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Turkish Press Review, 01-10-30

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: 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> Press &amp; Information Turkish Press Foreign Press in Turkey Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt; Press Guide Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

30.10.2001


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY MARKS 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC
  • [02] SEZER PROPOSES DECREASING THE NUMBER OF PARLIAMENTARIANS
  • [03] PARLIAMENT MOVES TO CANCEL PAY RISE
  • [04] KIVRIKOGLU'S STATEMENT
  • [05] REPUBLIC DAY MARKED IN US STATE
  • [06] TWO SUMMITS IN ANKARA
  • [07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO VISIT ATHENS ON NOVEMBER 7
  • [08] GOKALP TO RECEIVE ABDI IPEKCI PEACE AWARD
  • [09] AMB. BURCUOGLU GIVEN "STARA PLANINA MEDAL"
  • [10] POLICE DETAIN 12 TERRORISTS
  • [11] AFGHAN OPPOSITION MEETING IN ANKARA POSTPONED
  • [12] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN CITIES AND REGIONS 8TH ECONOMIC FORUM TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL
  • [13] FINAL TESTS CARRIED OUT ON CHINESE BOAT
  • [14] DERVIS RETURNS TO TURKEY
  • [15] FINANCE SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL
  • [16] SCHROEDER PRAISES TURKISH COMPANIES
  • [17] TURKISH-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL TO MEET IN KAZAN
  • [18] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [19] ARABS, TURKS AND SOME QUESTIONS BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)
  • [20] AN ACCOUNT OF 78 YEARS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

  • [01] TURKEY MARKS 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC

    The 78th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey was celebrated all around Turkey and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The main ceremony was held at Anitkabir, Ataturk's Mausoleum. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and many other high-level officials attended the ceremony Inscribing Anitkabir's Memorial Notebook, Sezer remarked that democratic, secular and modern Turkey was the most valuable heritage to be passed on to future generations. "The Turkish nation is determined to preserve the republic.", he wrote /Cumhuriyet/

    [02] SEZER PROPOSES DECREASING THE NUMBER OF PARLIAMENTARIANS

    In his speech at the Cankaya Presidential Palace at a reception to mark October 29, Republic Day, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer made remarks on the subject of shrinking the size of the state. Parliament Speaker Huseyin Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and many other high- level officials attended the reception. Sezer said, "There should be 300 parliamentarians in Parliament (rather than the current 550). This would also mean a decrease in the number of ministers." Sezer commented that nobody should be pessimistic about the future of the Turkish economy. /Hurriyet/

    [03] PARLIAMENT MOVES TO CANCEL PAY RISE

    Final steps are being taken in Parliament to put an end to the political controversy stemming from a proposed pay raise for deputies, as the Constitutional Committee is preparing to take up a new amendment to cancel the unpopular increase within the week. The government parties are expending efforts to avoid a referendum and early elections that could be entailed by this and the opposition True Path Party (DYP) will push hard for an early election. The proposal to re-amend Article 86 is expected to be debated in Parliament's Constitutional Committee within the week. It is supported by coalition members, the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Motherland Party (ANAP), and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Constitutional Committee Chairman Turhan Tayan said that the proposal has not been refered to the committee as yet, and added that the committee might be convened if the proposal is referred to it on Tuesday. Theoretically, the number of seats of the four parties supporting the proposal is enough for the passage of the proposal, as this number already exceeds 400. But the coalition parties are worried the opposition parties may act contrary to what they said prior to the secret vote./Turkish News/

    [04] KIVRIKOGLU'S STATEMENT

    Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu answered reporters' questions at a reception held by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to mark October 29, Republic Day, yesterday. Stating that the importance of Turkey's secular regime was very well comprehended in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks in the US, Kivrikoglu said, "Now the world is praising Turkey as a model." Remarking that the US should not carry out a land operation in Afghanistan, Kivrikoglu stated that supporting the Northern Alliance would be more a rational option rather than a land operation. Additionally, Kivrikoglu said that he was pleased with a constitutional amendment foreseeing an increase in the civilian members of the National Security Council (MGK). /Hurriyet/

    [05] REPUBLIC DAY MARKED IN US STATE

    October 29 has been declared "Republic of Turkey Day" in the US state of Massachusetts and its capital Boston. Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift called on all residents of the state to celebrate the day. /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] TWO SUMMITS IN ANKARA

    A meeting of the National Security Council's (MGK) meeting has been delayed to 2:00 pm due to a leaders meeting which had not been programmed. The MGK is due is to discuss the security of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits./Star/

    [07] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO VISIT ATHENS ON NOVEMBER 7

    Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who has helped thaw historically tense relations with neighbouring Greece, will visit Athens on November 7, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. "This is a return visit following (Greek Foreign Minister) George Papandreou's trip to Ankara in early April of this year," a ministry spokesman told reporters. Papandreou and Cem are credited with improving Greek-Turkish relations over the past two years. Greece and Turkey are at odds over several territorial issues in the Aegean sea and the divided island of Cyprus. /Turkish Daily News/

    [08] GOKALP TO RECEIVE ABDI IPEKCI PEACE AWARD

    Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Husnu Yusuf Gokalp is to travel to Greece on Thursday Nov. 1 to receive the Abdi Ipekci Peace and Friendship Award, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. The Greek jury that decides on who is to be given the award will present it to Minister Gokalp, who will also sign two separate agreements envisaging cooperation in agricultural matters. Following his contacts in Greece, Minister Gokalp is scheduled to go to Italy for the "World Food Summit-Five Years On" meeting. He is expected to return to Turkey on Nov. 6. /Turkish Daily News/

    [09] AMB. BURCUOGLU GIVEN "STARA PLANINA MEDAL"

    Turkey's Sofia Ambassador Tahsin Burcuoglu has been honored with the highest state medal of Bulgaria, the "Stara Planina Medal." On the occasion of his post ending in Bulgaria, President Peter Stoyanov received Burcuoglu in his office and stated that Burcuoglu had made great contributions to bringing relations between the two countries to a higher level. Stoyanov said that relations between the two countries were continuing in stability and dynamism, and Bulgaria placed great importance on support from Turkey for Bulgaria's membership to NATO. Stoyanov celebrated Turkey's Republic Day and continued, "I wish great success to the Turkish state and public in reaching their aims." After his speech Stoyanov presented the "Stara Planina Medal" to Burcuoglu. /Turkish Daily News/

    [10] POLICE DETAIN 12 TERRORISTS

    Anti-Terrorist Police in Gaziantep have detained 12 people belonging to the illegal Selefiler organization. The members of this organization had reportedly failed to make it to Afghanistan to fight in so-called Jihad against the allies and were detained on their return from Iran. A further 15 members are said to be still in Iran and attempting to cross into Afghanistan. /Turkish Daily News/

    [11] AFGHAN OPPOSITION MEETING IN ANKARA POSTPONED

    Reportedly a Northern Alliance delegation which is to attend a meeting of opposition to the Taleban Ankara was unable to leave Afghanistan due to bad weather conditions. According to the embassy of the Afghan government in exile in Dusanbe, the departure of the delegation, which had been expected to go to Ankara yesterday, was postponed due to unfavorable weather. Military sources at the embassy stated that the delegation of four people would be chaired by Muhammed Yunus Kanuni. /Turkiye/

    [12] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN CITIES AND REGIONS 8TH ECONOMIC FORUM TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL

    The Southeastern European Cities and Regions 8th Economic Forum will be held in Istanbul's Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall on November 2-3. According to a statement released by the European Commission, of which Turkey is a member, the forum to be organized by the Congress of Local and Regional Administrations of Europe (CLRAE) and will be attended by officials from the member countries' business communities and non-governmental organizations. The forum, which is being held to encourage the cooperation and partnership between other local and regional administrations in cities in the southeastern European countries, will contribute to the CLRAE's Southeastern European Year 2001 Stability Pact. /Turkiye/

    [13] FINAL TESTS CARRIED OUT ON CHINESE BOAT

    The Varyag, a barge without rigging, which was purchased by the People's Republic of China from the Ukraine, is going through its final tests before its passage through the Turkish Straits. Final preparations are being carried out on the Varyag, which is tied to tugboats in the open seas of the Straits. Officials stated that if no problem surfaces during the tests and the weather conditions are favorable, Varyag will be able to to pass through the Straits today. During its passage, 11 tugboats and 3 boats will accompany the Varyag, which is 306 meters in length, 60 meters in height and is 71 meters wide. /Turkiye/

    [14] DERVIS RETURNS TO TURKEY

    State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis returned to Turkey from Italy, where he has been to attend a conference of the European Investment Bank. He will announce the results of the meeting he held with the Italian deputy treasury ministers today. As part of the program, Dervis was expected to meet Italian Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti since Tremonti was in Milan to attend another meeting. Dervis reportedly requested the aid of officials from the Italian Treasury Ministry for Turkey. Dervis said in a statement that "I will hold a press conference tomorrow (today). Before that time, I will not make any explanation." Meanwhile, a delegation to be chaired by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen is expected to come to Turkey today or tomorrow. Reportedly, the delegation will complete its work as part of the 10th review meeting, and a loan amounting to 3 billion US dollars will be given to Turkey. /Turkiye/

    [15] FINANCE SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL

    Following his visit to Italy, State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis has met with the Turkish Banking Regulation and Supervision Board, the Turkish Bankers Union and the Public Banks Common Management in Istanbul. In the meeting they discussed changes to be made in financing Turkey's real sector and also providing credits to public banks./Milliyet/

