Presidential veto “will not keep out” Turkish reform

Date: 03/07/03

By David Cronin

THE European Commission's envoy to Ankara says he has "not the slightest doubt" that a key anti-repression measure will come into effect in Turkey, even though it was vetoed by Ahmet Necdet Sezer, its president, this week.

Hansjörg Kretschmer, head of the Commission's Ankara office, did not lodge any protest with Sezer over his move to block the removal of Article 8 of Turkey's anti-terror law.

Although the EU's executive has been demanding the abolition of this clause - used to imprison those who espouse Kurdish separatism - Kretschmer said he viewed the veto as "not really dramatic".

Speaking to European Voice, he explained Sezer is constitutionally obliged to accept the reform if it is passed a second time - and without modification - by the national parliament. He believes that should be a mere formality, because it was adopted unanimously by the assembly in May as part of a reform package designed to meet the political criteria for EU membership.

"I am slightly surprised that the president vetoed it," said Kretschmer. "But I am not so concerned as I have not the slightest doubt the parliament will pass it [again]."

But Turkey's Human Rights Association voiced strong unease at Sezer's decision. Its Secretary-General Feray Salman accused Sezer of a volte-face as he declared in 1999 that he was in favour of granting full rights to freedom of expression.

"We were not expecting him to do this," said Salman, adding it appeared Sezer had been influenced by Turkey's powerful generals. "In the beginning, the military reacted against the plan to remove Article 8 and then kept silent. It seems he is now speaking out on behalf of them."

The European Commission's envoy to Ankara has said that he believes the removal of Article 8 of Turkey's anti-terror law will go ahead even though it was vetoed by Turkish President, Ahmet Necdet Sezer.