Ecevit Responds Questions On Live Tv Broadcast

ANKARA (A.A) - 18.06.2002 - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Tuesday that in a short time he would be in a position to carry out all his functions.
Prime Minister Ecevit responded to the questions of NTV correspondent Murat Akgun in live broadcast.
When asked about his health condition, Ecevit said in a short time he would be in a position to carry out all his functions. Ecevit said, ''even if I work at home in the recent weeks, I was closely interested in state affairs. I tried to fulfill all my duties.''
Ecevit said, ''I gradually feel better. If I don't violate the rules put by the doctors, I will be able to recover soon. As you know first the infection in the leg, then broken rib, then injury in spine. We have left two of them in the past. Doctors carry out a very meticulous examination on injury in the spine. Of couse, I should also be careful. My wife helps me in this respect. On the other side, I am patient to return my job again.''
When asked if doctors indicated something about the time of the recovery, Ecevit said this depended on my attitude.
Asked a question saying, ''at first doctors were visiting you evey day. Then, they started to visit you every two or three days. Will they visit you more rarely from now on?'' Ecevit said, ''as you see that rare visits of doctors show that I am getting better each day. The doctors do not need to visit me every day. This is a pleasing development. They will control me every three or four days at the moment. Maybe, later, I will totally recover at a great extent.''
When asked if he was carrying out his duties through telephone, Ecevit said, ''I am closely following the press. The journalists have been waiting in front of my door. To this end, I can receive news earlier than others. When I need someting, my government friends are calling me or I call them. I have very full days. That is, I do not have a holiday or rest but I need to work till late in the evening.''
Ecevit added, ''in fact, when working at the Council of Ministers, one cannot find time to learn about the problems of the people. Now, I can allocate time for them. I can have the opportunity to handle important issues.''
Asked if he would make a preference between the Prime Ministry or Prime Ministry Residence when he started to work at the office again, Ecevit said, ''I think that it will be appropriate to work both in the Prime Ministry and the Prime Ministry Residence.
Ecevit also answered questions about the economy.
Responding a question about yesterday's briefing given to him by the economy authorities and bureaucrats, Ecevit said, ''State Minister Kemal Dervis made a realistic presentation which affirmed my diagnosis and estimate. First of all, very positive developments which are more promising than the expected are occuring in the Turkish economy and the inflation rate is rapidly decreasing. There are good investments and developments in manufacturing industry. These are very pleasing and promising developments. However, recent appreciation of U.S. dollar against Turkish lira and sharp decrease in national index at the stock exchange caused uncertainty. And this affects the economy, of course, that is, the economy is going through a negative period due to non-economic factors.''
Recalling that the 57th government had made great reforms in field of economy, Ecevit said that the government partner three political parties were working in harmony.
''However, relations between banks and the production sector have still not be settled on a sound basis. In the previous period, the banking sector was functioning in an undisciplined way. Now, some rules have been adopted and some disciplinary measures have been taken. There are circles who managed to or failed to adapt themselves to these. I don't doubt that also the banking system will be on track,'' Ecevit said.
Ecevit said statement of Tansu Ciller, the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) which said, ''as the coalition partners, you reach a compromise among yourselves, and later consult us'', was a contradiction with her own attitude, noting that, ''the attitude which the opposition parties would assume in this respect, is not an attitude which they would take for our sake.''
When recalled of the interpretations that political atmosphere affected uncertainty atmosphere, and asked, ''what measures can be taken to overcome this uncertainty? Will your returning to the Prime Ministry be adequate to overcome this uncertainty,'' Ecevit said his illness should not affect uncertainty atmosphere.
Ecevit said prime ministers or presidents from time to time could feel the need to take a vacation for medical treatment, noting that there would not be crisis on those countries in economic sense, and that this would be considered as a natural process.
Stressing that the markets could easily be affected from the politics in Turkey, Ecevit said somethings were shakening in economy in case a leading politician from the opposition or from the ruling use an expression which will create concern in the society.
Pointing out that a prime minister could be ill, Ecevit said eruption of signs of crisis in economy could not be accepted because of this. Ecevit said, ''however, this means we have several deficiencies. There are some problems stemming from structural rasons, not only from my illness. Our public can easily get panicked on issues like economy and finance. There are circles which exploit this panic. We should soon overcome those.''
