Ecevit: I Was Not Expecting This Much

ANKARA - Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Sunday that, ''I was not expecting this much. However, I don't find it very strange.''
Ecevit spoke to reporters following his evaluation meeting with the party administrators in DSP headquarters.
Pointing out that there was not much to say, Ecevit said his party was not pleased over the results of elections.
Stressing that this was the appreciation of the nation, Ecevit said, ''I hope it will be beneficial.''
Ecevit continued as saying: ''DSP had to meet heavy blows in the recent one year. During the past 3,5 year government period, we made legislative proceedings which were obligatory to save future of Turkey, but at the same time created difficulties for people for some time. When we were about to gain the positive profits of those legislative proceedings and when we were about to explain them to the people, our coalition partners had decided for early elections instead of April 2004. This was a great mistake. It was as if we committed suicide. I had tried to explain this at those times, but I could not make myself be heard. If we had used coming 1,5 years, everything could have changed because we had started to fulfill economic reforms that had been waiting for long years. We had fulfilled them to a great extend. Positive results of this had begun to be seen as of second half of this year. Inflation reduced rapidly. Very serious steps had been taken in agriculture, industry, tourism, and foreign sale. We continued our efforts even in election atmosphere, however we had great difficulty in reflecting those to public. To this end, I don't find it strange. I was not expecting this much, but I don't find it so strange.''
Ecevit said, ''DSP had to face very serious incidents. Anyway, DSP had come out under very difficult conditions. Of course, we will continue our efforts. A very conscious and determined cadre was established in DSP. I am looking at future with hope. I hope results of the elections would be beneficial for our nation.''
When journalists recalled his previous warnings that the regime would be endangered and asked whether or not he felt concern that Justice and Development Party (AK Party) would come to ruling with 35 percent of vote, Ecevit said he had the same concerns. Ecevit said, ''because this party had not so far made clear statements regarding what it would do if it comes to ruling. This party said almost nothing so far. In this respect, I am not in a position to point out any optimism. I hope this party will appreciate the value of this result. I hope this party would work by taking into consideration the requirements of secular and democratic regime.''
When a journalist said it was seen that two parties would pass the threshold and asked whether or not the elections would be renewed, Ecevit said, ''I don't know. I have not thought of such a probability.''
When another journalist asked whether or not he would wait for the official results to visit Cankaya Palace, Ecevit said, ''no. It will not be necessary for me to wait till the end.''
Responding to a question if the results of the elections would satisfy the European Union (EU), Ecevit said, ''we will see''.