Yilmaz: There Is No Doubt That We Are Entering Into A Crisis Time As Of Today

ANKARA (A.A) - 09.07.2002 - Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said late on Monday that there was no doubt that Turkey was entering into a crisis time as of today.
Yilmaz responded to questions of Fatih Altayli at a programme broadcast in private Kanal D channel.
When Altayli said that there were resignations from Democratic Left Party (DSP) and asked if there was a government problem, Yilmaz said, ''there is no doubt that we are entering into a crisis time as of today.''
He went on saying, ''we have done our best to prevent Turkey from coming these days and to prevent Turkey from facing such a crisis. But, I do not think that our mission is over now. We will do our best to overcome this crisis with the least cost.''
''In my opinion, the first sign of today's crisis was the meeting of the leaders held at the Presidential Palace a month ago, on June 7. The topic of the meeting was the fulfilment of obligations in the path of the European Union (EU) membership. At that meeting, Devlet Bahceli had stated that they would no way contribute to fulfilment of criteria and that they were ready to withdraw from the government if necessary. This was the first time when the fact that this government which exerts significant efforts in harmony could be finished was voiced,'' Yilmaz noted.
Yilmaz said, ''these developments were developments that can be expected after that day. Then, we had a leaders' summit last week. We announced our compromise on continuation of this government till the normal election date after that summit. However, I think that at the meeting we held on economy three days after the leaders' summit, evaluations which made Bahceli review and change his mind about our former compromise were made. Then, he made a statement yesterday and today's developments occured in DSP.''
Noting that the current crisis was not a crisis stemming from economic conditions, Yilmaz said that this was a crisis stemming directly from political conditions.
Yilmaz added, ''in my opinion, this has two important reasons. One of them is an issues related with Prime Minister's state of health which I can name as a short term uncertainty. The second can be named as a medium term issue, that is uncertainty about Turkey's position and path, that is the EU issue.''
YILMAZ: CRISIS WE ARE HAVING TODAY IS NOT A CRISIS WHICH OCCURS SUDDENLY
Yilmaz said that the crisis Turkey was having today was not a crisis which occured suddenly.
Deputy Prime Minister Yilmaz said that the parliament had to be called for an extraordinary meeting in the following week without waiting till September and start the searches for a compromise on legal arrangements necessary for the European Union (EU) membership.
Yilmaz noted, ''as these arrangements are made, there is no need to wait till November. According to my estimations, Turkey can go for an election at the end of September.''
They achieved to overcome many problems in the government by a compromise, Yilmaz stated. However, he said, the EU had been a problem in the government since the very beginning.
Yilmaz pointed out that when they looked at the coalition protocol, the clear will of the 57th government about EU membership could be seen. He went on saying, ''however, when it is time for practice, for example when our candidacy was announced at Helsinki Summit, the government made an evaluation. Some hesitations were voiced that day but the government adopted the status proposed for us in Helsinki.''
The second critical issue was related with sending of the verdict about head of the terrorist organization to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Yilmaz said.
Yilmaz continued, ''Devlet Bahceli had also some serious concerns about this issue. He had some objections also. But, we overcome this issue by discussing it among ourselves. The third problem we faced occured when we were writing the National Program of our government as a response to the Accession Partnership Accord issued by the EU. The compromise we reached especially on cultural rights or death sentence did not totally meet the expectations expressed in the Accession Partnership Accord. There were some blurred points. The EU made an optimistic comment and accepted our National Program.''
''After we fulfilled many of our commitments, we had a deadlock in some concrete issues and we could not overcome this deadlock. This difference in point of view became apparent firstly at the meeting held at the Presidential Palace and later at the meetings held upon the call of the Prime Minister. Thus, this crisis is not a crisis which occurs suddenly,'' Yilmaz said.
When Altayli said that this development was not a surprise and the situation had occured since June 7, Yilmaz said, ''but, it originated earlier. It is an issue related with our EU membership.''
Asked what the possible least damage was and what the next formula was, Yilmaz said that nobody could dictate a formula by himself from now on and that it would be found by a compromise of the majority of the parliament.
Noting that everybody should respect to the decision of the parliament if the parliament took a decision about an early election, Yilmaz said that they believed that EU membership was more important than many other issues at this current stage.
Yilmaz noted that this did not only stem from Turkey's preference but also it was a situaton resulting from EU's own schedule.
He went on saying, ''because, it has been known for years that Copenhagen Summit will be a historic summit about EU's enlargement. Very important decisions about other candidate countries and Turkey can be taken at the meeting. We have put forth our target about this matter. We want the EU to set a date for negotiations. But, there are some criteria that we have to fulfil to achieve our target. We have fulfilled most of these criteria with the 57th government.''
''Now, there are some few issues about which there is sufficient political support at the parliament. The most important obstacle before fulfilment of these criteria was the continuation of the 57th government. That is, after the attitude assumed by MHP, fulfilment of these criteria meant a government crises and finish of the government. I think that this obstacle was overcome after recent developments,'' Yilmaz said.
