Turkey's ailing Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Sunday once again ruled out resignation and said his three-party coalition would stay in power until its mandate ends in the year 2004, amidst growing fears over political stability sparked by his ill health.
"I have no intention to step down," the 77-year-old leader told the CNN-Turk news channel in an interview.
Ecevit's deteriorating health and deep division within his government over key reforms required under Turkey's bid to join the European Union (EU) has triggered concerns that a political crisis could jeopardize crucial economic reforms and efforts to integrate with Europe.
But Ecevit said Sunday that his government, the longest-ruling coalition in years, would remain in office. "We have to keep the government in power until the end of its five-year mandate. This is our debt to the nation. I cannot accept stepping down without attaining results from the reforms we have launched," he told CNN-Turk.
Moreover, the Prime Minister said Sunday that he was steadily improving and was expecting his doctors to allow more freedom of movement next week. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
