Read the US State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Turkish Press Review, 05-11-29

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: 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 morning

29.11.2005

FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

CONTENTS

  • [01] ERDOGAN: “WE MUST OBJECT TO EVERY KIND OF TERROR WITHOUT EXCEPTION”
  • [02] SENER: “THE $22 BLN CURRENT ACCOUNTS DEFICIT SHOULDN’T BE A THREAT TO THE ECONOMY”
  • [03] MUMCU: “TURKEY WON’T BENEFIT FROM ‘PRIMARY IDENTITY’ ARGUMENTS”
  • [04] EU COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT: “THE PARTY’S OVER”
  • [05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COULD TRY TO BLOCK PROCESS ON CYPRUS
  • [06] RAUF DENKTAS: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD REJECT THE ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS UNION PROTOCOL”
  • [07] FRENCH SENATE HOSTS MEETING ON TURKEY
  • [08] BABACAN: “OUR TOTAL DEBT TO THE IMF FELL TO $13.5 BLN THIS MONTH”
  • [09] CREDIT CARD, MORTGAGE BILLS SENT TO PARLIAMENT
  • [10] DISBANK BECOMES FORTIS
  • [11] FIFA BEGINS TURKISH-SWISS INQUIRY
  • [12] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [13] ALLIANCE OF PRETTY WORDS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

  • [01] ERDOGAN: “WE MUST OBJECT TO EVERY KIND OF TERROR WITHOUT EXCEPTION”

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday served warning to European countries which support press enterprises spreading terrorist groups’ propaganda. Speaking at the EuroMed summit in Spain, Erdogan said that citing “freedom of expression” to justify tolerance to those who spread terrorist propaganda constituted a crime against humanity. “We have to object to every kind of terror without exception,” said Erdogan. “Looking for different standards won’t help to solve the problem. I am speaking as the prime minister of a country which lost more than 40,000 people to terrorism. Freedom of speech and the press cannot be a shield for terrorist groups which take the blood of innocents without discrimination, whether young or old, men or women. The smallest tolerance for terror or its supporters is a fatal mistake which can cost the lives of many innocent people.” /Star/

    [02] SENER: “THE $22 BLN CURRENT ACCOUNTS DEFICIT SHOULDN’T BE A THREAT TO THE ECONOMY”

    Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said yesterday that the current accounts deficit was expected to reach $22 billion by year’s-end, adding that this figure didn’t pose a threat to the economy. Sener stated that as a result of the 2005 program, Turkey’s economic targets would be largely achieved. “We’ll even surpass some of our targets,” he said. Sener stressed that one of the reasons for the high current accounts deficit was the high foreign trade deficit, adding that rising oil prices had led to the latter. /Star/

    [03] MUMCU: “TURKEY WON’T BENEFIT FROM ‘PRIMARY IDENTITY’ ARGUMENTS”

    Speaking at a meeting of his party yesterday, Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Erkan Mumcu commented on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent remarks on “primary identity,” saying that Turkey would not benefit from such arguments. “If you try to divide the Turkish nation into groups, groups which have coexisted for more than 1,000 years, then you’ll betray the nation,” he said. Mumcu stated further that Turkey wasn’t a mosaic. /Aksam/

    [04] EU COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT: “THE PARTY’S OVER”

    After toughening his tone against Turkey last week, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn yesterday warned Ankara once again. Speaking at the 20th meeting of the European Union-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee Rehn said, “The negotiation process with the European Union will lose its importance and significance if the reforms don’t continue,” adding, “There is no shortcut to Europe.” Rehn said, “The party’s over” and added that the recent EU progress report on Turkey included serious concerns. “We can’t make the same evaluation in 2006 without it leading to serious damage to the negotiating process,” Rehn said. He also criticized the attitude of Turkish police at the weekend Egitim-Sen demonstration. Rehn said that Turkey must take a line in accordance with the EU on union rights, and added, “The Egitim-Sen case is a litmus test. An evaluation should be done according to this.” /Milliyet/

    [05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COULD TRY TO BLOCK PROCESS ON CYPRUS

    The European Parliament is set to declare its attitude on Cyprus through a report prepared by Elmar Brok, chairman of its Committee on Foreign Affairs. The report will be discussed today by the committee. If the report is passed, the EP’s stance on Cyprus will become definite and difficult to change. If Turkey doesn’t approve the additional Customs Union protocol in its Parliament without the supplementary declaration, the EP will not approve the report. Thus Turkey would not begin its EU negotiations chapters on the free circulation of goods and services and the Customs Union. /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] RAUF DENKTAS: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD REJECT THE ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS UNION PROTOCOL”

    Speaking yesterday at a conference in Manisa, former Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that Ankara’s Parliament should reject the additional Customs Union protocol, adding that its passage would mean failure of the Cyprus cause. Denktas stressed that he needed to tell the Turkish nation the truth about the Cyprus issue. “The nation is unaware of the grim realities,” said Denktas. He added that the UN Cyprus plan shouldn’t be discussed again since it was dangerous and unnecessary. “Sitting at the negotiating table over the Annan plan wouldn’t be appropriate,” added Denktas. /Star/

