ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he harshly condemned bomb attacks staged on two synagogues in Istanbul and killing 25 people and injuring hundreds of them. Erdogan said if there was a message which wanted to be given through terrorism to state or government, he was rejecting it.
Delivering a speech in Justice and Development Party (AK Party) group meeting, Erdogan said that this inhuman attack which hit both Muslims and Jews was directed towards the whole Turkey, stating that this was an attack on peace and brotherhood. He added that those who wanted to aim at peace, tranquility, brotherhood, confidence and stability in Turkey would not be successful.
''When I was in Cyprus, I heard some rumors asking why I don't put an emphasis our citizens of Jewish origin? People who died in bomb attacks are all citizens of Turkey. No matter what their religions are, all of them are Turkish citizens and our people. We have made the stress on it,'' he stated.
Erdogan who offered his condolences to relatives of people who died in bomb attacks and expressed quick recovery to injured people said that everyone should know that Turkish Republic would do what was necessary on the issue.
Stressing that statesmen from all over the world underlined in their messages that there should be cooperation against terrorism, Erdogan said that this hateful incident showed once again that terrorism did not have religion and nationality.
Erdogan said that terrorist actions were inhuman incidents and stated that those kinds of actions could not have any political excuse.
Erdogan stated that there was not any message which would be given to Turkish Republic and State through terrorism.
ERDOGAN: ''WE DO NOT ACCEPT ANY IDEAL OR CASE THAT WILL LEGITIMIZE TERRORISM TARGETING INNOCENT PEOPLE''
Erdogan said, ''we do not accept any ideal, target or case, that will legitimize terrorism targeting innocent people''. Erdogan was referring to the bomb attacks on two synagogues in Istanbul on November 15.
Erdogan said there were important developments about the attacks, noting that DNA test results were expected the same day.
Erdogan said, ''we will reach a result this evening to a great extent.'' Erdogan spoke at his party group meeting and evaluated the bomb attacks in Istanbul.
Criticizing the attitude of media, Erdogan said, ''media makes our efforts more difficult. What will happen if the names and addresses are disclosed? Let us work. We need time to carry out the studies in a healthy way. Necessary statements will be announced when time comes. Media members should help the security forces.''
Erdogan said that there were important developments in studies of security forces regarding the two loathsome attacks, adding that ''I hope security forces will reach a result this evening.''
Erdogan said that the security forces' finding the traces in a short period of time like 24 hours showed how sensitively and seriously they worked, adding that the last stage would be reached with the DNA test that would be done the same day.
Noting that as much as detention of the assailants, the character of the crime was important for them, Erdogan said that ''those who committed this grave crime against our nation and humanity, will be caught whoever they are and which cause they are after and they will be brought to justice. We don't accept any ideal, any target or any cause which will make legitimate terrorism against innocent people.''
Erdogan said that Turkey was a big and powerful country, adding that he believed Turkey's importance for the world was understood in a better way in this period. Turkey contributed significantly to prevailing of security and stability in the region for 80 years with its developing economy, big potential, young population and dynamism, he added.
(GC-EÖ-AY-ÖS) 18.11.2003