Turkish government denies asking parliament to amend law on Koran courses

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
30 May 05

Manama, 30 May: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul arrived Sunday [29 May] night in Manama, Bahrain for a
two-day visit. Gul responded to questions of journalists on the plane
to Manama.

Referring to the debate on the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), Gul said
that parliaments were the decision-making bodies in democratic
societies and that everybody should respect the decision made
by parliaments. When asked if the government urged an amendment
in TCK (about Koran courses) Gul said: “No, this is not the case.
Parliaments are not always under the control of the governments. They
have their own identity.” [Passage omitted]

Regarding the postponement of the conference on Armenian claims that
would be held in [Istanbul’s] Bogazici University, Gul said that the
government didn’t suggest or urge its postponement.

“As long as people don’t incite violence in their speeches, they can
express their ideas,” said Gul. Upon a question about a planned visit
of a group of Turkish deputies to Armenia, Gul said that Turkey was
a country which recognized Armenia diplomatically. Noting that there
were contacts and cultural activities between the two countries, Gul
said he hoped those activities and contacts will help in settlement
of the problems through dialogue. [Passage omitted]