Ozkan - Dervis Meeting

ANKARA (A.A) - 10.07.2002 - Former state minister and deputy prime minister Husamettin Ozkan said, ''now, emotions and feelings and words are over.''
Ozkan and State Minister Kemal Dervis held a meeting late on Tuesday at the house of Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Celal Gole. The meeting lasted three hours and fifteen minutes.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ozkan said that he had been invited to a dinner by Gole and that Dervis was not in Ankara during recent political developments.
''We discussed my resignation. Besides, Dervis briefed me on the latest economic situation,'' Ozkan said.
The questions asked to Ozkan and his answers are as follows:
Question: Did you discuss what would happen in the future?
Ozkan: No, we did not discuss what would happen from now on.
Question: Will there be a new political formation? And will this new political party act under your leadership?
Ozkan: What kind of a movement or action am I doing? So how can this formation act together with me?
Question: Many deputies resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Will you act together with them?
Ozkan: I told you one thing when I said farewell to you. I did not call anybody on the phone to persuade him or her to resign from the DSP. These resignations came without my phone calls or request. I did not and will not make such an effort. We did not discuss anything about this matter.
Question: It is real that you cannot be indifferent to these developments...
Ozkan: While I was leaving, I told the Prime Minister that I was still emotional and had loyal feelings until I left the Prime Ministry Residence. I told him that he and I could go together if he wanted even at that moment. And this was written in newspapers. This could have been tried and I could have gone. However, one day before, he told a television channel on live broadcast that there was not a place for emotions and loyal feelings in politics. And I had loyal feelings for eleven years until today. But I will not be emotional after I leave here. I said that I would stay in Ankara while I was planning to return home. I could not be indifferent, of course.
Question: What will you do from now on?
Ozkan: This is the first time that I am an independent deputy. But, I cannot say anything at this moment.
Question: Will you be independent till the elections?
Ozkan: I am independent for the time being.
Question: Will you establish a party?
Ozkan: I am not in the position to say anything at this moment. If something happens, I will inform you. You know I do not often make statements to press. I do not mislead anybody. This is the first time that I am speaking to the press.
Question: What was the comment of Mr. Dervis following the developments?
Ozkan: I do not want to talk about these.
Question: Turkey's economy is having problems.
Ozkan: In such a time, so many ministers from the government should not have resigned. This should have been prevented. But, these developments occurred outside my will. It was impossible for my friends and me to leave our party.
Question: What should be done for the economy from now on?
Ozkan: Turkey's future should be taken under guarantee. Everybody should do their best to help the country.
Question: Do the people who have recently resigned have some expectations from you?
Ozkan: I don't know. My friends are always beside me.
Question: Will you meet with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem?
Ozkan: I met him before I resigned. He visited me. I can meet with everybody. I had to have luncheons or dinners with Mr. Dervis for one and a half years. I did not have. This is the first time.
Question: Are you hurt more by Mrs. Rahsan Ecevit or by Prime Minister Ecevit?
Ozkan: I am not hurt by anybody. I am loyal to the Prime Minister. I am not hurt. I am loyal and respectful. I could never be a member of another party. I keep my promises. I kept my promise until yesterday. We would go together but, I went earlier. Now, emotionalism are over.
Question: When will Prime Minister Ecevit leave?
Ozkan: I have made my statements. I loved and respected Ecevit and I still do so.
State Minister Kemal Dervis said, ''I have worked very closely with Ozkan since I came to Turkey 17 months ago. He has always supported me. He has contributed so much to solution of many problems.''
Dervis added, ''I was not here when he resigned. He explained his reasons and I listened them in detail. We talked about Turkey's problems and especially we took up economy.''