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Turkish Press Review, 02-07-02
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
02.07.2002
FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
CONTENTS
[01] LEADERS VOW TO CONTINUE GOVERNMENT UNTIL 2004
[02] BAHCELI: “WE WON’T NEGOTIATE ON DEATH PENALTY”
[03] YILMAZ: “TURKEY CAN BE A EU MEMBER IN 2010”
[04] CILLER: “A DATE FOR ELECTIONS SHOULD BE DETERMINED”
[05] TURKEY SUPPORTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
[06] DENMARK ASSUMES EU TERM PRESIDENCY
[07] DENMARK APPOINTS CYPRUS REPRESENTATIVE
[08] ANAP CHAIRMANSHIP BOARD TO CONVENE
[09] VERHEUGEN: “THERE IS NO CALENDAR SPECIFIED FOR TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP”
[10] FINANCIAL TIMES REPORTS ON TURKEY’S POLITICS, ECONOMY
[11] SOKMENOGLU: “MOTHER TONGUES ISSUE COULD SPLIT THE COALITION”
[12] NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN TURKEY, TOURISM REVENUES ON THE RISE
[13] TURSAB: “OUR WORLD CUP VICTORY PROMOTED TURKEY IN JAPAN”
[14] TIM CHAIRMAN: “OUR FOOTBALL TEAM CAN SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE ECONOMY”
[15] FEDEX CONTRIBUTES TO TURKISH TOURISM
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[17] NO TIME LEFT BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[18] RESULTS OF THE SUMMIT BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
[01] LEADERS VOW TO CONTINUE GOVERNMENT UNTIL 2004
The coalition government leaders chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
met yesterday at the Residence of the Prime Ministry. Present at the nearly
three-hour meeting were Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz
and Husamettin Ozkan. After the meeting, Ecevit, standing with the other
leaders, told reporters that they had had a very fruitful meeting and
discussed Turkey’s major issues in depth. “We reiterate that our government
doesn’t want early elections and that we will remain on duty until 2004,”
the premier said. A joint press statement also said that the leaders were
agreed on holding elections at the normally scheduled date, April 2004.
Regarding Turkey’s European Union membership bid, the statement said, “The
current government has implemented most of the short-term commitments to
harmonize with EU laws. Preparations will be carried out speedily for the
remainder. Following their completion, Parliament will be called to an
extraordinary session.” /All Papers/
[02] BAHCELI: “WE WON’T NEGOTIATE ON DEATH PENALTY”
Following yesterday’s leaders’ summit at Prime Ministry Residence,
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli convened top party
officials to discuss the summit. “We are all determined to maintain the
coalition government, but the other coalition partners cannot count on our
support for an agreement to abolish capital punishment,” said Bahceli. “The
other partners must reach an arrangement with the opposition, if they can.”
He added that no MHP deputies would serve on a parliamentary commission to
discuss the death penalty issue. /Sabah/
[03] YILMAZ: “TURKEY CAN BE A EU MEMBER IN 2010”
Answering a motion of a Justice and Development Party Deputy Nurettin Aktas,
Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said
yesterday that his party and ministry were working hard for Turkey’s
European Union membership. He stated, “Everyone who is in favor of Turkey’s
taking steps for the EU membership should support these efforts, not hinder
them.” Yilmaz also remarked that the EU accession process was obvious and
that if Turkey solves its problems quickly and picks up the pace on reforms,
it can be included in the EU expansion wave in 2007. He added, “In this
case Turkey will be a EU member in 2010.” /Sabah/
[04] CILLER: “A DATE FOR ELECTIONS SHOULD BE DETERMINED”
True Path (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller yesterday evaluated Monday’s leaders’
summit and stated that a date for elections should be determined.
Determining a date for elections was more important than what type of
government should lead the country into elections, Ciller said. Ciller also
said that after determining a date for elections, study should continue for
Turkey’s European Union harmonization laws. /Star/
[05] TURKEY SUPPORTS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
An International Criminal Court (ICC) was officially established yesterday
in The Hague, the Netherlands. The ICC is considered the missing link in
the international legal system, as the International Court of Justice in
The Hague deals only with case between states, not individuals. The ICC is
designed to deal with individual responsibility for crimes against humanity
such as genocide and war crimes. The ICC has essential aims in line with
the United Nations’ basic goal of securing universal respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals throughout the world, such
as ending impunity, remedying the deficiencies of ad hoc tribunals, taking
over when national criminal justice institutions are unwilling or unable to
act, and to deterring future war criminals. Turkey had previously announced
that it supported the establishment of an international criminal court.
