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Turkish Press Review, 02-03-14
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
14.03.2002
CONTENTS
[01] TURKISH PLAYERS ATTACKED AFTER FOOTBALL MATCH IN
ITALY
[02] ECEVIT SENDS MESSAGES TO ARAFAT AND SHARON
[03] ECEVIT: "TURKEY WILL NOT SUPPORT AN OPERATION IN
IRAQ"
[04] MEETINGS ON ISAF TO BEGIN TODAY IN ANKARA
[05] WOLFOWITZ: "THE US IS NOT TRYING TO ESTABLISH A
KURDISH STATE"
[06] ECEVIT TO LEAVE FOR SPAIN TODAY
[07] YILMAZ: "COPENHAGEN CRITERIA MUST BE FULFILLED
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
[08] CAKAN TO PUSH ENERGY IN ITALY, US
[09] TASAR DEPARTS FOR TOURISM FAIRS IN EUROPE
[10] AKUT TO ESTABLISH AIR TEAM FOR DISASTER RELIEF
[11] TUSIAD: "NO ONE CAN BLOCK TURKEY'S PATH TO THE
EU"
[12] TURKISH, SPANISH CHAMBERS SIGN COOPERATION PACT
[13] IMF'S DAWSON PRAISES TURKEY'S SUCCESS IN ITS
ECONOMIC PROGRAM
[14] BOSCH DIRECTOR GENERAL PRAISES TURKEY
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[16] WAITING FOR CHENEY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[17] THE PKK AND EUROPE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)
[01] TURKISH PLAYERS ATTACKED AFTER FOOTBALL MATCH IN
ITALY
Galatasaray tied 1-1 with Italian side Roma in a
UEFA Champions League football match last night in Rome. After the
match ended, the stadium saw a number of attacks made against the
Turkish players. The violence began with an attack by Roma player Lima
and Roma Coach Capello on the Galatasaray players. Galatasaray players
Berkant, Emre Asik and Capone were also wounded by Italian police. The
Turkish players made it to their locker rooms with difficulty and were
unable to leave the stadium for more than two hours. Meanwhile, three
Turkish reporters were taken into custody by the Italian police.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem condemned the violence and said
that the ministry would issue a written protest to Italy over the
attacks against Turkish players and reporters. /All Papers/
[02] ECEVIT SENDS MESSAGES TO ARAFAT AND SHARON
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit send messages to
Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon calling on the two leaders to stop the violence and return to
the bargaining table to resume negotiations, Turkish Foreign Ministry
spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said yesterday. At the ministry's weekly
press conference, Dirioz also told reporters that Deputy
Undersecretary Ambassador Ali Tuygan had left for the region the day
before to convey the messages from the Turkish government. Stressing
that Tuygan would meet with Sharon and Foreign Minister Simon Peres,
as well as Arafat, Dirioz said that the messages include Turkey's
views on recent developments in the region. Regarding US Vice
President Dick Cheney's visit to Ankara, scheduled to begin on March
19, Dirioz stated that Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu
and other high-level military officials would also attend the meetings
between Turkish authorities and Cheney. /All Papers/
[03] ECEVIT: "TURKEY WILL NOT SUPPORT AN OPERATION IN
IRAQ"
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit reiterated yesterday
that Turkey would not support a military operation in Iraq. Stressing
that Turkey was still feeling the negative consequences of the 1991
Gulf War, Ecevit said that there was no need for an intervention in
Iraq. Ecevit is to convey Turkey's concern over the matter to US Vice
President Dick Cheney during the latter's visit to Turkey as part of
his 12-country tour of the region. "A military operation in Iraq
would affect the Turkish economy negatively, through downturns in both
tourism and foreign investments," he added. /Turkiye/
[04] MEETINGS ON ISAF TO BEGIN TODAY IN ANKARA
Officials from the United States, Turkey and Great
Britain are to begin a series of meetings today in Ankara to discuss
the handover of the command of the international peacekeeping force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan. Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu
yesterday reiterated that Turkey wanted to take over the command of
the ISAF but that a final decision had not yet been taken. "There
are certain issues which are still being discussed," said
Cakmakoglu. "We have already determined our technical, military
and financial needs, and discussion is continuing on these
issues." While the Turkish delegation will be headed by Foreign
Ministry Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Aydemir Erman, the US
delegation is helmed by US Special Representative for Afghanistan
James Dobbins and the British delegation by UK Special Representative
for Afghanistan David Reddaway. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] WOLFOWITZ: "THE US IS NOT TRYING TO ESTABLISH A
KURDISH STATE"
US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said
yesterday that it was the United States' stated policy to protect
Iraq's territorial integrity. Speaking at a meeting honoring late
Turkish President Turgut Ozal, Wolfowitz, who is one of the most
fervent proponents of a possible attack against Iraq, said, "We
understand Turkey's anxiety. During the Gulf War, it was clearly
established that the US had no intention [to divide Iraq]. We are not
trying to establish a Kurdish state." Saying that its recent
reforms had made Turkey a stronger country, Wolfowitz added, "The
Turkish coalition government took the proper steps and put the economy
