Y.S.K.: No Application Is Made To Our Board After Court's Decision About Dehap

ANKARA - Higher Election Board (YSK) stated on Monday that no application was made to the board following the decision regarding Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) and an evaluation would be made in case of an application.
YSK released a statement regarding the issue and said that the board learned from press that Supreme Court of Appeals approved the sentence given to DEHAP leader and party administrators.

GUL DOES NOT THINK DECISION OF SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS ABOUT DEHAP WILL AFFECT ELECTION RESULTS
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul evaluated on Monday the decision of Supreme Court of Appeals about Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) and said that they were not afraid of elections.
Gul held a bilateral meeting with the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen in Brussels. Gul and Verheugen held a press conference after their meeting.
Upon a question, Gul said that the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals would not cause a problem and he thought that it would not affect the results of elections, but if elections would be held, they were not afraid of it. He added that their number of seats at Parliament would increase if elections would be held.
Verheugen said that they examined the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals and he told his views to Gul. He added that they hoped that the decision would not negatively affect the political stability in Turkey.
Evaluating their meeting as very constructive and productive, Verheugen said that reforms in Turkey were very promising and Gul had given him assurance in putting those reforms into practice.
Verheugen said that EU Commission was continuing to prepare Progress Report of Turkey and the report would be positive and encouraging. He added that they were pleased with Turkish government's giving priority to adjustment reforms for EU.
Touching on the importance of Cyprus question, Verheugen said that this issue should be rapidly solved in 2004, negotiations should restart and it was necessary to take Annan Plan as basis.
Gul and Verheugen said that Customs Union agreement between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was out of agenda and it would not cause a problem.
Gul and Verheugen then attended the opening of ''Contemporary Turkish Painting Exhibition'' in EU Commission Building.
Gul and accompanying delegation will depart from Belgium to proceed to Rome on Tuesday morning.
(GC-AÖ) 29.09.2003