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Turkish Press Review, 01-10-08

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

<LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <map name="FPMap1"> <_map> Press &amp; Information Turkish Press Foreign Press in Turkey Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt; Press Guide Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

08.10.2001


CONTENTS

  • [01] AND THE WAR BEGINS
  • [02] EXTRAORDINARY NIGHT IN ANKARA
  • [03] CHENEY INFORMS SEZER
  • [04] SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR EMBASSIES
  • [05] GUREL EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH PAKISTAN
  • [06] TASAR VISITS MOSCOW
  • [07] YILMAZ: "OUR PRIORITY IS ECONOMY"
  • [08] DISCUSSIONS ON LAWS AHEAD IN THE PARLIAMENT
  • [09] TURK RETURNS FROM MOSCOW WITH HOPES
  • [10] KHARRAZZI TO VISIT ANKARA
  • [11] PAPANDREOU REFERS TO NEW ERA IN TIES WITH TURKEY
  • [12] YILMAZ HOPEFUL ABOUT EU MEMBERSHIP TALKS
  • [13] COUNCIL TO DISCUSS TURKEY AND TERRORISM
  • [14] NO SUPPORT FROM G-7s TO TURKEY
  • [15] EXPORT TO NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES INCREASES
  • [16] IMF SENDS BUDGET TEAM
  • [17] TURKISH AIRLINES (THY)
  • [18] SHORT TERM FOREIGN DEBT DECREASES
  • [19] AWARDS GIVEN AT GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL
  • [20] MEVLANA MOSQUE IN HOLLAND OPENS
  • [21] EU GRANTS 43.5 MILLION EURO TO GAP
  • [22] EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL STARTS
  • [23] 53TH FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR
  • [24] WORLD'S LARGEST MOSAIC MUSEUM TO BE ESTABLISHED
  • [25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
  • [26] THE AFTERMATH OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND TURKISH MODEL BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)

  • [01] AND THE WAR BEGINS

    The United States and the Great Britain have launched military airstrikes against the Taleban Administration in Afghanistan yesterday. The first strikes began about 19:27 p.m. and targeted the Taleban's air defense installations, airport-based command centers, airfields, defense ministry, and energy production facilities. Stating that the retaliation was aimed at Taleban, not Afghan civilians, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said about 15 land-based bombers, 25 strike aircraft and U.S. and British ships and submarines fired about 50 Tomahawk missiles against terrorist targets. Western leaders have expressed their support for the US and British military strikes against targets in Afghanistan. US President George W. Bush said the airstrikes were joined by Great Britain, with assorted intelligence efforts and logistical support from several other nations, including France, Germany, Australia and Canada. Bush described the action as "carefully targeted," and said its aim was to "cut the military capability of the Taleban regime." /All Papers/

    [02] EXTRAORDINARY NIGHT IN ANKARA

    Following the start of the US strike to Afghanistan, a meeting was held last night chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Deputies of Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz , Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem, Minister of State Sukru Sina Gurel, Minister of Defense Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Chief of the General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Prime Ministry Military Counsellor Lieutenant-Gen. Koksal Karabay, National Intelligence Service Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ministery Ugur Ziyal attended the extraordinary meeting. After the 3 hour-meeting, a written statement saying, "Turkey who has been defending the necessity of fight against terrorism for many years, supports both the strenghtening of the international law and establishment of an organization for international cooperation regarding the subject," was issued. Premier Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem then visited the President at Presidential Palace and met for a while. Ecevit is also expected to meet with opposition parties' leaders today. On the other hand, security measures were increased around the buildings of the representatives of NATO member countries in Ankara. /Turkiye/

    [03] CHENEY INFORMS SEZER

    Reportedly, US Vice President Dick Cheney called Presiedent A. Necdet Sezer just before the start of the US military operation to Afghanistan to inform him. According to the Presidential Press Office, pointing that the target of the operation is terrorists, Cheney emphasized they will take care of not to harm the Afghan nation. Cheney also expressed US appreciation for Turkey's support. President Sezer said he welcomes the commonsense US has shown for innocent people and wished success during the operation. On the other hand, Sezer cancelled his visit to Eskisehir scheduled for today. /Turkiye/

    [04] SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR EMBASSIES

    Due to the "Enduring Freedom" operation, the police blockaded the American Embassy in Ankara. Paris Street, on which the American Embassy takes place, and the intersecting streets have been closed and at the crossroads the identity control have been made. In addition, the police in Ankara began to control the regions in which foreigners lived, particularly the British and Israeli Embassies. Meanwhile, the Minister of the Interior, Rustu Kazim Yucelen, gave an order to the effect that the crisis desks within the Ministry and the Directorate General of Security will be active. In addition, the security precautions will be taken at the Embassies of the NATO-member countries, Consulates and the other missions. /Hurriyet/

