WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Assembly Democrat Party Massachusetts Parliamentarian Barney Frank said on Wednesday that he started a campaign against U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz whom he called on to resign because of his statements damaging democracy in Turkey.
Responding to the questions of A.A correspondent, Frank said he was in contact with the other congress members, stating that he was in an effort to convince them. Frank said Wolfowitz could not talk on behalf of them, and that he made Iraq issue an obsession.
When asked whether or not he believed that Wolfowitz would resign abiding by his call, Frank said he did not think that Wolfowitz would resign. He said Wolfowitz did not have any respect either to Turkish parliament or U.S. parliament.
Frank said the governments have right to be angry if a cooperation could not be provided in relations, however Bush administration went too far. He said this happened not only with Turkey, but also with other countries, stating that the worst one was with Turkey. Frank said statements of Wolfowitz aimed at damaging Turkish democracy, and asked, ''how can you talk of free trade and democracy in such an atmosphere where such ideas are expressed?''
Frank said Wolfowitz showed disrespect to Turkish democracy.
Pointing to the statement of Wolfowitz in which he accused Turkish army of not showing leadership, Frank asked if Turkish democracy could be different from other democracies and if it was appropriate to call for the military to put pressure on an elected parliament?
Barney Frank said Turkey was one of the most important examples showing that Islam and democracy could be together, and noted that the United States should assume an attitude supporting democracy in Turkey within this framework.
(AY-AÖ) 21.05.2003