on the right track under the helm of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and
the economic leadership of Economy Minister Kemal Dervis. In spite of
the difficulties Turkey has faced of late, it has conducted itself
courageously. Turkey's national climate will improve through
implementation of these reforms. /Sabah/
[06] ECEVIT TO LEAVE FOR SPAIN TODAY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will fly to Spain
today to attend the European Union's Barcelona Summit to be attended
by the heads of state and government of EU member and candidate
countries starting tomorrow. Before his departure, Ecevit is to hold a
press conference at Esenboga Airport. During his visit, Ecevit is
scheduled to tour Pedralbes Palace and attend a luncheon given by the
Spanish royal family. Officials from EU member Spain, which currently
holds the rotating EU presidency, have recently stated that Turkey is
continuing to meet the Copenhagen criteria. /Aksam/
[07] YILMAZ: "COPENHAGEN CRITERIA MUST BE FULFILLED
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
In a speech at the Motherland Party (ANAP) group
meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and ANAP Chairman Mesut Yilmaz
yesterday offered his evaluations of recent developments concerning
Turkish-EU relations. Remarking that he was aware of certain European
circles' opposition to Turkey's EU membership bid, Yilmaz stated that
Turkey would keep its promises in order to meet the EU criteria
regardless of such efforts. Recalling that the adjustment laws which
government coalition partners recently agreed upon would be sent to
Parliament next week, Yilmaz said that the Copenhagen criteria must be
fulfilled as soon as possible. He stressed that Turkey had never acted
dishonorably in order to gain the EU membership and would never do so.
Yilmaz also stated that certain untimely public remarks from a number
of Turkish politicians would do nothing but hamper Turkey's bid to
join the EU. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] CAKAN TO PUSH ENERGY IN ITALY, US
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan
flew to Italy yesterday to attend the Southeastern Europe Energy
Forum. In written statement, Cakan said that work had begun to
construct a natural gas pipeline between Turkey and Greece. "In
addition to the present power line between Turkey and Bulgaria, an
additional 400 kilowatt energy line is scheduled to be completed by
the end of this April," he added. Following his visit to Italy,
Cakan will proceed to Washington on March 17 to attend the
American-Turkish Council's 21st annual conference and the Clean Fossil
Fuel Systems Meeting. He is also expected to sign the Cooperation in
Energy Techniques accord and attend an agreement signing ceremony for
the Konaktepe Dam Construction project. /Turkiye/
[09] TASAR DEPARTS FOR TOURISM FAIRS IN EUROPE
Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar left for France
yesterday to attend World Tourism Hall Fair in Paris. Stressing that
550 organizations from 140 countries would attend the fair, Tasar said
that the fair was a very important organization for Turkey to promote
itself as a tourist destination. After the Paris event, Tasar is
expected to proceed to Germany to attend the 2002 Berlin Fair.
/Turkiye/
[10] AKUT TO ESTABLISH AIR TEAM FOR DISASTER RELIEF
The Turkish Search and Rescue Team (AKUT) announced
yesterday that it plans to establish an air intervention team. The air
team, dubbed SAR, will include national parachuters and will train to
make "first on the scene" operations during natural
disasters. AKUT Chairman Nasuh Mahruki said, "The SAR team will
be able to reach disaster areas quickly by making use of air
ambulances and other air transportation systems." /Star/
[11] TUSIAD: "NO ONE CAN BLOCK TURKEY'S PATH TO THE
EU"
In an interview with Turkish daily Hurriyet this
week, Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD)
Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan offered his evaluations of a TUSIAD
delegation's recent visit to Spain. Remarking that he was pleased with
the delegation's meetings in that country, Ozilhan said, "If we
manage to keep our promises concerning our bid for EU membership, then
no one can stop Turkey on its path towards the EU." Two days ago,
a TUSIAD delegation met with German Foreign Ministry Undersecretary
Jurgen Chrobog as well as German industrialists and businessmen in
Germany. Among the issues discussed at the delegation's meeting with
Chorobog were Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration's possible
admittance to the EU. Chrobog remarked that the EU might admit the
Greek Cypriots without reaching a permanent solution on the island in
order to prevent Greece from blocking the enlargement process. The
TUSIAD delegation harshly criticized Chrobog's statement by saying
that Turkish-EU relations would be greatly damaged by such a
development. /Hurriyet/
[12] TURKISH, SPANISH CHAMBERS SIGN COOPERATION PACT
The Turkish Association of Chambers and Commodities
Exchanges (TOBB) and the Spanish Association of Chambers (IOB) signed
an agreement for bilateral cooperation at a meeting held in Barcelona
yesterday. The agreement, which was signed by TOBB Chairman Rifat
Hisarciklioglu and IOB Chairman Jose Manuel Fernandez Norniella, aims
to increase economic and commercial cooperation between the two
countries a maximum level, to encourage investments, and to further
develop the current relations. The published common declaration states
