ANKARA - German Ambassador to Turkey Wolf-Ruthart Born said on Thursday that Germany was in a preparation to give a set of questions to Turkey regarding Metin Kaplan, son of Cemalettin Kaplan, known as ''Black voice'' in Turkey, the head of the Union of Islamic Communities and Societies that was banned in Germany.
Born told reporters that Kaplan could only be ''extradited'' to Turkey and Germany sent a set of questions to its Embassy in Ankara in order to find answers to claims of Kaplan's lawyers.
The set of questions was being translated into Turkish, Born said.
Born noted that it could be sent to Turkish Foreign Ministry after the translation was completed.
Pointing out that there was not any difference of opinion between two governments on the issue, Born said that they did not want Kaplan in Germany.
German Interior Minister Otto Schily had said in his last speech in the parliament that Kaplan should be extradited but there were some legal obstacles.
Cologne court had rejected the request for Kaplan's extradition to Turkey.
Born noted that Turkey-Germany relations had a positive course and Turkey had recorded significant progress in meeting Copenhagen criteria in European Union (EU) process.
Reforms in Turkey were important, Born stated.
Born reiterated message of German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer about Cyprus issue and said, ''don't forget Cyprus.''
He was optimistic about solution of Cyprus issue, Born stated.
Born said that sides should sit at a table and solve their problems and they favored settlement of issue as soon as possible within the framework of Annan plan.
Germany did not have a direct link with the issue, Born noted.
Born said that as an EU member, they did not want to have any problems with Turkey, with which they had close relationship.
Stating that progress had been recorded in practices related with Germans living in Turkey and visiting Turkey for touristic purposes, Born said that freedom of worship was a need and they expected solution of the issue.
(BRC) 02.10.2003