Ailing Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, whose two-month absence from office has sparked political uncertainty in Turkey, said Wednesday he would continue to recuperate for two or three more weeks.
Ecevit's ill health, combined with divisions within his three-way coalition, is the source of concerns that political paralysis could undermine crucial economic reforms and further delay Ankara's already struggling EU membership bid.
Even though Ecevit insisted Wednesday his health was steadily improving, many believe that the 77-year-old leader, increasingly frail in recent years, is not fit enough to grapple with the country's problems, according to AFP.
"My state of health is definitely positive... We have left the problem behind" us, Ecevit told reporters after a comprehensive check-up in Ankara's Baskent hospital.
This is "only a recuperation period... In two or three weeks at most I will be able to fully perform all my duties," Ecevit added.
Ecevit further said improvements in his health would enable him to be more active -- though "in a limited measure" -- in state affairs compared to the past two months, when he communicated with ministers mostly by telephone and signed papers while in his sickbed.
He declined to elaborate on his immediate work schedule, but emphasized that he would be spending more time on economic affairs. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
