ANKARA (AA) - Two former energy ministers, Cumhur Ersumer and Zeki Cakan, appeared one more time today before the High Tribunal. They were accused of abusing their powers.
They are also accused of alleged irregularities and abusing powers by pursuing wrong and illegal energy policies that caused the state to lose money. They could face imprisonment if convicted.
In today's hearing, Cakan, defending himself, said, ''if the Blue Stream project (natural gas pipeline project from Russia to Turkey beneath Black Sea) wasn't implemented, Turkey would face great loss and could not find any gas.''
Cakan said, ''I am being tried for not terminating the Blue Stream contract. But, I wasn't the (energy) minister when the contract was signed. Also if Botas (Petroleum Pipeline Corporation) had terminated the contract, it would have terminated the cheapest natural gas convention.''
Cakan claimed that he was being tried by the High Tribunal ''totally due to political reasons.''
On the other hand in yesterday's hearing, Cumhur Ersumer defended himself saying, ''only one person can't be considered responsible for the duties and responsibilities of a whole ministry. And, one person can't be tried in a contrary way to laws and realities.''
Ersumer stated that Turkish parliament approved the cost of the Blue Stream project and this decision was later issued in the Official Gazette. ''Therefore, this decision can't be modified with the decision of a minister. It can only be changed with the decision of the parliament itself.'' He also defended that the Blue Stream project was in line with the laws.
(BRC-ULG)
2004-12-22