Yilmaz continued, ''what should be done is to call the parliament for an extraordinary meeting next week not to wait till September. Searches for a compromise about this issue should be started immediately. Our indispensable priority is EU criteria and legal arrangements. There is sufficient political will to pass all these from the parliament. Two parties in the government ANAP and DSP and the opposition. To this end, what should be done is to complete procedure in the parliament and finalize all these legal arrangements as soon as possible.''
''When these arrangements are made, there is no need to wait till November. According to my estimations, Turkey can hold an election at the end of September. I think that if all these arrangements are made, ANAP will support holding elections on September 29 and will not wait till November and even till October,'' Yilmaz added.
Yilmaz pointed out that they were open to amend Political Parties Law and Election Law.
''Let's take an election decision immediately. Our priority is paving way for the EU. This can be achieved by elections. Then, election will have a quality of a referendum. As the majority of the parliament thinks in parallel with the majority of the people, these arrangements can be made and then an elections can be held,'' Yilmaz added.
YILMAZ: ELECTIONS HAS COME ONTO AGENDA OF TURKEY
Yilmaz said that elections had come onto the agenda of Turkey.
Yilmaz responded to questions of Fatih Altayli at a programme broadcast in private Kanal D channel.
Deputy Prime Minister Yilmaz said, ''this is an issue of timing and appreciation. Elections can be held two months later technically, but we will have an elections no later than a year.''
Upon a question about schedule of elections proposed by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Yilmaz said that it was not possible to record progress in Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU) with the schedule proposed by Devlet Bahceli.
Yilmaz went on saying, ''but, nobody can ignore that elections has come onto the agenda of Turkey as of today. This is an issue of timing and appreciation. Elections can be held two months later technically, but we will have an elections no later than a year. Whether or not my party takes part in the following government is important neither for me nor for my party.''
''We will extend full support to a government, which includes fulfilment of these criteria into its program and which has a commitment to amend Political Parties Law and Election Law, from outside. I think that other parties will not insist on being included in the government. It can also be a minority government. But, we will extend the necessary support to that government to help it take decisions at the parliament,'' Yilmaz said.
Asked if the doors of ANAP was closed to new members, Yilmaz said, ''our attitude towards new members is always the same. We do not have any prejudice about them. We are one of the most flexible parties in Turkey. We do not have strict rules.''
When asked if he had a special sympathy towards State Minister Kemal Dervis, Yilmaz said that he did not make any call and noted, ''he said that he would take part in a formation which would help end political uncertainty. At this stage, reservations about this issue have been removed in a sense. If he joins us, we will be pleased. I have no doubt that we will work together efficiently.''
Upon a question about the effects of recent developments on markets, Yilmaz said that the markets were not affected too much from political developments any more and that he did not think that very serious negative developments would occur on Tuesday.
Responding to a question about following government formations, Yilmaz said, ''if this government continues to be in the office, there is no need to wait till November. Let's have an early election. Let's not miss December. If we say that the current parliament has the will, let's form a suitable government. Or, let's set an election date which will not cause any delays in EU process.''
Yilmaz noted that everything would become more apparent in coming days.
Asked how a collapse of the government would affect economic programme backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Yilmaz said, ''neither the government which will replace this government nor the government which will be formed after the elections do have the right to reject IMF program. Turkey does not have such a luxury.''
Noting that the mission of the new government had to be fulfilment of these criteria, Yilmaz pointed out that the government had to attribute priority to economic stability.
Yilmaz said, ''if the government to be formed thinks of implementing election economy, we will not take part in that government.''
Asked what his preference would be in case of formation of a new government, Yilmaz said that neither Prime Ministry nor inclusion in the government were important for them.
Yilmaz continued, ''what is important for us is the fulfilment of priorities on the road to EU membership by this new government. Also, the government should maintain economic stability and if possible, it should amend Political Parties Law and Election Law. These are important for us. But, this amendment is not an obligation.''
''Because, as far as I have seen, it is not possible to reach a compromise among parties at this moment. It does not seem likely in the short term. But, the initiatives to be launched in the path of the EU is the first priority for us. Even if we do not take part in this process,'' Yilmaz said.
Upon a question about the timing of the formation of a new government, Yilmaz said that he could not estimate that and that this depended on contacts.
Yilmaz noted, ''I hope that fluctuations in DSP will be finalized soon and then, the contacts are based on a strong ground.''
This could be achieved till the end of July, he said. He pointed out that the parliament could make necessary arrangements within 15 days and a schedule which would include all initiatives to be made till December could be put into practice.
Reiterating that the most appropriate election time was fall of 2003, Yilmaz said, ''elections can be held at any time. It can also be held next spring. But, if a government is to be formed to take Turkey to elections, this government does not need to be changed. Elections should be held on September 29 without losing more time.''