    [05] GUREL EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH PAKISTAN

    State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel stated that Turkey and Pakistan show complete solidarity in the international fight against terrorism, and said the burden should not be faced only by Pakistan but must be shared by all countries. Gurel held a press conference yesterday in Islamabad, where he came as the special envoy of the government. He told the reporters that he had had a long and fruitful meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Settar, was briefed by President Perwez Musharraf and submitted Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's written message to him. Gurel acknowledged that Pakistan faces hard times. "As a matter of fact," said Gurel, "These are the times when friendships are tested. Our visit's aim is the confirmation of the brotherhood relations between Turkey and Pakistan." Gurel also mentioned the American response: "The United States started discovering and punishing the criminals with international support. Turkey and Pakistan share the same ideas, however, both countries think that the innocent Afghan people must not be punished." Gurel told the press that the two countries had responded positively to the guarantees given to them. /Turkish Daily News/

    [06] TASAR VISITS MOSCOW

    After his visit to Germany and Japan, Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar visited Moscow to participate in the "BDT Travel Market 2001" fair in St. Petersburg. Tasar said there was no need to worry about tourism in Turkey, as the effect of the attacks in the US was less than expected and he added, "For tourism, the next year will be better than the last year." Completing his visits, Tasar returned to Turkey on Sunday. /Turkish News/

    [07] YILMAZ: "OUR PRIORITY IS ECONOMY"

    Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP) Mesut Yilmaz said that the priority of ANAP was the economy. Stating that they agreed to hold the next elections in 2004 as the coalition partners, Yilmaz said, "I do not find it right to talk about elections while we are pursuing an economic program. Our priority as ANAP was the economic problems. We will present a report to the government on solving problems of financial sector and manufacturing industry which will be prepared by experts." /Cumhuriyet/

    [08] DISCUSSIONS ON LAWS AHEAD IN THE PARLIAMENT

    After enacting the constitutional amendment package, the Turkish Parliament will continue to work by monitoring activities. The Parliamentary Consultation Board will convene today to determine the agenda of this week. The Bill on Turkish Civil Code and censure motions are expected to be brought to the agenda. Additionally, Parliament has 130 bills and 107 proposals on its agenda waiting to be discussed. /Cumhuriyet/

    [09] TURK RETURNS FROM MOSCOW WITH HOPES

    Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, who attended the 24th European Justice Ministers Conference in Moscow, returned home on Saturday night. Turk told reporters at Ataturk Airport that the adjustment of judicial decisions to European standards and international cooperation against terrorism were the two major topics of the meeting. Turk said he delivered a speech at the conference stressing that Turkey, a country that has suffered from terrorism for years, knows very well the pain caused by Sept. 11 attacks. Turk said, "All participating ministers denounced the Sept. 11 attacks. They agreed that there was a need to access the terrorism issue and its legal aspects. They decided that all nations should join in efforts to protect the supremacy of law, human rights and pluralist democracy." /Turkish News/

    [10] KHARRAZZI TO VISIT ANKARA

    Iran's Foreign Minister Kemal Kharrazzi is due to visit Ankara in the first week of November, Foreign Ministry resources have disclosed. Kharrazzi is due in Ankara for a one-day working visit as the official guest of his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem. Pointing to the fact that relations between the two countries have been improving over the past years, as well as regional and international issues, would be discussed during the talks. /Turkish News/

    [11] PAPANDREOU REFERS TO NEW ERA IN TIES WITH TURKEY

    Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that in his opinion a new era had opened in his country's relations with Turkey. Papandreou said Greece was always supportive of good relations with Turkey on the basis of human rights, democratic rules, and respect for international law. He said they wanted to see Turkey to remain as a secular and democratic state, which also instituted new measures to enhance and deepen its democracy. Papandreou mentioned illegal smuggling in humans and drugs, terrorism, and organized crime as the areas for the two countries to cooperate closely. /Turkish News/

    [12] YILMAZ HOPEFUL ABOUT EU MEMBERSHIP TALKS

    Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said over the weekend that Turkey could fulfill its obligations for membership to the EU earlier than the period foreseen in the National Programme, and start full membership negotiations soon. Sending a message to the seminar held in the Turkish-EU Foundation on "Relations of Turkey and the EU" on Saturday, Yilmaz said that Turkey displayed its resolution for EU membership through the constitutional amendment bill it had adopted recently. / Turkish News/

