ISTANBUL BOMB ATTACK

A bomb attack on Taksim square in the centre of Istanbul (European side) on Sunday (31 October) left 32 people injured.  President Abdullah Gül said, "Today we have to express our strongest protest against terrorism". Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the attack was aimed at "thwarting dams like Ilısu" and "thwarting a developed modern Turkey".

Erdoğan: We will not play that game

Newspapers and news agency reported the statements of the politicians as follows:

The news of the suicide bombing reached Prime Minister Erdoğan in Mardin (south-eastern Turkey) where he attended an opening ceremony of housing made by the Public Housing Administration (TOKİ).

Erdoğan declared, "We will never tolerate the ones who want to stir up Turkey and who want to disrupt the country's peace, stability and security environment. I want to remind once more that these attackers will not be able to intercept Turkey from its goals of unity, solidarity, brotherhood and development".

"We are one and we are together. You should know that these games will be spoiled as long as this union and brotherhood exist. The foundations of these games rest on thwarting dams like Ilısu. The foundations of these games rest on thwarting a developed and modern Turkey".

"The foundations of these games rest on obstructing the unemployed from finding jobs. But we will not let them have it. We will continue our way with determination".

Gül: More co-operation in struggle against terrorism

President Gül said in his latest statement, "Today we have to express our strongest protest against terrorism". Gül had obtained information about the attack via phone from the Istanbul Governor, Hüseyin Avni Mutlu. The president condemned the attack.

"The fact that nobody lost his life in the attack is our only consolation. Terrorism has to be condemned and a firm stand has to be shown to any section [of society] against this traitorous and inhumane terrorist action regardless of political discussions. Additionally, an increased co-operation with our neighbouring countries and at a global scale in the struggle against terror is essential".

Kılıçdaroğlu: Terrorism does not accept weakness

Opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP) strongly condemned the attack as well.

"This attack showed once more that the struggle against terrorism does not accept any weakness and has to be carried out with determination. We have to know very well that terror is a crime against humanity. Achieving results with the means of terrorism, weapons and violence is neither possible nor acceptable".

BDP: We do not know who is responsible

Kurdish politician Gültan Kışanak, Co-chair of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) said in a speech delivered at the BDP Women's Congress, "We do not know who was behind this incident but we are very sorry. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured. Our party takes all the efforts it can take in this issue. This is a big problem. I hope that all the political institutions will take the responsibility as a whole to solve this question so that we do not have to face this sort of painful incidents in the future. The government takes an even bigger responsibility". (BT/EÖ/VK)