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Turkish Press Review, 04-01-30Turkish 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> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning30.01.2004FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] BUSH PRAISES TURKISH ECONOMYUnited States President George W. Bush yesterday met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Ali Babacan and Kursad Tuzmen as well as Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul at a luncheon held in honor of the Turkish visitors at the White House. Among the American participants were Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. “We were much more concerned about the Turkish economy before, however, we’re now satisfied with the recent achievements that the Turkish government reached,” said Bush. “Our concerns are over now. The Turkish economy has overcome the problems. Now, we believe that it’s on the right track.” Bush’s words have satisfied the Turkish delegation, and Erdogan requested the US president to continue supporting the Turkish economy. Meanwhile, Premier Erdogan also met with Secretary of Treasury John Snow, and State Minister Babacan accompanied him at this gathering. /Hurriyet/[02] GUL MEETS WITH POWELLForeign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met with his US counterpart Colin Powell in Washington. Following their meeting, Powell told reporters that he had thanked Gul for Ankara’s support to the US in Iraq and its role in the region as well as Turkish government’s recent initiatives on the Cyprus issue. Stressing that they discussed recent developments on the Cyprus issue, Powell said that the US administration was ready to give support to the sides for a settlement. On the Iraq issue, Powel stated that Iraq’s natural resources should belong to central government and that he shared Turkey’s concern regarding the presence of the PKK in northern Iraq. Meanwhile, diplomatic circles stated that the US expects Cyprus talks to begin on Feb. 9. /Turkiye/[03] US DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY: “PKK WILL BE EXPELLED FROM NORTHERN IRAQ”US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said yesterday that terrorist organization PKK would be expelled from northern Iraq, adding that it was only a matter of time. Speaking to CNN Turk, Wolfowitz stated that the PKK would be accepted as a terrorist organization by the US administration even if it changes its name. Stressing that Turkish-US relations enjoying a new period, Wolfowitz said, “Previously, our strategic partnership based on military cooperation only, but now it will be based on democracy.” He said that a democratic Turkey had a very important role in US’ Middle East policy. Commenting on the Cyprus issue, the deputy secretary said that Ankara had made great initiatives on the matter and thanks to them; a settlement seemed to be possible in a short time. On the Iraq issue, he said, “There will be no any ethnical or religious federation in Iraq, but rather a geographical one.” Wolfowitz added that his administration was in a full compromise with Turkish officials on this topic. /Turkiye/[04] US SENATOR: “ERDOGAN REPRESENTS A COUNTRY WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US”United States Oregon Senator Gordon Smith said yesterday that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in the US for an official visit, represented a country which was very important for the US. Smith emphasized cooperation between the two countries in their fight against terrorism. “Turkey supported the US in Afghanistan and conducted the peace keeping force for seven months,” said Smith, adding that Turkey also supported the US in Iraq and provided humanitarian aid to the Iraqis. Touching on Erdogan’s visit, Smith added he hoped that Erdogan’s visit would contribute to the Turkish-US relations. /Turkiye/[05] BABACAN: “WE HAD VERY FRUITFUL MEETINGS WITH US OFFICIALS”Commenting on the current visit of the Turkish delegation headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the US, State Minister Ali Babacan said that they had very fruitful meetings. Pointing to their meetings with President George W. Bush, Treasury Secretary John Snow, World Bank President James Wolfenson and IMF Managing Director Horst Kohler, Babacan said that they had all expressed their pleasure regarding developments in Turkish economy. He stressed that he asked US officials to carry out more investment in Turkey, further develop the trade relations and especially hold economic cooperation in Iraq. /Turkiye/[06] IMF’S KOHLER: “TURKEY WILL BENEFIT FROM ERDOGAN’S COMPETENT LEADERSHIP”International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Horst Kohler yesterday said that he congratulated Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Turkish economy's successful performance. Stating that Erdogan was a very good leader, Kohler said the Turkish people would benefit from his competent leadership. “"I had a very positive meeting with the prime minister,” added the IMF director. “We touched on many issues. I congratulated him on Turkey’s good economic performance in 2003. Significant growth, low inflation and interest rate targets were achieved and that was the result of the Turkish economy team's hard work.” He also requested Ankara to continue pursuing its successful policies, remaining committed to the economic program. Kohler and World Bank President James Wolfenshon are scheduled to visit Istanbul to attend the “Investor’ Council” on March 15, during which Ankara is expected to tell its latest efforts exerted to regulate foreign investments. Many foreign investors are invited to the gathering where the Turkish economy is to be promoted. /Hurriyet/[07] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S DUTCH DEPUTY PRESENTS TURKEY REPORT TO THE PARLIAMENTEuropean Parliament’s Dutch Deputy Arie Oostlander yesterday presented a report to the Parliament on Turkey, which stated that Turkey had taken courageous steps to fulfill the European Union’s Copenhagen criteria for its EU bid, but added that further steps needed to be taken. The report also stated that implementation of reforms were also very important. Touching on the Cyprus issue, the report stated that a resolution on the island was very important for Turkish-EU relations. The report further criticized the EU for not supporting Turkey in its fight against terrorism. /Sabah/[08] PAPADOPOULOS: “NEGOTIATIONS ON THE ISLAND SHOULD BEGIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”Greek Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos yesterday met with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss the Cyprus issue. Speaking afterwards, Papadopoulos said that negotiations should begin as soon as possible. “We aren’t against holding a referendum, but its timing is