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Turkish Press Review, 02-06-26
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
26.06.2002
CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY READY TO FACE RIVAL BRAZIL AND ADVANCE TO WORLD CUP FINAL
[02] SEZER HOSTS BSEC SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL
[03] CEM MEETS WITH OSKANYAN TO DISCUSS UPPER KARABAKH ISSUE
[04] BAHCELI: “THE EU’S STANCE ON TURKEY IS HYPOCRITICAL”
[05] YILMAZ: “CURRENT DEBATES DO NOT REFLECT ALL THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”
[06] BUSH THANKS ECEVIT FOR TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
[07] AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR: “TURKEY MUST BE IN A UNITED EUROPE”
[08] KIVRIKOGLU: “THE TSK PLACES IMPORTANCE ON EDUCATION”
[09] LEADERS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
[10] GREEK SPOKESMAN: “THE ESDP IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU”
[11] NINE DSP DEPUTIES CALL ON PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT TO STEP DOWN
[12] TBB SIGNS AGREEMENT TO COORDINATE ISTANBUL APPROACH
[13] KURTALAN RECEIVES GOLD DESIGN AWARD
[14] TURKISH MOVIE “PHOTOGRAPH” RECEIVES SPECIAL JURY PRIZE IN SPAIN
[15] PARLIAMENT REJECTS PROPOSALS FROM DYP, SP
[16] MGK TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY
[17] AZEBAIJANI PRESIDENT TO HONOR KIVRIKOGLU
[18] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
[19] WHAT CAME OUT OF SEVILLE? BY GURAY OZ (CUMHURIYET)
[20] LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
[01] TURKEY READY TO FACE RIVAL BRAZIL AND ADVANCE TO WORLD CUP FINAL
The Turkish National Soccer Team is set today to face Brazil’s team in the
World Cup semifinals. Though its South American rival managed to defeat
Turkey in first round competition, the entire team under Senol Gunes is
confident it will emerge victorious in today’s match. All of Turkey is
holding its breath in anticipation of this historic competition, and Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit has even given state workers the afternoon off.
Whatever today’s result, the nation is justifiably proud of its team going
to the World Cup for the first time in nearly a half-century and advancing
this far. /All Papers/
[02] SEZER HOSTS BSEC SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s (BSEC) heads of states and governments
summit began yesterday in Istanbul with the attendance of eight presidents
of the group’s 11 member states. The opening speech of the summit was made
by host President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who said that it was time for the
BSEC to reach its full potential and borders. Sezer stated that he was very
happy to see the heads of states and government in Istanbul for the 10th
anniversary of the establishment of the BSEC. Sezer also said that he
particularly welcomed cooperation in the area of fighting terrorism, adding
that Turkey gives its full support to the fight against terrorism as a
country which has suffered a great deal from this menace. “Terrorism
prevents the establishment of international peace and security as well as
economic and social progress,” Sezer added. Sezer also remarked that the
BSEC should have more links with the European Union, on the basis of
concrete projects based on international energy, finance and trade. The
leaders later signed a summit declaration and had a family photograph
marking the end of the one-day meeting. /All Papers/
[03] CEM MEETS WITH OSKANYAN TO DISCUSS UPPER KARABAKH ISSUE
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday met with his Armenian counterpart
Vartan Oskanyan on the sidelines of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s
(BSEC) summit to discuss the Upper Karabakh issue. During the meeting, the
Armenian side asked Turkey to withdraw its condition that the Armenians end
their occupation of upper Karabakh, which is Azerbaijani territory, in
order to improve relations. The response of the Turkish side was that first
the Karabakh issue should be solved, then relations can be improved, adding
that this was the basic state policy. The two ministers also decided to
continue talks behind closed doors. /Hurriyet/
[04] BAHCELI: “THE EU’S STANCE ON TURKEY IS HYPOCRITICAL”
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet
Bahceli charged yesterday that the European Union’s stance on Turkey was
hypocritical. Addressing his party’s Parliament group meeting, Bahceli
spoke on the ongoing EU membership bid discussions in the public. Stressing
that certain circles were acting as propagandists for the EU while
ceaselessly criticizing the MHP’s stance on it, he said, “Same circles
never even consider criticizing the EU’s policies on Turkey and Cyprus.”
