KARABUK - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Confederation of Public Workers Trade Unions (KESK) claimed to seek for rights within laws and rules, adding ''the trade union seeks for rights on an ideological and anti-democratic basis.''
''Can there be such an understanding of democracy and freedom?'' said Erdogan addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of Karabuk State Water Works drinking water centre the same day.
Referring to the demonstration KESK held in Ankara the same day, Prime Minister Erdogan said that ''today this trade union waylays people...They want to hold a demonstration in a place where they are not allowed to do so. Can there be such an understanding of democracy and freedom? But yes, this is their democracy understanding. Opposition party CHP also supports them. CHP doesn't advise them to hold their demonstration in places like Tandogan Square, which is permited. We always support freedoms but within the law. We are advocate of legal state.''
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Guler said in his part during the ceremony that loss and illegal usage of electricity decreased in the general of country and the prices of electricity did not increase for nine months.
Nigerian Embassy Undersecretary Bello Ardo Mohammed, citizens and regional deputies attended the ceremony.
(GC-Öª) 23.08.2003