Minister accuses BDP of nixing investments
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News – 7.9.2012 – Energy Minister Taner Yıldız has accused the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) of not supporting the government’s energy investments in southeastern Turkey and of supporting the terror activities of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
“I say it very clearly to the BDP: We will take natural gas to the east and southeast regions of Turkey and they have to decide whether or not to support the needs of the Kurdish citizens, or whether they will choose to support terror by preventing these investments?” Yıldız said at a meeting in Istanbul yesterday, organized by the Turkish Businesswomen Association (TİKAD).
Yıldız said the ministry had decided to open a bid for bringing natural gas to 11 cities and five districts in Turkey’s east and southeast, including the cities of Hakkari, Şırnak, Mardin, Muş, Bitlis, Bingöl, Doğubeyazıt, Iğdır, Tunceli and Artvin. “Some of the municipalities – it is clear who they are – are hesitating in cooperating with us in bringing this service to the citizens. I want them to say clearly whether they will make their decision in favor of terror or in favor of bringing natural gas to the citizens living there?” Yıldız said.
Burning equipment
Yıldız also said 21 pieces of heavy construction equipment that were used in the construction of the airports in Hakkari and Şırnak had been burned down by the PKK two weeks ago. “The members of the BDP who were photographed kissing and hugging the members of the terror organization [the PKK] are of course guilty of the action of burning this equipment,” he said. Energy Minister Taner Yıldız also said the ongoing turmoil in Syria would not affect the issues regarding the energy sector between Iran, Russia and Turkey.