Bahceli claimed that EU officials were showing disrespectful, insincere
behaviour to Turkey. “The European Parliament’s decisions are the most
concrete examples of this,” he added. Stating that the EU’s mind was not
clear about Turkey, Bahceli said, “Up to now, the EU has not been able to
develop a friendly and honest policy for Turkey.” Recalling EU officials’
pressure for a dialogue with the terrorist organization PKK, Bahceli said
that neither the Turkish people nor the MHP could accept such an idea.
Regarding the Turkish National Football team’s success in the World Cup,
Bahceli said that it was an example of what Turks could do when they acted
with faith and determination. /Turkiye/
[05] YILMAZ: “CURRENT DEBATES DO NOT REFLECT ALL THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”
Speaking at a conference on “Turkey’s Development Through European Union
Membership” organized by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities
Exchanges (TOBB) in Brussels yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz
said that issues of the death penalty and teaching and broadcasting in
mother tongues were only part of the Copenhagen criteria. Yilmaz added,
“There are certain reasons for discussing these issues. The EU hasn’t
singled out Turkey among nations in insisting that it comply with the
Copenhagen criteria. Unfortunately, it’s painful for us to accept this
fact. The traces and scars of terrorism, under which we suffered for many
years, are still very much there. We understand the sensitivities of the
state about the EU. However, the state’s role is not to display
sensitivities. The state’s role is to protect and develop the country’s
best interests and the freedoms of its citizens using the yardstick of
science and modern civilization.” Yilmaz added that the Copenhagen criteria
weren’t limited to these much-discussed three conditions but that there
many things remained to do to achieve this goal. /Milliyet/
[06] BUSH THANKS ECEVIT FOR TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
United States President George W. Bush sent a letter to Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit this week expressing the US’ appreciation for Turkey’s
assuming command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in
Afghanistan. Remarking that Turkey’s support for the US war against
terrorism reinforced good bilateral relations between the two countries,
Bush said that Turkey constituted a good example for the Muslim world, as a
country which has successfully synthesized Islam and secular democracy.
“The US will continue to cooperate with the Turkish government for the
success of the ISAF under the command of Turkey,” said Bush. “I appreciate
Turkey’s courageous decision to assume the ISAF command. Turkey’s
leadership in our joint fight against terrorism is a good example for the
rest of the Muslim world.” /Cumhuriyet/
[07] AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR: “TURKEY MUST BE IN A UNITED EUROPE”
Austrian Ambassador to Turkey Marius Calligaris said yesterday that the
European Union had officially declared Turkey’s membership with its
decision made in December 1999 at the Helsinki summit. He said, “The
construction of a united Europe without Turkey is not possible.” Pointing
to advances in Turkish-EU relations, Calligaris stated that Turkey had
taken important steps this year to implement the Copenhagen criteria which
are needed to begin full membership negotiations. He stated that he hoped
Turkey would succeed in fulfilling all the criteria soon. /Turkiye/
[08] KIVRIKOGLU: “THE TSK PLACES IMPORTANCE ON EDUCATION”
Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu yesterday handed out awards
to 132 members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to recognize their
achievements in science and cultural competitions. In a ceremony at General
Staff Headquarters, Kivrikoglu said that in an age of science and
information, top-notch education was the key to accomplishment. “The TSK
places great importance on the role of education in training its personnel
to the highest standards,” he added. /Turkiye/
[09] LEADERS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
The International Energy Conference began yesterday in Istanbul with the
attendence of the Turkish, Ukranian, Romanian, Georgian and Azeri
presidents. Addressing the opening of the meeting, the leaders reiterated
their support for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline project, stressing
that it would not be a rival to either any country or any other project.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that Turkey would be a transit country
through which European oil and gas needs would be met. Noting that the Baku-
Ceyhan oil pipeline engineering studies had been completed, and that
construction of it would begin in the near future, Sezer also proposed
construction of a gas pipeline parallel to the Baku-Ceyhan. During their
speeches, other leaders also pointed to importance of the implementation of
projects in the East-West Energy Coridor ventures. /Turkiye/
[10] GREEK SPOKESMAN: “THE ESDP IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU”
Greek government spokesman Hritos Protopapas yesterday stated that Greece’s
national interests concerning the European Security and Defense Policy
(ESDP) had been completely ensured under the latest decisions made at latst
weekend’s EU Seville summit. “The 15 members of the EU determined the
general framework of the ESDP through their decisions unanimously accepted,
” he said. “These decisions have proved that the ESDP is no longer a matter
of dispute between Turkey and the EU, but rather an issue of Turkish-EU
relations.” /Cumhuriyet/
