Lice incident, ill attempt to cover up illicit drug trafficking

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, regarding last week's Lice scuffle in Turkey's southeastern province Diyarbakir, the incident was indirectly related to illicit hashish trade, the most important financial resource of terrorism, in the region.

Speaking at his AK Party group meeting at the Turkish Parliament, PM Erdogan underlined that the solution process started when Justice & Development (AK) Party was founded, and would go on. 

"We have seen the future of Turkey in the solution process, which should be successfully completed," told Erdogan.

Erdogan pointed out that it was impossible to talk about peace and solution in the presence of terrorism, weapons and violence, adding, "Let's silence the weapons, then we can discuss our views towards a solution." 

Erdogan also stressed that they would not allow anyone striving to cause despair in solution process. 

"Do they expect us to ignore those getting involved in illegal protests, throwing molotovs, kidnapping people and illicit drug trafficking as we are in a solution process towards peace?" noted Erdogan.

Last Wednesday, Turkish security forces launched a wide range air supported anti-illicit drugs operation in Lice town of Turkey's southeastern province Diyarbakir with the aim of annihilating cannabis sativa plants discovered in Lice. Following the operation, a scuffle took place in Lice between gendarmerie and a group that attacked the construction site of a military outpost which started a few months ago to expand the military post as part of the efforts to counter-narcotic efforts against illicit drug trafficking in southeastern Turkey. Turkish Interior Ministry stated that one person was killed and nine people were injured as a result of the incident.

- Amendment to Article 35 of Turkish Armed Forces act

PM Erdogan touched upon the amendment to Article 35 of the internal service act of Turkish Armed Forces, which he argued to be used several times in Turkish history as a justification of military coups for decades.

"We will repeal article 35 of internal service act of Turkish Armed Forces this week so we will strengthen our democracy," he said.

The amendment, as Erdogan stated, will redefine the mission of Turkish Armed Forces and the military service.

 He highlighted that the Turkish Parliament would complete, before the parliamentary recess, the amendment aimed to remove a major obstacle blocking Turkish democracy, saying "The parliament will not recess until the amendment of Article 35 on Turkish Armed Forces, and the issues of industrial certificate amnesty, staffing the contract employees and other amendments regarding driving licenses are settled."

Erdogan also referred to his government's efforts to secure the social welfare by establishing an atmosphere embracing all, irrespectful of their religions. 

"Our government is not based on a single religion understanding. In our history, we have been the most successful in ruling people of different religions" argued Erdogan, upon claims over his government's attitude towards people of different religions.

"AK Party treats every religion equally. We, as the AK Party government, are the guarantee of the freedom of religion for different religious groups in Turkey. We will enthusiastically maintain the social welfare with which we are a model to the world," he added.

 englishnews@aa.com.tr