    [13] COUNCIL TO DISCUSS TURKEY AND TERRORISM

    The foreign ministers of EU member states will discuss relations with Turkey and terrorism during its regular monthly meeting today in Luxembourg. The European Council will be informed about recent political developments in Turkey as well as the continuing efforts for legal reform by the European Commission. The Council will evaluate Ankara's position with regard to the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Some EU diplomats were quoted as saying that Ankara had toughened its stance on the issue after September 11 attacks against the United States. The European Council is also expected to approve a list of terrorists and their organizations, and the financial sources of these organizations will be cut where possible. No consensus was seen among the member states concerning the above mentioned list. /Turkish Daily News/

    [14] NO SUPPORT FROM G-7s TO TURKEY

    During the meeting of the G-7 Group's Ministers of Finance and Treasury no support was given to Turkey for additional financial aid. The main topic of the meeting of ministers from the US, Britian, France, Germany, Italy, Japon and Canada were the world's economic situation and precautions against terrorism following the Sep. 11 terrorist attack in the US. Replying to a question whether Turkey was discussed in the meeting or not, US Secretary of Treasury Paul O'Neill said, "We took up the situation in Turkey and some other countries, and agreed that financial aids to those countires should be ensured by means of international financial organizations, such as the IMF and World Bank." /Turkiye/

    [15] EXPORT TO NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES INCREASES

    About $ 1.7 billion-export has been realized to neighbour countries between Jan. and July in 2001. According to Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, the share of the export to those countries increased from 5% to 11% in last two years. With 110.4%, the largest increase was observed in the export to Iraq. /Turkiye/

    [16] IMF SENDS BUDGET TEAM

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) sent a delegation, consisting of budget experts, to Ankara to determine the budget targets of the year 2002 and the macroeconomic indicator targets. The delegation will participate in the budget preparations by October 11, on which the Supreme Planning Council (YPK) is working. The IMF Chief to the Turkish Desk, Juha Kahkonen will not be present at the delegation. /Hurriyet/

    [17] TURKISH AIRLINES (THY)

    The Minister of Communication, Oktay Vural, will present a package to the Council of Ministers so the airlines companies, which have been suffering from the financial crisis as the insurance companies had increased the premium rates, can be provided with resources and enjoy special discounts. Within the framework of the precaution package, which is expected to be approved by the State Minister responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, the private airlines companies will be given financial resources amounting to 106 million US dollars by the Treasury. Representatives from the State Airlines Managements (DHMI), Civilian Aviation, Turkish Airlines (THY) and the private airline companies met upon the instruction of Vural and discussed the precautions that should be taken. Bureaucrats, chaired by the Deputy Undersecretary Selcuk Coskun listened to the problems and the suggestions for solutions that were mentioned by the representatives of THY and 11 private airline companies, continue their preparations for an urgent precaution package. /Milliyet/

    [18] SHORT TERM FOREIGN DEBT DECREASES

    Turkey's short term foreign debt, which amounted to 29 billion US dollars due to the monetary policy of the last year, has decreased to 20.8 billion US dollars at the end of July. According to the data of the Central Bank, the short term foreign debt has decreased by 8.1 billion US dollars. Thus, the short term foreign debt stock has decreased to its minimum point since 1997. /Milliyet/

    [19] AWARDS GIVEN AT GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL

    The 38th Golden Orange Film Festival ended with the distribution of awards. Eleven films that competed through the festival and were viewed by cinema lovers in Antalya over five days finally received the results and the winners received the golden figurine. At the film festival, Handan Ipekci's "Buyuk Adam Kucuk Ask" won the best film award and Zeki Demirkubuz won the best director award with his film "Yazgi". Demet Akbag for her role in "Vizontele" and Yesim Salkim with her role in "Sarkici" shared the best actress award. Altan Erkekli won the best actor award for his role in "Vizontele". For the first time, this year at the film festival a "Hollywood Motel" open air museum was set up in Antalya. The Golden Orange Film Festival still holds its image of being the most important and distinctive film festival in Turkey. /Turkish Daily News/

    [20] MEVLANA MOSQUE IN HOLLAND OPENS

    Holland's most modern mosque, the Mevlana Mosque, has opened in Rotterdam with a ceremony attended by Chairman of Religious Affairs Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz. The area where the Mevlana Mosque is built has changed its name to Mavlanapein (The Place of Mevlana). The mosque was built with the financial support of the Religious Foundation of Holland and Turkish citizens living in Holland. "Assaults to mosques in some European countries are also terror acts" said Yilmaz during the speech he made in the opening ceremony. Yilmaz stressed the importance of interracial, intercultural and mutual tolerance. /Turkish Daily News/

