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Turkish Press Review, 01-12-06
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
06.12.2001
CONTENTS
[01] DENKTAS PRESENTS NEW VISION FOR CYPRUS
[02] GREEK AND TURKISH PRESS CAUTIOUSLY PRAISE NEW
DEVELOPMENTS ON CYPRUS
[03] DE SOTO LOOKS TO JANUARY SUMMIT WITH HOPE
[04] US PLEASED BY CYPRUS NEWS
[05] POWELL VISITS TURKEY
[06] AFGHAN CONFERENCE IN GERMANY CONCLUDED; TURKEY'S ROLE
IMPORTANT
[07] SEZER: "WOMEN ENRICH OUR POLITICAL LIFE"
[08] NEW PERIOD WITH THE TURKISH-EU RELATIONS
[09] ISTANBUL FORUM TO PROMOTE TURKEY IN EUROPE
[10] DGM LAW PASSES COMMISSION
[11] SHIP SINKS NEAR SINOP
[12] DERVIS: "TURKEY'S STANCE SPURRED QUICK IMF
HELP"
[13] KAHKONEN: "CHANGE YOUR TAX SYSTEM"
[14] TURKEY AND THE NETHERLANDS SIGN PROTOCOL
[15] INCIRLIK AIRBASE READY FOR HOLLYWOOD STARS' VISIT
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[17] FINALLY, A FEW ROSES ON OUR PATH BY TAHA AKYOL
(SABAH)
[01] DENKTAS PRESENTS NEW VISION FOR CYPRUS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President Rauf Denktas met yesterday with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos
Clerides in Lefkosha. Denktas reportedly put a new vision to solve the
Cyprus problem. Denktas proposed to Clerides that a new government in
Cyprus could be established in which both communities were given equal
status and equal sovereignty and would be united as a single
international entity. He also remarked pointedly that both sides were
the owners of the island and that any decision reached at the end of
the two leaders' meetings should be in accordance with the island's
future. /Turkiye/
[02] GREEK AND TURKISH PRESS CAUTIOUSLY PRAISE NEW
DEVELOPMENTS ON CYPRUS
Yesterday the Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot and
Greek press all praised new developments concerning the Cyprus issue,
but all also retained a cautious tone in light of possible new
problems which could play havoc with nascent positive period on the
island. The Greek press called the recent meeting between Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek
Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides "an unexpected development"
but also a positive and productive one. Greek papers also
characterized the meeting as a retreat from Turkey's traditional
targets concerning Cyprus, adding that the new period would be fraught
with new disputes and difficulties. For its part, the Turkish Cypriot
press evaluated the developments as historic steps. Stating that
following the meeting everyone was hopeful for a solution on the
island, Turkish Cypriot newspaper said, "A new road, which will
be riddled with difficulties, is being constructed in this very
period." The Greek Cypriot press also appraised the meeting as a
historic opportunity and called it "an unexpected love."
/Cumhuriyet/
[03] DE SOTO LOOKS TO JANUARY SUMMIT WITH HOPE
Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Cyprus Envoy
Alvaro de Soto said yesterday that during a planned January meeting of
the island's two leaders the sides would focus on substantial issues.
After meeting with Greek Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides, de Soto
added that topics for the meeting would be determined after he meets
with the Northern Cypriot President Rauf Denktas. /Türkiye/
[04] US PLEASED BY CYPRUS NEWS
Yesterday the US government signaled satisfaction
with this week's summit of Cypriot leaders Rauf Denktas and Glafcos
Clerides. US State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said "The
US is very pleased with the news coming from Lefkosha, and we are very
hopeful about the face-to-face meeting that the two leaders have
planned for January. We expect that both leaders should be able to
find a solution to the Cyprus problem." Reeker also said that the
US would give its full support to the United Nations to reach a
settlement in the divided island. /Turkiye/
[05] POWELL VISITS TURKEY
US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday paid
his first visit to Turkey since his taking up the post earlier this
year. Before beginning his official contacts, Powell visited
Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum, and laid a wreath at the tomb of the
Turkish Republic's founder. The Powell and his accompanying delegation
visited Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit,
and finally received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. During the
meetings, the operations in Afghanistan, future peacekeeping forces
planned in that country and the fight against terrorism were taken up.
The situations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as the
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) were also discussed.
Concerning a possible strike on Iraq, Powell said that the US had
suspicions that Iraq is producing weapons of mass destruction and
supporting terrorists. He added, "However, the US administration
has not yet made a decision to strike Iraq." Meanwhile, it was
reportedly decided during Powell's meetings that a Turkish commander
would be appointed to lead peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan.
