Turkish Press Review, 06-10-10

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From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

10.10.2006

CONTENTS

[01] SEZER: “OUR FUTURE IS SAFE UNDER INDEPENDENT-MINDED YOUTH WHO VALUE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY”

[01] SEZER: “OUR FUTURE IS SAFE UNDER INDEPENDENT-MINDED YOUTH WHO VALUE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with Finnish Parliament Speaker Paavo Lipponen and Greece’s main opposition party PASOK head George Papandreou, co-chairmen of the European Socialist Party’s (PES) High Advisory Council, to discuss the recent French bill to make questioning the so-called Armenian genocide a crime. During their meeting, Lipponen said that he thought France’s stance was inappropriate, adding that the Finnish government would do its utmost to prevent these recent negative developments from hindering Turkish-European Union relations. Finland is currently EU president. For his part, Erdogan criticized the stance of the French government. “We’ve opened up our archives and asked the other side to do the same,” he said. “But this positive approach has not borne any fruit.” Erdogan further stressed that French interference in the issue between the two sides could make finding a solution more difficult. Lipponen and Papandreou also met with main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to discuss the issue. Erdogan also responded to French Foreign Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, who had put forward three conditions for France rejecting the bill, saying that France didn’t have the right to say anything about the issue. /Hurriyet/[03] CICEK: “FRANCE IS CONTRADICTING EUROPEAN VALUES”

Speaking to reporters following a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek criticized France’s Armenian bill to penalize denial of the so-called Armenian genocide, saying, “This contradicts European values.” Cicek warned that if the bill passes at a time when the European Union is urging Turkey to improve freedom of expression, European values promoting freedom of expression and Turkish-French ties would both be damaged. Furthermore, he said that Ankara was expecting the European Union would to halt these negative developments. Cicek added that it was hard to understand a logic which allows one to say that something exists, while criminalizing questioning its existence. In addition, the justice minister stated that details on Turkish troops to be sent to Lebanon, as well as Turkey’s European Union relations, were taken up during the gathering. /Turkiye/[04] TOBB’S HISARCIKLIOGLU: “THERE COULD BE A BOYCOTT OF FRENCH PRODUCTS”

Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarciklioglu yesterday said that he didn’t want a trade boycott of French products, but if one occurs, no one should expect opposition within Turkey to it. Also speaking on a bill before France’s Parliament to criminalize questioning the Armenian “genocide,” International Investors Association (YASED) President Saban Erdikler said, “France’s stance is unacceptable to Turkey. French firms working in Turkey have almost become Turkish firms. A boycott would mean sabotaging production and facilities in Turkey.” Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) President Zafer Caglayan also said that his group would visit France this week to warn that the bill would endanger French businessmen’s exports and new investments in Turkey. /Hurriyet- Milliyet/[05] REHN CRITICIZES FRANCE OVER ‘GENOCIDE’ BILL

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn yesterday spoke about the danger of the French Parliament passing a bill on the so-called Armenian genocide. Rehn told a press conference that the bill was an issue of France and French parliamentarians, but added, “It would have grave consequences for Turkish-EU relations.” Rehn also underlined that should the French Parliament pass the bill, which introduces fines and prison terms to those who question the Armenian genocide claims, this would block debates on the controversial issue and hamper Turkish efforts to abolish obstacles to freedom of expression. /Cumhuriyet/[06] FRANCE’S LAGARDE URGES PARLIAMENTARIANS TO REJECT ARMENIAN BILL

A French bill to penalize denial of Armenian genocide is being discussed in France as well as Turkey. In a letter to all deputies and senators in the French Parliament, France’s Foreign Trade Minister Christine Lagarde urged them to act wisely and reject the bill to be voted on in Parliament this Thursday, Oct. 12. Stressing that France would face serious business losses if the bill is approved, Lagarde said the French firms would face a boycott which would do great damage to country’s economy. /Turkiye/[07] ANKARA TO HOST TERROR SUMMIT

Tomorrow Ankara is to host a tripartite terror summit with the attendance of Turkey’s Special Envoy for terrorism retired Gen. Edip Baser, US Envoy retired Gen. Joseph Ralston and Iraq’s Shirvan al-Vaili. During the gathering, efforts to end the terrorist group PKK’s presence in northern Iraq, and the extradition to Turkey of terrorist group leaders in Iraq are expected to be taken up. In addition, a road map to be followed during the fight with terrorists will reportedly be outlined. /Aksam/[08] ANKARA, ADANA MUNICIPALITIES COULD BUILD ALGERIAN GENOCIDE MONUMENTS

Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Melih Gokcek stated yesterday that if a bill on the alleged Armenian genocide is passed by the French Parliament this week, they are planning to build a monument in the center of Ankara commemorating France’s Algerian genocide. In addition, the Adana Municipality also announced a similar plan if the bill is approved. /Turkiye/[09] IMF DELEGATION MEETS WITH TIM HEAD SATICI, DISCUSSES CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT AND UNEMPLOYMENT

