Erdogan: Statement Of General Staff Headquarters Is Within Its Own Discretion

ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday concerning the statement which the General Staff Headquarters issued yesterday, ''I consider the statement of General Staff Headquarters is within its own discretion.''
Erdogan, who visited Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc in his office, replied to questions of reporters after the meeting.
Noting that he visited Arinc regarding Bingol earthquake and citizens had some requests, Erdogan said that they aimed to heal the wounds in quake region by speeding up activities about those requests.
Erdogan said that he and Arinc visited and examined the quake region following the earthquake and added, ''he also observed the situation and had information. We made an evaluation by discussing those information.'' He recalled that decisions of Council of Ministers regarding the issue were announced on Monday.
When asked the requests of quake region, Erdogan said that problems were about schools, university exam and houses. He added that the requests were also about giving a period of leave for soldiers from Bingol region and our General Staff Headquarters had already given them a leave for 15 days.
Noting that they decided to accept the region as a disaster region on Monday, Erdogan said that Office of Chief Prosecutor started necessary investigation regarding the collapsed buildings.
When asked his evaluation about the statement of General Staff Headquarters, Erdogan said, ''it is a determination of General Staff Headquarters. I consider the statement of General Staff Headquarters within its own discretion.''
Upon a question regarding the information which was given to him by Central Bank Governor and Treasury Undersecretary on Monday, Erdogan said that Central Bank Governor examined the situation and told him that developments were positive. He added that he had discussed ''how they could be better'' with State Minister for Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Central Executive Board and Economy.
Erdogan said, ''as you see, all economic parameters are positive at the moment. We continue economic program by implementing it seriously. Recent inflation rates show this clearly.''
(GC-AÖ) 06.05.2003