Better for Turkey if he lives

State Minister for Human Rights issues: This is not a issue about
Abdullah Ocalan. This is about Turkey. We should not let Ocalan be a problem
for Turkey in the upcoming future.

       " The harm Ocalan has given Turkey can not be measured, however not
       executing the death penalty on him will be for Turkey's benefit" said State
       Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik responsible for Human Rights issues. Stating
       that he is against death penalty, Irtemcelik has announced that he will not
       be voting in favor of Ocalan's execution.
       Explaining that the decision of the European Court of Human Rights will not
       be given before 2 years, that is if the Court accepts to see the case,
       Mr.Irtemcelik said the following on what Turkey will do:
       " It is important from which point of view one looks at the issue. Will we
       concentrate on Ocalan or the necessities of being a member of the European
       Council? We have certain international obligations. If we look at this
       subject as only a Ocalan issue, then we will be carried away with our
       emotions. However this issue is not about Ocalan. It is about Turkey."
       Irtemcelik articulated the following:

'I oppose death penalty'

       No matter whether we vote today or 50 years later, I will not vote in
       favor of Abdullah Ocalan's execution. Beacuse I am against death penalty.
       Ocalan has caused Turkey great harm and pain. On societal, economic,
       political fields, he has caused damages that can not be measured. If death
       penalty would be invented for one person, that person would be Ocalan.
       However the important thing is to prevent him from giving more harm to
       Turkey. Keeping him alive and not executing his death penalty will be for
       Turkey's benefit. Turkey has a great future. We should not let Abdullah
       Ocalan be a problem in this bright future awaiting Turkey. We should be
       rational and not emotional.'