, and we are comfortable. We are working for Turkey to be one with its East and West, with its Turks and Kurds. We are working for the ancient problems of this country to end. That is why we are here, that is why we are together. We are here to rebuild hope in these lands (…) We want a Turkey where young people can establish homes in peace, where families can live without worrying about their livelihoods. We want a Turkey where no one wants to escape; where everyone lives with their families, with children, in love.