Is it possible for us to reconcile with each other?

The other evening, I delivered a speech in the southern Mediterranean tourism hub province of Antalya at Akra Barut Hotel's grand hall for businessmen.

The theme of the speech, organized by the Antalya Industrialists and Businessmen Association, was "Is it a dream for us to make peace with each other now or is it still possible?"

When I landed in Antalya in the morning, this was the atmosphere: There were no tourists on the streets. People were in a very pessimistic mood about tourism. 

The other day, a businessman committed suicide. This was the third businessman to commit suicide after the crisis that started with the shooting of the Russian plane. I have been told that there is concern that with the start of summer, suicides will occur again.

Every year, the start of the tourism season is celebrated on March 1 but this year, it was postponed to June 1.

Some hotels will not be opening at all; some other hotels will open only partially. 

After listening to all this, I took the podium and started my speech like this: 

"The picture is dark. We are facing a night. We are at each other's throats. I have arrived here with very pessimistic feelings. But, a little while ago, I read President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's speech on secularism." 

"Most of you may not agree with me; maybe you will find me naïve.

"I do believe we will reconcile. Maybe it will not happen today or tomorrow. 

"But we will absolutely reconcile, make peace. 

"Because, it will not go on like this; it cannot go on like this; it should not?."

The white beret wearers 

When Turkish-Armenian journalistHrant Dink was murdered, I had written that we should be careful about young people playing...

Continue reading on: