Government's "Kurdish Initiative"

Following a meeting with representatives of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Minister of the Interior Beşir Atalay said that he had wanted suggestions for a solution from the union.

He reiterated his plea to journalists for support: "Believe me, this is not a topic that should be sacrificed to domestic political polemics. Let us work hand in hand to solve this problem, to ease the pain, to make Turkey greater, to become more democratic."

Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of TOBB, also attended the press briefing after the meeting.

Atalay said in a press statement that the reason for meeting with TOBB as the first NGO was that the union was an umbrella organisation which had its fingers on the economic pulse and was represented in all provinces and districts of the country.

Call for collaboration

Atalay said, "The issue we emphasised most was that we should look for a solution with a broad base, with parties in parliament, with NGOs, the media, intellectuals and thinkers."

"We believe that the manner and method are very important. We don't want to leave anything out, we want to speak to everyone. We are not coming out with pre-prepared packages. We will listen to everyone's opinion and solve the issue together. We believe that this will strengthen Turkey enormously."

Hısarcıklıoğl did not make a separate statement, and journalists' questions were not answered. (TK/AG)