[11] NINE DSP DEPUTIES CALL ON PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT TO STEP DOWN
Nine dissident deputies from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) -- Ali Arabacý,
Ahmet Arkan, Bayram Firat Dayanikli, Cengiz Gulec, Uluc Gurkan, Emin Karaa,
Sadik Kirbas, Ertugrul Kumcuoglu and Tahir Kose -- issued a declaration
yesterday calling on to their leader and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to
step down. At a press conference in Parliament to announce their statement,
the deputies said, “The DSP should be able to go on without Ecevit.” The
declaration also remarked that ongoing political uncertainty was harming
governmental harmony, stressing however that Ecevit’s health problems
weren’t the only reason for the deterioration but that reasons also
included conflicting views on the European Union membership process and
“unrealistic” early election expectations. The deputies also stated that
the DSP is the best and most effective party to overcome Turkey’s problems.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Ecevit’s rest and recuperation period, which has
lasted a month, is set to end tomorrow. After Ecevit has been examined by
his doctors, it will be decided whether he will participate in the National
Security Council (MGK) meeting on Friday. /Sabah/
[12] TBB SIGNS AGREEMENT TO COORDINATE ISTANBUL APPROACH
The Turkish Banks Union (TBB) signed an agreement yesterday with the
Turkish Industrial Development Bank committing itself to its duty of acting
as coordinator of the Istanbul Approach, the popular name for the Financial
Restructuring Framework Agreement. The TBB stated that the letters of
application and commitment are to be signed by debtor firms had been
completed and sent to banks and other debtor institutions which signed the
framework agreement. /Star/
[13] KURTALAN RECEIVES GOLD DESIGN AWARD
A gold jewelry ensemble designed by Turkish artist Meltem Kurtulan
yesterday was named among the top 34 designs at the prestigious Gold
Virtuosi 2002 Jewelry Design and Craftsmanship competition in Vicenza,
Italy. The competition, organized by the World Gold Council (WGC), is
considered the “Oscar” of gold jewelry design contests. Kurtalan’s design
had previously bested 5,100 other contenders to take home first prize at
Turkey’s Gold Trends 2002 competition. /Star/
[14] TURKISH MOVIE “PHOTOGRAPH” RECEIVES SPECIAL JURY PRIZE IN SPAIN
The winners of Spain’s 17th Valencia International Young Cinema Festival
were announced this week. “Photograph,” a movie by Turkish director Kazim
Oz, received the festival’s Special Jury Prize. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] PARLIAMENT REJECTS PROPOSALS FROM DYP, SP
A proposal to delay or cancel Parliament’s summer recess, due to officially
begin July 1, submitted by the by the main opposition True Path Party (DYP)
was rejected yesterday through the votes of government coalition partners.
DYP group Deputy Chairman Nevzat Ercan told Parliament that Turkey’s
European Union harmonisation reforms needed to be passed as soon as
possible. The EU’s Copenhagen summit is coming up in December, he pointed
out, and if Parliament recesses it won’t re-convene until October, leaving
little chance of its passing the reforms expected at the summit. Meanwhile,
a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Cabinet
submiited by the Felicity Party (SP) was also rejected. /Aksam/
[16] MGK TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY
The National Security Council (MGK) chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
is scheduled to hold its regularly scheduled meeting this Friday at 1:30
p.m. at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. The domestic political situation,
Turkey’s European Union accession process and economic developments will be
the top issues to be discussed on the meeting’s agenda. Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit is scheduled for a checkup with his doctors before the
meeting to determine whether he will be able to attend. /Aksam/
[17] AZEBAIJANI PRESIDENT TO HONOR KIVRIKOGLU
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev is scheduled today to give a honor
medal today to Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu during a
visit to the General Staff Headquarters in Ankara. /Turkiye/
[18] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
[19] WHAT CAME OUT OF SEVILLE? BY GURAY OZ (CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Guray Oz writes on the EU Seville summit. A summary of Oz’s
column is as follows:
“The issues discussed at the Seville summit and decisions taken were all
characterized by the newspapers according to their own affiliations. The
news in both Turkish and European newspapers were filled with contradictory
stories. The summit was in a way overshadowed by the news coming from the
World Cup matches. The Seville summit began in the shade of the election
results in France and Holland. Silvio Berlusconi, who met the harshest
opposition from the European Union after he was elected, was one of the
most important figures of this summit. The host of the summit, Jose Maria
Aznar, was relieved to pass over this duty to Danish Prime Minister Anders
Fogh Rasmussen. German Prime Minister Schroeder could not ensure a change
in agricultural policies pursued upto today and a lessening of Germany’s
burden. No dates were set regarding the EU candidate countries. Strict
decisions were wanted so as to defend the borders of Europe, but no
consensus emerged to implement harsh sanctions against countries providing
transit passage to refugees and illegal immigrants. The decisions against
terrorism taken at the previous summit were reiterated, and it was also
decided to support countries outside the EU in the fight against terrorism.
