ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, ``we believe that DNA tests will lead us to a definite conclusion in the investigation in Saturday`s bombings in Istanbul.``
Responding questions of journalists, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ``DNA tests have still been continuing. We believe that DNA tests will lead us to a definite conclusion in the investigation.``
Prime Minister Erdogan noted that British Prime Minister Tony Blair called him on the phone earlier in the day.
``In their messages following the terrorist attacks, Britain, the European Union (EU) countries and the United States expressed their sensitivities,`` he said.
Recalling that Turkey had signed security agreements with 49 countries, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters that the platform of joint fight against terrorism should be further developed in the whole world henceforth.
When asked, ``in a statement following today`s meeting of the Council of Ministers, Justice Minister and Government Spokesman said that some of countries, which sent messages to Turkey in the wake of the bombings to offer their condolences, in fact, cried crocodile tears. What is your view?`` Prime Minister Erdogan said, ``these messages are the signs of courtesy of countries to each other. However, there are steps to be taken beyond this courtesy. These steps should be taken as soon as possible. As Turkey, we have always fulfilled our responsibilities. We are determined to fulfill our duties in the future.``
``Terrorist organizations do not have religious beliefs, nationalities and races. On numerous occasions, we stressed that a platform of joint fight against terrorism should be developed on the international level. September 11th events proved our rightfulness to this end. As you know, Turkey has suffered much from terrorism in the past. But, we have the power to overcome all these,`` he added.
TWO OF UNIDENTIFIED BODIES CLAIMED TO HAVE BELONGED TO MEMBERS OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS
One of two unidentified bodies was claimed to have belonged to Mesut Cabuk, a member of the illegal organization of Islamic Movement, and the other to Azad Ekinci, a member of the terrorist organization of Islamic Great Eastern Raiders-Front IBDA/C.
Sources told the A.A correspondent on Monday that experts watching records of the security camera at Beth Israel Synagogue saw a person who got out of a vehicle, which was parked in front of the synagogue, and began fleeing from the area after an argument with the synagogue`s guard Hasan Ozsoy.
Experts identified the man as Mesut Cabuk, a member of the illegal organization of Islamic Movement who had received military training in a neighboring country.
Suspecting that one of the two unidentified bodies at the Forensic Medicine Institute could have belonged to Cabuk, security forces have been waiting for results of DNA tests for a definite identification.
Meanwhile, the second unidentified body is believed to have belonged to Azad Ekinci, a member of the terrorist organization of IBDA/C.
Therefore, DNA samples of Azad Ekinci`s older brother Metin Ekinci, who is the owner of the vehicle used in the bomb attack, and Azad Ekinci will be compared.
Meanwhile, 30 people were detained during countrywide operations.
Also, interrogation of Ahmet Ugurlu, who was recorded as owner of the second vehicle, his brother and his son Suleyman Ugurlu has been continuing.
Elif Ugurlu, the wife of Ahmet Ugurlu, said that handbag of his husband was stolen nearly two years ago, and his husband applied to the police for the event.
(UK) 17.11.2003