Minister Soylu: We Extend the Time Given to Syrians in İstanbul

* Photograph: AA

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Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu has stated that the appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin Metropolitan Municipalities conforms with the law, claiming that it is not a political decision.

Speaking on a live TV program at Habertürk channel last evening (August 21), Minister Soylu said, "The decision in question is not a political one. It is an administrative decision taken within the frame of law. The Article 127 of the Constitution accords this right to the Ministry of Interior."

Some highlights from his speech were as follows:

"I am following several comments with sorrow. It is a state of law. There are various incidents of arrest for the ones that we previously removed from office. With the law and democracy, the state says, 'Do not get involved in such things ever again.' If they perform their duties, if they do not have such relations, then my job is to ensure that they fulfil their duty freely.

'We will reinstate them when trials end'

"If the trials end and they are penalized, then repeat elections will be held there after their penalization. Repeat elections will be held at the Parliament. Reinstatement is the case. If trials end, our job is to reinstate.

'Why was Ahmet Türk released?'

"Why was Ahmet Türk released? The whole Turkey knows. It is because of health problems. The person released for reasons of health joined the Justice March, then he returned and became a mayor from his party.

"While this trial is ongoing, while this trial on relations, on links with terrorism and even this trial on misconduct in office is ongoing, should we turn a blind eye to it? Ahmet Türk went out of prison by deception.

'US met with the MLKP'

"If I told you what kind of a period we are going through... Don't we know the ones trying to teach a lesson to Turkey through terrorism, don't we know who are behind the PKK [Kurdistan Workers Party]? The ones doing everything today for a safe zone... Why are they there? Why is the US there? Why do all countries of the world have a desire for the region?

"Two weeks ago, 14 days ago, I am citing the time for you as well... In some part of Syria, the US met with the MLKP [Marxist Leninist Communist Party], which Turkey has finished in the rural.

'Criticisms of Gül and Davutoğlu make me sad'

"I am only saddened by the criticisms of Abdullah Gül and Ahmet Davutoğlu. The ones who come into office with an election, of course, leave the office with an election. But, what is mentioned here is terrorism. It is, of course, our primary duty to ensure that the law operates and democracy is protected.

"But, if they object to the preventive removal of people due to their links with PKK and terrorism, it is a political objection. It can only make me sad."

'We paid several prices'

"Turkey paid several prices. Thousands of people fell martyrs. And the State of the Republic of Turkey, the government and our Dear President will not occupy themselves with a resolution process or the like at any costs.

'There are those returning voluntarily'

"The humanitarian aid policy of Turkey will continue. As the safe areas form, voluntary removals will be done. It is not possible that we deport any of the unregistered Syrians. There are those returning voluntarily. And, as for the unregistered ones, they are taken to camps and sent to the cities that they wish after being registered. The unregistered Syrians in İstanbul were given time till August 20. We have extended this period till October 30." (RT/SD)