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Turkish Press Review, 01-11-05
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Foreign
Press in Turkey
Turkish
Press Review >>
Press
Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
05.11.2001
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT TALKS OF TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC) ANNEXATION
[02] CILLER SUPPORTS CEM'S REMARKS ON CYPRUS
[03] PAPANDREOU: JOIN IN OR STAND ASIDE
[04] UN CYPRUS REPRESENTATIVE VISITS ANKARA
[05] CLERIDES' STATEMENT ON A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS
[06] RUMSFELD: SENDING TROOPS WAS TURKEY'S DECISION
[07] DER SPIEGEL: "BLACK VOICE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK ANY MORE"
[08] MEDITERRANEAN, EU COUNTRIES TO MEET IN BRUSSELS
[09] BAHCELI WARNS ABOUT POSSIBLE ELECTIONS
[10] DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC INTENSIFIES: SCOWCROFT, KHARAZZI TO VISIT ANKARA
[11] CIVIL CODE BILL DEBATES TO CONTINUE
[12] CREW OF VARYAG RESCUED
[13] WAR ACADEMIES CELEBRATES 153RD ANNIVERSARY
[14] IMF DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY
[15] NECKERMANN: "MORE TOURISTS WILL VISIT TURKEY THIS YEAR"
[16] TREASURY PAYMENTS
[17] ULUSOY TOUTS TURKISH TOURISM
[18] TURKEY WORKS TO INCREASE EXPORTS TO IRAQ TO $2 BLN LEVEL
[19] IFC GIVES $3 BLN SUPPORT TO PRIVATE SECTOR
[20] HALIIL MUTLU BREAKS WORLD RECORD
[21] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[22] TURKEY AT A CROSSROADS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[23] SENDING TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)
[01] ECEVIT TALKS OF TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS (TRNC) ANNEXATION
As Europe and Greek Cyprus have began a loud countdown towards EU
integration, Ankara is sending a strong warning to the EU that it wouldn't
accept such a development and would even think instead of annexing Northern
Cyprus to Turkey. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday said that Turkey
would never abandon the Turkish Cypriot people and would take every
possible measure for their defense. Ecevit added that if Greek Cypriots
were admitted into the EU, Turkey would have only two options, and for the
first time ever mentioned the possibilty annexing Northern Cyprus. Ecevit
laid down the ganntlet to the EU that if the Greek Cypriots were admitted
into the European club of democracies, Ankara would either annex the TRNC
or establish with the Turkish Cypriot state a "special relationship" that
would make Northern Cyprus an "autonomous area of Turkey." Ecevit argued
that Greek Cypriot EU accession would mean leaving Turkish Cypriots in the
hands of Greek Cypriots, a development Ankara would never agree to. He said
under such a situation the TRNC may decide to unite with Turkey and that a
full annexation could take place. The second option, Ecevit said, would be
establishment of a special autonomous status for the TRNC that he had
earlier suggested and which would enable Turkish Cypriot state sovereignty
in its internal affairs but make it dependent on Turkey regarding foreign
policy and defense./Turkish Daily News/
[02] CILLER SUPPORTS CEM'S REMARKS ON CYPRUS
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said yesterday that world had
entered a new restructuring period and this signalled a good opportunity
for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Stressing her view that
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's declarations about Cyprus was "very
realistic", in a written statement Ciller noted, "The DYP will support the
government in its initiatives concerning Cyprus." On Friday Cem said
during an address to the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission in
Ankara that the EU had been totally ignoring Turkey's interests in giving
the go-ahead to Greek Cypriot membership. He suggested that this was
unacceptable to Turkey, which may have no choice but to take a "radical
step" even if this "costs Turkey." Concerning October's inflation figures,
Ciller also criticized the government's economic policy and reiterated her
call for early elections. /Turkiye/
[03] PAPANDREOU: JOIN IN OR STAND ASIDE
In the leadup to Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to Athens on
Nov.7, the Cyprus issue has again sparked an exchange between Cem and his
counterpart Papandreou. The latter has called on the Turkish side to
support Cyprus's European Union membership bid. He reiterated that Cyprus
will try for membership, and marked that Turkey's position in such a case
should be to join in or "stand on the sidelines and watch to watch".
