12 November 2001

1. "Turkish NGOs urge dialogue to end hunger strike", Turkish non-governmental organizations called on the government Saturday to launch a dialogue with inmates to end a year-old hunger strike against controversial prison reforms that has claimed 41 lives and triggered deaths and tension outside jails.

2. "Greece says no EU expansion without Cyprus", Greece cannot approve any future European Union expansion if it does not include Cyprus, Foreign Minister George Papandreou was quoted on Monday as saying.

3. "Anger at politicians builds up as Turks lose hope in economic crisis", it's down to more bread and cheaper bread for the Turks who line up every day outside a state-sponsored bakery on Ankara's main shopping street.

4. "I am resisting with the revolution of conscience", interview with the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

5. "Poll: Turks want early elections", only AKP, DYP and CHP would win seats if elections are held.

6. "Cyprus in the EU process", columnist Derya Sazak comments on former StateMinister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik's statements regarding Cyprus.

1. - AFP - "Turkish NGOs urge dialogue to end hunger strike":

ANKARA

Turkish non-governmental organizations called on the government Saturday to launch a dialogue with inmates to end a year-old hunger strike against controversial prison reforms that has claimed 41 lives and triggered deaths and tension outside jails.

The appeal came as police detained some 30 demonstrators in Istanbul and rights activists announced the death of two inmates, who set fire to themselves to protest at a deadly police raid against outside supporters of the hunger strike earlier this week. "We invite the justice minister to immediately initiate a solution process, form a delegation and send it to prisons," said the statement, signed by 18 groups, among them human rights and legal associations, trade unions as well as artists and intellectuals.

The dialogue should be an "insistent" initiative until a settlement is reached, it added. The head of the Human Rights Association (IHD), Husnu Ondul, said 176 prisoners were continuing to fast. The hunger strike was initiated by mainly far-left inmates across Turkish prisons in October last year against the introduction of new jails with tighter security, where cells for three people at most replaced dormitories housing dozens. The strikers say the cells leave prisoners more vulnerable to mistreatment and deepen social alienation.

But the government has ruled out a return to the dormitory system, arguing that the crowded compounds had become strongholds for criminal groups, which requently rioted and took prison officials hostage. Later on Saturday, police in Istanbul detained about 30 people, among them the head of the IHD's Istanbul branch, who rejected orders to disperse and insisted on making a press statement denouncing the new jails, Anatolia news agency reported. So far 41 people -- both inmates and outside supporters of the strike -- have perished in the protest.

The latest victims associated with the protest were Eyup Samur, 23, and Nail Cavus, 35, who set themselves ablaze on Wednesday in two separate prisons in northwestern Turkey, an IHD spokeswoman told AFP on Saturday. Their acts aimed to condemn a security raid on Monday on an Istanbul house occupied by outside strikers, which resulted in the deaths of four people. Another 32 people -- 30 prisoners and two soldiers -- died in December last year in a four-day crackdown to break the hunger strike, which saw armed clashes between security forces and inmates. And last September, a suicide bomber blew himself up in support of the strike in downtown Istanbul, also killing two policemen and an Australian tourist. The main architect of the strike, the underground People's Revolutionary Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), claimed the bombing.

In a bid to meet prisoner demands, Ankara adopted laws allowing prisoners to meet in recreational areas and introducing special judges to deal with their complaints along with civic commissions to inspect jail conditions. However, the reforms failed to satisfy inmates. Turkey, a candidate for European Union membership with an already bleak human rights record, has rejected calls from EU countries for a dialogue with the inmates. It has countered international criticism with accusations that DHKP-C exiles, mainly in Belgium and the Netherlands, are directing moves against Turkey with no intervention from local authorities.

2. - Reuters - "Greece says no EU expansion without Cyprus":

ATHENS

Greece cannot approve any future European Union expansion if it does not include Cyprus, Foreign Minister George Papandreou was quoted on Monday as saying.

Athens expects its other EU partners to respect an accord that the island will be able to join regardless of whether its political division is settled.

