Ecevit: We Will Monitor All Developments In Northern Iraq

ANKARA - Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday, ''we will monitor all developments in Northern Iraq. Upon a smallest negativity, we will take all neccessary mesaures.''
Speaking at a program on the private TV 8 Channel, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''taking into consideration Turkey's geopolitical position, we will always be in trouble. However, Turkey is facing a really serious problem this time. The United States, one of the closest allies of Turkey, is planning to launch a military operation against Iraq, one of Turkey's neighbors. We are extremely uneasy about this. Because, even if we are not involved in such an operation, it will have negative impacts on Turkey.''
Noting that Turkey had been conveying its concerns to the United States about such an operation, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we have been recommending the United States to give up such operations that would cause a serious damage to Turkey. U.S. President George W. Bush is planning to start the operation, and he explains his plan clearly. He have been in close dialogue with our ally. The United States also accepts that such a dialogue process is necessary.''
Responding a question about possible date of such an operation, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''elections both in Turkey and the United States, Muslim's holy month Ramadan and Christmas will come one after the other. This can be an excuse not to launch such an operation at this point. However, President Bush seems he is determined to launch an operation.''
Noting that the measures taken by the United States against Iraqi Head of State Saddam Hussein had encouraged Kurdish population in Northern Iraq, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''Kurdish population plans to found a separate state. It is not certain, but Northern Iraqi Kurdish groups have been progressing on this path step by step. If a serious situation emerges in the region, we will take all necessary measures.''
When asked, ''can we talk about presence of a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq in terms of law?'' Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''to a larger extent... Because, Kurdish groups have made nearly all characteristics of a state except for national currency. We are extremely uneasy about it. Now, they have assumed a more courageous attitude. Kurdish groups in Northern Iraq gave some guarantee to Turkey upon the meeting at the Cankaya Presidential Palace on Friday. But I am suspicious about their sincerity.''
''Turkey will take action whenever it is necessary. Turkey has the power to do this. We will monitor all developments in Northern Iraq. Upon a smallest negativity, we will take all neccessary mesaures. Turkey has the capability which is necessary to prevent appearance of a de facto state in the region,'' he said.
Responding a question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''in case of a threat against Turkey's security, we will take all necessary measures. We have the right to take these measures.''
Responding another question about allegations saying that the United States had been getting prepared to intervene in the region not only to destroy Saddam's regime, but also to re-shape the region, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''we have to take into consideration these allegations. There are also some comments claiming that such an operation was brought onto agenda because of oil problems. These comments may also be true. Oil is an issue of great importance in the world. It is also important for the United States.''
ECEVIT: I WOULD START TO PREPARE THE DSP FOR THE PERIOD AFTER ME IF THERE WOULDN'T BE ELECTIONS UNTIL 2004
When recalled of the request for his withdrawal from politics following his illness, Ecevit said, ''if there would not be elections until 2004, I would start to prepare the DSP in a concrete way for the period after me and actually, I had started it.''
Noting that two of the partners of the coalition government had wanted early elections, Ecevit said, ''but now they are regretful. We warned everybody but unfortunately, they did not listen to our warnings. However, I will continue this preparation after the elections on November 3.''
Stating that he could have made this preparation more healthier if the DSP group had not been divided, Ecevit said, ''but now it has become more easier for me to make this preparation because a more healthier party structure appeared after the division. I had the opportunity of seeing healthy factors after the division which happened upon Mr. Dervis's initiative. So now I can easily hand over my authorities but I cannot give a definite date at the moment.''
When asked whether the DSP of which future was foreseen would not have been more powerful in the elections, Ecevit said that there were people who wanted him to stay at his post and also there were people who thought the opposite, adding, ''but I believe that there would be positive changes in the DSP's structure. The DSP is a coherent and honest party so I believe that these factors would let the DSP come to the power.''
Responding a question about the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Ecevit said that the most important thing was the ''hidden ideology'' of this party.
Stressing that it was known that this party had a negative attitude towards secularism, Ecevit said that Tayyip Erdogan who was obliged to quit as AK Party leader and other leading officials of the AK Party had not given information about themselves during the election campaign.
Noting that the AK Party was keeping secret what it would and would not do when it came to power, Ecevit said that this brought ''possibility of deception'' to mind.
Recalling that he had openly warned all politicians when possibility of elections had come the agenda, Ecevit said, ''both the AK Party and the People's Democracy Party (HADEP) may cause trouble for Turkey. I don't say that these two parties should be closed but I warned people to be careful. I warned them that they should be aware of deception but it is seen that these warnings were not taken into consideration. I concern about this.''
When asked whether or not he was opposed to representation of HADEP in the parliament, Ecevit said, ''I cannot say they should not have seats in the parliament because I am against closure of a political party. However, people should approach cautiously towards these two parties. I made necessary warnings but my warnings were not taken into consideration so I hope that Turkey would not face problems due to this.''
When asked whether or not his health had been tried to be reflected as more serious, Ecevit said, ''undoubtedly. Actually, an intense campaign against the DSP and himself had been initiated before this. Especially, the press continued this unfortunate campaign. Actually, it was known that my illness can be treated in a few months but despite this, they saw it an opportunity.''
ECEVIT: IF NEW GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE HARMONY WITH EU, EU'S GATES WILL NOT BE CLOSED TO TURKEY EASILY
Ecevit said, ''as you know, there are some allegations saying that the EU would not set a date for the beginning of accession talks with Turkey, instead it will offer Turkey an annual aid worth of 1 million euros. This offer can be considered an insult, or an unserious manner. It is meaningless. The fact is that most of the EU members believed that Turkey could not take the steps in a short period of time. However, our parliament passed all necessary laws. They were bewildered. They eulogized Turkey, but their appreciation did not last long. They became low-spirited when they realized Turkey's determination. Let's think now. When it will become a full member of the EU, Turkey will be the most powerful member of the EU Parliament having the highest number of members. Most of EU countries could not accept this risk. Meanwhile, some of them feel uneasy about Turkey's Muslim country identity. In fact, they are in favor of Turkey's success in harmonizing secularism and the Islam in the best way.''
''If the new government to be formed following the general elections on November 3, 2002 can provide a harmony with the EU, then the EU's gates will not be closed to Turkey so easily. If the DSP comes to power, we can remove concerns of the EU. We attribute great importance to integration with the EU. On the other hand, Europe cannot be without Turkey.''
Responding a question about the Cyprus question, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''normally, the Cyprus fact should be realized. What is the Cyprus fact? Some circles, especially Greece, the Greek Cypriot side, Britain and some European states want foundation of a single state in Cyprus, but it contradicts with the Cyprus fact. Because, there is not a single state or a single nation on the island. There is not a single religion or a single language. Two communities having many differences, cannot come together easily. If the Greek Cypriot side, Greece and the EU recognize presence of a separate state and nation in Northern Cyprus, the two communities can live in peace. The EU should give up intervening in Cyprus.''
When asked, ''what will Turkey do if the Greek Cypriot side is accepted as a full member of the EU alone?'', Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''in that case, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will make some arrangements with Turkey. For instance, there is an island state near Britain. There is another one near Denmark. They are autonomous in every respect. They depend on Britain and Denmark in regard only for their security.''
Noting that there had still been some prejudices in Europe against Turkey and Turks, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''in fact, racism is an important problem in Europe. Although they suffered much from racism, Europeans cannot get rid of it yet. There are racist political parties even in most democratic European countries.''