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Turkish Press Review, 02-06-07Turkish 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> <map name="FPMap1"> </map> <map name="FPMap1"></map> Press & Information Turkish Press Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning07.06.2002CONTENTS
[01] LEADERS’ EU SUMMIT TO BE HELDThe leaders of the six political parties represented in Parliament will convene today in a meeting at 11:00 a.m. chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. Following Sezer’s opening speech, Secretary-General for the European Union Affairs Volkan Vural will brief the meeting on Turkey’s EU membership process. Then the leaders are expected to express their views in statements lasting 20 minutes apiece and according to the discussions, a second go-around could be held. Meanwhile, the question of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s attendance at the meeting will be made clear some time after his daily check-up with his doctors to be held at 9:00 a.m. If Ecevit is unable to attend the meeting, the opposition parties are reportedly expected to increase their calls for the government to resign. /All Papers/[02] CILLER MAY NOT ATTEND GOVERNMENT EU SUMMITTrue Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller signalled yesterday that she might not attend the EU summit if the state of Turkey’s government case is not addressed at the meeting, even if Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit attends it. Previously, Ciller had pledged her absence if Ecevit was absent as well. Speaking at a press conference in Parliament yesterday, Ciller said that Turkey’s most important issue was a power vacuum in the government and prime ministry. Calling on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to include the government issue on the meeting’s agenda, Ciller said that the important thing was not who attends the meeting but which topics would be discussed there. Ciller also claimed that if the prime minister and the main opposition party leader -- meaning herself -- don’t attend the meeting, the end of the current government would be hastened. Meanwhile, the meeting’s chair President Ahmet Necdet Sezer reportedly said that he would not allow topics other than Turkey’s European Union membership bid, such as the prime minister’s health and the alleged power vacuum, to be discussed at the meeting. /All Papers/[03] RAHSAN ECEVIT: “ECEVIT WILL STEP DOWN ONLY WHEN THE TIME COMES”A second group of Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputies yesterday visited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s wife and DSP Deputy Chairwoman Rahsan Ecevit in Oran, Ankara. Conveying her husband’s message to the deputies that he was fine, Rahsan Ecevit complained about unfair media coverage against her and the prime minister. “There are attacks on our party from all sides,” she said. “Those carrying out these attacks, are trying to bring forward certain people as candidates for DSP leadership. Ecevit, of course, will step down from his post one day as everybody does, however, now is not the time to do so.” /Turkiye/[04] ERIS: “TURKEY SHOULD INTEGRATE INTO THE EU”Economic Development Foundation Chairwoman Meral Gezgin Eris said yesterday that Turkey’s integration into the European Union was inevitable. Stressing that Turkish business organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supported Turkey’s EU membership bid, Eris said, “We support this membership, as it meets our desire of a country which is democratic, modern, transparent, secular and under the rule of law, along with a strong and stable economy and prosperity.” Pointing to Turkey’s richness in many fields, Eris claimed that Turkey itself would also highly contribute to the Union with its economic, political, social and cultural richnesses. /Turkiye/.[05] VERHEUGEN: “TURKEY IS UNDERGOING A GREAT CHANGE”Speaking at a seminar in Brussels yesterday, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that Turkey was undergoing a process of change that the decisions at last week’s National Security Council (MGK) meeting were pleasing. Verheugen also stated that the EU would like Turkey’s accession reports to be carried out and new, concrete important steps to be taken in the near future. Verheugen remarked that the EU was only “biding time and observing” Turkey and couldn’t do a comprehensive analysis at the moment but that any step the nation takes for membership would pave the way for negotiations. /Aksam/[06] TUSIAD: “THE EU OPPORTUNITY SHOULDN’T BE MISSED”Turkish Industrialists’ and Bussinessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan said yesterday that the group was in favor of Turkey’s EU membership, calling it an “opportunity that shouldn’t be missed,” and added that the group didn’t need anybody’s permission to speak its mind. After having breakfast with newspaper columnists, TUSIAD members briefed the reporters on the EU issue and extolled