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Turkish Press Review, 04-01-16Turkish 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> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning16.01.2004FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] PRODI, VERHEUGEN BEGIN ANKARA VISITEuropean Union Commission head Romano Prodi accompanied by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen and other EU officials arrived yesterday in Ankara. After meeting with Prime Minister Prime Minister Erdogan, Prodi told reporters of the importance of his trip as the first visit from an EU Commission president since the 1963 Turkish-EU Ankara agreement. Praising Turkey’s recent reforms, Prodi also underlined the importance of their implementation. Commenting on the Cyprus issue, he said that the Copenhagen criteria were the most critical for the EU and that a resolution on Cyprus was not a precondition for Turkey’s membership. “However,” he added, “if it is solved by May 1 [when Greek Cyprus is due to join the EU], this will be a great help.” For his part, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that in a very fruitful meeting they had reviewed what Ankara needs to do in the runup to the EU’s December summit, where it is set to decide on talks on Ankara’s candidacy. Reiterating Ankara’s determination for EU membership, Erdogan said that from now on Turkish officials will establish a closer dialogue and cooperation with commission members. In addition, Prodi met with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and then delivered an address to Parliament. He also met with main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal. /All Papers/[02] ERDOGAN TO TAKE MESSAGE FROM SYRIA TO BUSHPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will give US President George W. Bush impressions from his recent historic meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the premier’s visit to Washington set to begin on Jan. 25, said diplomatic sources yesterday. Erdogan is expected to convey to Bush Assad’s message that Syria is open to the prospect of resuming bilateral talks with Israel which were broken off in 1999. According to the sources, he is also to tell Bush that Turkey is ready to act as a “facilitator” between the two hostile neighboring countries. Ankara believes that the necessary groundwork for new talks, which is presently lacking, might be laid by establishing contacts between nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from both countries. Turkey is volunteering to host such meetings between Syrian and Israeli NGOs to prepare a friendly basis for future political meetings. /Hurriyet/[03] ERDOGAN, GUL, ARINC DISCUSS EU MEMBERSHIP BIDParliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday met in Ankara to discuss Turkey’s EU membership bid. Arinc and Gul first told Erdogan about recently begun work on EU reforms in the Parliament and Foreign Ministry. Erdogan replied that he appreciated this work, adding he also wanted to launch a similar initiative in his own office. The three leaders also agreed to improve coordination between the state institutions working on EU reforms. /Hurriyet/[04] IPUK’S BEHRAM SALIH ARRIVES IN ANKARABehram Salih, a representative of the Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK), arrived yesterday in Ankara to hold meetings with officials from the government and Foreign Ministry on recent developments in Iraq. Speaking to reporters at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport, he attempted to clarify his recent declaration that Kirkuk was a “Kurdish city.” Historically and geographically, said Salih, Kirkuk is a part of Kurdistan, but it has a complex structure including Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians and Arabs. He added that the oil-rich northern Iraqi city should be a place where different peoples live together in peace. /Turkiye/[05] WASHINGTON: “WE HAVEN’T SIGNED A NEW AGREEMENT WITH ANKARA TO USE ITS INCIRLIK AIRBASE”The US hasn’t signed any new agreement with Turkey over the use of NATO’s Incirlik Airbase, the State Department announced yesterday. "There is no new agreement," said the statement, released in response to a reporter's question about the US use of Incirlik for Iraq troop rotation. "We have had arrangements with Turkey for the use of Incirlik for many years. We believe those arrangements are good for the United States and good for Turkey, and we would like them to continue. Our operations are consistent with international law, Turkish sovereignty, and our longstanding agreements such as the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951." In related news, the Turkish General Staff is expected to brief reporters today on the use of Incirlik. /Cumhuriyet/[06] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER: “IF THE EU REJECTS TURKEY, IT WILL PAY DEARLY”In an interview with German magazine Stern, Germany’s Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer warned that if the European Union closes its door to Turkey, this action will end up costing it dearly. “The EU forging close links with Turkey is very important for the security of our