ANKARA - Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said that a new government could be formed in a short time if approved by the president and this would be the best solution for Turkey at the moment.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday night, Yilmaz said that he believed there were two ways to form a broad base government that could make Turkey join the EU and hold elections at the same time. ''The first way is that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) should withdraw from the government and the ministers from pro-EU parties should be appointed to fill the vacant ministries,'' Yilmaz explained. ''This is an operation that would not require a change in the structure of the current government. The second way is toppling the government if the MHP resists not to withdraw and establishing a broad base government formed by pro-EU parties. We think that the first way should be tried first and then if this fails, we should employ the second option.''
Yilmaz also stressed that early elections should definitely be held. ''We should complete the regulations regarding adjustment laws before early elections and at the same time continue talks and negotiations with foreign countries to be given a date to start membership talks at the Copenhagen summit.''
When asked which political parties should form the broad base government he mentioned, Yilmaz said ''If the MHP had not blocked Turkey's way to the EU, there would have been no need for a change in the government. However, the MHP displayed an attitude yesterday which completely impede Turkey's pre-accession process to the EU. Now, we're seeking a way that would start both the election period and the pre-accession process to the EU. I told the prime minister about our concerns and suggestions, but he decided to stay in the government because of a number of reasons.''
''As members of ANAP, we cannot assume any attitude that will increase Turkey's problems. Approval of the EU adjustment laws revealed that our parliament has the will to become a full member of the EU. Turkey urgently needs a government that will lead the country to the elections on November 3, and make the necessary arrangements about the EU. If the President consider formation of such a government beneficial, it can be put into practice in a short period of time. According to my point of view, this is the most reasonable formula for our country,'' he said.
When asked whether or not he would submit a censure motion against the government, Yilmaz said, ''we have been sharing our concerns with all institutions having political responsibilities, political parties and with non-governmental organizations. There are several alternatives to overcome this problem.''
''We are not the only responsible. A majority in the parliament is needed at this point. We have put forward some proposals to form this majority. If such a majority is formed, Turkey will overcome the problem. If such a will cannot be formed and state institutions do not fulfill their responsibilities ANAP will be free to choose its own way. We call on everyone to fulfill their responsibilities to this end,'' he said.
Responding a question, Yilmaz said that central decision-making and executive board of ANAP would convene later on Wednesday and take a decision about the coming period.
''Turkey has already been experiencing serious problems. Any political party should not embark on an adventure by causing additional problems and bringing onto agenda a search for a new government. If it is impossible to make a structural change in the current government, a new government should be formed. If a new government is formed, then the current one can be overthrown. In that case, Turkey can make this government reshuffle by experiencing a lack of government. ANAP's participation in the new government is not important at all. We are ready to support any government that will lead the country to the elections and make necessary arrangements about the EU,'' he said.
Yilmaz told reporters that he would leave for Brussels later in the day, and added, my visit to Brussels could last short.
He noted that he would discuss the recent developments with EU officials.
ANAP LEADER YILMAZ: ''IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE DECEMBER 12 EU CALENDAR AND TO FULFILL WHAT SHOULD BE DONE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE BEFORE EU SUMMIT''
ANKARA - Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz said on Tuesday that it was impossible for the current government to operate December 12 European Union (EU) scheduled program and fulfill what should be done inside and outside before the EU summit.
Speaking to reporters, Yilmaz said there were two important scheduled programs in front of Turkey, stating them as EU membership scheduled program, and early elections scheduled program.
Yilmaz said all the political circles were waiting for November 3 elections today, stressing that December 14 EU scheduled program was overlooked in this election atmosphere. Pointing out that November 3 scheduled program was related with Turkey's internal political destiny, Yilmaz said, ''results that will be issued from election scheduled program will effect a few years of Turkey. Whereas Turkey waits for December 14 scheduled program for 40 years, and its results will effect Turkey's coming 40-50 years.
Yilmaz said, ''it is a duty of everybody, who undertook political responsibility in Turkey, to operate those two scheduled programs safely,'' noting that, ''important efforts have been exerted for 40 days in Turkey for election scheduled program. Those efforts should not be wasted. I mean the elections should take place.''
''However, it should not be forgotten that Turkey has worked hard and exerted efforts for nearly 40 years for EU membership scheduled program. There are two months in front of Turkey to see the outcomes of the efforts exerted for 40 years. Nobody should accept wasting of the efforts. Turkish state and nation worked to enter the EU throughout two generations and for 40 years. Profits of 40-year working should be obtained on December 12. Turkey is in a position to complete all necessary preparations for the EU summit that will take place in December 12-13,'' Yilmaz stressed.
Yilmaz said, ''under today's conditions, it is envisaged for the current government to bring Turkey to December 12. This government in this or that way may fulfill its assignments to operate election scheduled program. However, it has been revealed that it is impossible for today's government, under its current conditions, to operate December 12 EU scheduled program and fulfill what should be done inside and outside the country before EU summit. Yet, Turkey is obliged to complete its preparations soon regarding implementation of the EU adjustment bill. It has been revealed as EU's Madrid criteria that passage of the EU adjustment bill was not sufficient, and that its enforcement was also a condition. If we fail to implement those till December 12 after exerting so much efforts, all our workings will be in vain. If we are not able to implement them, we should convey to our nation and the world what we had issued those laws.''
Yilmaz said ANAP brought this issue onto the government agenda, and that he met with the prime minister and provided a Prime Ministry circular to be issued for the completion of regulations and necessary arrangements soon. Yilmaz said all the arrangements that would provide implementation of adjustment law should be completed within 20 days the latest.
Yilmaz said, ''it is impossible for those who applied to the Constitutional Court for the annulment of adjustment bill adopted by the Parliament, to prepare those arrangements in line with the EU criteria and in time. In fact, it contradicts with reason and logic to expect this from those who brought a suit against the future of nation.''
Noting that Turkey can not carry out negotiations and bargaining regarding membership to the EU with current government, Yilmaz said, ''furthermore, I can say that Turkey's negotiation and bargaining power may be weakened due to the structure and position of the current government.''
Yilmaz said, ''It is essential an interim government be established that will both take Turkey to early elections and will carry out efforts to harmonize with the European Union. It is apparent that a government with the MHP will get nowhere on the European Union issue. Although leader of MHP earlier stated that they respected every kind of decision that would be taken by the sublime Parliament and that they would not block the ways for Turkey, MHP is in an effort to annul the adjustment bill and makes statements that adjustment workings are kept the same with the activities of the PKK.''