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Turkish Press Review, 02-05-23
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
23.05.2002
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER: “THE NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY IS LIFTING”
[02] SEZER APPROVES AMNESTY LAW
[03] FOREIGN MINISTRY: “ANKARA IS PLEASED WITH US TERRORISM REPORT”
[04] EP: “CARRY ON MAKING NEW REFORMS”
[05] RUMSFELD: “WE WILL GIVE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO TURKEY”
[06] YILMAZ DOWNPLAYS EARLY ELECTIONS TALK
[07] BAHCELI: “EARLY ELECTIONS WOULD HARM THE COUNTRY”
[08] CILLER, ERDOGAN CALL FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ELECTION GOVERNMENT
[09] TURKISH OFFICIALS: “ARARAT IS NOTHING BUT A PROPAGANDA MOVIE”
[10] TUSIAD RELEASES REPORT ON TRADE WITH EU
[11] MUSIAD HOLDS INTERNATIONAL FAIR IN ISTANBUL
[12] ISTANBUL HOSTS ENERGY CONFERENCE
[13] ISO CHAIRMAN: “TURKEY STANDS AT A CRITICAL POINT”
[14] NEW GALLERY OPENED AT HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[16] FATE OF THE GOVERNMENT LEFT TO JUNE SUMMIT
BY MEHMET TEZKAN (SABAH)
[17] SATELLITE DISHES BY OKAY GONENSIN (SABAH)
[01] SEZER: “THE NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE IN TURKEY IS LIFTING”
In a message sent to the 27th annual conference of the International
Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), which is now meeting in
Istanbul, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that the negative atmosphere in
Turkey had started to disperse. “Turkey is resolved to take benefit of the
possibilities created through globalization by pursuing a transparent
economic policy, by integrating with the international economy and by
embracing competition,” Sezer added. /Hurriyet/
[02] SEZER APPROVES AMNESTY LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday approved the government’s amnesty
law which he had previously vetoed. The law had been passed again by
Parliament without any amendments being made, and Sezer was constitutionally
obligated to sign it. However, Sezer reportedly may ask the Constitutional
Court to annul it. /Star/
[03] FOREIGN MINISTRY: “ANKARA IS PLEASED WITH US TERRORISM REPORT”
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Huseyin Dirioz yesterday held a press
conference to brief journalists on the ministry’s reaction to the US State
Department’s 2001 report on international terrorism, which was released
this week. Dirioz stated that Turkey appreciated the State Department’s
inclusion of illegal groups who commit acts of terrorism in Turkey such as
the PKK and the DHKP-C in its report. He also remarked that the ministry
attached great importance to the US’ warnings about possible terrorist
attacks against Turkey which might take place in the near future, stressing
that state security forces were taking every possible measure against such
attacks. He recalled that the US officials had previously voiced their
appreciation of the measures taken by the Turkish government against
terrorist groups. Meanwhile, US daily the Washington Post reported
yesterday that the State Department document said hard-liners who hold
power in Iran had intensified their support for terrorist organizations
that target Israel while also aiding terrorists in Turkey, Central Asia and
the Persian Gulf. /Cumhuriyet/
[04] EP: “CARRY ON MAKING NEW REFORMS”
The European Parliament yesterday debated a recent report on the current
situations of 12 European Union candidate countries which have already
begun their accession negotiations. At the meeting, the EP also conveyed a
message to Turkey, whose negotiations have yet to begin, that more reforms
considering democratization should be made. The report, prepared by EP
Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Elmar Brok, includes a paragraph on
Turkey which praises the positive results the Turkish government has
achieved since last year. The report also calls on Turkey to support the
current peace talks on Cyprus. /Milliyet/
[05] RUMSFELD: “WE WILL GIVE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO TURKEY”
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said yesterday that the United States
has guaranteed Turkey that it would provide the necessary logistical,
communications and intelligence support for Turkey’s taking over the
command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Afghanistan. Rumsfeld also said that the US would likely provide more aid
during the Turkish command than that it has during Great Britain’s, which
is drawing to a close. /Hurriyet/
[06] YILMAZ DOWNPLAYS EARLY ELECTIONS TALK
Speaking to reporters before his departure to Brussels for a European Union
administrative meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP)
leader Mesut Yilmaz said that the government coalition partners had agreed
amongst themselves not to hold early elections. During the leaders’ summit
at Baskent Hospital this week Yilmaz had suggested fall 2003 as a possible
date, which would be a year early, but he said that this was merely put out
for discussion. “There is a date fixed by the Constitution, and right now
we aren’t thinking of early elections,” he added. /Hurriyet/
[07] BAHCELI: “EARLY ELECTIONS WOULD HARM THE COUNTRY”
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli claimed yesterday that early elections would do harm to Turkey.