However, due to certain domestic judiciary hitches, Turkey is late in
signing the Rome Statute of the ICC. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] DENMARK ASSUMES EU TERM PRESIDENCY
The European Union’s term presidency passed yesterday from Spain to
Denmark. Denmark’s Ambassador to Turkey Christian Hoppe said that Turkey
should put to good use the positive atmosphere of last month’s Seville
summit, adding, “Obtaining a date from this December’s Copenhagen summit is
within Turkey’s power.” Hoppe also said that Turkey had taken very
important steps, but there are still some political criteria that should be
fulfilled. Hoppe reiterated the European Union’s stance that abolishing the
death penalty was a requirement for EU accession. /Star/
[07] DENMARK APPOINTS CYPRUS REPRESENTATIVE
The European Union’s new Term President Denmark is preparing to establish
new diplomatic contacts vis-a-vis Cyprus, one of the most debated issues
for the EU. The Danish Foreign Ministry recently appointed a veteran
diplomat, Knud V. Johansen, as the country’s Cyprus representative. Danish
Foreign Minister Stig Moller, who is currently visiting Washington, is
expected to discuss the Cyprus issue with United States officials there. He
is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell tomorrow.
/Cumhuriyet/
[08] ANAP CHAIRMANSHIP BOARD TO CONVENE
The Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairmanship Board will convene today to
evaluate Monday’s leaders’ summit, the “political uncertainty” issue and
economic issues as well as work to enact certain European Union
harmonization laws. In addition, ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz’s summer program
will also be scheduled. Yilmaz is expected to tour the country through the
summer and also to meet with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
/Turkiye/
[09] VERHEUGEN: “THERE IS NO CALENDAR SPECIFIED FOR TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP”
European Union Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement Guenther Verheugen
said yesterday that a calendar had not yet been specified for Turkey’s EU
full membership. In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,
Verheugen said that at this December’s Copenhagen summit, it would be out
of the question to give a specific date for beginning membership
negotiations with Turkey, even if it takes a positive stance on the Cyprus
or NATO-European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) issues. “Our commission
is against bargaining with a political aim,” said Verheugen. Stressing that
the Greek Cypriot administration would join the EU whether or not a
settlement was reached for the island as a whole, he claimed that the key
to a solution was in Turkey’s hands. /Turkiye/
[10] FINANCIAL TIMES REPORTS ON TURKEY’S POLITICS, ECONOMY
British daily the Financial Times reported yesterday that Turkey’s economy
is in jeopardy at least partially due to political uncertainty centered
around the health problems of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. The newspaper
quoted Economy Minister Kemal Dervis as saying that early elections would
not be a “misfortune,” but could instead solve the nation’s uncertainty.
The daily also reported that most of Turkey’s political and business
leaders wanted Ecevit to step down, pointing to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem
as the best candidate to replace him. /Turkiye/
[11] SOKMENOGLU: “MOTHER TONGUES ISSUE COULD SPLIT THE COALITION”
During a visit yesterday to Social Democratic Peoples’ Party (SHP) leader
Murat Karayalcin, acting Parliament Speaker Murat Sökmenoglu said that if
the coalition partners came to an agreement on abolishing capital
punishment, then Parliament could hold an extraordinary session this
summer. But Sokmenoglu, a member of coalition party the Nationalist Action
Party (MHP), added that if a deal were reached to allow teaching and
broadcasting in mother tongues, the MHP could leave the coalition. /Sabah/
[12] NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN TURKEY, TOURISM REVENUES ON THE RISE
According to a recent report prepared by the Turkish Union of Travel
Agencies (TURSAB), the number of foreign tourists who visited Turkey in the
first five months of this year, reached some 3.5 million, an increase of
3.59% compared to the same period in 2001. The report also noted that
tourism revenues had also increased by 15% when compared to last year.
/Cumhuriyet/
[13] TURSAB: “OUR WORLD CUP VICTORY PROMOTED TURKEY IN JAPAN”
Turkish Association of Travel Agencies (TURSAB) Chairman Basaran Ulusoy,
currently visiting Japan in the leadup to 2003’s “Year of Turks” in that
country, said yesterday that Japanese tourists loved cultural tourism and
that they spent an average of $1,500 every year on travel. “Turkey’s
success in the World Cup was a big boost for Turkey in Japan,” he added.
“They aren’t even sorry that the Turkish National Football Team beat their
national team. We are holding very fruitful meetings with Japanese travel
agencies, the media and Parliament members.” Stating that he would go
travel to South Korea, China and Australia in 10 days, Ulusoy added, “Other
teams established by the TURSAB administration have started to work in
Europe and Iran. Talha Gorgulu from TURSAB went to Poland as well. We are
working as a team in Poland, Germany and the Netherlands. Mustafa Kutluoglu
is continuing his efforts in Iran. In addition, additional meetings have
started in France and Belgium. We are aiming to boost the number of last-
minute reservations in Europe to visit Turkey.” /Hurriyet/
[14] TIM CHAIRMAN: “OUR FOOTBALL TEAM CAN SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE ECONOMY”
Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici said yesterday that
the nation’s economic leaders and institutions should take the Turkish
National Football Team’s World Cup success as a model. Recalling how the
team had placed number three last week in the prestigious international
competition, Satici said that people could succeed in anything so long as
they work in unity and cooperation. “Our national football team could have
won the World Cup overall, but the important thing here is that it showed
us what a team can accomplish,” he added. “This attitude should set an
example for THE economic leaders and institutions in Turkey.” /Aksam/
[15] FEDEX CONTRIBUTES TO TURKISH TOURISM
The Turkish office of leading international package delivery company
Federal Express has begun a program to put stickers promoting Turkey on
packages it carries, then delivering them to points worldwide and raising
the nation’s profile. FedEx Turkey head Serdar Yanasan said that state
authorities had given a great deal of support to the program aimed at
promoting Turkey. Yanasan added, “The Tourism Ministry opened its photo
archives to us so we can use these for the stickers. We also received a
special award for contributions to tourism.” /Hurriyet/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[17] NO TIME LEFT BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on Turkey’s EU full membership bid and the
stand of the government on the issue. A summary of his column is as
follows:
“Turkey has entered into the new six-month EU presidency term of Denmark,
which succeeded Spain, in a more uncertain and even pessimistic atmosphere.
