The Turkish government has decided to remove various obstacles to operations of minority non-Moslem foundations, government spokesman Mehmet Ali Sahin announced on Tuesday, dpa reported. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting Sahin said a new bill was being drawn up that would address the concerns of both the minorities and the international community. "With this bill we aim to enlarge the freedoms of the foundations and to eliminate some problems which already exist," Sahin said. The decision came just a week after German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said during a trip to Istanbul that it was a personal concern of his that non-Moslem communities enjoy the same rights as other Turkish groups. Sener did not go into details about the contents of the bill but said the bill would also make it easier for Turkish foundations to operate. The current restrictions on the non-Moslem foundations mainly apply to property issues and prevent the groups from acquiring new land, buildings or places of worship. The lifting of restrictions on religious minorities is widely seen as a step in Turkey's efforts to join the European nion. -- SP 2340 Local Time 2040 GMT