    [21] EU GRANTS 43.5 MILLION EURO TO GAP

    It has been reported that the European Union has approved a "Project Package" including three projects presented by the Southeastern Anatolia Project's (GAP) Regional Development Administration, and has decided to grant 43.5 million Euro. GAP Regional Development Administration Chairman Olcay Unver stated that the Project Package included a "Rural Development Project," a "Project to Strengthen the Centers for Supporting Investors" and a "Project to Protect Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Entities." He also said the administration will start to use this resource in February 2002. /Turkish Daily News/

    [22] EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL STARTS

    The European Film Festival will start in Ankara on September 12. Then the "Festival on Wheels" will go to Bursa, Izmir and Diyarbakir. During the festival, which will be held with the contribution of the European Commission in Turkey, Europa Cinamas and the European Film Festivals Coordination, the films of famous directors will be viewed. Within the framework of the 7th European Film Festival, a book titled "Director: Atif Yilmaz" will be prepared for Atif Yilmaz, who celebrates his 50th year of art. This book consists of the articles written by the actors, actresses, script-writers, producers and directors, who have worked with Yilmaz, and will be presented to Yilmaz as a present during the opening of the festival. /Sabah/

    [23] 53TH FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR

    The Ministry of Culture will participate in the 53th Frankfurt Book Fair which will be held between October 10-15. Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay will attend the opening ceremony. /Cumhuriyet/

    [24] WORLD'S LARGEST MOSAIC MUSEUM TO BE ESTABLISHED

    Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) Administration Chairman Olcay Unver said that the world's largest mosaic museum will be established by the Firat (Euphrates) River. He said that the largest mosaic museum is in Tunisia and the second is is Antakya, and a new one will be esatblished at the ancient city of Zeugma by the Firat River. The museum will cost $ 100 million and financial support will be given by the Packard Institute. /Turkish News/

    [25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS

    [26] THE AFTERMATH OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND TURKISH MODEL BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)

    Former Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on the clash of civilisations in the aftermath of the attack against the USA. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "Terrorist attacks perpetrated against the US, have brought political scientist Samuel Huntington's theory into the agenda which says that the clash between communism and capitalism was replaced by the clash of civilizations or religions. Huntington's argument stressed that the West would be challenged by the Islamic world and that the fight between the religions would take place either between the West and Islam or the Asian civilization under the influence of Confucius and the West. With this concept, another argument concerning Turkey has come to the fore. That is, Turkey can undertake a mission to secure peace and harmony between the Western and Islamic civilizations due to the values she has adopted and represents today. In fact, leading American historian Bernard Lewis in his article in the French 'Le Figaro' daily said that none of the Arab countries were able to create a state system in the Islamic world. He added that Turks and Iranians had formed two different state systems. Lewis compares 'Kemalism', which aims to reach modern standards, with Iran's model which sees modern civilization as an enemy and puts religion at the center of the state. He says that the only system which has the chance for survival is the Turkish model and suggests the countries lying from the Middle East to the Cental Asia to take Turkish model as an example. Michael Radu, one of the specialists in the Foreign Policy Institute in Washington also underlined the fact that the state system established by Ataturk, is a successful example which shows that Islam and Western political values are not at odds with each other. He regarded the struggle against terrorism being viewed as a violation of human rights by European countries far from being serious. Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi's words scorning Islamic civilizations shoud not come as a surprise. In the West there is a widespread prejudice that Islam is anti-democratic in essence and Islamic and democratic values contradict eah other. Therefore, the Christian world believes that pluralistic democracy and industrial societies can only exist in an environment where Christian cultural values are prevalent. Japan is accepted as an exception to this belief. However, Turkey is the only state which can disprove this claim as the only system sheltering Islam, secular state structure, pluralistic democracy and market economy. For this system to be accepted by the whole world, she has to eliminate her shortcomings in the areas of democracy, human rights and transparency and take her rightful place among the the first group of countries. The road to accomplishing this passes through becoming a full EU member. As the representative of 'secular-democratic-republic' Turkey's promotion to the first league will acquire a special importance in both the East and the West. The EU also needs such a Turkey as much as the world does. From a strategic point of view, the EU will greatly benefit by admitting such a Turkey into the Union in this enlargement process."


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