/Turkiye-All Papers/
[06] AFGHAN CONFERENCE IN GERMANY CONCLUDED; TURKEY'S ROLE
IMPORTANT
An agreement envisaging the formation of a
temporary government in Afghanistan was signed by Northern Alliance
delegation Chairman Yunus Kanuni, Italian delegation Chairman Seyit
Hamit Geylani and Pesaver delegation Chairman Humayun Jair in Bonn,
Germany yesterday. The signing ceremony was attended by Germany's
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and its Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer,
UN Special Representative to Afghanistan Lahdar Brahimi and his Deputy
Fransc Vendrell. Under the agreement, a broad-based, temporary
government with 30 members representing all the groups in the country
will be established to replace the current Taleban regime. Turkey
played an important part in terms of this successful nine-day Afghan
conference. Turkey's role in a UN peace keeping force in the country
and the suggestion that an important command within this force would
be given to Turkey were both accepted, which helped lead to an
agreement at the conference. A German observer speaking to Turkish
daily Hurriyet said, "The Northern Alliance insisted that the UN
peace keeping force be consisted of Muslim countries under Turkey's
command. Then the other groups accepted this suggestion and thus,
Turkey played a vital role in the agreement." /Hurriyet/
[07] SEZER: "WOMEN ENRICH OUR POLITICAL LIFE"
Turkey yesterday celebrated the 67th anniversary of
Turkish women's suffrage and their right to be elected to public
office by holding ceremonies to mark the occasion. In President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer's message to honor the occasion, he said that it was an
honor for Turkey to have granted women this right earlier than many
other countries. "Modern Turkish women, who received their rights
under the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, are the symbol of
modern Turkey," Sezer said. Sezer said that women enriched the
national political life and had become a vital part of the economic,
social and political fabric of the country. /Turkish Daily News/
[08] NEW PERIOD WITH THE TURKISH-EU RELATIONS
Recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue and
the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) have positively
affected relations between Turkey and the EU. Meeting with Turkish
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz yesterday in Brussels, EU
Commissioner for Enlargement Guenther Verheugen stated that the EU
would prepare a new map and develop a new strategy for Turkey. Prior
to his meeting with Verheugen, Yilmaz made a speech at a symposium
held by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Remarking that 2002 would be a
critical year for Turkish-EU relations, Yilmaz said that negotiations
for Turkey's full membership should begin as soon as possible. In a
press conference after his meeting with Verheugen, Yilmaz commented on
recent developments concerning Turkish-EU relations. Remarking that
recent developments concerning Cyprus and the ESDP had steered the
sometimes-rocky Turkish-EU relationship back to a clearer path,"
Yilmaz said, "Never before have I seen such a positive atmosphere
emerging between Turkey and the EU. Mr. Verheugen told me that the EU
was planning to launch new initiatives to improve its relations with
Turkey. He will visit Turkey in January and at that time we'll discuss
the matter in detail." Even though previous EU summits
disappointed Turkey, Yilmaz remarked, we have great expectations
concerning the Laeken Summit. "I think that the atmosphere during
the Laeken Summit will be charged with new promises and hopes,"
said Yilmaz. "I also hope that the EU will do its utmost to help
Turkey in its fight against terrorism." /Sabah/
[09] ISTANBUL FORUM TO PROMOTE TURKEY IN EUROPE
The Istanbul Forum along with five-star hotels and
travel agencies in the city will launch a promotional campaign in
order to help Turkish tourism overcome its post-Sept. 11 economic
slump. The Istanbul Forum will first invite members of the foreign
press to the city and hold a number of activities to promote it. The
Forum is also set to hold promotional activities in European cities
such as Hamburg, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Amsterdam.
/Cumhuriyet/
[10] DGM LAW PASSES COMMISSION
The Turkish Parliament's Justice Commission,
chaired by Acting Chairman Suhan Ozkan, convened yesterday. During the
meeting, the State Security Courts (DGM) Law which had been earlier
vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and returned to the Parliament,
once again was taken up. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, who also
attended the meeting, said that he didn't agree with the president's
objections and asked that the law be passed just it was as before.