important for us,” he said. The EU officials called Papadopoulos’s statements “positive,” adding that both sides on the island were expected to take concrete steps for a resolution. In related news, the United States administration praised Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue, adding that it was pleasant. /Milliyet/[09] KAZAKH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO SEZERKazakh Ambassador to Turkey Amanzhol Kazbekuly Zhankuliev yesterday met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and presented credentials to him. Sezer later received Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok. /Milliyet/[10] FIRST LADIES MEET AT THE WHITE HOUSEFirst Ladies Laura Bush and Emine Erdogan yesterday met in a tea gathering at the White House. The wives of the ministers accompanying Erdogan also attended the meeting, where the ladies discussed the values of family, the education of children and the role of religion on family. Meanwhile, President Bush also participated into the gathering for 15 minutes. /Sabah/[11] LEFT-WING PARTIES JOIN FORCES FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONSSocialist People Party (SHP) Chairman Murat Karayalcin yesterday told a press conference that members of the left-wing parties, including Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP), Labor Party (EMEP), SHP, Freedom and Democracy Party (ODP), Socialist Democracy Party (DP) and Free Turkey Party (OTP) decided to form an alliance for the upcoming local elections, which are to take place on March 28. Karayalcin said that the left-wing parties had reached an alliance deal by preserving their identities as well as their differences. /Turkish Daily News/[12] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[13] REFLECTIONS :[14] BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the reflections of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the US. A summary of his column is as follows:“The statements made following Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to US President George W. Bush show that Cyprus and Iraq issues had been discussed at the White House. Evaluations of Erdogan and accompanying ministers show that the US met the Turkish side’s expectations about the Cyprus issue. Bush charged US Secretary of State Colin Powell to hold contacts with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which is the basic reason for reaching this conclusion. In addition, Bush stated that he had appreciated the breakthrough started by Turkey and that the Greek Cypriot administration should respond to this. Understandably, reflections from Washington show that Ankara’s plan to sit at the table has positive effects. Turkish side displays a determined stance in order to prove that it’s not escaping the table. We’ll see if this move will have positive results. How will the US’ interference influence the Greek Cypriot administration? Obviously the Greek Cypriot lobby will put pressure on the White House in the year of election. It will be understood whether the White House will influence the Greek Cypriot lobby or the Greek Cypriot will direct the Bush administration in a short period of time. Of course the way Turkey leaves the table is more important than how it sits at the table. The signals to be received from Brussels about receiving a date for membership negotiations have the same level of importance. Iraq issue is Achilles’ heel of Turkish-US relations. Bush’s promise about Iraq’s territorial integrity and the PKK_KADEK issue isn’t a sufficient result. It’s obvious how much this promise which was made before Iraq’s invasion was reflected on the practice. It’s another question how this will be practiced from now on. The things which have happened in northern Iraq up to now increased Turkey’s concerns. Turkey isn’t directly involved in the Iraq issue. The influence of the meeting at the White House about the Cyprus and Iraq issues will be seen.” [15] CONCERN :[16] BY MUMTAZ SOYSAL (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Mumtaz Soysal comments on northern Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:“After reading Necirvan Barzani’s statements to the Turkish Daily News the other day, it was easy to guess that more excessive statements were to come. The old man is now the so called top leader of the region that is governed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). It is said that he will become Prime Minister when a joined nation is established. According to him, ‘It would be bad for Turkey, if the Kurds wouldn’t obtain what they want.’ He answered the question of what would happen when they ‘obtain what they want’: If the Turkish troops would not withdraw from northern Iraq, then they would do everything from major demonstrations to armed conflict. As if Turkish troops went there as ‘invaders.’ He forgets that the real invader is the United States with whom the Kurds cooperate against the Arabs and Turkmen. He talks about Iraq’s territorial integrity and says that they don’t want independence but a federative system and that the income from Iraqi oil should be shared by all regions in the country. Let alone making Kirkuk a Kurdish city, they suppose to make Kirkuk a place, which would jointly governed by the Turkmen, Arabs, Syrians and Kurds and give it a special status like Vatican in Italy. The Arabs however settled in the region during Saddam’s reign should go back to the places where they come from. He doesn’t on the other hand talk about the Kurdish gravestones they placed in recent months from other regions to the cemetery in Kirkuk to prove that the city had an age long Kurdish majority. It is really deplorable that a country which couldn’t complete its ‘nationalization’ was invaded by the US and Britain. It is very difficult to form a state where bilateral splitting takes place between Arabs and Kurds; and Shiites and Sunnis and also adding the 2.5-3 million Turkmen. It is much more difficult if you consider US and Britain’s plans on oil. In this situation Turkey has a more responsibility than it supposed to have. It is the one which should have a say more than any other country. Because an Iraq based on a unified nation state instead of a fragmented Iraq based on ethnic origins and sects concerns its neighbor Turkey more that any other country. Furthermore a part of the region was taken from Turkey during the Lausanne Treaty with the Turkish population living there. Will the US and Britain show concern for the region instead of Turkey? Then Turkey has to say that ‘I am also in.’“ <i>NOTE TO OUR READERS: The next issue of the Turkish Press Review will appear on February 5, 2004 due to the Feast of the Sacrifice Holiday. Please join us again on Thursday. <_i> 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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