Ankara - Turkish Daily News 
Jan 28, 2002
SAADET ORUC 
The so-called "mini reform package" has not only puzzled the European Union (EU) side, but also gave the signals of a new coalition crisis. 

In a meeting with EU officials on Friday, Bulent Ecevit stated that he would try for reconciliation between the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP), during the leaders summit to be held on Monday. 

"Ecevit said at the meeting that he would do his best to review the package. However, he did not rule out a possible failure, since his government was a coalition," a senior Turkish official, who was present at the meeting said. 

The unexpected meeting between top EU officials in Ankara and Ecevit, which took place on Friday, has been the ground for a strongly-voiced reaction of the EU side against the new package of constitutional amendments. 

The EU troika told the prime minister that the existing package stayed far from meeting the expectations of Brussels for fulfilling the political criteria. 

Foreign Ministry sources stated that EU diplomats also voiced concerns over some recent steps taken, in reference to the harsh attitude of the security forces against the students giving petitions for education in the mother tongue and the refusal against the opening of an Amnesty International office. 

The attendees of the meeting at the prime ministry were Secretary General of the EU Volkan Vural, Foreign Ministry undersecretary Ugur Ziyal, EU Commission representative Ambassador Karen Fogg, Spanish Ambassador Manuel De La Camara, Danish Ambassador and the EU troika. 

Speaking on CNN TURK's Kafe Siyaset programme on Sunday, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the debate on the harmonization laws will not cause troubles in Turkish-EU relations, contrary to the remarks made by De La Camara on the "Kriter" programme that the exiting package will cause a strong barrier, negatively affecting the momentum reached at the Laeken summit of the EU. 

Coalition crack 
"A serious coalition crack can be seen in the aftermath of the discussion over the new amendments," officials, who are involved in the discussions say. 

As a result of the ongoing debate over the harmonization laws, MHP is expected to be marginalized, according to comments in political circles in Ankara. 

The National Security Council (MGK) meeting planned to be held on Tuesday is also commented to be critical regarding the harmonization law package. 

MHP argues that the territorial integrity of Turkey can be at risk with some changes, which are demanded by the EU. 

ANAP, on the other hand, is seen to be more willing for more steps to fulfill the political criteria for EU membership. 

Amendments related with Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code and Article 159, as well as the changes for the improvement of freedom of thought and expression are under the spotlight of the EU side. 

ANAP's Erkan Mumcu had reacted against the package during a meeting of the Justice Commission last week, creating a pause in the commission studies. 

"Such a package can lead to anti-democratic administration," he said. 

In political circles, it is being believed that Mumcu is speaking on behalf of his party leader.