An International Monetary Fund delegation led by Turkey Desk Chief Lorenzo Giorgianni yesterday met with Turkish Exporters’ Union (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici. Speaking afterwards, Satici said that during the meeting a number of issues, including the rising current account deficit and unemployment, were discussed. Saying that the combination of high interest and a low exchange rate was putting pressure on producers, Satici added that the IMF officials signaled that the new agreement wouldn’t be a standby and will work to fight the current account deficit. Satici also said that he had warned IMF officials that the Turkish economy could grow more vulnerable due to next year’s looming presidential and general elections. /Sabah/[10] SENER: “2007 BUDGET WILL BE DISCUSSED AT YPK MEETING”

Appearing on television yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Abdulatif Sener said that the 2007 budget would be discussed at a meeting of the Supreme Planning Council (YPK) to be held today. Sener stated that the budget details weren’t certain yet, but added that the primary surplus target would be 6.5%. “Achieving this is our goal,” added Sener. Stressing that the government placed importance on an atmosphere of stability and trust, Sener stated that it would draw up the budget with this in mind. /Sabah/

[11] TRNC’S TALAT VISITS BRUSSELS

Sabanci Holding Executive Board Chairwoman Guler Sabanci came in number 11 among “The Top 50 Women in the International Business World,” a ranking prepared by American Fortune magazine. The magazine reported that after rising to the chair of the group in 2004, Sabanci boosted the group’s revenues 23 percent to $10.6 billion. /Aksam/ [12] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS[00] IT DOESN’T SUIT FRANCEBY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)

Columnist Fikret Bila comments on France’s bill about the so-called Armenian genocide. A summary of his column is as follows:

“France’s considering a bill which would make questioning the so-called Armenian genocide a crime is a development which might cause the most serious crisis in Turkish-French relations in history. Since France introduced the measure, officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry have been holding meetings to evaluate the issue. Even the hall where the meeting is held is a message to France -- Galip Balkar Hall. Balkar was our ambassador to Belgrade slain in 1983by the Armenian terrorist group ASALA. So the names of our ambassadors who were killed by Armenian terrorists remain on the halls at the Foreign Ministry. The Foreign Ministry sees this initiative in France as a serious violation of human rights. A country like France which claims to be a leader in the freedom of thought believes that thinking is a crime to be punished with prison terms and fines, and this situation doesn’t suit it. How would you explain it in the 21st century that a ‘genocide’ is created with a law and those who reject it are thrown into prison? Can historical realties be changed with a law? Can you write and erase history with a law? France can’t defend this law.

Is Ankara thinking of retaliating against this initiative of France? The Foreign Ministry thinks that retaliating by saying, ‘France carried out a genocide in Algeria and it’s a crime to deny it’ is out of the question. Turkey isn’t planning to make a mistake just because France is. Diplomats think it would be wrong to relate this shame of France with Algeria or Armenia. They think that it would be wrong for Turkey to bring this issue to a third country. Ankara thinks that another way of criticizing France is an economic boycott. The business community thinks that we should be selective in doing this and that only the products of French firms which export goods and services to Turkey should be boycotted. They think that companies which have made permanent investments in Turkey creating employment here should be excluded from the boycott. Of course, Ankara is also planning to remind Paris how tenders which concern France would be affected. France is interested in many investment contracts in Turkey, mostly in nuclear energy. If an act which can’t be explained under the law but can only be evaluated as a politically unfriendly stance is enacted, Turkish-French relations will suffer the most serious blow in history.”[13] BOYCOTTING IS NO SOLUTION; WE NEED A LOBBYBY AYDIN AYAYDIN (SABAH)

Columnist Aydin Ayaydin comments on the French bill to criminalize denial of the so-called Armenian genocide. A summary of his column is as follows:

“Recent developments show us how difficult it is to separate the economy from political developments. The tension with France may lead to a boycott of French products in Turkey. Turkish-French trade relations are now being discussed. There are longstanding trade ties between the two countries. French firms are making more investments in Turkey than those of any other country. Turkey is right in reacting against France taking these unjust steps. The reason behind this is France is using Turkey as domestic political fodder. The easiest way to win votes in the coming presidential elections in France is to adopt an anti-Turkey policy. The same thing happened in Germany. But after the elections, German Chancellor Angelika Merkel didn’t erect obstacles to Turkey’s EU membership bid. It is possible that the same will happen in France.

But an increase in anti-Turkey views could bring great damage. I’m sure French officials have calculated the costs to French firms in Turkey. They should be prepared for Turkish officials who reconsider bids on energy and military equipment. Boycotting French products could bring something in the short run, but could be damaging in the long run. Political efforts and lobbying would be more effective. Turkey is right in its claims, but it would get better results if it would counter this bill with lobbyists and political efforts.”

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