ANKARA - Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said on Monday that Turkey had rediscovered secularism thanks to Turkish government led by Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Addressing the gathering of his party at the parliament, Baykal said, ''secularism was a regular and ordinary living style in Turkey, and nobody had doubts about this. AKP government has made Turkish people think that it could change this understanding if it had the opportunity. And thus, everybody has seen that this understanding is very important, and some big problems could be faced if it was under threat. Turkey has rediscovered secularism thanks to AKP government, and it has once more seen the importance of secularism, Lausanne (Treaty), national unity and its independence. I hope it (the government) has also understood how important is this.''
-DEVELOPMENTS IN IRAQ-
Referring to incidents in Iraq, Baykal claimed that Turkey appeared to be inefficient against developments faced in Iraq. Noting that developments in Kirkuk was a concrete example of this attitude of Turkey, Baykal alleged that the government was trying to give the impression as if it was doing something, instead of taking real action.
Baykal said that everybody living in Iraq was a friend of Turkey irrespective of his/her ethnic and religious origin, and stated that they only wanted peace in Iraq.
Turkey should undertake an effective role in this country, Baykal added.
(BRC-ULG) 02.11.2004