Responding a question which said ''when you look at the government from outside, always the problem of adjustment appears. Particularly in the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP) wings. Is continuation of this problem an element inciting uncertainty?, Ecevit said the impression that there in lack of harmony was created.
Ecevit pointed out that the 57th government exhibited an example of compromise and harmonization so far, ''however,'' he noted the coalition partners could not be expected to reach an agreement on every issue rapidly.
''We reached an agreement on many issues beyond the expected. However, on some issues, mainly the death sentence, we could not reach an agreement. We should consider this natural, and should develop ways of compromise possibilities and facilities to solve some questions. In fact I am hopeful in this respect. The three coalition partners know that success of this coalition government and yielding in positive results are vitally important for the future of Turkey and Turkish nation not only for those parties.
Ecevit said, ''for the first time, Turkey made initiatives for radical structural reforms and began to obtain the results.''
Ecevit said, ''those who experienced last year's February and March could not even think of such a decrease in inflation rate this year. They could not expect the economy to revive in such a short time. However, Turkish society and Turkish economic life have a real dynamism. When we start to make use of this dynamism, we think that we can solve many economic and social problems in a short time.''
Asked if State Minister Kemal Dervis and economy bureaucrats made a proposal for economic measures at the economy summit on Monday, Ecevit said that they produced views altogether at the meeting.
Ecevit noted that the measures and reasons of the problems were clear and that the economists and experts were altogether trying to fulfil the measures.
When a reporter reminded Ecevit that the leaders' summit could convene later in the day, Ecevit said that he did not have any information about this summit.
Asked if he was hopeful about such a summit, Ecevit said, ''I do not have any information if the leaders' summit will convene today. It may or may not convene. But, it is obvious that such a summit would be beneficial without losing any time.''
Upon a question saying, ''there is a thought that it will be easier for Turkey to set a date for its EU accession negotiations if the issue of death sentence is solved. Do you think the same? It seems that there is a deadlock about death sentence. How will this deadlock be overcome?'', Ecevit said, ''if death sentence is abolished, it is obvious that our EU full membership will be easier. However, it is not certain. We cannot be expected to meet all the EU criteria as we only take this step. But, our nation and government is determined about this. As the three coalition partners, we agreed on a number of measures last year.''
Ecevit went on saying, ''to this end, after overcoming the issue of death sentence, I believe that we can reach a compromise among ourselves on other issues more easily. It can be considered that we have found a solution to issue of death sentence. Because, we agreed with Mr. Bahceli.''
''If the coalition partners cannot agree on some exceptional issues but not on every issue among themselves, they can agree with other political parties. Especially on death sentence. This facilitates solution of death sentence issue. Democratic Left Party (DSP) has launched initiatives. I hope that result will be gained in a few days. The attitude of Motherland Party (ANAP) is obvious. It wants the abolition of capital punishment,'' Ecevit added.
Asked if they believed in the support of the opposition in solution of capital punishment issue, Ecevit said that he believed in some parties but there was uncertainty in DYP leader Tansu Ciller's attitude.
Pointing out that the solution of death sentence issue was an important step in the path of the EU membership, Ecevit said that DSP wanted and supported the abolition of death sentence since the very beginning.
''Everybody knows that sine qua non condition of EU membership's is abolition of death sentence,'' Ecevit said and added, ''and all political parties are aware of this so do the DYP. Mrs. Ciller also contributed to taking of important steps on the EU path in the past. Now, she says, ''first you reach an agreement among the coalition partners, then come to me and us' and this contradicts with her attitude. Because, if we, as the coalition partners, can reach an agreement on this issue, we actually don't need to consult to the opposition parties.''
When asked whether or not he was planning to meet with Ciller, Ecevit said, ''maybe. I will be pelased to meet Ciller and her aides. At this stage, representatives of parties are having talks. I think it beneficial to meet with Ciller after the end of these talks.''