Papandreou told the Greek Eleftros Tipos newspaper that " the Helsinki
summit was not an easy road for Turkey to follow, but it could be a good
way for Turkey and Greece to solve the Cyprus
problem."/H�rriyet/
[04] UN CYPRUS REPRESENTATIVE VISITS ANKARA
Alvaro De Soto, United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan's special
representative for Cyprus will visit Turkey today. The reason for his
visit will be to convince the Turkish side to enter into negotiations
again. De Soto will first visit the Foreign Ministry today and than proceed
to
Athens./H�rriyet/
[05] CLERIDES' STATEMENT ON A SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS
Greek Cypriot Leader Glafkos Clerides said that the southern half of the
divided island would continue to increase armaments on Cyprus in line with
the Greek-Greek Cypriot Common Defense Doctrine till a permanent peaceful
solution is established on the island. Remarking that he was trying to find
a just and sustainable solution for the island, Clerides argued that such a
solution should be in accordance with the UN Security Council's decisions
on Cyprus, human rights conventions, European Court of Human Rights
decisions and the EU criteria. Clerides voiced his belief that Greek
Cypriot administration would enter the EU within the next two years.
/Cumhuriyet/
[06] RUMSFELD: SENDING TROOPS WAS TURKEY'S DECISION
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, paying a visit to Uzbekistan
yesterday, said, "The US didn't ask Turkey for troops to participate in the
strike against Afghanistan, it was Turkey's own decision. They will also
decide on the sorts of duties they undertake in the operation." Responding
to a journalist's question regarding Turkey's decision to send troops,
Rumsfeld said, "I think that Turkish soldiers will serve in the northern
part of Afghanistan, the area controlled by the Northern Alliance. I don't
want to give more details about the operation." /Turkiye/
[07] DER SPIEGEL: "BLACK VOICE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK ANY MORE"
German magazine Der Spiegel reported this week that the Union of Islamic
Communities and Societies (ICCB, a group established by Cemalettin Kaplan,
a.k.a. the "Black Voice", and chaired by his son Metin Kaplan, would be
closed down this month. The magazine stated the ICCB members would be
deported after a security package prepared by German Interior Minister Otto
Schilly is put into effect in December. Noting that Germany's Institution
for Preserving the Constitution was gathering evidence for the ICCB to be
closed down as soon as possible, Der Spiegel claimed that the activities of
other institutions which support the ICCB financially would also be halted.
/Cumhuriyet/
[08] MEDITERRANEAN, EU COUNTRIES TO MEET IN BRUSSELS
The 15-member European Union countries' foreign ministers and
representatives of 12 Mediterranean countries laid plans to meet in
Brussels to discuss the fight against terrorism. In the two-day meeting,
which will be held as part of the "Barcelona Process" with EU members and
representatives from Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta,
Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Southern Cyprus, discussions will
include "improving dialogue between cultures and civilizations, and the
struggle against racism and xenophobia." /Turkish News/
[09] BAHCELI WARNS ABOUT POSSIBLE ELECTIONS
Devlet Bahceli, deputy prime minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP)
chairman, said yesterday, "The next elections must be held in 2004. However,
the political climate is tenuous. We should be prepared both for a
government change or early elections." Evaluating recent political
developments at a MHP meeting in Kizilcahamam, Bahceli said, "Given the
uncertain political climate, it is not clear what time will bring about. Be
prepared for any kind of change." /Cumhuriyet/
[10] DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC INTENSIFIES: SCOWCROFT, KHARAZZI TO VISIT ANKARA
Turkey will be very busy in diplomacy next week. A US delegation headed by
retired Gen. Brent Scowcroft will hold meetings in Ankara next week.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazzi will also pay a two-day official
visit to Ankara as the official guest of Foreign Minister, and Cem will go
to Athens for a one-day working visit in the middle of the week. The
meeting, a return visit, will represent the continuation of contacts with
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou./Turkish Daily News/
[11] CIVIL CODE BILL DEBATES TO CONTINUE
Parliament will continue debates on the 1,030-article Civil Code this week.
