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ANKARA: Islamist party for const. change to solve headscarf issue

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  • ANKARA: Islamist party for const. change to solve headscarf issue

    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.
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