ARINC CONFIDENT ABOUT THE START OF EU TALKS ON OCT 3

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 12 2005

Turkish Parliament Speaker expressed yesterday his confidence about
the start of negotiations between Turkey and the European Union on
Oct 3, as scheduled.

Arinc made the remarks at a press conference at the conclusion of
the Second World Parliament Speakers’ Conference in New York .

“There are some circles in the EU who don’t wish to see Turkey in
the Union ,” said Arinc. “We are bothered by the acts and statements
of some European politicians who have made the issue of Turkey into
fodder for domestic political debates.”

Arinc also touched on the recent street demonstrations in various
Turkish cities, saying, “These will not deter Turkey from its path of
democracy and freedom. The Turkish government is taking the necessary
steps so that such demonstrations will not hurt democracy or innocent
citizens.”

Arinc: Instead of being rewarded, Turkish Cypriots were punished

Arinc also held a press conference in New York on Saturday where he
said the Turkish Cypriots who voted in favor of a solution in Cyprus
last year were punished instead of getting a reward.

He also touched on the controversial Armenian genocide issue,
condemning the one-sided recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide
claims by some parliaments.