President Gül says Turkey not waiting for end of Ramadan to fight terror

TODAYSZAMAN

President Abdullah Gül
Commenting on the killing of eleven soldiers and a village guard in Turkey’s southeast by Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists on Wednesday and recent remarks by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, who said the country is set to adopt new tactics in its fight against the PKK after Ramadan, President Abdullah Gül said Turkey is not waiting for the end of Ramadan when it comes to counterterrorism measures.
“It is out of question that authorities wait for the end of Ramadan in the fight against terror. Counterterrorism efforts are under way in all dimensions. There is no weakness in the face of terrorism. Everyone should know that there is no power above the power of the state. Whoever thinks that he can bring Turkey into line with terror, violence and weapons is greatly misled. The cost of this will also be very heavy,” he said.

Gül said the PKK is a terrorist organization that is afraid of democracy and prosperity in the Southeast and that it is deliberately carrying out terrorist activities during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking during a meeting held in Ankara to celebrate his Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) 10th anniversary on Sunday, Erdo?an lashed out at the PKK for killing Turkish soldiers even during Ramadan. “We are maintaining our patience because of our respect for Ramadan. But, everyone should know that the beginning of peace will be more different after this month of peace and solidarity,” Erdo?an said. Three days after Erdo?an’s remarks, PKK terrorists killed seven soldiers in the Çukurca district of the southeastern province of Hakkari in an ambush.

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