the benefits of Turkey’s accession. At the breakfast, Ozilhan evaluated the reports on accession prepared by of Prof. Asaf Savas Akat and Dr. Haluk Tukel. He stressed that TUSIAD had expressed its opinions on the EU bid by submitting the reports to Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit. He added that they also proposed concrete solutions to such issues as abolition of the death penalty and education and broadcasting in mother tongue languages. /Aksam/[07] BRITISH OFFICIAL DOWNPLAYS JUNE DEADLINE FOR CYPRUS SETTLEMENTDiplomatic traffic concerning the Cyprus issue has recently stepped up as the European Union’s Copenhagen summit scheduled to be held on December looms on the horizon. Britain’s Special Representative to Cyprus David Hannay yesterday met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. In the wake of a recent statement by United States Special Representative to Cyprus Tom Weston stressing that peace talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots could continue until December, Hannay also refrained from putting forward a June deadline for the talks, which has increased hopes for a permanent solution on the island. /Cumhuriyet/[08] NATO MEETING SEEKS TO BOLSTER, REDEFINE ALLIANCENATO country defense ministers gathering at alliance’s Brussels headquarters yesterday started their regular meeting. A declaration was released at the end of first round, at which Turkey was represented by Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu. The declaration stated that NATO was still continuing basic mission of contributing to European-Atlantic security and that the alliance would work to provide stability and peace in the Balkans. The declaration also said that NATO countries should spend more on their military forces to ensure the alliance remains relevant to new security threats in post-Sept. 11 world. Also at the meeting, the NATO defense ministers met with defense ministers of countries which are cooperating with the alliance. /Aksam/[09] CHHIBBER: “WE WILL PROVIDE TURKEY WITH THE NECESSARY RESOURCES”World Bank’s Turkey Director Ajay Chhibber yesterday stated that the Bank was currently working on determining the exact amount of the financial aid to be delivered to Turkey. The World Bank is planning to deliver new loans to Turkey for the financial restructuring reforms known widely as the Istanbul Approach. “We will meet all of Turkey’s financial requirements needed for the implementation of the Istanbul Approach,” said Chhibber. Meanwhile, International Monetary Fund Turkey Representative Odd Per Brekk yesterday remarked that Turkey had recently achieved great progress with its economic program. /Cumhuriyet/[10] YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO MEET IN ISTANBULThe Junior Chamber International (JCI), better known as the Jaycees, a worldwide federation of young professionals and entrepreneurs, is to hold its annual European Conference in Istanbul this year. The conference is scheduled to take place on June 12-15. JCI European Conference Director Riza Kadilar yesterday stated that the group hoped to bring together Turkish and European entrepreneurs in order to increase the opportunities for developing joint ventures. /Cumhuriyet/[11] DAWSON: “THE IMF’S TURKEY MEETING WILL BE HELD TWO WEEKS FROM NOW”International Monetary Fund External Affairs Director Tom Dawson yesterday stated that the IMF Board of Executive Directors was to hold a meeting two weeks from now to discuss the next tranche of loans to be delivered to Turkey. “We hope that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will get better soon,” said Dawson. “Speculations on the future of the Turkish government aren’t a subject of concern. The Fund is interested in how the economic program is going and we believe that it’s going well.” He added that the Turkish economy was stronger than it seemed. /Star/[12] YILMAZ TO VISIT SPAIN NEXT WEEKDeputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is set to travel to Madrid, next Tuesday in order to meet with his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar to discuss the issue of Turkish-European Union relations. Spain holds the rotating EU term presidency through the end of this month. /Aksam/[13] CYCLISTS’ FRIENDSHIP TOUR TO END IN ISTANBUL TODAYA two-country tour by 21 young Turkish and Greek bicyclists organized by students of the Istanbul Boys’ High School Foundation will end today in Istanbul. The young bicyclists reached Tekirdag two days ago and after attending the 38th Cherry Festival in Tekirdag, they reached Istanbul last night. Their cross-country trek, which started in Ataturk’s house in Thessalonica to promote bilateral friendship, will end today in a ceremony to begin at 9:15 a.m. at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace, where the Republic’s founder died. /Milliyet/[14] BRITISH INDUSTRY MINISTER: “LONG-TERM BENEFITS WILL JUSTIFY TURKEY’S EU ACCESSION PROCESS”British Industry and