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Turkish Press Review, 02-11-21Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: 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> <map name="FPMap1"></map> Press & Information Turkish Press Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning21.11.2002FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] SEZER MEETS WITH BUSH, RUMSFELD, POWELLPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday met with US President George W. Bush on the sidelines of NATO’s summit in Prague, the Czech Republic, which both presidents are attending. Also present at the meeting were US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Colin Powell and other high- level officials. During the approximately one-hour meeting held under tight security, Sezer conveyed Turkey’s concern over a possible operation in Iraq. Sezer underlined the importance of both Iraq’s territorial integrity and greater regional stability. The US president reiterated the US’ support for Turkey’s European Union membership bid and stated that he expected a decision meeting Turkey’s expectations to come down during next month’s EU Copenhagen summit. Bush added that the US wanted a permanent solution to be found for the Cyprus issue. In addition, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis met with Sezer last night. /All Papers/[02] GUL: “THE AKP WILL TAKE CONCRETE STEPS ON TURKEY’S EU BID”Prime Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday pledged that the new Justice and Development Party (AKP) government would take concrete steps forward on Turkey’s European Union membership bid. “We are getting ready to take important steps for Turkey’s EU bid, steps that will shock the EU,” said Gul. “We hope the EU member states’ leaders won’t try to block Turkey’s getting a date at next month’s Copenhagen summit by using ad hoc, unconvincing excuses.” Gul added that the EU, Cyprus and European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) issues were all related to each other and should be handled together. /Milliyet/[03] BLAIR MEETS WITH ERDOGAN, PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIPContinuing his tour of European capitals to seek support for Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Justice and Development Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London. Following their one-hour meeting, Blair said that he would try to do his best to promote Turkey’s EU accession. Rejecting efforts to exclude Turkey from the EU, Blair stated that he found it very difficult to understand why certain circles in Europe were “dead opposed” to Turkey’s EU bid. Turkey’s integration into the EU would contribute to world peace, Blair stressed. “Turkey’s membership constitutes a historic chance to prove to the whole world that democracy and Islam can get along harmoniously with each other,” said Blair. “Rather than a igniting a clash between civilizations, Turkey’s membership will bring them together.” In related news, AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters yesterday that Turkey’s EU membership, the Cyprus issue and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) were all linked to each other, and that he had proposed to Blair that solutions to all three be consolidated into a single package. “We place great importance on the ESDP, as Europe’s security is crucial to Turkey,” said Erdogan, speaking of the proposed EU defense mechanism. “So I proposed discussing these three interrelated issues under a single package.” /All Papers/[04] ERDOGAN MEETS WITH VERHEUGEN, PRODI, VERHOFSTADT IN BRUSSELSRecep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), held separate meetings in Brussels yesterday with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, EU Commission Chairman Romano Prodi and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Following his meeting with Erdogan, Verhuegen declared that the EU would prepare an action plan to be presented to the member countries’ foreign ministers’ meeting on Dec. 9 in order to get Turkey ready for its accession talks. Speaking at a joint press conference with Erdogan, Prodi stated that Turkey had yet to fully comply with the political criteria the EU had set, adding, however, that the EU’s aim was to work together with Turkey to create closer relations. Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt said that Turkey could not be excluded from the EU and that Belgium fully supported Turkey’s membership. /Hurriyet/[05] BAYKAL: “ANNAN’S SOLUTION PLAN FOR CYPRUS MUST BE DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT”Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said yesterday that he was deeply concerned about UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s solution plan for the Cyprus issue, adding that the plan should be carefully assessed and discussed in Parliament before the government made any binding decision on it. “Turkey must avoid a fait accompli on the Cyprus problem,” added Baykal. /Cumhuriyet/[06] HANNAY TO VISIT TURKEYBritain’s Special Envoy for Cyprus David Hannay is set to come to Ankara on Saturday for a two-day visit in the wake of stops in Greece, Greek Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Hannay is expected to meet with Foreign Ministry bureaucrats to confer on the United Nation’s solution plan for the Cyprus issue. /Cumhuriyet/[07] EP REJECTS PROPOSAL OF “SPECIAL STATUS” FOR TURKEYThe European Parliament (EP) yesterday adopted a report on the European