''The Greek parliament has sent us the message that it cannot ratify expansion without Cyprus. There is the Helsinki (EU summit) decision, and we are just asking that decision be upheld,'' Papandreou told the Ta Nea newspaper.

A diplomatic wrangle on Cyprus is looming as it races through preparations for EU membership. If its entry is blocked, Greece will halt eastward expansion, but if it does become a member Turkey has said it may annex the island's northern territories -- effectively dashing its own membership hopes.

Papandreou has been walking a diplomatic tightrope in pursuing better relations with long-standing rival Turkey on a raft of other issues as the Cyprus conflict simmers. The east Mediterranean island has been divided between ethnic Greeks and Turks since Turkish forces invaded its north in 1974 in response to a brief Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia. The decades-old logjam could come to a head towards the end of 2002, when the EU is widely expected to announce which countries are to be included in enlargement.

Ankara has admitted for the first time that the Cyprus situation is a problem, Papandreou said. ''It now acknowledges it exists, it does not try to hide it. Previously it would say there was no problem,'' he said. Settlement talks have been at a standstill for a year amid demands by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to be regarded as equal to Glafcos Clerides, president of the internationally-recognised government of Cyprus.

Denktash last week invited Clerides to hold face-to-face talks to head off a crisis. The Greek Cypriots said they would agree to a meeting on condition Denktash also returned to U.N. talks he halted last year.

3. - AP - "Anger at politicians builds up as Turks lose hope in economic crisis":

ANKARA

It's down to more bread and cheaper bread for the Turks who line up every day outside a state-sponsored bakery on Ankara's main shopping street.

Hundreds sometimes wait an hour for the staple to save just 100,000 Turkish lira (6.5 cents).

"This is the picture of misery,'' said Suhan Bulbul, a housewife, standing in line.

As more and more Turks try to save even just a few cents, pressure is mounting on the government to convince an International Monetary Fund delegation visiting Ankara to grant the country fresh loans to relieve the public suffering.

Thousands of workers and civil servants marched through the capital Friday, demanding that the government step down.

At the demonstration, attended by some 10,000 workers and students, the head of Turkey's largest trade union, Turk-Is, threatened a national strike.

Around a million Turks have lost their jobs since the country plunged into a deep economic crisis in February, and daily price hikes and tax increases are squeezing an already struggling working class.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States accelerated the economic downturn by dashing Turkey's hopes of fresh income from tourism and exports.

IMF officials are conducting talks in Ankara this week over Turkey's 2002 budget which is expected to dramatically cut state spending.

The IMF has already promised dlrs 15.7 billion. However, Turkey hopes another dlrs 10 billion will be loaned especially after it committed special forces to the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan.

"Turkey's markets have been lifted by what looks to be another international bailout,'' said Tim Kearney, an analyst at London-based investment bank Bear Stearns. "But we are concerned that the economics underlying the story are worsening.'' "Inflation is starting to pick up. The recession remains steep, with no (economic) growth yet in sight,'' Kearney said.

Turkey registered a monthly wholesale inflation of 6.7 percent and yearly inflation of 81.4 percent in October, surpassing the 70 percent figure officials were hoping for at year's end.

On Monday, the government issued 20 million lira note (dlrs 12.50), in the latest symbol of Turkey's long-term failure to fight inflation. Economist Faruk Selcuk of Bilkent University said there was only a "very minimal'' possibility that Turkey would be denied new loans.

"The IMF and the G-7 countries will endorse new loans, not because of economics but for political and strategic reasons,'' Selcuk said, referring to Turkey's pledge of troops for the anti-terrorism war.

"If the loans don't come, Turkey will be left alone with its problems and the inevitable end will be brought forward: Turkey could become Argentina,'' he added.

Analysts say the government of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is likely to pay the price for this gloomy picture, particularly if no new loans come through.

Opinion polls show none of the coalition parties would obtain enough votes to enter Parliament in the next elections, scheduled for 2004.

"The fact that the ministers have run out of steam and simply cannot withstand the growing public pressures may bring about the end of the government,'' wrote Ilnur Cevik, editor-in-chief of the Turkish Daily News.

