ANKARA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Thursday that he didn't think that the elections would be postponed due to a possible U.S. operation against Iraq.
Responding to questions in a tv programme, Prime Minister Ecevit said that he didn't think that any initiative would be taken to postpone the elections from now on by the recess of the parliament.
''Can the elections be postponed for one year due to a possible U.S. operation against Iraq?'' asked journalists to Ecevit who said that theoretically there is such a possibility. ''But I don't think that this will be the case. I also consider weak the possibility of U.S. military operation against Iraq. U.S. President George W. Bush seems resolved, but there is no support in the world to such an operation. There are also certain hesitations in the American administration. I hope that the Iraqi problem can be solved without resorting to a military operation. But there is such a danger.''
Upon a question about the election results, Ecevit said that ''there have always been surprises in the political life. There can be surprises this time.'' Noting that certain people voice that the Democratic Left Party (DSP) would not pass the election threshold, Ecevit said that ''a Turkey without DSP will be to the disadvantage of Turkey. I believe that Turkish people are aware of that.''
Ecevit said that certain people say that he is old and he has to give up politics, adding that ''I am old, this is for sure, but I continue working. The fact is that there are very powerful persons in the DSP. My citizens should not be worried about my age, we have young persons who are well-educated and who are politically trained well in DSP.''
''Will you propose a name in your place?'' asked journalists to Ecevit who said that ''such an action won't be appropriate, there is no need for that. Our party will appoint its administrators and leader itself.''
When reminded about the claims telling that he received wrong medical treatment when he was ill, Ecevit said that ''I don't think that was the case. Different doctors can have different treatment methods, but I don't think that there was a bad intention. I don't think that there was a medically wrong treatment to me in the hospital.''
Upon a question, Ecevit said that his doubts about AK Party continued, adding that he is particularly suspicious as the party administrators don't explain their real thoughts.
Responding a question about a possible military operation of the United States against Iraq, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''according to my point of view, the United States has not made a serious plan yet. Therefore, it can give up its plans to launch a military operation against Iraq. But if it is determined, the U.S. administration will intervene in Iraq not in the very long term. Turkey and Iraq are neighboring countries, and there have been very good relations between the two countries. We do not want to be involved in such an operation. If we are involved in this operation, it will cause serious political and economic damages to Turkey. Even if we are not involved in the operation, we will suffer a serious loss because we are one of neighboring countries of Iraq.'' Underlining importance of fair distribution of Kirkuk and Mosul oils, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we do not consider right use of Kirkuk and Mosul as foundation of an independent Kurdish state in Northern Iraq. Iraq's territorial integrity should be taken under guarantee. Foundation of an independent Kurdish state has been laid. In fact, a de facto state was founded. It is under our control to an extent. Turkey will take action if this state appears in a more official level.''
Referring to the news stories claiming that terrorist organization PKK-KADEK had been rebuilding itself in Northern Iraq and working on a missile system, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''it is clear that the PKK has begun rebuilding itself. Therefore, we have been acting very carefully.''
Responding another question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''according to my point of view, the New Turkey Party (YTP) will not achieve any success in the general elections. They have assumed an attitude that was not understood by the people. Actually, we did not have any problems with these people who resigned from the DSP. It was totally their own preference. When Kemal Dervis decided to join the Republican People's Party (CHP), they faced with some difficulties. Those who joined the YTP cannot return to the DSP again, because we have already entered the election process.''
When asked whether or not Turkey could get a date for the beginning of accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) during Copenhagen Summit in December, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''it depends on foundation of an active and reliable government. There are some forces in the EU which say yes to Turkey's full membership, but do not want to see Turkey in the EU. Therefore, our mission is not easy at all.''