Union’s enlargement policy, meanwhile rejecting a proposal to amend the EU’s policy on Turkey as made by Christian Democratic EP members earlier this week. The proposal demanded a revocation of Turkey’s EU candidacy in favor of giving it a so-called “special status.” The report passed did not offer a date for the beginning of Turkey’s accession talks, stating that Turkey first needed to put the EU’s political criteria into practice. /Sabah/[08] SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER LINDH: “THE EU SHOULD GIVE A DATE TO TURKEY AT COPENHAGEN”In an about-face that surprised many observers, Swedish Prime Minister Anna Lindh said yesterday that the European Union should give a date to Turkey at next month’s Copenhagen summit to start its membership negotiations. Lindh had previously expressed opposition to Turkey’s starting membership talks with the EU. “Last summer, Turkey’s Parliament passed a number of EU harmonization laws, and its human rights situation is also in a better state now than in the past,” Lindh told Swedish newspapers. “By enacting these reforms, Turkey has earned a seat at the EU’s negotiating table.” She stated that the new Justice and Development Party (AKP) government’s pledge to continue reforms had also influenced her decision, adding that she considered it strongly possible for Turkey to get a date for talks at next month’s EU Copenhagen summit. /Milliyet/[09] STATE TV, RADIO TO BEGIN BROADCASTS IN KURDISHAs part of Turkey’s continuing adaptation to European Union norms in line with its EU membership bid, state broadcaster the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) will soon begin broadcasts in minority dialects, including Kurdish, the government’s TV and radio regulatory body announced yesterday. Fatih Karaca, chairman of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) told the Anatolia news agency that radio programs in these languages would last no longer than 45 minutes a day, for a total of four hours a week, and that TV programs would last no longer than 30 minutes a day, for a total of two hours a week. Stressing that RTUK was familiar with the relevant EU regulations, Karaca noted that broadcasts intended to teach these languages or dialects would not be allowed. He added that RTUK would work to ensure that the broadcasts stay in line with the basic principles of the republic as set out by Ataturk. The broadcasts are due to begin once the necessary regulations are published in the Official Gazette. /All papers/[10] IMF: “WE BELIEVE THE AKP WILL CONTINUE TURKEY’S ECONOMIC PROGRAM”Odd Per Brekk, the International Monetary Fund’s permanent representative to Turkey, yesterday said he believed that the new Justice and Development Party (AKP) government would make use of its status as the sole ruling party to take positive measures for Turkey’s economy. “We expect the AKP government will continue to implement Turkey’s current economic program and take timely and appropriate economic measures,” Brekk said in a television interview. “The statements from AKP officials showing their determination to continue the economic program are encouraging.” Asked about when an IMF delegation would meet with AKP officials, Brekk said that the IMF was waiting for an invitation from the new AKP government in the wake of its formation and the completion of the IMF’s fourth review of the economic program, adding that he expected such a meeting “soon.” /Milliyet/[11] TUSIAD TO PROMOTE TURKEY’S EU BID IN PARISA delegation from the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) is set today to travel to France as part of its tour of European Union member states to seek support for Turkey’s EU membership bid. The delegation headed by TUSIAD Executive Board Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan will travel to Paris today to meet with high-level French officials, including Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. /Turkiye/[12] INDEPENDENT DEPUTY AGAR TO REJOIN DYPIndependent Elazig Deputy Mehmet Agar yesterday announced that, effective today, he would rejoin the True Path Party (DYP), which he left during the 1999 elections. He is also expected to stand for the DYP chairmanship post during the DYP congress set for Dec. 14-15. Following Agar’s action, the DYP, which lost its parliamentary representation in this month’s elections, will once again have a seat in Parliament, along with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). /Turkiye/[13] 14TH INTERNATIONAL ANKARA FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS TODAYThe 14th International Ankara Film Festival is set to begin today with an opening ceremony. During the festival, more than 140 films from over 50 countries will be shown. The festival will last through Dec. 1. For more info, please visit www.filmfestankara.org.tr. /Sabah/[14] ISTANBUL TO HOST FORMULA ONE IN 2005One leg of the Formula One international racing circuit will be held in Istanbul in 2005, Turkey’s Automobile and Motorsports Federation announced yesterday. A statement from the organization said that Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone had officially decided to stage one leg of the popular racecar circuit in Turkey’s largest city. Ecclestone had previously paid visits to Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya to evaluate suitable venues for future races. He is expected to visit Turkey in the coming days to sign a contract with Turkish officials. /Turkiye/[15] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…[16] CYPRUS