    [16] SCHROEDER PRAISES TURKISH COMPANIES

    German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder issued a message to mark 40th anniversary of the migration of Turkish manpower to Germany, saying that Turkish companies had enhanced German competitiveness. He added that this activity had brought Turkey and Germany closer to each other./Star/

    [17] TURKISH-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL TO MEET IN KAZAN

    The Turkish-Russian Business Council will hold its ninth meeting in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan capital of Kazan on Oct. 31-Nov. 2. The Foreign Economic Relations Board announced that Russian and Turkish state official, politicians, and high-level representatives from many firms would discuss how to develop relations between Turkey and Russia. /Turkish News/

    [18] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [19] ARABS, TURKS AND SOME QUESTIONS BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Hasan Cemal writes on the lack of self-criticism in Arab countries and their lack of advancement compared to the West. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "Following the terrorist attacks on the US on Sept. 11, one of the most commonly discussed issues is if the Arab world is engaging in self- criticism because of the wave of terrorism covering the world. Is the Arab world asking where it went wrong? Is it seeking the sources of this terrible fanaticism in its own state and social structures or historical failures? It should be recalled that all 19 of the suspected terrorists in the Sept.11 tragedy were Arabs. 22 of the terrorists in FBI's most wanted list are also Arabs. Most of the terrorist organizations are based in Islamic countries. Who is to blame for all this state of affairs? The tendency in the Arab world is to blame others. Their views regarding history are no different. For example, renowned Lebanese writer Amin Maalouf says' Why aren't we advanced? All because of the Ottoman empire. Why haven't we made a transition to democracy? Because of the Ottoman Empire? Why are we bickering among each other in civil wars? Because the Ottomans pitted different groups against each other. Blaming the Ottoman empire is an easy way out...' Certainly, Israel comes next. The establishment of the Israeli state in 1948 and the repeated military defeats suffered against this state shocked the Arabs. They were hugely disappointed. Arab civilization had begun to decline towards the end of the Middle Ages just as the West began its Renaissance and Reformation. The Arabs did not ask why the West was advanced and they were not. They opted for the easy way out and blamed others for their shortcomings. This may have stemmed from being ruled by others over many centuries. In Turkey the situation was different. As we had never been colonized, or ruled by others, we have asked the question 'where did we go wrong' to ourselves since the days of the Ottoman Empire. We waged the War of Independence against the West. However, we did not renounce the West because of this. We took the West as a role model for our project for civilization and aimed to reach a secular democratic republic. An Israeli historian had said that the Arabs needed a social reformist such as Ataturk instead of idolizing failures such as Nasser. Religious dictatorships lie at the bottom of the poverty and injustice of the Arab world. Fanaticism and terrorist organizations are fostered in such atmospheres. Therefore, Arabs have to ask themselves where they went wrong. As Edward Said, who was born in Palestine, lived in the US and defended Palestinian policies against Israel, said, " How many of us defended secular policies and criticized the exploitation of religion in the Islamic world? We cannot hide behind the injustices inflicted upon us. A secular Arab policy which will ignore neither fanaticism nor the militancy of murder and will refuse to support such activities should emerge... It is time to be candid and review our policies with scrutiny.' We cannot argue with such a statement."

    [20] AN ACCOUNT OF 78 YEARS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)

    Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on what we has been unable to achieve in the 78 years following the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "Yesterday I wrote about the successes achieved in the 78 years of the Republic. This is a correct approach. However, to discover why we have failed in certain areas, we have to analyze them. Our lack of enthusiasm for self-criticism has cost us dearly. This is the mentality which separates us from the West. We fought for ten years against terrorism, and we spent the years following by defending secularism and our style of living. As the ex-communist-states, who had been behind us in both democracy and economy quickly overcame their shortcomings, we were left behind. In Turkey there are qualified personnel in every field. However, both in politics and bureaucracy a lack of statesmen can be clearly seen. Those governing Turkey did not seek a solution for this problem. The romantics and opportunists who want to chain Ataturk to 1938 should not be excused. They could not imagine what Ataturk, who managed to accomplish radical reforms, year after year might have done had he lived. They insisted on remembering him with a revisionist view. We are trying to cover our gaps in democracy without daring to write a new Constitution but by amending the old one. We pave a strangling bureaucracy and great problems in education, higher learning and health. A high rate of population growth and the custom of waiting for everything from the state are some of the reasons why we have not been able to pass from collectivism to individualism. Populism was thought to be serving the people. However, with it a circle of poverty was created which cannot be broken. There is no other way but to form an atmosphere in which ideas can be expressed freely and get used to criticizing ourselves. This is the only way to reach standards of modern civilizations."


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