site.btaMRF Honorary Chairman Dogan Calls "Blunder" Party's Declaration on Downing of Russian Fighter Aircraft

MRF Honorary Chairman Dogan Calls "Blunder" Party's Declaration on Downing of Russian Fighter Aircraft

Sofia, December 22 (BTA) - In a Christmas party speech earlier in December, the honorary chairman and former long-serving leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), Ahmed Dogan, called "a blunder" a declaration by his successor at the helm of the party, Lyutvi Mestan, in support of Ankara following the downing of a Russian fighter aircraft by Turkey in November. Dogan's remarks at the December 17 celebration were made public by the party press office amid much rumours and speculations in the press about a rift between the former and the present MRF leaders.

"I can't stand to see people who have no notion of politics being involved in politics. People should do only what they know best - not what they are told or forced to do," Dogan reportedly said. "In this difficult time, things can go so wrong that we will have problems for years to come. The MRF cannot be created anew. It must be rejuvenated but it cannot be replaced. Not even with support from neighbouring countries. We need to consider this very seriously. We are not in any ordinary stage of development. We are in a crisis whose scale and depth we canТt even fathom. And we can become a victim on this crisis. Just imagine a potential conflict between Russia and Turkey. To me, this declaration was a blunder, Mr Mestan. The Pentagon did not have a position, NATO did not have a position. Besides, Bulgarians are very sensitive about this issue. They have an anxiety with the force of a historical archetype. What if a fire flares up? What do we do then, gentlemen? We are in the perimeter of potential hostilities. Or you think this is impossible? I donТt want to see Bulgaria becoming a victim. I donТt want to see our electorate becoming a bargaining chip for anything. I don't!"

Dogan further said that a simple unrestrained step can have unexpected consequences and that any idea and strategy that puts security to question should be discouraged. "My philosophy is that we should have security in Bulgaria and the wider region, regardless of the external circumstances."

Then comes a remark that was largely seen as a declaration of return to politics: "You know that I am an observer by definition but it seems that I've taken my role as a passive observer too seriously."

He adds, however, "It does not mean that I will be going back to politics."

He goes on to express skepticism about the future of the EU and says it lacks motivation for further development and even for continuing to be. He says that "we are all part of a political game with unclear rules and amorphous priorities".

Dogan says that "the validation of Russia as a factor is an irreversible process" and Russia will do everything it takes, including force, to take this process further. "Having said that, we can ask a question about NATO: is it an adequate defence system?" he said.

He said that Turkey, just like Russia, "wants to find its new place in the global order and this can complicate relations and cause crises in the Balkans and Europe".

"I donТt see any conditions for a romantic policy in the next ten years. The big and deep layers of geopolitics are shifting, especially at the poles, and we must not be blind to the need of reforms in our party, by which I mean having an adequate structure and adequate actions. Things in the world are not going well. To me this is a fact, not a feeling. In this context, the only guarantee for our security is the integrity and stability of Bulgaria," Dogan said before concluding with a call to a joint prayer.