Energy Minister Brian Wilson said yesterday that his country supported Turkey’s European Union membership but that Turkey should work to meet the necessary conditions. Speaking at a British-Turkish Energy Liberalization Seminar, Wilson said that he could see Turkey’s determination to implement the economic program. “I’m saying these things in the light of Britain’s own experience,” he added. “The process might be trying. However, a more fruitful and productive market economy will be created and therefore the long-term benefits make it worth it. The changes will affect Turkey’s candidacy in a positive way.” Stating that British energy companies were investing in Turkey, Wilson added that those companies wanted to see confidence, not uncertainty. /Milliyet/[15] ALPTURK: “TURK TELEKOM WANTS TO EXPAND ABROAD”Reiterating that Turk Telekom would bid jointly with Koc Information Group on stakes in the state Bulgarian Telecom Company, Turk Telekom Director General Ibrahim Hakki Alpturk said yesterday that the state landline monopoly would be interested in the telecom companies of other countries. “We want to bring our experience to the international arena,” he added. “We don’t have any limitation on countries. We will be interested in the telecom of every country that’s put up for sale. The partnerships that Turk Telekom will establish abroad will positively affect its own privatization and contribute to its own value.” /Milliyet/[16] FINANCIAL RESTRUCTURING FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT SIGNEDThe Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK) yesterday approved the Financial Restructuring Framework Agreement, better known as the Istanbul Approach, and announced the list of banks and financial institutions that signed onto the agreement. A total of 39 banks and financial institutions signed the Approach as prepared by the Turkish Banking Association. The BDDK announced that after the pact was approved, negotiations between the creditors and debtors would begin. It further stated that the financial restructuring contracts would be signed with the indebted parties, whose situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. /Milliyet/[17] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS[18] EYES ON THE SUMMIT BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the leaders’ summit to take place at the Presidential Palace today. A summary of his column is as follows:“If sovereignty is unconditionally vested in the people, the Parliament has to pave the road to the EU. There are enough votes in the TGNA to reach the target a great majority of the people is supporting. The gathering of the party leaders by President Sezer aims to underline this fact. Our time to be prepared to begin accession negotiations with the EU has grown short. The obstacles to abolition of the death penalty and to broadcasting in Kurdish have to be lifted this month since the Parliament will enter summer recess in July. There don’t seem to be any parties opposing the steps which will pave the way to the EU, with the notable exception of the Nationalistic Action Party (MHP). Can the MHP try to impose the views of the minority by threatening to break the coalition? This would indeed carry great risks for MHP leader Bahceli because the move towards the EU is more important for Turkey than the continuation of this government. The MHP wants to enter the elections as the party resisting abolition of the death penalty because of Ocalan and as a partner in a government which has reached a calendar to begin accession negotiations. The True Path Party (DYP) wants to exploit the illness of the prime minister and the discord created by the MHP to bring this government down and take a place in a new government to be formed. The leader of the DYP wanted the issue of the government to be discussed during today’s summit, however she is mistaken in the address where the issue should be debated. The correct place to discuss the government is the Parliament. Ciller added that it would not be acceptable if the prime minister did not attend the summit and that even if he did, it would not mean that the weakness in the coalition had ended. This primitive, irresponsible policy aimed at distorting a summit meeting relating to the future of Turkey has once more demonstrated to the people that the DYP leader is not going to mend her ways. This experience shows the fact that unless the Election and Political Parties’ laws are amended, nothing will change easily in Turkey.” [19] KURDS IN TURKEY BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)Columnist Taha Akyol writes on the integration of Kurds into Turkish society. A summary of his column is as follows:“The owner of a restaurant in Turkey recognized me as a journalist and after I questioned him said that he was a Kurd and everyone accepted him as he was. He added that his restaurant was full, business was booming and he did not feel he was treated any different than