Why do EU Leaders go to Diyarbakir?

"Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's (later retracted) statements that the "EU cannot meddle in our domestic affairs. We are Turks… We decide for ourselves!" in response to mounting EU objections to the initiative to re-criminalize adultery, were simply incredible and totally incompatible with the concept of being European."

"Prime minister's involvement in the public debate as to whether "Alevism is a separate religion or a culture?" was also highly inappropriate. If Turkey is to become a truly secular state where religion and state are separated, then surely, this question can only be answered by Alevis themselves."


"Is the prime minister a religious authority or a statesman? Even if he was a religious authority, that would not give him the right to interfere with the beliefs of Muslims who believe in the offering of votives? It is evident that Mr Prime Minister's behavior was not at all consistent with his complaints as a politician concerning interference in people's religious beliefs."
ZAMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER (2005010315237)