Turkish premier responds questions of parliamentarians in COE

STRASBOURG (A.A) - 13.04.2011 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that it was the jurisdiction that decided on arrest of journalist Ahmet Sik and seizure of his book.
"We talk about independent jurisdiction and support it when it suits us. However, you do not want an independent jurisdiction in Turkey. You want a jurisdiction dependent on execution. However, there is no jurisdiction depending on execution. There is independent jurisdiction and this independent jurisdiction fulfills its missions," Erdogan said while responding to the questions of reporters after addressing European lawmakers at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg.
When a journalist said, "I want to congratulate the Turkish government over its achievements both in Turkey and international platforms. You said you favor democratic change. If you respect this, why couldn't you reduce 10 percent election threshold?" Erdogan said, "reducing election threshold is not an issue related to democracy. We decided to continue this implementation for the stability and security of our country. We don't want to experience new problems in our country. We will negotiate reducing election threshold with our nation when time comes. It is Turkish people who will decide on it." 
When another parliamentarian said, "what kind of an assurances can you give to all religious minorities to experience their rights to express their religions?" Erdogan said, "I would like to invite you to Turkey. You don't follow Turkey closely. You act on what you hear. I think you are stranger to Turkey."
Erdogan said, "election of Orthodox Patriarch is made in Holy Synod according to Lausanne Treaty. Under the Treaty, Holy Synod should be Turkish citizens. We tolerated election of current Orthodox Patriarch although he is not a Turkish national. They later applied and became Turkish nationals."
"They also wanted to perform prayer in Sumela Monastery. We approved it. Last year, Mr. Patriarch, his delegation and around 3,000 people performed their prayers there. Similarly, some German friends performed their prayers in southern province of Tarsus. We also restored Armenian Orthodox Church in eastern province of Van and opened it to worship. I am the guarantee of every religious minority to perform their religious duties in Turkey. Nobody can say 'we can not perform our prayers'. If there are some, I will personally be interested in the matter," Erdogan said.