    [07] FRENCH SENATE HOSTS MEETING ON TURKEY

    The French Senate is set today to host a conference on Turkey’s relations with both the European Union and France. The conference organized by UBIFRANCE, the French agency for international business development, is to be opened with a keynote speech by Christian Poncelet, president of the French Senate. Diplomats, businessmen and scholars from Turkey are expected to discuss the banking and financial sectors in Turkey and investments between Turkey and France, as well as the political situation in Turkey. /Turkish Daily News/

    [08] BABACAN: “OUR TOTAL DEBT TO THE IMF FELL TO $13.5 BLN THIS MONTH”

    State Minister for the Economy Ali Babacan said yesterday that Turkey’s total debt to the International Monetary Fund had fallen, adding that $22 billion in debt dropped to $13.5 billion by the end of this month. Babacan stated that by implementing disciplined and consistent monetary policies, the government had ushered in a new era in the Turkish economy. He said that interest rates had fallen to 8%, adding that the risk premium of Turkey was lower than other countries with the same credit note. /Star/

    [09] CREDIT CARD, MORTGAGE BILLS SENT TO PARLIAMENT

    A bill setting new regulations for bankcards and credit cards was submitted to the Parliament Speaker’s Office yesterday. Under the bill, interest rates on late payment fees could not be more than 30 percent of the real interest rate, and the card owner must agree to and approve any increase of the upper credit limit. Meanwhile, another bill to begin the mortgage era in Turkey was also submitted to the Parliament Speaker’s Office. The system will allow people to buy houses by paying small installments over a long period of time. The bill is expected to be passed within the next few weeks. /Turkiye/

    [10] DISBANK BECOMES FORTIS

    Turkey’s Disbank, which this April was bought by Fortis, Belgium’s biggest banking group, yesterday began to welcome its clients under the name Fortis. Speaking at a press conference, Fortis Bank Chairman Karel De Boeck said that they were pleased to invest in a dynamic country such as Turkey, adding that Disbank had been adapted to the structure of Fortis. Stressing that they hoped to boost their number of branches from 183 to 300 within five years, Boeck added that 1,700 new employees would also be hired. /Aksam/

    [11] FIFA BEGINS TURKISH-SWISS INQUIRY

    FIFA, world football’s governing body, yesterday began an investigation of the violent aftermath of the World Cup playoff-qualifying match between Turkey and Switzerland earlier this month. Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Chairman Levent Bicakci as well as Fatih Terim, Mehmet Ozdilek, Emre Belozoglu and Davut Disli testified at a hearing at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. A FIFA spokesman called the inquiry the biggest disciplinary one in its history. A decision is expected in February. /Hurriyet/

    [12] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [13] ALLIANCE OF PRETTY WORDS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the Alliance of Civilizations summit in Mallorca and the EU-Mediterranean summit in Barcelona this week in Spain. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “The Alliance of Civilizations project summit in Mallorca and the EU- Mediterranean summit in Barcelona this week in Spain showed how far we are from the much-sought after realization of the ideal of ‘rapprochement of civilizations.’ The former gave certain pleasing messages about ensuring a new understanding between the Islamic world and the West, but it was felt openly that there were still disagreements standing in the way. The latter produced a general consensus, but, in fact, the depth of separation between two sides of the Mediterranean became clear. The meeting on Mallorca is the fruit of an idea put forth by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero a year ago. This idea was turned into a project with the support of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with the international community. Here, the aim is to dispel the prejudice and hostility of nations from different cultures, religions and races and make them unite in common values. Everybody would agree that it’s a great idea. However, when it comes to actually doing this, difficulties and obstacles become clear. Not only nations from different cultures, religions and races, but even many countries have difficulties implementing such a unity and harmony within their own borders. I think it was an impatient move to show such an assertive target as ‘alliance’ for the project in Mallorca. When an understanding between civilizations and cultures is reached, then an alliance can be thought about. In spite of all the pretty words which were said at this meeting, even the leaders couldn’t reach a consensus on such basis issues as terrorism.

    Despite everything, the devotion and determination for the ideal of bringing together different civilizations give hope for the future. The EuroMed meeting in Barcelona is the product of a process which was started 10 years ago at Spain’s initiative. At that time, the aim was to bring EU members, non-EU members and all Mediterranean countries (a total of 38 countries) together and ensure rapprochement and cooperation in the economic, cultural and social fields. Certain improvements were made towards this end in the ‘process of Barcelona.’ Actually, it was hoped that the summit would be a turning point on its 10th anniversary. However, the leaders of most of Mediterranean countries didn’t participate in the summit, and this damaged the hopes. In addition, there were serious disagreements over basic issues. The definition of terrorism is one of them. In addition, there were different approaches between the two sides of the Mediterranean on such issues as democracy, political reforms and the role of civil society. Even the Spanish daily La Vanguardia called the summit the ‘bankruptcy of the Barcelona summit.’ Maybe this is an exaggeration, but the meetings in Mallorca and Barcelona reminded everybody that such a process requires great patience.”

    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
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    trkpr2html v1.02a run on Tuesday, 29 November 2005 - 9:51:08 UTC