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Turkish Press Review, 01-12-26
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Turkish
Press Review >>
Foreign
Press Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
26.12.2001
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER AND DENKTAS: MEN OF THE YEAR
[02] ISMET INONU COMMEMORATED
[03] ECEVIT: "TURKEY DIDN'T GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO IRAQ INTERVENTION"
[04] KIVRIKOGLU: "US INTERVENTION WOULD DESTROY IRAQ"
[05] TURKEY WANTS TO COMMAND PEACEKEEPING FORCE
[06] PARLIAMENT EXTENDS MANDATE OF NORTHERN WATCH
[07] GIL'S VISIT POSTPONED
[08] PASCU: "TURKISH-ROMANIAN RELATIONS VITAL FOR SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE"
[09] DEMIREL CRITIZES GOVERNMENT
[10] TURKEY TO SELL IRANIAN NATURAL GAS TO THE EU
[11] GAZIANTEP'S LIBERATION CELEBRATED
[12] NEW POLITICAL PARTY ESTABLISHED
[13] CHRISTMAS OBSERVED IN IZMIR
[14] SCIENCE, MATH STUDENTS RECEIVE HONORS
[15] RAIN, FLOODS PLAGUE TURKEY
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[17] FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR THE EU BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[18] FREEDOM OF THOUGHT BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)
[01] SEZER AND DENKTAS: MEN OF THE YEAR
The Association of Mediterranean Journalists announced the winners of the
annual "Men of the Year" awards yesterday. Two of the awards in 16
different categories will be given to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas. The
awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, Dec. 27 in Ankara at the State
Painting and Sculpture Museum. /Turkiye/
[02] ISMET INONU COMMEMORATED
Ismet Inonu, the second president of the Turkish Republic, was commemorated
yesterday on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of his death. His son
Erdal Inonu attended a number of panels as part of the commemoration. Among
those attending a ceremony marking today at Anitkabir, Ataturk's mausoleum,
were Presidential Secretary Ahmet Kemal Nehrozoglu on behalf of President
Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Constitutional Court Chairman Mustafa Bumin, Deputy
Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, True Path Party (DYP) Ankara
Deputy Saffet Arikan Beduk, Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)
Secretary General Vahit Erdem, Inonu's elder son Omer Inonu and his
daughter Ozden Toker, and many military officers and bureaucrats. During
the ceremony, Nehrozoglu laid a wreath at Ataturk's tomb and a minute of
silence was observed. Then the delegation proceeded to Inonu's tomb where
Buyukanit, Omer Inonu and Ozden Toker laid a wreath. Officials from the
Kemalist Ideology Association also visited Anitkabir. In a message sent to
Inonu's children, Sezer praised Inonu's indelible contributions to the
modern Turkish identity. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit also sent a message
saying that Inonu's guiding precept was to maintain Ataturk's revolution
and principles and that he had put Turkish democracy and secularism onto a
firm basis. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] ECEVIT: "TURKEY DIDN'T GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO IRAQ INTERVENTION"
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu
yesterday denied a report by US magazine Newsweek that Turkey had said it
would support US intervention in Iraq. In a statement, the two leaders
asserted that Turkey had made no such pledge of support. Yesterday Ecevit
also sent a letter to interim Afghan President Hamid
Karzai, inviting him to come to Turkey. /Hürriyet/
[04] KIVRIKOGLU: "US INTERVENTION WOULD DESTROY IRAQ"
Speaking to reporters yesterday before President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's
banquet for Qatar Prince Hamad Bin Halife
El-Tani at Cankaya palace, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Huseyin
Kivrikoglu said that US intervention would destroy Iraq. "During the Gulf
War a decade ago Turkey faced problems in terms of trade and pipelines, and
this time the establishment of an independent Kurdish state would only
create even more problems," he remarked. "Not only Turkey but also the Arab
countries, Russia and Iran are opposed to any operation against Iraq. The
Arab countries would not be pleased to see an ethnic state established in
their region." Kivrikoglu also addressed the issue of sending troops to
Afghanistan, stating that there was a need to establish a peacekeeping
force in the country time being such a force should be focused and limited
to helping to support the new Afghan government. The United Nations will
decide on the making of this force, he said, but Turkey hopes to lead it
and the UN Security Council should not stand in the way of this wish.