Tomorrow, deputies will discuss whether or not to include a censure motion
against the government brought forward by the Felicity Party (SP) regarding
privatization activities. During today's meeting, the Parliamentary
Consultation Board will determine this week's working hours. /Turkish News/
[12] CREW OF VARYAG RESCUED
Greek Coast Guard helicopters on Sunday lifted to safety the seven-person
crew of a former Soviet aircraft carrier sold to the Chinese as a floating
"fun palace" after gale-force winds tore the vessel from its tugboats. The
rescue was the latest chapter in a bizarre saga involving the 55,000-ton
Varyag, which was on its way from the Black Sea to China following a 15-
month diplomatic tussle between Beijing and Ankara. Ferocious winds ripped
the ropes connecting the engine-less, 307-meter (1,000-foot) hulk to three
tugboats guiding it through the Aegean Sea. "The Varyag is currently
floating out of control south of the island of Evia and all the ropes from
the tugboats have been broken," a Greek Merchant Marine Ministry official
said. /Turkish Daily News/
[13] WAR ACADEMIES CELEBRATES 153RD ANNIVERSARY
The 153rd anniversary of the War Academies was celebrated in ceremonies
held yesterday. Addressing one ceremony, War Academies Commander Gen.
Ibrahim Firtina said that the War Academies had trained many distinguished
commanders, including Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and
that they would continue to do so. /Turkiye/
[14] IMF DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), whose program was
postponed in the wake of uncertainty created by the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks, finally arrived in Turkey yesterday. The delegation is to
determine the amount and conditions of the financial resources to be
extended by the IMF and G-7 countries. At the end of the meetings it is
expected that funds totalling 6.2 billion US dollars will be released. IMF
Turkish Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen arrived in Ankara yesterday afternoon and
was welcomed by State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis. At the
reception at Dervis' office, Treasury Undersecretary Faruk Oztrak was also
present. Reportedly, recent economic developments and the implementation of
government's economic program were reviewed. The delegation will stay in
Ankara for two weeks. In addition, resources amounting 3.1 billion US
dollars which had been promised to be given by the IMF in October are
expected to be released. /Milliyet/
[15] NECKERMANN: "MORE TOURISTS WILL VISIT TURKEY THIS YEAR"
High-level representatives of Germany's prominent tourism agency Neckermann
arrived in Antalya yesterday for the promotion of their 2002 catalogue. The
agency's promotional campaign will begin today with a meeting which will be
attended by Turkish Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar. Neckermann's
representatives said that the number of German tourists visiting Antalya
would increase this year. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] TREASURY PAYMENTS
The Treasury will organize two domestic borrowing bids, one with a term of
147 days and the other for 231 day, for the financing of its domestic debt
payment of 4.5 quadrillion TL to be made on Wednesday. The Treasury has not
yet announced the borrowing limit for these two bids. /Milliyet/
[17] ULUSOY TOUTS TURKISH TOURISM
The Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) will hold its ordinary
general council meeting on Nov. 10-11 in Ankara. TURSAB Chairman Basaran
Ulusoy has announced that he will stand as candidate again. Among the other
candidates are Bahattin Yucel, Birol Turemis, Deniz Tufekci, Cem Polatoglu,
Sibel Eronc and Ihsan Mahmutoglu. Ulusoy said, "Unfortunate incidents such
as the 1999 earthquake, the economic crisis, devaluation and government
crises are still being felt. Turkey was in a better situation last year,
and it tried to carve out the place that it deserves in the Mediterranean
through promotions. As a result, 12 million tourists visited Turkey this
year. The number of tourists that visited Turkey from 1980-2000 sky
rocketed from 1.1 million to 10.4 million. Tourism revenue increased twenty-
three fold and reached 7.6 billion US dollars. Our sector provides 1.3
million people with employment. /Sabah/
[18] TURKEY WORKS TO INCREASE EXPORTS TO IRAQ TO $2 BLN LEVEL
Turkey is working to increase its annual exports to Iraq $2 billion next
year, a top government official said yesterday. In an interview with the
semiofficial Anatolia News Agency, Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad
Tuzmen, who is currently on a trip to Baghdad to attend the opening of the
34th International Baghdad Fair, noted that the last two years had seen
increases in Turkey's exports to Iraq. "We will reach our target of $1
billion in our exports to Iraq by the end of this year. Our firms are
displaying their high-quality products at the International Baghdad Fair.
