Kılıçdaroğlu: Erdoğan alone in the world

Erdem Gül
CHP General Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has criticised the way President Tayyip Erdoğan and the government have based the language of the ‘Yes’ campaign around him, saying, ‘The esteemed leaders who are having difficulty getting ‘Yes’ across want to score points for ‘Yes’ by attacking me. Those who say, ‘Oi, Germany and Netherlands’ cannot say ‘Oi, USA’ or ‘Oi, Russia’ out of fear. But, he is capable of saying, ‘Oi, Kılıçdaroğlu.’ This shows just how weak he has become and how alone he has become in the world.’ Kılıçdaroğlu fielded questions before his Diyarbakır engagement.
 ‘They are unable to get it across’
-How do you assess the language used in the campaigning period?
This is not a process for the leaders of political parties to bandy words with one another. This is a process for explaining what the constitutional amendment in the referendum will bring and do away with. But, the esteemed leaders who are having difficulty getting ‘Yes’ across want to score points for ‘Yes’ by attacking me. This is not a correct approach. I harbour no intention to create a special arena for debate with the leaders. I am doing my best to explain the need to vote ‘No’. I recommend they do the same. They will not boost the ‘Yes’ vote by attacking me. Mr Bahçeli, Erdoğan and Yıldırım are unable to get it across. They are in difficulty, not me. They attack me because they have nothing to say. Let them look to Iraq, let them look to Syria and Libya for a single-man regime. Let them cite an example of the country in the world where the model they are introducing is applied so that we can be enlightened. I am taking care to use language that is as elevated and respectful as possible. Those touting ‘Yes’ are incapable of controlling their tongues. They have made a whole host of aspersions against my good name and honour. I leave this matter in God’s hands. You’ve got A Haber and ATV: let them put me on and let them query the lies I have told on their own TV stations and I will reply to everything. If Sabah newspaper so wishes it can do an interview with me.
-There is an odd quarrel with the EU, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. What are they going to sit down and talk about after 16 April – where are things headed? Is this a quarrel with an eye on the referendum?
They have stoked up a quarrel in the referendum process and want to increase the ‘Yes’ vote by creating the impression that the whole world is against us. But this is not a correct way or approach. It harms both Turkey and Turks working abroad. The impression that there is no democracy in Turkey is gaining in strength. We all know that the person who heads the state, that is the president, must pay attention to his style. All heads of state use careful language, because they know that they represent their countries.
-Is ‘After 16 April’ a hollow threat?
He is trying to win time for himself. The message may be: ‘I am saying very harsh things now. Don’t worry, I’ll mellow later. Just like I quarrelled with Putin and then went and sucked up to him, I’ll do something similar for you.’
-The PYD presence in Syria, the US and Russia’s attitude ...
He cannot raise his voice against Putin and the USA. They have supported the YPG and set up bases in North Iraq and Syria. They have isolated the Turkish troops in Syria. Those who say, ‘Oi, Germany and Netherlands’ cannot say ‘Oi, USA’ or ‘Oi, Russia’ out of fear. A move is being taken to ban the call to prayer in Israel, and he cannot say, ‘Oi, Israel.’ But, he is capable of saying, ‘Oi, Kılıçdaroğlu.’ This shows just how weak he has become and how alone he has become in the world. He pays no heed to the country’s interests, but is simply somebody who acts in his own interests. The restriction imposed on Turkish Airlines and the strengthening by the US of the perception that Turkey is an unreliable country is a very important matter for Turkey’s prestige and there is not a peep from any government official. When the time is right, hope is placed in Trump and, when the time is right, hope is placed in Putin. Those who make their future dependent on the leaders of other countries come to a sticky end before long.
-The alarm bells of crisis are ringing in the economy – where is it headed?
Has the parliamentary system, or bad governance, brought Turkey to this state? It is entirely bad governance that has brought the country to this state. What grieves me most deeply is the silence from the trade unions. I really cannot understand Hak-İş and Türkİş. Are they fighting for workers’ rights or to hand these rights over to one person? If they are not going to speak out now, when are they going to do so?
-What’s your reaction to the debate over your son’s military service?
The boy is studying and is not going to the army while studying, which is normal. He’s postponing it. He’s a doctoral student in Korea. He’s applied to the draft office and will do his military service. We’re not in fact evading military service. They’ve given up criticising me and they’re now busying themselves with my kids. There’s a thing called human decency.
-There’s a great sense of victimhood. Has the AKP succeeded in this?
The only victims in this process are the ‘No’ camp. ‘Yes’ supporters are using the state’s clout, the state’s vehicles, planes, money and TV stations. Then they turn round to the people and say, ‘We’re the victims.’ So, none of these things is available to any of the parties, civil society organisations, intellectuals and professional institutions that are recommending a ‘No’ vote.
-How is the ultranationalist base acting towards you?
The nationalist-ultranationalist base is truly patriotic, democratic and flag loving, and says ‘No’ with conviction. The nationalist-ultranationalist base has not fallen into the trap.
-Are those who say ‘Yes’ doing so because they support Recep Tayyip Erdoğan?
What are those who say ‘Yes’ because they love Erdoğan to say when somebody else comes? Are they to say, ‘If only my hands had been broken and I had not been able to vote ‘Yes’?’ You have to vote with the future in mind, not today.
http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/siyaset/707274/Kilicdaroglu__Erdogan_dunyada_yalnizlasti.html