Cicek: There Should Be Consensus On Definition Of Terrorism For An Effective Fight Against Terrorism

ANKARA - Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said on Thursday that there should be first consensus on the definition of terrorism in order to fight effectively against it and stated, ''people should have consensus on definition of terrorism for an effective fight against terrorism in the world.''
Attending a reception in Ankara's Sheraton Hotel, Cicek replied to questions of reporters.
Upon questions on definition of terrorism, Cicek said that differences on the definition of terrorism in the world caused some difficulties in fight against terrorism.
Cicek said that the United States and Turkey had consensus on who were terrorists and stated that there was not any problem on this issue between the two countries. ''But, there should be a consensus on this definition of terrorism for an effective fight against terrorism in the world in the future,'' he noted.
Stressing that not reaching consensus on the definition of terrorism caused some problems, Cicek said that when Ankara demanded some countries to extradite some people to Turkey, those countries said that they did not have such a crime and thus, they made extradition impossible.
Upon a question on preventing financial sources of terrorism, Cicek said that Turkey and the United States did not have any problem on this issue.
Noting that the thing on which a consensus was not reached was related to terrorist organization PKK/KADEK, Cicek said that the United States considered PKK/KADEK a terrorist organization, but Europe called PKK a terrorist organization only after its name was changed into KADEK.
''Now, KADEK changed its jacket. It is not definite yet that what will be its new one. Then, it becomes impossible to prevent its finance. If people cannot reach consensus on the definition of terrorism, then people cannot reach consensus on preventing its finance, either,'' he stated. Cicek said that definition of terrorism should be made under the body of the United Nations (U.N.) that it would be valid for all countries and noted that there were some studies in the U.N., but they were not sufficient. Cicek added that it could also be made under the body of European Council if it could not be made under the body of U.N..
When asked whether or not they made any proposal to the United States on acceleration of studies under the body of the U.N., Cicek said, ''yes, of course.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 11.12.2003