President Masoud Barzani's office slams Turkish far-right leader's remarks

Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani’s office on Tuesday condemned Turkey’s prominent far-right politician Devlet Bahceli for his remarks about the Kurdish leader’s recent visit to the country, specifically criticizing comments regarding Barzani’s security detail.

President Barzani made a rare visit to Turkey's Kurdish city of Cizre on Saturday to attend a symposium about legendary Kurdish poet Melaye Ciziri. Barzani and some of the members of his delegation were wearing traditional Kurdish outfit and were warmly welcomed by officials and locals. 

Bahceli, who has softened his tone toward the Kurds since launching a peace process between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) more than a year ago, expressed his anger during an interview with Turkgun news outlet on Tuesday over the warm reception President Barzani received in Turkey.

He said he had nothing to say about Barzani's participation as a "guest" at the event but claimed that "the sovereignty rights and law of the Republic of Turkey have unfortunately been violated. Whether you call it protocol rules or customs, everything has been violated."

Bahceli said although that Barzani "holds not state position" and had merely visited Turkey as a guest, he had received "exaggerated compliments" and opposed the presence of "foreign uniformed soldiers wandering around with long-barreled weapons on our homeland... [It] is simply a disgrace."

 

"Chauvinist mentality"


A spokesperson for President Barzani's office slammed Bahceli for his remarks. 

"Unfortunately, Devlet Bahceli has once again spoken with a chauvinist mentality regarding President Barzani's visit to Cizre and his participation in the Mela Ciziri symposium, making statements that are far from all norms and serve no party," said the spokesperson in a statement. 

"Bahceli's remarks come despite the fact that all those security details and measures taken for President Barzani's visit were based on a protocol agreement between the relevant institutions of the Region and Turkey. Moreover, whenever high-ranking Turkish officials visit the Region, Turkey's special military units have accompanied them, and no problems have occurred," added the unnamed spokesperson. 

Noting Bahceli's role in the ongoing peace talks between Ankara and the PKK, Barzani's office said they thought the far-right leader had been "guided" by God and "abandoned racism and chauvinism, but it appears that he is still the same old gray wolf, now in sheep's clothing."

Before the launching of the peace process, Bahceli often targeted Kurdistan Region and Kurds.

President Barzani and the Kurdistan Region have largely contributed to the peace process, and their role have been acknowledged by Ankara and the PKK. 

Bahceli's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkey and the Kurdistan Region enjoy strong economic and political ties. 

The Kurdish force that accompanied President Barzani is the Erbil-based Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The uniform of the CTD members featured Kurdistan flag.

Footage of the force guarding President Barzani has received mixed reactions in Turkey.  It has instilled a sense of pride among Turkey’s Kurdish population while angering some Turkish nationalists.