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Turkish Press Review, 07-01-08
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
08.01.2007
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER DUE IN ITALY TODAY
[02] BAYKAL: "INVITING SEZER TO OUR PARTY COULD BE SEEN AS DISRESPECT"
[03] AGAR: "WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE USED AS POLITICAL FODDER"
[04] PAPADOPOULOS: "WE'RE READY TO TAKE STEPS ON LEDRAS ST. IF OUR PRECONDITIONS ARE FULFILLED"
[05] LAND FORCES COMMAND TO BUY CARGO HELICOPTERS
[00]
SCOUTS NAME PEPE "STATESMAN OF THE YEAR"
[06] BABACAN: "FOREIGN EXCHANGE ACCOUNTS HAVE RISEN DUE TO FOREIGN BANKS"
[07] TANER'S WARNINGS
[01] SEZER DUE IN ITALY TODAY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is due today to travel to Rome for an official
visit. During his stay in Italy, Sezer is expected to meet with Italian
officials to discuss political and economic issues as well as bilateral
ties. Sezer and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano will also attend the
opening of an art exhibition. /Cumhuriyet/
[02] BAYKAL: "INVITING SEZER TO OUR PARTY COULD BE SEEN AS DISRESPECT"
Appearing on television over the weekend, main opposition Republican
People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that he would be pleased if
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer were to decide to enter politics after his
seven-year term ends this spring. Asked if he had invited Sezer to his
party, Baykal said he had not since it could be taken as a sign of
disrespect. Also commenting on May's presidential election for Sezer's
successor, Baykal said that the election should be held on a firm legal
basis. "There should be compromise on the issue," stated Baykal, adding
that he didn't want Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be president.
"We believe that he shouldn't be the president," said Baykal. /Turkiye/
[03] AGAR: "WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE USED AS POLITICAL FODDER"
Speaking at a ceremony over the weekend marking the 61st anniversary of the
Democrat Party, a forerunner of his own True Path Party (DYP), DYP leader
Mehmet Agar said that women shouldn't be used as political fodder.
Commenting on recent statements from the National Intelligence Agency (MIT)
undersecretary marking the agency's 80th anniversary that Turkey should
pursue a more active policy, Agar added that Turkey should be more active
in its region. "Turkey has organized political developments in its region,"
added Agar. /Turkiye/
[04] PAPADOPOULOS: "WE'RE READY TO TAKE STEPS ON LEDRAS ST. IF OUR
PRECONDITIONS ARE FULFILLED"
Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos said over the weekend that the
Greek Cypriot side is ready to demolish the wall in front of the National
Guard observation post at Ledras St. within 24 hours, once necessary
preconditions for the secure movement of the people are fulfilled. He
claimed it was inconceivable to move forward and build confidence and
goodwill measures and at the same time have citizens crossing over to
Turkish Cyprus along with Turkish military patrols, adding that this would
create tension. /The New Anatolian/
[05] LAND FORCES COMMAND TO BUY CARGO HELICOPTERS
The Land Forces Command is preparing to buy 10 cargo helicopters. The
Defense Industry Undersecretariat has set out the program concerning the
bidding process. Interested firms can apply through next Monday to take
part in the tender. /Sabah/
[00]
SCOUTS NAME PEPE "STATESMAN OF THE YEAR"
This weekend Environment and Forestry Minister Osman Pepe received the
"Statesman of the Year" award from the Scout Group of Cankaya. Pepe said
that in the future water will eclipse the importance of minerals and that
forests are the safeguards of water. /Aksam/
[06] BABACAN: "FOREIGN EXCHANGE ACCOUNTS HAVE RISEN DUE TO FOREIGN BANKS"
State Minister Ali Babacan yesterday linked the recent increase in foreign
exchange accounts to the foreign partners of banks in Turkey. Babacan also
said that this year's macroeconomic targets are achievable. Speaking to
BusinessWeek Turkey magazine, Babacan said, "The plans that we have
prepared with the State Planning Organization (DPT), Treasury
Undersecretariat and Central Bank show that our 2007 growth target of 5
percent is realistic." Babacan underlined, "When we reach a 4 percent
inflation target (for 2007), our economy will also have a structure like in
developed countries." /Milliyet/
FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[07] TANER'S WARNINGS
BY SEMIH IDIZ (MILLIYET)
Columnist Semih Idiz comments on recent remarks by National Intelligence
Agency (MIT) Undersecretary Emre Taner. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"National Intelligence Agency (MIT) Undersecretary Emre Taner's remarks on
the occasion of the MIT's 80th anniversary made their mark. We can tell
Taner wanted to create an atmosphere of discussion and make certain
warnings with these remarks. These remarks shouldn't be misunderstood,
because they were actually took a very deep and comprehensive view. When he
said that Turkey didn't have the luxury to let matters run their course or
take a "wait and see" stance due to its strategic and geopolitical
importance, he was taking this perspective. Actually, Taner twice
emphasized that Turkey is part of the international system. Those who give
aggressive advice on such issues as Cyprus and Iraq as if we aren't a part
of the international system should take note of this. However, we should
notice something else in his speech as well. While saying that everybody
was caught off-balance by the collapse of the bipolar world, he explained
that of course, the most important reason for this was how formations and
analyses within the system protected stances favoring the status quo. He
added that as a result forecasts about the future have failed in this harsh,
normative stance.
Everybody can interpret Taner's words however they wish, but the key
sentence above can't be ignored. I think Taner means to say that those who
look at the rapid process of change in the world system from the
perspective of a stance favoring the status quo and extreme conservatism
won't have any say in the new world order and thus will be unable to
protect their national interests. I think that this is the main warning
from this establishment, which has sworn to protect the path of modernity
pointed to by Ataturk, who beat those ‘favoring the status quo' and the
‘extreme conservatives.' As Taner indicated, Turkey's geopolitical and
strategic importance is rising every day. In addition, Turkey has caught
hold of the sustainable development, is strong militarily and has a dynamic
young population. Besides, Turkey's understanding of democracy and modern
law is developing. Therefore it has a potential to be a model not only in
the Islamic world, but also in its immediate neighborhood. In sum, as Taner
indicated with his words, if Turkey can put all of its cards and advantages
to use with a maximum level of productivity, there's no reason that it
can't become one of the most important global players in the next 10
years."
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