KAYSERI (A.A) - 04.08.2002 - State Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said on Saturday, ''I asked my friends to carry out preparatory works on filing a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court for annulment of articles envisaging abolition of death penalty, and broadcasting and education in mother tongue.''
Bahceli responded questions of journalists during the 13th Erciyes Victory Congress in central province of Kayseri.
Recalling that parliament decided to hold the early elections on November 3, 2002, and then approved the European Union (EU) reform package, Bahceli said, ''there were some amendments which were given place in Turkey's National Programme and adopted by the MHP, in the EU reform package. We said that if these drafts were prepared as a second package, the MHP would support them. However, those who prepared the package did not do that. They prepared a 13-article package including the articles about annulment of death penalty, and broadcasting and edacation in mother tongue. As our people saw, members of the MHP opposed to the package. They reacted especially to annulment of death penalty, and broadcasting and education in mother tongue. However, these drafts were anected with votes of 253 deputies. In fact, the parliament did not take a historical decision at all. In a haste understanding, political parties launched a joint initiative to get a timetable for full membership negotiations from the EU. Our people will understand it in the future. It was not a beneficial step for Turkey.''
When asked whether or not they would apply to the Constitutional Court for annulment of the EU adjustment laws, Bahceli told reporters, ''I asked my friends to carry out preparatory works on filing a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court for annulment of articles envisaging abolition of death penalty, and broadcasting and education in mother tongue.''
Responding a question about terrorist organization PKK, Bahceli said, ''after PKK has lost a significant part of its power, it has launched a project to politicize itself. This project has been supported by the EU and by some other European countries. I want journalists to set a relation between this project and the EU reform package enacted by our parliament. The project envisages recognition of Kurdish identity, education in Kurdish, broadcasting in Kurdish, and annulment of death penalty. Our parliament has met all requests of PKK (KADEK).''
''Now, Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, should be transferred from his mansion on Imrali Island to an F-type prison after his death penalty is commuted to life imprisonment. Those who cast their votes in favor of these laws, and especially the justice minister should think about this,'' he added.
State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu, State Minister Faruk Bal, State Minister Resat Dogru, Health Minister Osman Durmus, Industry and Trade Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu, Public Works and Housing Minister Abdulkadir Akcan and Transportation Minister Oktay Vural were also in attendance at the congress.