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Turkish Press Review, 07-03-21Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning21.03.200717 NEW UNIVERSITIES? BY ABBAS GUCLU (Milliyet)CONTENTS
[01] SEZER, ARINC ISSUE MESSAGES MARKING NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONSPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday issued a message marking Nevruz, saying that people should act with common sense during this week's celebrations, which should be held in accordance with the occasion's true meaning. Stressing that people harboring bad intentions should be resisted, Sezer stated that he called on everyone to act with common sense without being swayed by provocations, and to contribute to social peace by holding back those who seek to sow discrimination. Also marking the day in a written message, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that Nevruz, which marks the first day of spring, is celebrated as the spring advent across a wide region. "Nevruz should be celebrated with maturity," added Arinc. "It should promote the unity of our nation, not discrimination and conflict." /Milliyet-Turkiye/[02] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES CULTURAL GROUP DELEGATIONPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday met with Fermani Altun, head of cultural group the World Ehl-i Beyt Foundation, and an accompanying delegation. During the meeting, the foundation members gave an award to Sezer in recognition of his contributions to Turkey, saying that they want the next president to protect secularism and social values, just like Sezer. For his part, Sezer said that there was no need for worry, adding that he believes a person who deserves the post will be elected president in May. He further stressed that there was no need for pessimism about Turkey's future. /Sabah/[03] ERDOGAN: "THE FIRE OF NEVRUZ SYMBOLIZES THE CANDLE OF FRIENDSHIP"Speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday called on everybody to act with common sense during this week's Nevruz celebrations. "The fire of Nevruz doesn't symbolize hatred or rage in people's hearts, but rather the candle of friendship, brotherhood and love," he said. "We share the pride of having a nation, flag and republic together. We 73 million Turkish people are proud to be citizens of this state. Those who try to darken our cheerful day are unable to do harm to this spirit of fellowship." In related news, Erdogan delivered a speech at a meeting of the Marmara Group and gave warnings about the European Union. /Star/[04] EGYPT'S MUBARAK TO VISIT ANKARAEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak will visit Ankara tomorrow as the guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Turkish-Egyptian relations, recent developments in Iraq and Palestine, and an oil exploration agreement between the Greek Cypriots and Egypt will be discussed during Mubarak's visit. /Cumhuriyet/[05] BAYKAL URGES COMMON SENSE DURING NEVRUZ CELEBRATIONSSpeaking at his party's group meeting yesterday, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that people should act with common sense during this week's Nevruz celebrations. Stressing that in recent years some have tried to fill Nevruz with tension and fear, Baykal stated that everyone should try to eliminate this mentality. "No one has the right to sow conflict among us," added Baykal. "The nation will foil these plots." /Turkiye/[06] AGAR: "SOME PEOPLE ARE SEEKING TO BENEFIT FROM TENSION BEFORE MAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION"Speaking at a union meeting yesterday, opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar commented on this year's general elections, saying that the nation would change the ruling party through democratic means. "No one should try to force democracy or act against it," said Agar, adding that the nation's difficulties would be overcome through unity. Agar further stated that there were some who would like to benefit from tension before the presidential election set for May. /Milliyet/[07] TALAT SAYS PAPADOPOULOS BLOCKING PROGRESS ON DIRECT TRADE BETWEEN TURKISH CYPRUS, THE EUSpeaking at a press conference yesterday, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat said that through using "manipulations," Greek Cypriot administration leader Tassos Papadopoulos was blocking any possible progress on direct trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the European Union. Talat stated that a deadline given by former UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari to Cypriot leaders for holding a "stock-taking meeting" is about to expire. He further called for an immediate start to preliminary talks aimed at paving the way for negotiations on reuniting Cyprus under a UN-brokered agreement that has been delayed for months. /Turkiye/[08] TURKEY LAYS GROUNDWORK TO HOST WORLD WATER FORUMDelegates from 50 countries met in Istanbul yesterday to work on the agenda of the next World Water Forum on how to best manage the Earth's water resources. Turkey, which will host the next forum in March 2009, is taking over the chairmanship of the conference from Mexico, which hosted the forum last year. /The New Anatolian/FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS [09] 17 NEW UNIVERSITIES?BY ABBAS GUCLU (Milliyet)Columnist Abbas Guclu comments on plans for new universities recently announced by the government. A summary of his column is as follows: "The government's determination to open new universities can be appreciated. On the other hand, the Board of Higher Education's (YOK) opposition to every offer without proposing any program for the future of higher education shows its weakness. This is what we see on one side of the coin. But what's the reality? Are the planned new universities just meant to woo votes in this year's elections, or does the country really need them? YOK recently also opposed 10 newly established universities, so why is it now trying to appoint their rectors? This time will it be determined to block the 17 new universities or accept them? And the most important thing: Does the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government intend to expand its employment policy to universities as well? ... The new universities, of course must be considered due to our booming young population and the dearth of schools offering higher education. But this is mostly a duty of YOK, not the government, as the Constitution gives YOK that task. But YOK doesn't care. It has a name, but it's not functioning, and then the government is trying to fill that vacuum, even by exaggerating... It's clear that from the outset, the AKP government has looked at universities in a different way. Their real goal isn't scholarship, technology or helping young people, but filling the staff of these universities with their own supporters. Their bills and initiatives to open new 27 universities are clear indicators of this. Turkey certainly needs more universities. But this should be carried out with planning and a program, as well as a timetable. In other words, it shouldn't be jury-rigged. Really establishing a university needs about 50 years. Most of our universities are still in their nascent years. Furthermore, while there are 26,000 vacancies for scholars, let's say you constructed the buildings, found students, and established laboratories --- where will you find lecturers? The most important thing is that universities are neither a source of employment, nor an investment to save cities. It doesn't look like promoting towns to provinces. A university can't be established with only a sign, by posting a rector and setting up a few faculties. A city needs decades to become ready for and deserve a university..." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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