4. - Kurdish Observer - "I am resisting with the revolution of conscience":

Interview with the PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan

TURKEY / IMRALI PRISON

"I am trying to preserve myself. I am preserving my memory. What is important for me is the moral and ideological dimension of the life. For me, resistance is respect, not giving up the power of meaning and preserving it. Here I have not fallen into the delusion even a moment. The worst lose is not to be able to preserve the power of meaning. But I have preserved it."

Three suffocating years in Imrali island. Three big years spent in an island which is administered by special laws, under continuous supervision, being isolated from life. The aim of all of these is to tear PKK President Abdullah Ocalan who has been forced to live in captivity off life. But Ocalan has not let them do as they please. He is dedicated to life out of sheer obstinacy; in his words, he preserves the kid within him meticulously.

PKK President Abdullah Ocalan has submitted a detailed defence statement for his case in the European Human Rights Court. He called it "A Manifest of Democratic Civilization". Explaining the development of Anatolia, Mesopotamia and civilization, Ocalan gives the clues about how a peaceful life would be. His photographs taken during the interviews with European delegation are published by Ozgur Politika. The photographs released by Mesopotamia News Agency are important as far as they reveal the life conditions of Ocalan. And they have one more importance as they are his first photographs under the captivity conditions. Ocalan replied our questions through his lawyers. We present answers of the PKK President as a short conversation. Let's listen to Ocalan…

Esteemed President, you live under difficult conditions in Imrali, how is your physical and morel situation? How long will these conditions continue?

Here health, physical body is put under a strain, I do not make it into a big issue. I do not explain them in order not to make the people feel sad. I preserve my cool-headedness. I call it a Socratish stance. I will preserve it till the end. Even if five minutes to my execution, I go cool-headedly.

How is your health situation?

I am trying to protect myself. I am preserving my memory. What is important for me is the moral and ideological dimension of the life. For me, resistance is respect, not giving up the power of meaning and preserving it. Here I have not fallen into the delusion even a moment. The worst lose is not to be able to preserve the power of meaning. But I have preserved it. But if physical health fails, what can I do? I do not know how long it puts up with.

It is difficult to endure Imrali conditions. And my sinus is problematic in general. It is the most serious problem. Allergy makes it difficult. It has been in the past but now it increase. In order not to swallow the flux I must spat it every one or two minutes. I do not want to swallow it, it is harmful for the stomach.

But in general the conditions do not effect me too much. I can sleep four or five hours. This summer has passed slowly. Now then it will pass more efficiently. As for my physical health, I do not have more serious problem than that. If you read Rifat Ilgaz, he says Imrali conditions are difficult. It does not resemble to any other place, it is difficult here to endure a few years. Probably because of the climate. I think that he has stayed here.

Your lawyers stated that you receive hundreds of letters. And especially from children and women. How would you like to say about it, what would you like to say to them.

The letters are important and meaningful, most of them are like short messages. I consider the letters from girls in prison meaningful. They have understood me. And the letters are important for me too. They write very meaningful things, there are letters of which contents are very deep. I cannot answer all of them. I have answered some of them. And I have developed a project for women. I would like to develop one for the children. In fact I am still a child. Even if I am 60 years old, I will be a child. It is not shameful. I send my love to the children.

Esteemed President, you have prepared a detailed defence statement for the European Human Rights Court. It was published as a book and newspaper publish it a serial. What would you like to say about it?

A colourful defence, I would like to say. There are things in it which will cause a big revolution of mentality. I have caught the essence of the state. Classes, the reality of the Mesopotamia, break off the women's culture, religions, Ibrahimian traditions and the Kurdish history were analysed. I approach them scientifically. The way to the historical consciousness was opened. Whoever reads it, he/she opens his/her way. I have spent five months for the mentality revolution. I have written the last lines, the last ten pages as a poem. I have got it to August 15. I am very pleased about it, it was like a brain-storming. In Turkey it may shake some. It may cause a health brotherhood. Therefore it should be published as a book. I may forget some words but my statements are powerful, its integrity is clear. My defence statement is not only our defence, but the one of the Middle East. It was what it should be.