Responding a question which said, ''Mr. President has a formula like whether or not the content of death sentence can be narrowed through approval of the protocol no:6. Has you ever made brain storming with the President on this issue?'' Ecevit said that both the President's proposal and the proposals of the commission they had formed within the DSP had found the opportunity of solving the death sentence issue without an amendment to the Constitution.
When asked whether or not it could happen in the summer, Ecevit said, ''it should be. We have to overcome this obstacle as soon as possible and this strengthens Turkey both inside and outside.''
When asked how they would overcome the hitch in the issue of broadcast and education in mother tongue, Ecevit said, ''as the coalition partners, we have not discussed this. I believe that we can easily reach an agreement when we discuss it. Turkey does have a special position. For example, there are discussions in Turkey like whether or not there should be television broadcast in Kurdish. However, television channels can now be watched from every place in the world. There are satellite dishes on roofs of houses in many villages to receive Kurdish television channels' signals. These are evident. We have to solve also this communication problem by taking this reality into consideration.''
Ecevit, responding to a question which said, ''some circles think that the issue of education in mother tongue was a step on the way to create a Kurdish nation,'' and asked if he shared this view, Ecevit said he had the same concerns.
''Some circles want this only for the Kurdish origin citizens to learn their language more easily. However, some want this as a means on the way to separatist movements. If those circles stop themselves from giving this appearance, and if this can be discussed only as the problem of culture, nobody in Turkey will oppose this,'' Ecevit said.
Ecevit said, ''some circles in fact exploit the issue of culture and language to create a separate national conscious and to contribute to this. We should find a solution to stop its exploitation and some kind of negative formulas.''
When asked, ''Sevilla Summit will take place within this week. What kind of an encouraging message that will be issued from the summit will satisfy you,'' Ecevit said, ''it is hard to guess it at the moment. Because Sevilla meeting is on immigration and human smuggling. Turkey participates in this meeting as a country which fulfilled its assignments on a solid basis. This is the main issue. If they mention the political issues, I hope that some statements could be made giving hope for Turkey's position as it happened in Laeken.''
Asked if he was hopeful that a date could be set for opening of EU accession talks till the end of this year, Ecevit said, ''in order to help this process, we have to fulfil our obligations within the following few months.''
Upon a question saying, ''the Greek Cypriot administration will probably be accepted as the EU full member till the end of this year. Won't this situation make our relations with the EU more difficult?'', Ecevit said, ''of course, it can make it difficult. But, Turkey's attitude and especially the position of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is very different from the position of some countries.''
Ecevit went on saying, ''when a country applies to the EU for full membership, any EU member says that 'EU has some criteria and principles. Adjust to them and then, you can become a member.' But, there is not any issue like Cyprus question among these conditions.''
''A precondition like 'you should contribute to Cyprus question' is not put forth in front of other countries. This is a precondition put forth in front of only Turkey. Firstly, we should take this out of the general frame of our relations with the EU. This is a very separate issue,'' Ecevit added.
Asked if he saw that good will in the EU, Ecevit said, ''beyond good will, realism is needed in this issue. What is the need for realism? There are two separate states and peoples in Cyprus. There are two languages in the island. And, in this small island, Turks could hardly save themselves from the Greek Cypriot oppression.''
Ecevit added, ''they had their own territory. They are under the guarantee of Turkey. Why should they leave that guarantee? Turkey's guarantee is very important. Anyone looking at the map can see the vital importance that TRNC's territory has for not only Turkish Cypriots but also for the security of Turkey.''
''And when the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline reaches Eastern Mediterranean, it can be seen how the TRNC is important not only for Turkey but also whole world. So I do not feel concern as I believe and know that we are quite rightful in this issue. We do have the position of responding every possible allegation. This should not be linked to the criteria. Only we can do harm to ourselves,'' Ecevit said unfortunately there were some experts or intellectual which were happy to support the concessions expected from Turkey for the Turkish Cypriots and northern Cyprus.
Responding another question, Ecevit said that some circles had adopted attitudes preventing them regarding Cyprus issue, adding, ''first of all, we should not consider this a problem. And we should stress and tell the EU that this is not a problem but it has a different characteristic.''
Responding a question about general elections, Ecevit said that he believed the current government should be in power until the general elections in April of 2004.