continent,” Fischer told the current issue of the newsweekly. “Admitting Turkey into the EU will be our most important strategic decision of the 21st century.” /Hurriyet/[07] POWELL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO NEW TRNC PRIME MINISTERUS Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday sent a message of congratulations to new Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat through Michael Klasson, the US ambassador to Greek Cyprus. Powell reportedly congratulated Talat for the leadership and responsibility he had assumed in the new coalition government, adding that he believed the results of the recent polls were a clear sign of the Turkish Cypriot people's desire for peace and EU membership. He also called for wise use of the current window of opportunity based on the UN resolution plan to ensure that Turkish Cypriots benefit from EU membership. Reiterating Washington’s commitment to ensure the necessary international financial support to reach a settlement on Cyprus, Powell also said he appreciated the premier’s good will and efforts both before and after the polls to solve the island’s problems in line with the UN plan. /Star/[08] CONSTITUTION COMMISSION PASSES PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BILLParliament’s Constitution Commission yesterday passed a new public administration bill. During debates before the vote, opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) deputies argued vehemently against the measure. Speaking afterwards, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said that he had drafted the bill and so assumed responsibility for it. /All papers/[09] DUTCH AMBASSADOR TO TURKEY: “TURKEY HAS MADE GREAT PROGRESS ON ITS EU BID”Turkey has made great progress on its European Union membership bid, said Dutch Ambassador to Turkey Sjoerd Izaak Hendrik Gosses yesterday. “Ankara should help to reach a resolution on Cyprus,” said Gosses, adding that he believed it was determined to do this. The Netherlands is set to be the EU’s term president during its key December 2004 summit, when it is to decide whether or not to begin accession talks with Turkey. /Turkiye/[10] DENKTAS: “TO REACH A CYPRUS RESOLUTION, BOTH SIDES MUST BE WILLING”No agreement can be reached on Cyprus if only the Turkish Cypriots are willing, said Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas yesterday. “The Turkish Cypriots want a fair and honorable agreement on the island,” said Denktas, adding that the whole world had unjustly ignored the existence of the TRNC. /Turkiye/[11] THREE MINISTERS IN NEW TRNC CABINET TO BE REPLACEDIn response to an application from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) National Unity Party (UBP) leader Dervis Eroglu saying that the three non-parliamentarian ministers of the new TRNC Cabinet were ineligible for the posts, the ministers in question will be replaced, the TRNC government announced yesterday. President Rauf Denktas said that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)-Democratic Party (DP) coalition government will have to submit to him within the next few days three new names to replace the disputed ministers, who were declared “ineligible” by the chief prosecutor as all of them resided abroad and so could neither run in elections nor serve on the Cabinet. /All Papers/[12] TOBB TELLS IMF OF CONCERNS ABOUT POPULIST POLICIESTurkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu yesterday received International Monetary Fund Turkey Desk Chief Riza Moghadam at the head of a visiting IMF delegation. Speaking after their meeting, Hisarciklioglu said that he was worried that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government would pursue populist policies before local elections scheduled for April. Hisarciklioglu further stated that unemployment was Turkey’s most pressing problem, adding that the construction sector needed to grow in order to create new jobs and reduce unemployment. /Milliyet/[13] LEFTIST PARTIES UNITE FOR ISTANBUL’S MAYORAL RACESix leftist and social democrat political parties yesterday announced that they would nominate a common candidate for Istanbul’s metropolitan mayor post. In a joint press statement, the parties said that a name determined by nongovernmental organizations and trade unions would be their candidate for the post in local elections this spring. The parties in question are the Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP), the Party of Labor (EMEP), the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), the Social Democrat Party (SDP), the Free Society Party (OTP) and the Social Democratic People’s Party (SHP). /Turkiye/[14] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[15] PRODI MIGHT GIVE US A MESSAGE IN JUNE BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on EU Commission President Romano Prodi’s current visit to Turkey. A summary of her column is as follows:“EU Commission President Romano Prodi has arrived in Turkey. Visits on these levels coincide with the times Europe has to make important decisions about Turkey. Prodi has close relations with Ankara and knows us very well. He has visited Turkey before, but it’s his first visit as Commission president, and he has a purpose in mind. This visit shows that Ankara’s European perspective and the year 2004 are important issues not only for us, but also for Europe. This is a positive sign, but the exaggerated dignity in Prodi’s statements isn’t encouraging. He often says that the EU expects Turkey to comply carefully with the Copenhagen criteria and implement them. He stresses the importance of implementing reforms for southeastern Anatolia. This is all right, but when he starts to talk about the difficulties of making decisions about Turkey, I get the impression of a reluctance beneath this extreme dignity. For example, when he was speaking with Mehmet Ali Birand and Zeynep Lule on CNN-Turk, he said, ‘Turkey isn’t Malta.’ What has our population got to do with the criteria? When such criteria are put forth, naturally pessimism occurs, doubts grow deeper and reluctance spreads. However, Turkey started this year optimistically. Another important issue on Prodi’s agenda is Cyprus. He said, ‘Cyprus will become an EU member in May. It would be better for you to help reach an agreement by that date.’ Otherwise, negotiations might continue after May. Experts say that it’s legally correct that the EU agreement can’t be reopened to negotiation. Then what will happen to the right of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey? They will be subject to the EU acquis communautaire. So if an agreement can’t be reached by May, the island’s Turks will become a minority. But if the Cyprus issue is solved in May, this doesn’t guarantee that the EU will start membership negotiations with Ankara. The EU can’t treat Turkey partially. This stance, which could turn the negotiations process into a process of ‘submission,’ is far from being encouraging for a solution. If the EU makes all of Cyprus a full member on May 1, it should encourage Turkey at the June summit where this decision would be announced. Of course it’s our duty to implement reforms. But if Turkey completes its preparations for full membership negotiations and put forth the political will for a solution on Cyprus, the EU should give Turkey its first political message at the June summit.” [16] THE INCIRLIK QUESTION BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)Columnist Taha Akyol comments on Turkey’s Incirlik Airbase. A summary of his column is as follows:“Northern Iraq is a serious problem for Turkey. Remember the terrible economic and humane toll that the PKK, based in northern Iraq, took from Turkey. It is evident that it will threaten Turkey again if a hostile formation arises in northern Iraq. The ‘red lines’ on this issue drawn by Turkey faded away because we couldn’t give military support, and our ‘strategic partnership’ with the United States fell flat when the motion on US troop deployment was rejected by Parliament. So Barzani and Talabani became the US’ ‘strategic allies’ in Iraq. As Saddam’s army dissolved, the Kurds took the remaining weapons, including heavy armaments. The Americans also told Ankara, ‘Talabani has sold some of Saddam’s remaining tanks to Iran!’ Barzani and Talabani have benefited very well from this arrangement. They want to form a ‘federal Kurdistan’ including Mosul and Kirkuk, and under which the PKK remains in the Kandili Mountains. The US has problems with the Shiites and is in conflict with the Sunnis. Washington at this stage is trying to please the Kurds. One factor that weakens Turkey’s hand is that there is a distinct cooling among the American troops in northern Iraq towards Turkey. Remember the Sulaimaniya incident back in March. You can see it in the attitude of the US troops’ when a problem of public order arises in Kirkuk. American troops print red, yellow and green visiting cards [the colors of the so-called Kurdish flag]! The reason isn’t political, but rather psychological: For months the US was kept waiting at sea by Turkey and then was refused. They had to invade from the south instead of using an easy access through Turkey. These troops will be rotated; they will go back to the US. New troops will come in their place. Ankara has a list of US officers that reacted ‘with hostility’ towards Turkey. These officers will go back to the US under this rotation. And Ankara wants to speed up this rotation by opening its Incirlik Airbase. But what does the law say? United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483, based on the binding 7th chapter of the UN Charter, urges every country to help the coalition forces’ efforts to establish public order, security and stability. Our decree of June 23, 2003 based on this resolution states that the Turkish General Staff will determine the ‘principles and procedures’ to which US troops returning to the US via Incirlik will conform. There is no war. Therefore Article 92 of the Constitution on ‘foreign troops in Turkey’ is not the germane in this matter, and so needs no decision by the Parliament. Also Turkey’s strategic interests and its anxieties on northern Iraq require speed in this rotation as well as progress in Turkish-US relations.” 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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