any other citizens. However, when he heard to politicians scorning Kurdish or considering it as a means for separation, he was furious. He also said that he was opposed to separatism, as it would lead to a disaster for everyone involved. He knew Kurdish well but spoke Turkish from dawn to dusk willingly. He was continuing talks with a big firm which had a chain of markets and he intended to establish a chain of restaurants in certain large cities starting with Istanbul and in Turkic-speaking republics. As demonstrated in Prof. Umit Ozdag’s study ‘Cultural Structure and the Cultural Identity Problem’, during the internal immigration process first radicalism increases in slum areas but it later gives way to integration. As social relations with the environment grow, Turkish is increasingly used. For those who are pleased with their jobs, integration is an easy process. One Kurdish intellectual, the late Orhan Kotan, had said that 60% of the Kurds lived to the west of the Euphrates and would not return. He also stated that there was no longer a ‘Kurdistan’ region in Turkey. In the magazine ‘Realite,’ published both in Turkish and Kurdish, and in symposiums in Europe, it was pointed out that the structure of the population had passed through a radical change. ‘The integration into society has reached such dimensions that for Kurds living in Turkey, the idea of a separate country is not realistic any more... This problem cannot be solved by drawing up new frontiers, dividing thousands of people and creating geographic prisons.’ In Turkey ethnic differences are getting more distinct and speedy social integration is being experienced. In addition to the historic intermingling, 4 million people have immigrated from eastern or southeastern provinces to western provinces and entered a short- or long-term integration process. The entrepreneurial middle class forming the basis of unity in countries where ethnic and economic differences are seen is growing. The restaurant owner in Ankara, and the partners of Koc and Sabanci in Van, are examples of this class. The economic dynamism will expedite this mingling between cultures. That is why I support Turkey’s EU membership bid. No one should undermine the summit using the prime minister’s illness as an excuse.” [20] WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE SUMMIT BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)Columnist Derya Sazak writes on the expectations of the public from the leaders’ summit to take place in Cankaya. A summary of his column is as follows:“Today the Cankaya Presidential Palace is hosting the political party leaders’ summit. The leaders called together by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will discuss the last steps to be taken on the road to Turkey’s EU membership bid at the Parliament. The voice of civil society heard before the summit holds promise for the future. The joint declaration by 175 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) sent the message that we must make haste to join the EU. “Turkey is now closer to the EU goal than it has ever been. At the European Union summit to be held at the end of the year, either a date for accession negotiations with Turkey will be set or our membership bid will be postponed indefinitely. Turkey’s place is in the EU. We have no time to lose.’ The declaration was signed by people representing every sector of society, and they said that as individuals they saw the future of the Turkish people in the EU. One deputy, former head of the Turkish Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Union (DISK) Ridvan Budak, yesterday stated in Parliament that the ‘European social model’ which forms the basis of the EU, had become an indication of prosperity in addition to being a standard for democracy. He gave the examples of Spain, Greece and Portugal, which quickly advanced after they became EU members. The EU is a project for the future in all respects. We have to force Brussels to take Turkey, which defended the West for 40 years as a wing country of NATO, into the expanding Europe after Romania, Bulgaria and even Russia. However, we have to see that the road to Brussels passes through Ankara. That is why today’s summit is so important. There is no need to pass the ball to the EU by saying that it will not accept Turkey anyhow. It is not clear what the leaders will say during the summit. Ciller is trying to use the prime minister’s illness as an excuse and Bahceli is working to make Ocalan a campaign issue. We hope that Cankaya summit will not be a stage for narrow- minded calculations. A compromise on the EU issue is also important for the continuance of the government. The ANAP and the MHP are voicing diverging opinions. The public is waiting for new legal arrangements which will ensure the working of the Parliament in June. There is no time to lose!” 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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