/Hürriyet/
[05] TURKEY WANTS TO COMMAND PEACEKEEPING FORCE
Turkey has reportedly officially conveyed a message to the US government
saying that it is willing to take command of the Afghanistan peacekeeping
force after Britain completes its term of leadership. Turkey's contribution
to the peacekeeping force, and the exact number of soldiers and their
function are currently under discussion and expected to be determined in
the near future. /Turkiye/
[06] PARLIAMENT EXTENDS MANDATE OF NORTHERN WATCH
The Turkish Parliament approved Tuesday a government request to extend the
mandate of Operation Northern Watch through the end of June. The mandate of
the United States-led Northern Watch was to expire on Dec. 31. The force,
comprised of Turkish, American and British forces, has the mission of
patrolling the no-fly zone over northern Iraq. /Turkish Daily News/
[07] GIL'S VISIT POSTPONED
A visit by Israeli Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Avi Gil to
Ankara, which was expected to begin yesterday, has been postponed. The
visit has reportedly been set back because Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon
Perez needs Gil to be in Tel Aviv at present. Gil was expected to meet with
Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal to discuss bilateral
relations and the Middle East peace process. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] PASCU: "TURKISH-ROMANIAN RELATIONS VITAL FOR SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE"
Romanian National Defense Minister Ioan Mircea Pascu said yesterday that
the Sept. 11 attacks had changed the views of Southeastern European
countries on democracy. Southeastern Europe Defense Ministers (SEDM)
process Term President Romania's Defense Minister Pascu made the remarks at
SEDM meeting in Antalya, speaking to Turkish daily Cumhuriyet. Asked how he
sees Turkish-Romanian relations, Pascu replied, "Our relations on the
defense level are perfect. We also have firm cooperation on politics and
the economy. We think that the Turkish-Romanian relations are of the utmost
importance for stability in Southeastern Europe. Our military cooperation
was facilitated by Turkey's support for Romania's bid to join NATO. We
place great importance on our mutual cooperation as part of regional
initiatives such as the SEDM and the BLACKSEAFOR as well." Asked what had
changed in SEDM following the Sept. 11 attacks in the US, he said,
"Following the saddening events of that day, the whole world felt their
security tremble at the threat of terrorism. The countries of southeastern
Europe think that we need a common approach to discuss the risks of
security. The initiation we accepted in Antalya will bring forth new
measures to fight terrorism and protect the security of our borders."
/Cumhuriyet/
[09] DEMIREL CRITIZES GOVERNMENT
Former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel yesterday criticized the
government during an address to the National Agriculture Congress. Demirel
said that the public had lost faith in Turkey's politicians, government and
the opposition, but he implored the citizens never to lose faith in the
future. He remarked that Turkey's democracy had seen great improvements
over the last half-century, and said that an ailing political system was
the cause of the nation's current woes. /All Papers/
[10] TURKEY TO SELL IRANIAN NATURAL GAS TO THE EU
State Minister Mehmet Kececiler said yesterday that Turkey was ready to
sell Iranian natural gas to European countries. Kececiler, who is currently
in Iran to attend a Turkey-Iran Joint Economic Commission (KEK) meeting,
stated that Turkey was determined to develop its economic relations with
Iran in all areas. Recalling an agreement signed with Iran in 1991
concerning the sale of Iranian natural gas to Europe, Kececiler said, "The
sale of Iranian gas to Turkey has begun this month, but sales to Europe
have yet to take place." He added, "Iranian natural gas should be sold to
Europe, and we are ready to help Iran for it." /Turkiye/
[11] GAZIANTEP'S LIBERATION CELEBRATED
The 80th anniversary of Gaziantep's liberation from the occupation of enemy
forces was celebrated yesterday. Before the celebrations at Istasyon Square,
which were attended by Transportation Minister Oktay Vural, a minute of
silence was observed at the Martyrs Monument in Yesilsu. Nearly 350 people
whose names were engraved on the monument who were martyred during the
occupation, and who were identified thanks to records at the Turkish
Defense Ministry, were unveiled. Gaziantep Mayor Celal Dogan said the
defense of his city by an outstanding handful of people had grown into an
inspiring legend of courage. /Milliyet/
[12] NEW POLITICAL PARTY ESTABLISHED
A new political party calling itself the "Solution Party" (CP) was formally
established yesterday. CP's founders went to the Interior Ministry and
presented their petition of founding to General Secretary Mete Gurbuz.