Addressing his party’s Parliament group meeting, Bahceli spoke of the
recent discussions on political stability and early elections. “Turkey has
been struggling to overcome its economic crisis,” he said. “Exaggerated
discussions are improper and meaningless in such a climate.” Bahceli added
that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s health condition was good enough for
him to continue carrying out his duties. “Stubborn calls for his
resignation or for appointing an acting PM only harm the country and the
economy.” Later, Bahceli decorated new MHP member Cihan Pacaci with the
party’s rosette in a ceremony. Pacaci, an independent deputy who resigned
from the True Path Party (DYP) this week, officially joined the MHP just
yesterday. /Turkiye/
[08] CILLER, ERDOGAN CALL FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ELECTION GOVERNMENT
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said yesterday that an election
government, i.e. one meant to serve until elections are held, should be
established as soon as possible. Speaking at her party’s Parliament group
meeting, Ciller said, “The prime minister’s symbolic aura has been
dispelled, and his seat is actually vacant.” She remarked that the “seat
was vacant” also concerning developments in Turkey’s economy, its EU bid,
Cyprus and the Middle East. Ciller stated that the risk of proceeding with
a government whose life span was ended might be transformed into an
opportunity for establishing a new government. Stressing that the DYP might
set up a minority government during such a period, Ciller recalled State
Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis’ recent statement that an election
wouldn’t hurt the economy despite others’ claims to the contrary. Meanwhile,
Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday
spoke on recent developments in Turkish political life. He also called on
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to resign and go to early elections without
losing any time. /All Papers/
[09] TURKISH OFFICIALS: “ARARAT IS NOTHING BUT A PROPAGANDA MOVIE”
State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu yesterday remarked that Canadian director
Atom Egoyan’s latest movie “Ararat,” which is currently being screened at
the Cannes Film Festival, constituted an example of anti-Turkey campaigns
in the international community. “This presentation is shameful,” said
Karakoyunlu. “There is no doubt that the Turkish government will do its
utmost against such attempts.” Furthermore, Culture Minister Istemihan
Talay denounced Egoyan for exploiting cinema in a way which he said
distorted historical facts and would worsen hostilities between Turkey and
Armenia. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] TUSIAD RELEASES REPORT ON TRADE WITH EU
The Turkish Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD)
yesterday released a report on “Problems and Possible Solution in Turkey’s
Harmonization to the European Union’s Free Movement of Goods.” TUSIAD
Industrial Policy and Free Movement of Goods Work Group member Acar Sensoy,
who prepared the report, said that the private sector and bureaucracy
should prepare an evaluation of all of the country’s economic sectors and
that they should be ready for the process of full EU membership at the end
of 2003. The report presents information on the importance of cooperation
between the state bureaucracy and the private sector on EU issues and the
necessary cooperation with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
/Aksam/
[11] MUSIAD HOLDS INTERNATIONAL FAIR IN ISTANBUL
The ninth International Independent Association of Industrialists and
Businessmen (MUSIAD) Fair will be held in Istanbul on October 3-6. MUSIAD
announced yesterday that hundreds of Turkish companies and nearly 1,000
businessmen from 25 countries are expected to attend the fair. The fair’s
“partner country” this year will be Algeria. MUSIAD Deputy Chairman and
Fair Committee Chairman Dr. Omer Bolat said that the meeting will include
seminars and bilateral business, factories tours and cultural activities.