The bargaining between Turkey and the European Union took place among
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and EU Term President Spain’s Foreign Minister
Josep Pique and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security
Policy Javier Solana. The formulae prepared taking into consideration the
details to counter Turkey’s opposition to the European Security and Defence
Policy (ESDP) were rejected by Ismail Cem. It was understood that Ankara
would not agree to such a plan before a date was set for its EU accession
negotiations. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw clearly stated this. The
Istanbul Accord prepared with the support of the US and British diplomats
foresaw that Turkey’s opinions and approval should be sought in military
operations Turkey would participate in. The main line of the document made
certain that no military sanctions should be implemented against a NATO
country. Greece didn’t like this document and proposed a series of changes.
The change it presented in Seville was a different one. Greece, wanted to
note down the condition that NATO or a NATO member country would not launch
a military operation against any EU country. Here the NATO country meant is
Turkey, and the EU country was either Greece or Cyprus. Naturally, a
decision was not taken on the issue. However, Greece left the summit
pleased, as no certain dates were set for candidate countries’ admittance
into the Union and the issue was left to the Copenhagen summit in December.
If there are no surprises, full membership status will be granted to the 10
countries in one way or another, and they will be taken into the Union in
2003 or 2004. In 2003 the European Union Term Presidency will pass over to
Greece. The country which will conduct talks on ESDP with Turkey would be
Greece in the six months to follow. Turkey didn’t get a timetable for its
EU full membership from the Seville summit. The issue was left to the
Copenhagen summit. As always, it was stated that Turkey had not completed
its homework. The announcement that no date could be given for the start of
accession negotiations fell upon German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. He
voiced the will of the EU by saying, ‘We are not yet ready, and there is no
binding timetable for Turkey.’”
[20] LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
Columnist Oktay Eksi writes on the recent speech delivered by Deputy Prime
Minister Devlet Bahceli at the praliamentary group meeting of his
Nationalist Action Party (MHP). A summary of his column is as follows:
“Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, as is the custom today, began his
speech by congratulating the Turkish football team. However, the main issue
he discussed in his speech was Turkey’s relations with the EU. We have to
state that on some of the criticisms he directed at the EU, we completely
share his views. For example, we share his reactions to the words of Joost
Langendjik, Dutch co-chairman of the European Joint Parliamentary Group
which forms a bridge between Turkish and European Parliament, in a
statement to the press following official talks when he had the nerve to
say that Turkey had to enter a dialogue with the PKK and if this wasn’t
done, none of the Copenhagen criteria would be considered fulfilled. In the
same vein, the European Parliament’s frequently taking absurd decisions
such as the one calling on us to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide
is another issue of the same kind. However, this is not surprising. The
same stance can be seen in the policies towards other countries. The EU is
a democratic society. There will be people in favor of such causes and
those against them. The important thing is not what is said but the
decisions taken afterwards. These decisions are not taken by fools like Mr.
Langendjik, nor are the decisions of the European Parliament binding. After
all these are said and done with, when Turkey is included among the
candidate countries during the Helsinki summit everything will fall into
place. Therefore, Mr. Bahceli should not formulate his party’s policies
fearing the biased policies of the European Union or that they may impose
new conditions which will Turkey dearly. Furthermore, the argument stating
that we should comply with the Copenhagen criteria after the EU has given
us a date for accession negotiations is simply indefensible. In that case,
the question that if they are ready to comply with these criteria, why not
now, is left unanswered. Probably Mr. Bahceli explained his views most
clearly to Ertugrul Ozkok, the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet. ‘They are
asking me to act like a statesman not chairman of a party... However,
others (meaning Mesut Yilmaz) will use the EU issue for the benefit of
their own party and I will be left to act as a politician above parties. Is
this politics?’ In other words, this means that he is putting the interests
of his party above all.”
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