Opposition leaders criticize EU officials' statements on Turkey

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday responded to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's remarks that secularism cannot be imposed by force, saying, "Nobody in Turkey or in the EU has the right to veto the CHP's understanding of democracy. Everybody should be respectful, and they shouldn't see Turkey as a horde to be directed by another's command." In related news, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday said that he would be pleased if the Constitutional Court doesn't close down the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), but that a closure decision wouldn't mean the end of the world. Bahceli also strongly criticized recent statements by European Union officials on issues relating to Turkey. "The inspectors of Brussels haughtily making remarks about the fundamentals of the Republic of Turkey have strained the already tense atmosphere even more," he added.