BY SOLI OZEL (SABAH)Columnist Soli Ozel writes about recent developments on the Cyprus issue. A summary of his column is as follows:“The Cyprus issue can be discussed from a number of different perspectives. It’s possible to deal with the problem from the standpoint of Turkey’s domestic political dynamics, or the experiences of the Turkish Cypriots, or its relation to Turkey’s EU membership bid. In discussing the UN’s recently proposed Cyprus plan, one can look at it from any of these various perspectives. Agreeing that Annan’s plan is an important step for the Cyprus peace process doesn’t necessarily mean accepting it in its current form, lock, stock and barrel, without any changes. In fact, the plan needs to be discussed and changed. As the devil lies in the details, we need to be aware that the plan includes many sections fairly screaming their need for revision. That’s why I believe that the UN should cease insisting on the deadline it set out for signing a deal, namely before the EU’s Copenhagen summit next month. Both parties need time to analyze the document and its legal dimensions with their legal advisors. Moreover, there are no assurances that the European Union will determine a specific date for the beginning of Turkey’s accession negotiations, notwithstanding if the two leaders of Cyprus reach an agreement on the UN proposal. Although the EU has clearly linked these issues to each other, the Cyprus issue should be discussed on its own. The status quo on this island is a blot not only on Turkish-EU relations but also on Turkey’s relations with the rest of the world. In addition, there is a need here to underline a significant point. We must understand that the UN plan is more advantageous for the Turkish Cypriots. As we all know, the Greek side has never accepted the idea of establishing a new state on the island. However, under this new proposal, they would have to accept the formation of a state comprised of two constituent states with equal political rights. As far as the territorial adjustments are concerned, it’s clear that the plan proposes that the Turkish side makes some concessions on its positions. However, the final decision on territorial adjustments will be made during the actual negotiations. It would be unrealistic to argue that the lives of Turkish Cypriots will be under threat as they were during the 1970s. Let’s not forget that the UN plan proposes that the Turkish Cypriots have their own state with a national army. I believe that Annan’s proposal should be considered a positive development for the situation of the Cyprus’ Turkish population. What Turkey has to do now is to hold substantive negotiations with the Greek side in order to better the situation of the Turkish Cypriots.” [17] THE AGE OF GUL BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)Columnist Derya Sazak comments on the new government led by Prime Minister Abdullah Gul. A summary of his column is as follows:“The Justice and Development Party (AKP) is now experiencing the dizzying trappings of holding power in Ankara. One could get caught up in the ‘too good to be true’ optimistic atmosphere of the markets due to AKP leader Tayyip Erdogan’s ongoing tour of the European Union, Abdullah Gul’s prime ministry and the government’s urgent action plan. However, the point of view of the government is much more political and ‘medium-term’ but the real success of the AKP government, which has swiftly taken up its duties, won’t be clear till the middle of next year. It will be a hard year for Erdogan and Gul’s administration, particularly in terms of the economy. The AKP staff is very enthusiastic and hopeful about the future, which brings to one’s mind the period of Turgut Ozal after his victory in the 1983 elections. We observed this situation at the end of the session where the Parliament speaker was elected. Bulent Arinc, who was elected speaker with 369 votes in the first round, accepted congratulations along with Prime Minister Gul. We met with Gul in Ecevit’s office in Parliament, which Ecevit had occupied for a record three-and-a-half years. He told us about the handover ceremony in the morning. Before the ceremony, US President George W. Bush had called. Bush began by saying that he was on his way to Prague’s NATO summit and wanted to congratulate Gul on his new post. Then the US president invited him to visit Washington, which Gul said would do in January or February. Gul said that the government’s first 90 days in office would be very important and that the economy would be his priority. Speaking on the ‘resource need’ of the urgent action plan announced by Erdogan, Gul said, ‘We will look for conditions to attract foreign capital investment. We’re confident on the economy and we’ve prepared ourselves very well. We’ll certainly create jobs and improve the lot of the poor, who have put their hopes in us.’ A political package designed to meet the EU’s political criteria before December’s Copenhagen summit is Gul’s second priority. The government will try to pass the package spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Ertugrul Yalcinbayir after the government wins its vote of confidence next week. The age of Gul is creating waves of optimism.” ARCHIVE <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript" src="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_statistic/countcode.js"> </script> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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