BURSA - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who also acts as the leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), said on Sunday that he might prefer to withdraw from his post after holding a convention next year. ''As long as God gives me life and reason, I will be in the service of DSP. Watching DSP officials from my library will be the biggest pleasure for me.''
Speaking to people in Bursa Province, Ecevit said they suffered great difficulties in their 3,5 year old coalition government as the previous governments had not decreased the problems but further increased them.
Ecevit who mentioned the process regarded with decision for elections, stressed that they had to stay in power till April 2004 to continue their services, stressing that he still could not understand why the coalition partners decided for early election.
Ecevit said many parties called for early elections, but that those parties understood the realities in time.
Ecevit said, ''as the DSP we are standing still. I believe that there can not be a Turkey without DSP.''
Recalling that Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the terrorist organization, had been captured during the period of minority government in which he acted as the prime minister, Ecevit said, ''we don't have the right to hang people. Because we oppose to death sentence since 1970's. To this end, it is natural for us to oppose death sentence in this issue. Our nation knows that our friends, who accused us on Ocalan issue and death sentence, acted us unjustly.''
Ecevit said, ''I rely on DSP before I trust on myself and my health condition. All of us are mortal. Of course, I am mortal too, and I can not stay in power forever. I may hold a convention next year and prefer to withdraw from the post. None of the DSP members should feel concern over this. I rely on them.''
''Our party was divided with intrigues, but our organization stands still. I will be in the service of DSP as long as God gives me health and reason. I am a lover of Turkey, not chair,'' Ecevit said.