ANKARA (A.A) - 04.08.2002 - New Turkey (YT) leader Ismail Cem said on Sunday, ''I think that early elections cannot be postponed due to any reason.''
Holding a press conference at the parliament, Cem said, ''State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy explained his views about the political party he will join. I do not have anything to add. He will make important contributions to New Turkey. ''
When asked whether or not a possible military operation against Iraq could affect the early elections, Cem said, ''there is not a military operation for the time being. Turkey will hold the early elections on November 3, 2002. I think that the early elections cannot be postponed due to any reason.''
''Turkey should put forward its preference in the early elections on November 3,'' he stressed.
Cem said that lack of production, unemployment and inequality were the most serious problems of Turkey. He said that these problems should be removed as soon as possible.
''If Turkey concentrate all its opportunities on production, we can overcome the problem of unemployment. We cannot prevent unemployment without increasing production. And if we cannot prevent unemployment, we cannot put an end to inequality. We will fight against these problems altogether seriously. We will fight against these problems by giving up lack of seriousness,'' he said.
Ismail Cem said that persons should not be considered ''tax base'' but they should be considered ''production factor''.
Noting that as the YT, they would back labour and workers if they come to the power, Cem said that they would give support to production at least at the same level of support given in Syria, Romania and Poland.
Recalling that Turkey had given priority to textiles and tourism sectors in the past years, Cem stressed that as the YT, they would give priority to automotive and by-industry, construction and contracting sector abroad and agriculture sector, if they come to the power.
Cem said, ''New Turkey will be the power on November 3. However, it is impossible to do what I have promised in one week or one month but we will do all of them. Our target is not to remain behind the EU criteria.''
Claiming that political parties which defended that they stood by people had not taken steps in favor of people who were at bad straits but they used those people as a political tool, Cem said as the YT, they would absolutely not use ''suburbs and shanty towns'' as political exploitation tools.
Noting that they would adapt education system to the system in most developed countries, Cem said that they would assign women teachers in their towns and cities.
Recalling that the government had 38 ministers, Cem said that the prime minister could not work productively with such a cabinet so they would decrease the number of ministers if they came to the power.