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Turkish Press Review, 07-05-23Turkish 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 morning23.05.2007CONTENTS
[01] SIX DIE, 100 INJURED IN EXPLOSION IN ANKARASix people died and 100 were injured yesterday in an explosion in Ankara's Ulus district. One Pakistani national was among the deceased. Police investigators last night said A-4 explosives had been was used in the bombing, a material favored by terrorists. A crisis task force was formed after the blast at the order of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who visited the site of the incident. /All papers/[02] POLITICIANS UNITE TO CONDEMN ANKARA BOMBINGNno one ever knows when and where terror will strike, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visiting the injured after yesterday's explosion in Ankara's Ulus district. "Although our security forces took the necessary measures, such things still occur," added Erdogan. "Such incidents again demonstrate that we need to cooperate against terrorism. As I always say, an international platform should be established." He further stressed that the government was determined in its anti-terror efforts. Also visiting the site of the blast, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said the nation must come together to take a determined stance against terror. In a statement, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer condemned the bombing, saying that he was deeply distressed by the incident. "Our security forces will never allow those who want to damage the atmosphere of peace in our country," added Sezer. Motherland (ANAVATAN) Party leader Erkan Mumcu said that those who want to sow national division would never reach their goals. The US Embassy issued a statement saying that the American people were shocked and horrified by the bombing, adding, "We reach out in sympathy and solidarity to the victims of this heinous crime and stand ready to provide every possible assistance. We remain steadfast in our determination to work together with the government of Turkey to combat terrorism in all its forms." /All papers/[03] IDEF 2007 FAIR OPENSPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that national defense and security are indispensable for all countries and that he was conscious of the need for sufficient military force to protect Turkey's basic interests. Speaking at the opening of the IDEF 2007 International Defense Fair in Ankara, Erdogan said, "The Republic of Turkey, which has always paid great attention to its independence and freedom, will surely continue to have a mechanism to protect its territorial integrity and interests." Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit was also present to open the fair. In related news, in an article in the current issue of Defense and Aerospace magazine, Buyukanit writes about the presence of the terrorist PKK in northern Iraq, "In no other place in the world can terrorists act with such ease," he says. He further stresses that the PKK has been receiving support from Europe and that certain national European legislatures as well as the European Parliament have held gatherings which encouraged the terror group. /Turkiye/[04] BASER: "GERMAN INTERVIEW LED TO MY REMOVAL"Retired Gen. Edip Baser, who was replaced on Monday as Turkey's special anti-terror envoy, yesterday told a press conference that it was a recent interview with German daily Die Welt that led to his removal. He disputed arguments saying that his statements to national and international media had damaged his ability to carry out his duties. Criticizing the way he was removed from office, Baser said, "The reasons given for my dismissal are unacceptable My remarks to the foreign press which bothered some weren't related to my post, but to the (recently aborted) presidential election." /Hurriyet/[05] HAKKARI DEPUTY LEAVES CHPSpeaking at a press conference yesterday, Hakkari Deputy Esat Canan announced his resignation from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), saying there was no longer any chance of doing politics in the party. With his resignation, the CHP's seats fell to 149, while the number of independent deputies rose to 13, less than two months before general elections. /Turkiye/[06] ITALIAN PM: "I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT TURKEY'S PLACE IS IN EUROPE"Speaking at a conference in Rome yesterday, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi commented on Turkey's European Union membership bid, saying that he had no doubt that Turkey's place was in Europe. He added, however, that its accession would be long, complex process. "I personally believe that Turkey belongs in Europe and full EU membership requires patience and persistence, " he said. /Turkiye/[07] SARKOZY TO DISCUSS TURKEY WITH BARROSO, BELGIAN PMFrench President Nicholas Sarkozy is currently in Brussels to meet with European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt . Turkey will be discussed during the meetings. Sarkozy's negative attitude towards Turkey has been criticized by both the EU Commission and European Parliament. France's new government is being asked to clarify its attitude towards Turkey. /Aksam/FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... [08] TAKE NOTEBY NAIL GURELI (MILLIYET)Columnist Nail Gureli comments on recent developments in Turkey. A summary of his columns is as follows: "Our society is known for its short memory. In the runup to July's general elections, we should work to counter this. In order to vote properly, we should remember what we have gone through and keep in mind recent developments. Together we have seen what brought about the protest votes cast in the last general elections, in fall 2002: fighting, tension and uneasiness... We've missed having the seriousness of a true statesman. We've hungered for a proud foreign policy. When you step into the voting booth two months from now, you have much to remember. We're reviewing some of this so voters will act conscious of their responsibility, and we'll share this with you throughout the campaign period. Let's start at the ending: 1. Special anti-terror Envoy Edip Baser, after complaining that the US had failed to taken concrete steps to end PKK attacks, was removed from his post. The stance of the US, which for years has fed the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government with empty promises by taking the terrorist PKK under its wings, was clearly influential in the government's decision. Now it's the voters' turn to remove them from office on July 22. 2. Even though the AKP has a large majority in Parliament, by stubbornly and arrogantly acting alone, it failed to elect a new president, and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan now accuses the opposition of fleeing Parliament. But in fact it was Erdogan who fled Parliament indirectly by causing a crisis. The tension and uneasiness which emerged in the country was a bonus. Voters have noticed these developments, and will form a new Parliament two months from now, one from which nobody will be able to flee." [09] DAY OF UNITYBY ERGUN BABAHAN (SABAH)Columnist Ergun Babahan comments on the blast in Ankara late yesterday afternoon. A summary of his column is as follows: "Traitors who want to block Turkey's democratic development, pit brother against brother, and turn the country from an island of peace and democracy to a pool of blood have again made their presence felt. They aim to scare, frighten and oppress the people. We've known for years that certain circles have been trying to play tricks on our country. We've known that our road is bumpy. But we've faced very hard times before, and we'll be able to overcome this one as well. Terrorism has two goals: to sow hatred among people and to suspend the democratic process. Such dirty games will continue. As Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition leaders Deniz Baykal, Erkan Mumcu and Mehmet Agar said, we're going through a period when we need to unite, not fall into terrorism's trap. As underlined by the top commander Yasar Buyukanit, dark hands will try to do their misdeeds in big cities. Now all people should act together and unite in line with the calls of all top leaders. Furthermore, security forces bear a great responsibility to quickly apprehend the attackers and make them face justice for this outrage. Our police and intelligence services have the ability to get through this issue. In order to make progress amid the bloody games in the region without becoming part of them, Turkey should steadfastly fight terrorism as well as strengthen its democratic, secular rule of law." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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