And you called it the Third Resurrection. Why the Third Resurrection?

The old mentality, the old personality, the old war, the old ideology, love, respect; I say for all of you, a social ethics which has failed, a speculation of twenty years, a trap, a dirt life. If you read the newspaper, you can see how the societal moral principles fail. For me they all will be overcome. I say for all Turkey and Kurds: The opportunity to be free has arisen. I have explain it in detail. There are clues for the development of the humanity. Therefore I call it the Third Resurrection. I call it a renaissance of the resurrection.

How will your book create a change or what do you expect from it?

It is instructive in this respect; it explains everything in detail. I gives everything an opportunity to live, an opportunity for freedom. It can even analyse the latest attacks in America. My defence statement is a historical, psychological, mental, moral and political answer. There is a necessity for all areas in life to change. It may show the major way. The economical, political and morel liberation will be achieved by it. It is very assertive. Kurds have a great change in this respect. Because they have suffered a lot. These suffers should blossom. Such periods in the history of mankind are important.

Believers have suffered, then religions have been formed. Moses has climbed up to mountain, he has suffered a lot, then religion has been formed. Mohamed has migrated, suffered, climbed up to Hira Mountain, then Islam religion has been formed. Today it will be the same; transformation, change is bitter. People suffer during the societal transformations. What is experienced is the labor pain. Whoever does not believe in the change, he/she is cursed, degenerated, worthless. He/she does not have an opportunity to be honorful. He/she has no respect. We should lead the transformation. The sufferings of the Kurdish people are great. And therefore they have a great opportunity to such great transformations. And they bear the responsibility on their shoulders.

MY HOPE IS GREATER THAN EVER

"The 21. century will witness the Kurdish peace. At the beginning of the 20. century Kurds and Turks made national liberation wars against emperialism. Whatever their deficiencies or causes, what is important is that they could not establish the democratic system and free unity together. Their mission is to succeed it at the beginning of the 21. century. This will lead Turkey to be the leader of the Middle East, Caucasus, Balkans and Middle Asia."

PKK President Abdullah Ocalan consider the essence of the new process a struggle for democracy. Emphasizing the organization of all sections of the society by his 3. Field Theory, Ocalan states that the state will be put in order by the civil society. We present the second and the last part of the interview.

You have submitted a detailed defence statement to European Human Rights Court (EHRC). It was called as the Manifest of Democratic Civilization. How do you consider it?

A lot of people seek happines, money and comfort. You cannot be happy with only beauties of the world. Dirty souls cannot be in peace. They benefit from the opportunities of the age, but they are not in peace. They do not have souls to absorb the peace. Because they do not solve their problems as regard to conscience. Those who are very assertive may catch some clues. I can write them down. But I have solved it a little in this book. I do not accuse the state. I have analysed it for the state to be democratic. The state attempts to make its laws dominant. You do not have an opportunity. The state should be told that it needs not to be afraid of the Kurdish problem. There are dark, guilty people but they are also good, patriot people within the state. It is a very noble effort to make the state democrat. Contributing to democratic state is also one of the basis of Leninism.

You emphasize the Third Field Theory mostly. It was rather identified with you…

For me, the most righteous way to not conflict with the state, in fact to overcome it is the Third Field. It is democratic politics, economic groups of the society, trade chambers, associations, democratic cooperatives, sports and arts unions, organizations for preservation of history and culture, foundations, youth and women's movements. The organization of a democratic society is realized by all of them. The revolution is this. It cannot be realized so-called leftism. The Third Field Theory includes neither overthrowing of the state, nor encouraging the people to rebellion and nor prolonged guerrilla war. And the state cannot achieve anything by a classical dictatorship. The institutionalisation of the 3. Field forces the state, the society and the people to be democratic.

I have analyse neither the classical society nor the state. The 3. Field Theory and Practice, civil society and non-governmental organizations; I call it the 3. Field Theory. Civil society or the 3. Fields is inevitable. Therefore everybody should be very active. I hope that the book will be helpful. If the rights are not recognized, the Legitimate Defence will continue eternally. If the rights are recognized, there will be no need of funs. I will use the legitimate defence in order to establish peace. There are obstacles but I will put up with them.

