SALONICA - Anadolu Agency (A.A) Director General and Executive Board Chairman Hilmi Bengi has said, ''Turkish people have displayed a unique solidarity following the terrorist attacks in Istanbul.''
Bengi attended on Friday the Conference of Journalists of Balkan Countries in Salonica, Greece.
In an interview with the Greek state-run TV channel, Bengi said, ''very saddening moments were experienced following the quadruple attacks in Istanbul in November. However, these attacks could not affect daily life of Turkish people. Our people have maintained their daily lives in national unity and solidarity. According to our point of view, it was the most significant response against terrorism. Everything has backed to normal in Turkey.''
Stressing that terrorism could not have any religious beliefs and nationalities, Bengi said, ''we should fight against terrorism altogether since it is an inhumane method. We will commemorate Christian, Jewish and Muslim victims of these terrorism attacks with great respect.''
Upon a question about statement of Greek-Orthodox Church Archbishop Christodoulos who claimed that there was no room for Turkey in the European Union (EU), Bengi said, ''there are some circles who want to prevent Turkey's becoming a member of the EU and its integration with the Western world as a modern country. In fact, this mentality lays behind the terrorist attacks in Istanbul. Instead of thwarting Turkey's EU membership, they should extend support to Turkey in its EU membership process.''
Recalling that National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Khristodoulakis of Greece had paid a visit to Turkey following Istanbul bombings in an effort to extend support to Turkey, Bengi said, ''Turkey's EU membership process should be supported especially in such a period. Turkey will not make any concessions from its modernization process whether it is accepted to membership or not. Turkey is already a European country.''
Meanwhile, Central News Agency Director General Mehmet Guler said in an interview with the Greek state-run TV channel, ''suicide attacks in Istanbul were a trick of those who do not want Turkey's westernization.''
''The HSBC Bank headquarter, one of the targets of the second bomb attacks on November 20, was very close to my office. On that day, I witnessed this brutality. However, we, as Turkish journalists, decided not to broadcast scenes of this brutality not to help terrorism in reaching its targets,'' he said.
Criticizing Archbishop Christodoulos, Guler said that there were some unimportant minorities trying to prevent Turkey's accession to the EU.
''Greek people has given the best response to them by inviting us to Greece,'' he added.
(UK-AÖ) 05.12.2003