After debates on the articles, the law was voted on and accepted in an
altered form. /Turkiye/
[11] SHIP SINKS NEAR SINOP
A ship named Kernomore flying the Ukrainian flag
sank yesterday due to a storm in the Black Sea some 60 miles from the
shore at Sinop. Six of the crew of 21 is missing. Search and rescue
teams are continuing their search for the missing crewmen. /Turkiye/
[12] DERVIS: "TURKEY'S STANCE SPURRED QUICK IMF
HELP"
State Minister Kemal Dervis said yesterday that the
International Monetary Fund had moved rapidly concerning additional
financing for Turkey following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks added,
"The IMF acted immediately and reached a decision about the law
within a few weeks. In plain words, Turkey's foreign policy and its
clear stance against terrorism facilitated this decision being made in
such a short period of time." Dervis was in Brussels for a
meeting of the EU Ministers for Economic Affairs and Finance (ECOFIN)
and the EU candidate countries ministers and he made the comments at a
press conference there, during which he praised the IMF's quick action
on a new aid program. He added, "If the program had not been
implemented seriously, we could not have gotten this support. Our
status as a firm ally and a country which both reaches its economic
targets and keeps its promises were preconditions for this
decision." /Milliyet/
[13] KAHKONEN: "CHANGE YOUR TAX SYSTEM"
International Monetary Fund Turkey desk chief Juha
Kahkonen said yesterday that certain changes to the organizational
structure of the Turkish tax system were necessary and that the IMF
would make a number of suggestions concerning these changes. Kahkonen,
who is currently in Turkey for the preparation of the new stand-by
program, visited Turkish Finance Minister Sumer Oral yesterday and
told him about this IMF plan. During the meeting, Kahkonen declined to
discuss the tax changes in detail, and both Kahkonen and Oral said it
would be better if the Public Bid Bill and the Borrowing Bill were
enacted as soon as possible. The results of implementing the 2001
budget were also evaluated and Kahkonen praised Turkey's financial
performance. Reportedly, the IMF delegation also wants 100,000 state
workers to be laid off. Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak reportedly
made a suggestion that 61,566 workers be let go or retired, for an
estimated savings of 1.5 quadrillion TL. /Hurriyet/
[14] TURKEY AND THE NETHERLANDS SIGN PROTOCOL
A protocol for a "joint working group"
has been signed by the Turkish Labor and Social Security Ministry and
the Dutch Social Work and Employment Ministry. In a ceremony held at
the Labor and Social Security Ministry, the protocol was signed by
Turkish Ministry Undersecretary Fikri Sahin and Dutch Ambassador
Sjoerd Gosses on behalf of his country's Social Work and Employment
Ministry. The joint working group will cooperate on issues such as the
membership of organizations in the social field, immigration,
employment politics, labor law, vocational training, social security
and social welfare. The group will also carry out work to solve the
problems of Turkish people living in the Netherlands. /Turkish News/
[15] INCIRLIK AIRBASE READY FOR HOLLYWOOD STARS' VISIT
Incirlik Airbase is in full operational readiness
not for a war this time, but for hosting famous Hollywood stars.
Hollywood luminaries such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, George Clooney
and Matt Damon will visit the airbase this week for holiday
celebrations and to treat the troops to a showing of Steven
Soderberg's new movie "Ocean's Eleven" in which they all
featured. US officers at the base stated yesterday that everything was
in order for the festive visit. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[17] FINALLY, A FEW ROSES ON OUR PATH BY TAHA AKYOL
(SABAH)
Columnist Taha Akyol writes on a number of positive
events. A summary of his column is as follows: "Recently, Denktas
made a very positive and skillful diplomatic move on Cyprus and
re-started the negotiation process with Clerides. Secondly, positive
developments have taken place in Ankara concerning the European
Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). The US and Britain found a formula
which erased Turkish concerns. The positive results of these two
developments are already beginning to emerge. In Brussels, Deputy
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz did his part to promote these
developments. He requested a shorter 'road map' for Turkey's EU
membership than the ones given to Bulgaria and Romania, and this
suggestion was well received. During US Secretary of State Powell's
visit to Turkey, the Afghanistan and terrorism issues were taken up.
Cyprus and ESDP were not debated. Turkey asked for the loosening of
quotas for more exports to the US and also asked for more support
through channels such as the IMF. Denktas had been seen as a hawk, but
then he suddenly became a dove. This change has influenced everyone
and the climate on the island has been altered. Clerides saw that it
was better to be an EU member by giving the guarantees Turks asked
for, instead of having a problem on the EU accession process. The rule
of the times is that rational solutions are much better than
squabbles. Certainly, everything has just begun and no one can
guarantee the result. However, if this trend continues, Turkey's
economic improvement will be accelerated and the 'long and narrow
road' to Europe will be shortened. If the direction of events
continues in this manner, Turkey will be a country which attracts
great interest both in its own region and in Central Asia. The joint
ventures by Turks and Greeks will increase prosperity in the region.
We hope that all these developments go result in the better."
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