How will they affect individual and the state?

There are grave mental and psychological problems. A great revolution of conscience, ethics and culture is needed. People need a revolution of conscience in order to understand the sufferings and love. How can be transition from the culture of blood to the culture of love. How can the problems arising from the separationism, clans, tribe and nationalism? What is experienced in Palestine is this. But it is possible in the Mesopotamian culture. The olds say about it suffering an ordeal for 40 years. My life of 40-50 years is a suffer of ordeal. It is difficult for you to sense it. I suffer. Man cannot have strength until there is a revolution of conscience and heart. How does Ocalan bear these conditions. Its secret lies in the great revolution of conscience.

There are a lot of examples of break-down in captivity. For example Yildirim Beyazit could not endure the captivity conditions. I neither cried nor complaint, neither cursed nor pleaded. I have reminded myself of Socrates. What does it mean a Socrates-stance in the 21. century. It should be analysed.

Another striking aspect is your statements about the legitimate defence. How should the legitimate defence be interpreted, how should its reflection be?

It is necessary for the legitimate defence forces to be able to secure peace and democratic unity within the four neighbouring states. Even the most modest peace needs the most sound and powerful legitimate defence. It has to be able to prepare a detailed plan. The only opportunity for peace and democratic solution is the legitimate defence being able to resist against all attacks. I repeat: It is in effect for the four states. It is necessary to study civil society in detail and a political study depending on the alliance of democratic forces. The peace and the democratic solution will be secured by non-governmental organizations and democratic forces.

You say about your latest analysis as being able to overcome Marxism…

I think so. Some may criticise but it is not important. In fact there may be a useful debate. I put man, law and politics on a scientific bases, I make it clear-cut. You should analyse religion, mythology and literature. You should have a strong consciousness of history. You should have a consciousness of history in order to taste even bread. You should know history and sociology well. If you do not know them, you will not able to enjoy the tastes of bread, family, friendship, social relations, in fact of nothing, even of life. I have experienced it and analysed in practice. I hope that they understand.

Has your peace line been understood sufficiently? Because the peaceful discourse may be misunderstood especially in Turkey.

I have no doubt that peace is not weakness but strength. I consider the demagogic statements uttered in the name of "sacred motherland-flag-state" fascist lies. I believe that the most consistent patriotism is to respect all cultural identities and institutions. I am sure that those who want to be most useful to their nations, should respect all cultures as well as theirs. At the beginning of the 20. century Kurds and Turks made national liberation wars against emperialism. Whatever their deficiencies or causes, what is important is that they could not establish the democratic system and free unity together. Their mission is to succeed it at the beginning of the 21. century. This will lead Turkey to be the leader of the Middle East, Caucasus, Balkans and Middle Asia.

Well, what would like to say about your situation? What are your expectations?

I will try to endure conditions though they may be grave. It will not be difficult for me to produce patience, meaning and courage in Imrali. Physical problems are beyond my will. Most importantly, I will frequently consider the general history and the history of the Liberation Movement. I will plan some literary works. I can say this as well: To comprehend the Imrali stage of my capacity of thought and feeling leads to having an extraordinary importance and strength. Historical growth is dependent on sharing my reality in Imrali and representing it.

If they want for themselves a honorful peace and free life, they should contribute to overcome conditions of such an extraordinary period. Still I bear the 90% of the burden of the state, PKK and the people. I consider it a honor for myself. But those who cannot carry the burden do not have the opportunity to grow and to become lofty. Such periods are important as to determine centuries. They should be interpreted as they are. My hope is greater more than ever.