During my meetings with Iraqi officials, I got positive reactions about the
quality of Turkish goods," he said. /Turkish Daily News/
[19] IFC GIVES $3 BLN SUPPORT TO PRIVATE SECTOR
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank organization
encouraging the private sector in developing countries, has given more than
$3 billion in support to the Turkish private sector. According to IFC
statistics, as of end-June 2001, Turkey came fourth among 138 countries to
which IFC extended support. IFC has given over $3 billion in loans to 106
Turkish companies. IFC gave a $10 million to Turkish firm Teba and a $35
million loan to Sisecam a few months ago. /Turkish Daily News/
[20] HALIIL MUTLU BREAKS WORLD RECORD
Turkish weightlifter Halil Mutlu, 56 kg., broke one world record
yesterdayin snatch at the 71st World WeightLifting Championship held in
Antalya. Mutlu, a world record holder and Olympic champion, broke the
world record with 137.5 kg in snatch and also received gold medals in the
clean-and-jerk and in overall categories, with 162.5 kg. and 300 kg.
respectively. Twain's Shin-Yuan Wang placed second with 280 kg. and Cuba's
William Vargas came in third with 277 kg. in the overall category. /All
Papers/
[21] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[22] TURKEY AT A CROSSROADS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the recent decent developments
concerning Cyprus, and the state reforms. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"Important members of the government issued significant messages over the
weekend. Both national and foreign policies are at crossroads. Foreign
Minister Ismail Cem stressed that the Cyprus problem was urgent and would
force us to make a choice. Although he stated that there were two choices
before us, it was understood that not making any concessions was the one
favored. The connection between concessions in Cyprus and the European
Union is known by all. Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli spoke more
clearly. He said that there would be no concessions on Cyprus and that they
would not accept any linkage of this issue with European Union membership.
He accused the European states of sheltering terrorism and of not
understanding the importance of the issue despite several warnings from
Turkey. He indicated that there was no evidence to the effect that
Europe's stance on the issue had changed. The European states which
tainted the civilization they tout and uphold above everything else by
staying mere spectators to the Bosnian tragedy fully deserve Bahceli's
accusations. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz stated that we would not be
able to find any cure for our troubles unless we carried out state reform.
His suggestions on decreasing the number of the personnel working in the
state sector and on economic measures were on target. However, his
suggestions on the election system were mistaken. These suggestions would
not increase the votes of the Motherland Party (ANAP), but instead decrease
them. Political mistakes have dealt blows to the votes ANAP has received.
We expect meaningful and comprehensive messages from the opposition parties
as well."
[23] SENDING TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)
Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag comments on the decision to send Turkish
troops to Afghanistan. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Ankara's decision to send troops to Afghanistan was evaluated as returning
the favor for US economic support to the Turkish government. Although this
view may have some value, if the issue is assessed objectively far from any
domestic considerations, the decision to send troops to Afghanistan is
correct and in line with Turkish national interests. Turkey spent the last
15 years in an atmosphere of terrorism which harmed the country as much
as a war, and it thus called on the whole world to recognize that terrorism
was a menace threatening humanity and stated that the basic condition for
success in eradicating terrorism was international solidarity and
cooperation. Therefore, the US launching of a campaign to establish a
global coalition based on international solidarity and cooperation in the
fight against terrorism coincides with Turkey's interests. This is a legal
and ethical duty for Turkey to fulfil its obligations to NATO . Turkey's
decision has a great political significance which cannot be compared to its
military contribution. The operation waged against Al Qaida and Taleban
in Afghanistan gave the impression that the Christian West had begun a war
against Islam. By taking part on the side of the West with its military
contributions, Muslim Turkey has shown that the operation is not against
Islam but terrorism. From a geopolitical point of view, we can see that
the decision supports Turkey's strategic interests concerning the Middle
East and Central Asia. The most impressive result of the Turkish decision
to send troops to Afghanistan has been to display its exemplary achievement
as the only secular, democratic republic which has melded democratic values
with those of Islam, distinguishing itself from the outdated, radical
mentality slavishly followed by some Muslim countries."
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