This negative picture has nothing to do with Danish stand. In fact, this
northern European country sincerely wants a date to be given to Turkey for
its accession negotiations at the Copenhagen summit in December. Danish
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller’s
statements published in the Turkish press are clear and binding indications
of this positive approach. However, they are also warning in nature. They
said that they would support Turkey for the setting of a date for the
beginning of accession negotiations at the Copenhagen summit. However, this
also depends on Turkey’s own efforts. If Ankara implements the basic
criteria, this process can begin. Otherwise, if Turkey cannot show this
determination and comply with the criteria, the expected positive decision
from the Copenhagen summit won’t come. The Danish are giving these messages
to encourage Turkey to step up its efforts and remind them that it takes
two to tango. Unfortunately, towards the end of the Spanish term presidency,
Turkey failed to do this dance as it should have done. When the most
critical six months of the year are entered, the climate in Ankara seems to
go against all expectations. The coalition government is divided on how to
act regarding the basic criteria. All minds are hung upon a few sensitive
matters. The Parliament was expected to pass reform bills as soon as
possible, but instead began its summer recess. And now there is talk of
change in government and even of early elections. Considering all these
circumstances, is it possible for Ankara to ask for a date for full
membership from Europe? In October, the Progress Report which will
influence this decision will come up. Before then Turkey has to show some
progress not only on these few sensitive matters but also in complying with
the basic political criteria. If not, no decision regarding a date will
come from the Copenhagen summit. When the situation in Ankara is considered,
we can say that this is what is going to happen. It is even difficult to
expect the politicians to use the six months before us well. What can the
Foreign Ministry do in such a political atmosphere? At the most, it can
continue to defend the issue to the end, issue messages to the EU
administrations and the leaders of the member countries. However, if there
is no change in internal dynamics, nothing can be expected from the efforts
directed towards foreign countries. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will go to
Berlin today to meet with his German counterpart. In the coming weeks, more
visits of this nature will follow. It is not official as yet, but EU
President Commissioner Romano Prodi is expected to come to Ankara on July
18. This will be the first visit of a commission chairman ever paid to
Turkey in 40 years. The statements made at the various farewell dinners
given in honor of Nihat Akyol who will be returning to Turkey, completing
his post as ambassador by the EU, has demonstrated the importance given to
Turkey. However, to get the desired result by turning these words into
action is in the hands of Turkish politicians. There is almost no time left
for them to show this will.”
[18] RESULTS OF THE SUMMIT BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
Columnist Fikret Bila wrote on the results achieved by the leaders’ summit
held at the Prime Ministry Residence yesterday. A summary of his column is
as follows:
“We can say that important results were achieved by the leaders’ summit
held at the Prime Ministry Residence after a long interval. It seems that
the summit has clarified many points characterized by the public as
‘uncertainty.’ The first result coming out of the summit was that the
government is going to carry on its duties, and the three leaders of the
coalition government reiterated their resolve on the issue. The three
leaders decided to downplay the issues creating dispute and tension and
instead focus on problems agreed upon. Therefore, Ecevit, Bahceli and
Yilmaz agreed to leave aside such issues as the abolition of the death
penalty, allowing broadcasting and teaching in Kurdish, and Cyprus. They
decided to to work to resolve other issues which were placed among the
middle-term commitments during their work throughout the summer. On issues
of contention like the setting of a date for accession negotiations for EU
membership, it was stressed that the EU should give more time to Turkey and
that this was not a satisfactory reason to dissolve the government. The
leaders’ summit also decided to convene the Council of Ministers, Higher
Planning Council, and similar meetings periodically. In case Prime Minister
Ecevit’s health did not permit his attendance, Deputy Prime Minister
Bahceli would chair these meetings. All these meetings would be held with
or without the attendance of the prime minister. This decision may be made
to end the speculations centered on Ecevit’s health and to inject
confidence into the markets. Thus the climate of uncertainty and the
criticism leveled against the government will be eliminated. Another
important decision taken at the leaders’ summit was to hold an economy
summit as soon as possible. State Minister responsible for Economy Kemal
Dervis, Treasury Undersecretaary Faik Oztrak, Central Bank Governor Sureyya
Serdengecti and Banking Regulatory and Supervision Board (BDDK) Chairman
Engin Akckoca will participate in this summit, which will also be attended
by the prime minister and his deputies. The leaders also decided to work on
erasing an early elections expectation from the minds of people. We can say
that, following the leaders’ summit yesterday, the government will pass on
to a working system not dependent on Prime Minister Ecevit’s health.”
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