that the IOB supports Turkey's EU membership and that it attached
importance to Turkey starting membership negotiations. The Spanish
government currently holds the rotating EU term presidency. /Aksam/
[13] IMF'S DAWSON PRAISES TURKEY'S SUCCESS IN ITS
ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in London,
International Monetary Fund Foreign Relations Director Thomas Dawson
stated that the IMF had "full confidence" in the Turkish
economy. Remarking that Turkey had recently achieved remarkable
success on the economic front, Dawson said, "Turkey has taken
significant steps through its economic program and recent structural
reforms." Recalling that the Turkish government should present
its next economic package first to the IMF, Dawson said, "Turkey
is very important for foreign investors. Current world market
conditions must be taken into consideration in preparing the next
package." /Cumhuriyet/
[14] BOSCH DIRECTOR GENERAL PRAISES TURKEY
Bosch Industry Director General Klaus Peter Fouquet
said yesterday that Turkey had become a rapidly developing center for
automotive export. Fouquet added, "Our investment in Turkey,
which totaled 205 million euros over 1999-2001, will more than double
to 445 million euros by 2004." Fouquet also said that the
production of complete fuel injector systems would soon begin in
Bursa. /Star/
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[16] WAITING FOR CHENEY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the US Vice
President Dick Cheney's visit to Turkey next week. A summary of his
column is as follows: Ankara is waiting for US Vice President Dick
Cheney. The reason for Cheney's visit to nine Arab countries, Israel
and Turkey is to address the Iraqi issue. Yesterday Jordan didn't give
Cheney the answer he was expecting, but if war breaks out Jordan will
act with the US. Cheney got a similar response from Egypt. Anyway
there is no state in the region which would say "Lets wage war
against Iraq." Ankara will try to dissuade the US from an
intervention in Iraq. A war would put Turkey into a Middle Eastern
quagmire. Since Turkey was greatly affected by the Gulf War, we should
now act very carefully. It is being reported that US soldiers are
training peshmergas in northern Iraq. But an independent Kurdish state
is not even a question. In such an event, Turkey has said that it
would take this as a declaration of war. Our guest Mr. Cheney belongs
to Washington's "hawks," the group pushing for a war to
eliminate Saddam. Saddam doesn't care how many Iraqi people would die
in such a war, even though he could deter the US and prevent the war.
It would be enough for Iraq to open its doors to the United Nations
inspectors for them to check for weapons of mass destruction. If they
did that, the US would stand alone. In any case, the current agenda is
focused on the Palestinian conflict.
[17] THE PKK AND EUROPE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on relations
between the PKK and some European countries. A summary of his column
is as follows: Prior to its so-called eighth congress, the terrorist
organization PKK got in touch with certain European countries in order
to set the agenda for that meeting's decisions. What emerged from that
congress shows how closely the two are working together. Last month,
Belgium Parliament Deputy Speaker Jam Meri Bigen and parliamentarians
Predy Willems and Vinsit Vankiyulin met with Osman Ocalan in northern
Iraq. During the meeting the Europeans reportedly suggested to the PKK
the following: - To work on its relations with the Kurdish people, -
To abandon its weapons, but not to disband its militant groups, - To
drop the "PKK" name and adopt a new label. The new name
should not offend anyone but should also set an image for the group, -
To push for cultural rights, - Since Iraq's future is would also the
PKK's interest, to avoid using words like "Kurdistan."
Following up on those suggestions, the PKK took the following
decisions at its so-called congress and sent word of them to its
European supporters: - To refrain from illegal activity in Europe or
Turkey, - To regroup the PKK's branches under new labels, namely the
ones used by groups in northern Iraq, - To refrain from any action in
Europe which would threaten public safety, - To disarm all its armed
forces in northern Iraq. If Turkey lets it enter the politic arena, to
give up its weapons, - Following disarmament, to announce to the
public that it was abandoning its campaign of armed attacks, - To not
aim at dividing Turkey, but also to leave open a discussion of
confederation. We can clearly see that there are many similarities
between the European suggestions and the PKK's final decisions. What
should we do in response? Turn back to the European Union? The problem
is, whatever we do we must act within the accepted conventions of
international relations. We should act with our intentions not our
feelings, and try to think with our brains not our hearts. In the
1990s, Turkey paid the price of a failing economy to overcome its
terrorism problem. It didn't let this terrorism become an ethnic
issue. Various Turkish groups, and especially the Turkish Armed Forces
(TSK), played a significant role in this process. Now we are in a
position that may look easier but is in fact more complex to address.
There are two basic conditions: One, to not forget the past. Two, to
not darken our future.
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