/Aksam/
[12] ISTANBUL HOSTS ENERGY CONFERENCE
The Eighth International Cogeneration and Exhibition (ICCI 2002) begins
today at Istanbul’s Swissotel. The two-day meting has been organised in
cooperation with COGEN-EUROPE and the Cogeneration Association. During the
conference, developments concerning natural gas, liquid petroleum gas (LPG),
high-quality coal, fuel-oil markets and the future of electricity market,
and other topics will be disccussed. /Milliyet/
[13] ISO CHAIRMAN: “TURKEY STANDS AT A CRITICAL POINT”
Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Chairman Tanýl Kucuk said yesterday that
Turkey is still at a crucial point and to make mistakes at this time could
render all the nation’s sacrifices and efforts in vain. In a speech at an
ISO 50th anniversary meeting, Kucuk addressed the subject of early
elections and their effect on the economic programme. He declined to
discuss suggestions in some quarters that convalescing Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit should appoint a caretaker PM or proxy. “The only message I’d
like to give is that we should not deviate from our course in the economy,
for there is no other way,” he argued. /Milliyet/
[14] NEW GALLERY OPENED AT HAGIA SOPHIA MUSEUM
The Upper Floor Gallery of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Museum, which was
restored under the direction of the Culture Ministry’s Directorate General
of Monuments and Museums, was opened by Culture Minister Istemihan Talay
with a ceremony sponsored by Borusan Holding yesterday. In addition,
architect Ahmet Ertug, who is curator of the arrangement of the new hall,
opened an exhibit featuring photographs taken by him of the historic mosque
and former church. /Sabah/
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[16] FATE OF THE GOVERNMENT LEFT TO JUNE SUMMIT
BY MEHMET TEZKAN (SABAH)
Columnist Mehmet Tezkan comments on the future of the present government. A
summary of his column is as follows:
“The fate of the government will be clarified during the first week of
June. Either Turkey will take a step to put itself back on track or
everything will fall apart. Following Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli’s visit to China, another leaders’ summit will take place. The
issue of Turkey’s admittance to the EU will be discussed again and there
will be no chance of postponing it then. The issue at hand is if the
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) insists on its stand, and no compromise is
reached on lifting capital punishment and allowing broadcasting in Kurdish,
how will the Motherland Party (ANAP) react? Will it accept these views in
order to avoid early general elections or will it stake all by saying it
would not allow laying mines on the road to the EU? There is such a
possibility. If we closely scrutinize the speeches delivered by Yilmaz, we
may see signs of it as he has adopted Turkey’s EU bid as his own personal
mission. Yilmaz, who predicts that Turkey could be reduced to the situation
of other Middle Eastern states, cannot stay in a government acting at odds
with itself. If he stakes all, elections will become the only solution. On
the MHP front the situation is not much different. Like the Democratic Left
Party (DSP), ANAP and the MHP believe that there should be no elections
until the economy is straightened out, and the country can breathe freely.
Will the MHP, which espouses such an aim, say no to reform bills? The
answer is not certain as Bahceli has always left an opening and hasn’t
boxed himself in with unambiguous declarations. He only expressed his
concerns. Therefore the ball is in Bahceli’s court, and that is why the
leaders’ summit in June carries such great importance. It will decide the
future of the government.”
[17] SATELLITE DISHES BY OKAY GONENSIN (SABAH)
Columnist Okay Gonensin writes on the results of the leaders’ summit. A
summary of his column is as follows:
“Following the leaders’ summit, the only announcement to correct was that
there would be no early general elections. Reportedly, Deputy Prime
Minister Devlet Bahceli had said that Turkey’s interests came before those
of Europe and everyone should defend Turkey in Europe as they did Europe in
Turkey. We don’t want to believe that these reports are true. Those in
Turkey who are pushing our EU admittance bill are in fact trying to protect
Turkey’s interests. They would like Turkey to become a country preserving
its integrity, and one which reaches democratic and developed standards.
Those who are trying to push these issues aside using rhetoric devoid of
any real concepts will be responsible for letting Turkish economic and
social standards lag behind. Those who have risen to important places in
society by clinging to backward standards, an ailing economy and a
defective democracy are continuing their resistance in order to hold onto
their positions. On the agenda before the leaders’ summit was the lifting
of the ban on broadcasting in languages other than Turkish, in line with
the ‘full democracy’ condition for harmonization with the EU. This means
that everyone desiring to do so could broadcast in Kurdish and learn the
language. Everyone must know that the official language of the country is
Turkish and will certainly remain so. There is no need for false
irresponsible speculations on the subject. The results of an NFO Turkey
public opinion surveys were announced a few days ago. Turkish citizens were
asked with how they picked up TV signals, what sort of equipment they used.
It came out that 14% were watching TV signals picked up by dishes. If it is
believed that those using satellite dishes are trying to pick up original
BBC and CNN broadcasts or erotic programs this will be a grave mistake. The
Iranian regime confiscated all the satellite dishes to prevent people from
watching foreign televisions. The next step of those who don’t wish to lift
the ban on broadcasting in languages other than Turkey will be the same.
That is why EU standards are wanted. If we retreat from these democratic
and social peace standards to pursue others, we will have to resort to
satellite dish hunting. The leaders’ summit postponed the decision on the
issue. Turkey is feeling the adverse effects of such delays. However, if no
correct decisions are taken following this last postponement, and quick
steps are not taken, we will see our country’s future held back.”
ARCHIVE
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