Turkish pm says September 12 investigation shows strength of democracy

ANKARA (A.A) - 07.06.2011 - The Turkish prime minister said on Monday that the recently launched investigation regarding the September 12, 1980 military coup showed the strength of democracy in Turkey.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied to questions of reporters during a TV program broadcast by Kanal 24.
Commenting on the investigation into the September 12 coup, Erdogan said some circles had acted with prejudice and criticized him on the issue very early.
"However, the idea of 'advanced democracy', which I had mentioned earlier, now shows us what a strengthened democracy can do. The principle of state of law is widely recognized in our country and there is an ongoing transformation process within the state," he said.
Erdogan also noted that his party's primary goal was to obtain the necessary parliamentary power to change Turkey's constitution. 
"This is our greatest wish. Of course, we will not act on our own if our citizens give us such power," he said.
Erdogan said he wanted the new constitution to attach a genuine importance to basic rights and freedoms, embrace all citizens and be shorter.
Pointing to the importance of dealing with economy and democracy at the same time, Erdogan said none of the two could be left aside and both should be improved in order to achieve development.
Commenting on the Kurdish issue as well, Erdogan noted that problems in Turkey's southeast could not be discussed under the title of "Kurdish issue" forever.
Pointing to the social, economic and diplomatic steps taken on the issue during his party's ruling, Erdogan said the region needed to regain its self-confidence and start trusting in the state.
Upon a question on discussions over autonomy of local administrations, Erdogan said his party had brought forward such issue for the first time, however, neither the media, nor the parliament had shown any interest in such reform proposal at that time.
Commenting on National Movement Party's (MHP) criticism against the government for holding talks with the head of the terrorist organization in Imrali prison, Erdogan said MHP was not honest and it had held similar talks in the past. "The state holds talks with all parties if it deems necessary," he said.
The prime minister also noted that Peace & Democracy Party (BDP) had never called PKK a terrorist organization as it had certain benefits in displaying such a stance.