Some of the books in Imrali

Eastern Mythology, Western Mythology by Joseph Campbell (Imge); Winning the 3. Buda Mentality by Sheng Yen (Okyanus); Shamanism by Mircea Elidea (Imge); Budism According to the Ancient Texts by Walter Ruben (Okyanus); Einstein-His Scientific Personality and Its Effects on Our World (Bilgi); Evolution of Physics by Einstein (Onur); Einstein (Sarmal), Relativity Theory by Albert Einstein (Sarmal); Hallac-i Mansur (Yurt); Napoleon I-II by E. Ludwing (Kasnas); Pioneers of Science by Cemal Yildirim (TUBITAK); Science and Power by Frederico Mayor-Agusto Forti (TUBITAK); Einstein by Jeremy Bernstein (Nar); Sacred Books of Budhists by Korhan Kaya (Imge); Dictionary of Mythology by Arza Erhat (Remzi); Unitary State by Atilla Nalbant (Yapi Kredi); Fragile Objects by Jacuquaz Badoz (TUBITAK); A Guidebook of Planets by Patrick Moore (TUBITAK); Secret of Physics by Roger Penrose (TUBITAK); The Short History of Universe by Joshep Silk (TUBITAK); Here is Anatolia by Omer Tuncer; Minos Civilization by Stylianos Alexiou (Arkeoloji ve Sanat); Divine Comedia by Dante(Oglak);

As We Prepare for the 21. Century by Paul Kennedy (Is Bankasi); History of Islam Philosophy by Henry Corbin (Iletisim); Self-Made Man by Gordon Childe (Varlik); Gilgames by Harald Braem (Yurt); Environment and Ethnic Structure in the Ancient Middle East by Pavel Dolukhanov (Imge); Yaratici Mitoloji- Joseph Campbell (Imge); Primitive Mythology by Joseph Campbell (Imge); Ilyada, Odysseia by Homeros (Can); Meme Alan Epopee (Cima); Asyrians by Stefanos Anderson (Kaynak); The History Begins With Sumers by Samuel Noah Kramer (Kabalci); Birth of the Civilization by Charles Keit Maisels (Imge); Man in the Mirror of Book (Jorge Luis Borges) by James Woodal (Iletisim); Criticism of Economical Ideology by Ahmet Insel (Birikim); Faust-Goethe (Oteki); Sufferings of Young Werther by Goethe (Oteki) Ulysses-J.Joyce (Yapi Kredi); End of Democracy by Jean Marie Guehemo (Dost); Powerful Democracy by Benjamin Barber(Ayrinti); Civil Obedience Ayrinti); Republicanism by Philip Pettit (Ayrinti); Democracy and Differences by Seyla Benhabib; Sehname(4 volumes)by Firdevsi (Ministry of Culture); Essence of Islam and Alaouites by Ali Aga Varlik (Can); Modern State by Christopher Pierson (Çiviyazilari); Pir Sultan Abdallar by Ibrahim Aslanoglu (Can); History of Ancient Philosophy by W.K.C.Guthire; D.Gezmis-H.Inan-Y.Aslan-Minutes of the Parliament (BDS); ÖDP Interviews byUfuk Uras (Alan); Those Who Are Surrounded by Graham Fuller-Ian Lesser(Sabah Kitaplari); The European Human Rights Court by Osman Doðru (Istanbul Bar Association); International Laws on Human Rights by Osman Doðru(Beta); The European Human Rights Agreement by Prof. Dr. A. Feyyaz Golcuklu Prof.Dr. A. Seref Gozubuyuk (Turhan Kitabevi); Introduction to International Human Rights Law by. Dr. Mehmet Semih Gemalmaz (Beta Yayinevi); The European Human Rights Court (Istanbul Bar Association); Anti-Terrorism Law; Hititler ve Hattuþa- Istar'in Kaleminden; Human Rights in Documents by Muzaffer Sencer (Beta Yayinlari); Sand and Foam by Halil Cibran (Anahtar Yayinlari); Messenger by Halil Cibran (Anahtar Yayinlari), Lies and Realities in the New World Order by NOAM CHOMSKY (Mavi Ada); Revolution of Hope by ERICH FROMM(Payel); History and Class Consciousness by György Lukacs (Belge); Musa Daðinda Kirk Gün Forty Days in Mount Mooses by (Belge); Equalitarian Societies by Mustafa Cemal (Belge); My Left Hand by Akin Birdal(Belge).