Solution Party's General Center takes place in Kecioren, Ankara. The
headquarters of the new party was listed as the Kecioren district in
Ankara. The CP is Turkey's 43rd political party, and no nationally
recognized leaders are listed among its founders. /Milliyet/
[13] CHRISTMAS OBSERVED IN IZMIR
A Christmas ceremony was held at the historic Santa Maria Church in Izmir
yesterday, on Dec. 25, the date Western Christians believe Jesus was born.
Ezio Fierli, the priest at both Santa Maria and its sister Kizilkaya church,
expressed his happiness at the gathering of so many people from Izmir, who
he said have been keeping the brotherhood of world religions alive. In
addition, other Christmas observances were held at the House of the Virgin
Mary and at the St. Paulus Cultural Center in Ephesus. /Milliyet/
[14] SCIENCE, MATH STUDENTS RECEIVE HONORS
Eighteen students who earned degrees at the International Science Olympics,
National Primary School Math Olympics and National Science Olympics
received their certificates at the Scientific and Technical Research
Council of Turkey's (TUBITAK) Feza Gursey Hall yesterday. At the award
ceremony, Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu said that students who
received degrees at the International Science Olympics would be eligible
for university admittance without taking an exam. Bostancioglu remarked
that countries where science is valued highly write the screenplays for
world history and that scientifically underdeveloped countries were but the
actors in these screenplays. He added that in the year to come Turkey
should encourage science more and produce more scientists. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] RAIN, FLOODS PLAGUE TURKEY
Bad weather continues to affect many parts of Turkey. Istanbul, which has
been experiencing its coldest winter in recent years, saw a torrent of
heavy rain yesterday supplant its snowfall. Heavy rain caused flooding in
the city, and municipality and fire brigade teams continued rescue
operations throughout the day. Additionally, many provinces including Icel,
Antalya and Izmir in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions were affected by
heavy rainfall, while snowfall wreaked havoc on the region of Thrace. /All
Papers/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[17] FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR THE EU BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on Turkish-EU relations. A summary of his
column is as follows:
"Encouraged by the recent Laeken summit Ankara has expedited its works to
become a member of the EU. As expressed in the EU's Laeken declaration,
Turkey has taken steps to show that it is getting closer to accession
negotiations. Earlier this week, leaders of the coalition parties
discussed the 'democratization package' prepared by the General Secretariat
for EU Affairs and approved it. Now this package is being sent to
parliament for the enactment of the harmonization laws required b the
Constitutional amendments. The leaders have agreed to complete this process
by March. In another development, an EU commission is being formed to
expedite the works in the parliament. Secretary-General for EU Affairs
Volkan Vural says that if the current continues the harmonization laws can
be passed even before March is upon us . Vural believes that the Parliament
will show the same determination as the government in passing these laws.
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has predicted that around this time of the year,
during the EU's Copenhagen summit, the date for Turkey's membership could
be announced.
Cem's words show that Ankara has understood the necessity to race with the
times. Over the next six months, Turkey must use Spain's EU Term Presidency
to its advantage.
If not, some results may be obtained during the Danish Presidency, which
will follow it. Otherwise difficulties may arise during the term of Greece,
which is to follow. Even though the leaders have agreed on a wide range of
issues, two or three areas of disputes still remain. One is a suggestion
to bring to court once again the decisions of the European Court of Human
Rights. In a compromise, a decision on the issue was left to the Turkish
Parliament. In the same vein, disagreement on an amendment to Article 312
of the Penal Code was dissolved by softening its wording. If Parliament
approves the package without watering it down any more, and completes it by
March - the deadline set for short-term commitments - we will have a number
of important steps behind us."
[18] FREEDOM OF THOUGHT BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)
Columnist Taha Akyol writes on the agreement reached by leaders regarding
changes to articles of the Turkish Penal Code concerning freedom of
thought. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The coalition leaders have agreed on the changes to the articles in the
Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding freedom of thought. A ban on printed
material was first imposed in 1901 when a bibliography of printed material
and a list of banned material were issued during the reign of Abdulhamid
II. In time, as literacy and the volume of printed writings increased, the
number of banned materials increased accordingly. At present, however, the
number of banned material is shrinking and in fact they are restricted to
only court rules protecting the right to privacy and restraining praise for
terrorism. Sometimes these bans do not have the desired effect. When the
contents of the 'banned material' could not even be discussed, some
outright lies were accepted as truth and the secessionist move in Turkey
actually gained strength. But today, discussion and criticism form a much
more effective response to baseless ideas. Turkey is trying to expand the
freedom of thought by diminishing its list of banned material."
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