Erdogan: Gul's Meeting With Zana And Her Friends Is A Very Important Stage In Turkey

ISTANBUL - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that, ''Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's meeting with Leyla Zana and her friends with the title of deputy prime minister is a very important stage in Turkey.''
Prime Minister Erdogan replied to questions of journalists on his way back from the United States to Turkey.
When asked about the statement of Democratic People's Party (DEHAP) leader Tuncer Bakirhan that a fair and democratic solution could not be reached in Kurdish problem yet and that there was an expectation for general amnesty in this respect, Erdogan said, ''the government did all the openings within its program.''
Stating that the people and the world appreciated those openings, Erdogan said, ''current government has taken steps which had not been taken in history of the Republic. Those steps have been taken within the framework of Copenhagen political criteria.''
A journalist said, ''Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul met with Leyla Zana and her friends. Will you meet with them in case there is a request?'' Erdogan said, ''there is no reason for me not to accept them. Why not?''
Gul met with former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies on Friday.
Four former DEP deputies, Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak, demanded to meet with Gul.
Sources said Gul received them at Foreign Ministry Residence and it was like a courtesy visit.
Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department decided on Wednesday to release four former DEP deputies. The deputies have served 10 years of their 15-year sentence.
(AY-AÖ) 14.06.2004