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Turkish Islamist party calls for constitution change to solve headscarf issue
Anatolia news agency
28 Apr 05
Ankara: Felicity Party [SP] Deputy Chairman Lutfu Esengun has said
that "the problem around the Islamic headscarf is not a problem that
can be resolved by the government", adding: "The only way out is to
make constitutional amendments and hold a referendum on these
amendments."
Holding a press conference at the SP General Headquarters, Esengun
assessed the political developments.
Esengun claimed that this year, important mistakes were made regarding
the Armenian genocide claims that have been on the agenda for
years. Noting that despite the fact that Turkey does not have
diplomatic ties with Armenia, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
wrote a letter to his Armenian counterpart and proposed to established
a joint commission to examine the genocide claims, Esengun underlined
that this is a mistake in itself. Esengun said: "Announcing the
Armenians' treacherous acts and murders and ensuring that the
international public believes in these facts - this is the only answer
we can give to the Armenian claims."
Noting that the TBMM [Turkish Grand National Assembly] and the
government officials constantly travel abroad, Esengun added that
these visits do not go beyond touristic trips.
Recalling that TBMM Speaker Bulent Arinc visited Poland a short time
ago, but that immediately after this visit Poland decided to recognize
the Armenian genocide claims, Esengun said: "The fact that Poland
reached such a decision immediately after the visit is very
disturbing. Why did the honourable Arinc go on this visit?"
Also levelling criticism against US President Bush who talked about a
"massacre" when referring to the genocide claims, Esengun stressed:
"The cooperative stand adopted by the government did not prevent the
United States from adopting a hostile stand against Turkey."
Esengun also underlined that the decree that was prepared regarding
the Incirlik base should be announced to the public.
Lutfu Esengun claimed that Constitutional Court President Mustafa
Bumin's remarks regarding the Islamic headgear "are unfortunate and
unacceptable remarks that deeply hurt the nation".
Stating that such comments create tension among the society, Esengun
said the following:
"This is not a problem that can be resolved by the government. The
only way out is to make constitutional amendments and to hold a
referendum on these amendments. The decision that will be reached as a
result of the referendum will be the most relevant decision in terms
of everyone and everyone will respect that decision.
"To go to the nation is the only way out. We believe that the will of
the nation is the most superior will where this issue is
concerned. The decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
are not superior to the Constitution or the will of the nation. If
constitutional amendments are made, the ECHR cannot reach any decision
regarding this issue."
Stating that if the constitutional amendment is accepted with more
than 330 votes, a referendum will be made on these amendments, Esengun
said: "It will be possible to resolve the Islamic headgear issue
primarily and many issues that are described as impassable in Turkey
and that are expected to be resolved through social consensus with the
votes of the nation."
Noting that the AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] which is
levying new taxes and increasing the prices every passing day has also
destroyed the hopes in the economic field, Esengun also claimed that
Turkey is on the eve of making preparations for the elections.
Anatolia news agency
28 Apr 05
Ankara: Felicity Party [SP] Deputy Chairman Lutfu Esengun has said
that "the problem around the Islamic headscarf is not a problem that
can be resolved by the government", adding: "The only way out is to
make constitutional amendments and hold a referendum on these
amendments."
Holding a press conference at the SP General Headquarters, Esengun
assessed the political developments.
Esengun claimed that this year, important mistakes were made regarding
the Armenian genocide claims that have been on the agenda for
years. Noting that despite the fact that Turkey does not have
diplomatic ties with Armenia, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
wrote a letter to his Armenian counterpart and proposed to established
a joint commission to examine the genocide claims, Esengun underlined
that this is a mistake in itself. Esengun said: "Announcing the
Armenians' treacherous acts and murders and ensuring that the
international public believes in these facts - this is the only answer
we can give to the Armenian claims."
Noting that the TBMM [Turkish Grand National Assembly] and the
government officials constantly travel abroad, Esengun added that
these visits do not go beyond touristic trips.
Recalling that TBMM Speaker Bulent Arinc visited Poland a short time
ago, but that immediately after this visit Poland decided to recognize
the Armenian genocide claims, Esengun said: "The fact that Poland
reached such a decision immediately after the visit is very
disturbing. Why did the honourable Arinc go on this visit?"
Also levelling criticism against US President Bush who talked about a
"massacre" when referring to the genocide claims, Esengun stressed:
"The cooperative stand adopted by the government did not prevent the
United States from adopting a hostile stand against Turkey."
Esengun also underlined that the decree that was prepared regarding
the Incirlik base should be announced to the public.
Lutfu Esengun claimed that Constitutional Court President Mustafa
Bumin's remarks regarding the Islamic headgear "are unfortunate and
unacceptable remarks that deeply hurt the nation".
Stating that such comments create tension among the society, Esengun
said the following:
"This is not a problem that can be resolved by the government. The
only way out is to make constitutional amendments and to hold a
referendum on these amendments. The decision that will be reached as a
result of the referendum will be the most relevant decision in terms
of everyone and everyone will respect that decision.
"To go to the nation is the only way out. We believe that the will of
the nation is the most superior will where this issue is
concerned. The decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
are not superior to the Constitution or the will of the nation. If
constitutional amendments are made, the ECHR cannot reach any decision
regarding this issue."
Stating that if the constitutional amendment is accepted with more
than 330 votes, a referendum will be made on these amendments, Esengun
said: "It will be possible to resolve the Islamic headgear issue
primarily and many issues that are described as impassable in Turkey
and that are expected to be resolved through social consensus with the
votes of the nation."
Noting that the AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] which is
levying new taxes and increasing the prices every passing day has also
destroyed the hopes in the economic field, Esengun also claimed that
Turkey is on the eve of making preparations for the elections.