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OZDEMIR BACKS RULE OF LAW IN ERGENEKON ALLEGATIONS
Today's Zaman
May 4 2009
Turkey
Cem Ozdemir, the co-leader of German party Alliance 90/The Greens,
has said that whether or not the ongoing investigation into the
Ergenekon terrorist organization is being handled properly can be a
subject of discussion, but that promoting coups can never be tolerated
in modern democracies.
Ozdemir, who is also a member of the European Parliament for the
Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), gave a conference at
BahceÅ~_ehir University in Ä°stanbul on Saturday. Stressing the
significance of the investigation into Ergenekon, a shadowy network
hidden deep within the state and allegedly having plotted to carry
out several coups, he said: "Is promoting a coup d'etat right or
wrong? If we say wrong, then we are democrats; otherwise, there is
a question." The German politician called for a proper investigation
to expose the culprits.
Speaking from the podium, Ozdemir commented on a couple of other
topics: Turkey's European Union bid and relations with Armenia.
Talking about the prospects of Turkish membership in the EU, Ozdemir
underlined that it would be impossible for the 27-member bloc not to
accept a candidate country who had implemented the necessary reforms
during the accession process. "Turkey is not at the same stage it was
10 years ago. Now, we can figure out where it will be in 10 years'
time; I am not pessimistic."
Ozdemir praised the efforts of the country to normalize relations
with Armenia. "Armenia's integration into the world through Turkey
works in its favor. Is the opening of the border good or bad for the
region's people? Employers, students and tourists passing through
it will bring the people of Turkey and Armenia closer. From here,
ultranationalists and those benefiting from animosity will lose out.
Today's Zaman
May 4 2009
Turkey
Cem Ozdemir, the co-leader of German party Alliance 90/The Greens,
has said that whether or not the ongoing investigation into the
Ergenekon terrorist organization is being handled properly can be a
subject of discussion, but that promoting coups can never be tolerated
in modern democracies.
Ozdemir, who is also a member of the European Parliament for the
Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA), gave a conference at
BahceÅ~_ehir University in Ä°stanbul on Saturday. Stressing the
significance of the investigation into Ergenekon, a shadowy network
hidden deep within the state and allegedly having plotted to carry
out several coups, he said: "Is promoting a coup d'etat right or
wrong? If we say wrong, then we are democrats; otherwise, there is
a question." The German politician called for a proper investigation
to expose the culprits.
Speaking from the podium, Ozdemir commented on a couple of other
topics: Turkey's European Union bid and relations with Armenia.
Talking about the prospects of Turkish membership in the EU, Ozdemir
underlined that it would be impossible for the 27-member bloc not to
accept a candidate country who had implemented the necessary reforms
during the accession process. "Turkey is not at the same stage it was
10 years ago. Now, we can figure out where it will be in 10 years'
time; I am not pessimistic."
Ozdemir praised the efforts of the country to normalize relations
with Armenia. "Armenia's integration into the world through Turkey
works in its favor. Is the opening of the border good or bad for the
region's people? Employers, students and tourists passing through
it will bring the people of Turkey and Armenia closer. From here,
ultranationalists and those benefiting from animosity will lose out.