Turkish National Education Minister Says He Can't Understand Why Seminary In Heybeliada Is Closed

NEW YORK - Turkish National Education Minister Huseyin Celik said late on Friday that he could not understand why the seminary in Heybeliada, Istanbul was closed.
Celik, who is paying a visit to the United States, listened to problems of Turkish students having education in U.S. universities.
Replying to a question in the meeting, Celik said, ``I can`t understand why the seminary in Heybeliada is closed. What will happen if a hundred priests are educated there? Aren`t they our citizens? We can`t be sympathized since we aren`t empathetic. Moreover, nobody can be doomed against the possibility that they can make mistakes.``
Celik later met with Turkish academicians in American universities.
Turkish National Education Minister Celik left Turkey for the United States on April 14.
Celik is expected to return to Turkey on Saturday.
(BRC) 17.04.2004