5. - Turkish Daily News - "Poll: Turks want early elections":

Only AKP, DYP and CHP would win seats if elections are held

Ilnur Cevik

A public opinion poll by Konsensus Socia-Political Research Center shows that an overwhelming majority of Turks do not trust the government and feel early elections are the only way out for the suffering nation.

The results of the survey conducted by the pollster in early November, in which 962 people were selected by random sampling in 14 provinces, showed that only three parties, the opposition Justice and Development Party (AKP), the main opposition True Path Party (DYP) and the left-wing Republican People's Party (CHP), which is not even currently represented in Parliament, would pass the ten percent threshold and win seats, while the others would all be left outside Parliament. The survey reportedly has a margin of error of plus or minus three.

According to the poll, 64 percent of those surveyed said they want early elections. According to an analysis of the respondents, the pollster said the people are not put off by politics but that they have actually withdrawn their support from this Parliament, from the government and opposition parties and want to elect brand new deputies and make a fresh start.

The survey showed that while the majority want early elections, at least 50 percent of the respondents do not want to back their old parties and do not know who they will vote for.

The survey showed that at least 58 percent of those who voted for the current coalition parties want early elections. Some 53 percent of those who voted for senior coalition partner Democratic Left Party (DSP) in the 1999 elections, want early elections. This rate goes up to 64 percent for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and up to 60 percent for those who voted for the Motherland Party (ANAP), the junior partner of the coalition.

According to the poll, 34.8 percent of the respondents believe the AKP will clear the 10 percent threshold, 12.6 say the DYP will win seats and 11.1 give the CHP a chance. According to 7.1 percent of those surveyed, the MHP will clear the threshold, while those who believe the pro-Kurdish people's Democracy Party (HADEP) will win seats is 6.8 percent. ANAP is at 6.7 percent. The pro-Islamic Saadet (happiness and contentment) Party (SP) is at 3 percent and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's DSP is at a mere 2.8 percent. At least 6.6 percent favor independents and 8.5 percent other parties.

Those who do not trust the government stand at 80 percent. At least 63 percent of the respondents say they do not trust the government "at all," while 17 percent merely say they simply do not trust it.

Meanwhile, 65 percent of those surveyed say they feel the new constitutional amendments are insufficient, while only 13 percent say they are satisfied with the changes. About 22 percent say they are not even aware that the amendments have cleared Parliament.
The survey says 19.7 percent of the respondents threaten to cast blank votes, 14.7 say they will not go to the polling stations, 5.1 percent refused to respond while 10 percent remain undecided.

The analysts say public pressure is building up against the government, which may force it to go to the polls. In case this happens, the analysts say the parties are obliged to find ways to attract those who have been put off by the current parties.

6. - Milliyet - "Cyprus in the EU process":

Columnist Derya Sazak comments on former StateMinister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik's statements regarding Cyprus. Asummary of his column is as follows:

"The repercussions of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's statement to the effect that Turkey would not accept the full EU membership of the Greek Cypriot administration even though it might exact a high price are still being felt in Athens and Ankara. Istanbul Deputy Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik launched an initiative calling for a discussion of EU-Cyprus relations in a closed session of Parliament.

The support shown for Irtemcelik's request by deputies displays their desire to be enlightened on the issue. Which is more important for Turkey, Cyprus or the EU? Cannot the 'win-win' principle in diplomacy be implemented regarding Turkish-Greek relations?

Irtemcelik believes that the civilized world mobilized to solve international disputes which could lead to violence following the Sept. 11 attacks and that Turkey can make use this opportunity on Cyprus. He also believes that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's stance staking everything and abandoning the aim of EU membership if necessary is a mistaken one. 'Why should one be an obstacle to the other?

If we are at a crossroads which would prove the Foreign Minister's concerns right, this should be discussed at the Parliament in a closed session.' Irtemcelik brings a series of proposals but he states that first of all that Parliament must review Turkey's relations with Cyprus and the EU as concerns its national interests."