Ecevit: We, As Coalition Partners, Do Not Approve Early Elections

ANKARA (A.A) - 28.05.2002 - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday, ''we, as coalition partners, do not approve early elections. I have some pleasing leisure interests. I would like to have more time to deal with them. However, if we destroy the stability of the coalition government, we will face with extremely serious problems. I cannot take such a responsibility.''
When asked about allegations saying that his illness affected negatively economy, damaged the atmosphere of confidence and he was unable to carry out his works, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''I do not want to talk about health problems. Necessary steps and measures have been taken, and necessary statements were made. I do not want to talk more about this issue.''
''Problems in the world have been changing continuously. Unimportant developments in many industrialized countries do not cause increases and decreases in their stock exchanges. Turkey should reach this level. There is a rooted democracy in Turkey. Personal developments should not affect the state. There is nothing to worry about,'' he said.
Prime Minister Ecevit told reporters, ''Turkey has improving its economy on a sound ground for the first time in years. It has been taking serious steps to this end.''
Responding another question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''the European Union (EU) full membership is a national commitment of Turkey. All political parties share this opinion. Of course, there may be some differences of opinion among them. These are issues that could be overcome in democratic process. As I said before, three political parties forming the coalition government do not have any hesitation about the EU full membership. Disputes on some details can be solved in a short period of time.''
When asked, ''State Minister for Economy Kemal Dervis says an early election is inevitable. What is your idea'', Ecevit said, ''like every citizen, Dervis may have individual views on political issues. As the government, we have disclosed that we don't find early elections as appropriate.''
Pointing out that they dealt with structural reforms, which had been neglected for a long time in Turkey, Ecevit said, ''Turkey may not catch this opportunity easily. A resolved and consistent government keeps the promises it has given. I believe that an early election could not be beneficial at this stage. However, I can not know why and with which ideas Mr. Dervis told those. He is a member of this government. This issue has not even been discussed within the government.''
Responding to a question which asked, ''how did the criticisms pertaining to your health problem effected your psychology, have you ever thought of leaving the Prime Ministry and relaxing even for a while,'' Ecevit said several circles insistently claimed that he has serious health problems.
''It has been revealed that all those allegations are baseless. This last stage is not a serious issue that causes concern. There is noting that will prevent me from undertaking my responsibilities. I may be obliged to postpone my visits to foreign countries for a while. However, the state works will not be obstructed because of those,'' Ecevit said.
Ecevit said ''efforts, which have been exerted for long years to deter him from politics, are intensified in the recent months. They still continue. Politics is not everything for me. I have may other fields of interests apart from politics. However, spoiling the stability of the coalition government will cause very serious problems for Turkey at this moment. I can not undertake the responsibility of this.''
Ecevit said, ''Turkey goes through a very sensitive period. It issues laws, in the quality of structural reforms'' one after the other. I find it necessary to continue my assignment as I think disrupting those will cause a serious cost for Turkey.''
Asked if his domestic tours would be affected by his health problems, Ecevit said that he needed to spend time on internal tours.
Ecevit noted that village-city project had been turned into a state policy and that it would be implemented without a dependence on himself.
''To this end, I do not have concerns. I will do my best to fulfil both my internal and external duties as much as I can. But, if I face some difficulties due to my health problems, I hope that my citizens will not feel concerns and think that solutions will be found to problems,'' Ecevit stated.
Upon another question, Ecevit said that the Economic and Social Council and Higher Board of Planning would convene in the possible shortest time.
Ecevit noted that he would attend the National Security Council meeting if he did not have any health problems.
When he was reminded about the criticisms made towards his wife Rahsan Ecevit about treatment, Ecevit said that all of those criticisms were wrong.
Ecevit pointed out, ''I have told that they do not have any relation with the realities in every opportunity. I started to feel some pain due to hitting when I returned home. My wife stressed the need to go to hospital. But, I could not do it in respect of politics. Because, everything would be in a mess, stock exchange would fall and economic figures would be negatively affected.''
''Then, we gathered together again as my wife and professors insisted. This is the ongoing situation,'' Ecevit added.