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Turkish Press Review, 02-07-31
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
31.07.2002
ECEVIT MEETS WITH GEN.KIVRIKOGLU, US
AMBASSADOR PEARSON VISITS ZIYAL
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION APPROVES NOV. 3
DATE FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
YILMAZ CALLS FOR COOPERATION ON EU
HARMONIZATION LAWS
SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TODAY
CEM: �I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT KEMAL DERVIS
JOINING OUR PARTY�
DENKTAS: �TO ADDRESS TERRITORIAL ISSUES,
SOUTHERN CYPRUS MUST RESPECT OUR SOVEREIGNTY�
STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED IN TUNCELI AND
HAKKARI
OZTRAK: �THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE
ECONOMIC PROGRAM�
TIM CHAIRMAN: �POLITICIANS SHOULD STOP
FIGHTING AND INSTEAD EXPLAIN THEIR DIFFERENCES�
UN REPORT LAUDS TURKEY�S DYNAMIC ECONOMIC
INFRASTRUCTURE
KUTAN CALLS FOR ALLIANCE OF RIGHTIST
PARTIES
SHP LEADER: �LEFTIST PARTIES SHOULD UNITE
FOR SUCCESS�
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM
THE COLUMNS
IRAQ ON THE AGENDA, EARLY ELECTIONS IN
DANGER BY OMER CELIK (STAR)
THE EU ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH OUR BREAD
MONEY BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT MEETS WITH GEN.KIVRIKOGLU, US AMBASSADOR
PEARSON VISITS ZIYAL
[02] CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION APPROVES NOV. 3 DATE
FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
[03] YILMAZ CALLS FOR COOPERATION ON EU
HARMONIZATION LAWS
[04] SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TODAY
[05] CEM: �I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT KEMAL DERVIS
JOINING OUR PARTY�
[06] DENKTAS: �TO ADDRESS TERRITORIAL ISSUES,
SOUTHERN CYPRUS MUST RESPECT OUR SOVEREIGNTY�
[07] STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED IN TUNCELI AND
HAKKARI
[08] OZTRAK: �THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE
ECONOMIC PROGRAM�
[09] TIM CHAIRMAN: �POLITICIANS SHOULD STOP FIGHTING
AND INSTEAD EXPLAIN THEIR DIFFERENCES�
[10] UN REPORT LAUDS TURKEY�S DYNAMIC ECONOMIC
INFRASTRUCTURE
[11] KUTAN CALLS FOR ALLIANCE OF RIGHTIST PARTIES
[12] SHP LEADER: �LEFTIST PARTIES SHOULD UNITE FOR
SUCCESS�
[13] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[14] IRAQ ON THE AGENDA, EARLY ELECTIONS IN DANGER
BY OMER CELIK (STAR)
[15] THE EU ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH OUR BREAD MONEY BY
SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] ECEVIT MEETS WITH GEN.KIVRIKOGLU, US AMBASSADOR
PEARSON VISITS ZIYAL
Yesterday saw a flurry of meetings at the highest level of
Turkey�s civilian, military, and foreign policy leaders, both
amongst themselves and with the top US diplomat in Turkey. The
focus of the meetings was reportedly a possible US strike on
Iraq. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit held two separate meetings
with Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, with Deputy
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel also in
attendance. Early in the day, US Ambassador to Turkey Robert
Pearson also visited Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.
After seeing Pearson, Ziyal then met with Turkekul Kuttekin, the
Foreign Ministry�s Middle East Department director, and then
joined the first Ecevit-Kivrikoglu meeting, which was already in
progress. During this meeting Ecevit reportedly received a
letter from US President George W. Bush briefing him on plans
for a military operation against Iraq. After this meeting,
Ecevit, Gen.Kivrikoglu and Gurel visited President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer to update him on their discussions. Ecevit later met with
Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu in order to brief him on
Bush�s letter. Near the evening, Ziyal met for a second time
with Pearson. Pearson reportedly told Ziyal how the US Congress
had approved $300 million promised to Turkey to support its
command of the International Security and Assistance Force in
Afghanistan. /All Papers/
[02] CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION APPROVES NOV. 3 DATE
FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
Parliament�s Constitutional Commission yesterday approved Nov.
3 as an early elections date with a vote of 22-3, despite
opposition from its Democratic Left Party (DSP) members. The
decision now needs the approval of the full Parliament, which is
due to discuss it today. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and
State Minister Nejat Arseven also attended the Constitutional
Commission meeting. Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) Chairman
Tufan Algan said that quick action on the elections decision
would make it possible for the YSK to conduct these elections.
/Cumhuriyet/
[03] YILMAZ CALLS FOR COOPERATION ON EU
HARMONIZATION LAWS
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz has requested
that all the political parties in Parliament act together in
order to pass the European Union harmonization laws. �A month
ago at the leaders� summit the three parties in the government
agreed to hold elections in April 2004,� Yilmaz reportedly told
a group of parliamentarians yesterday. �However the developments
of the past month, namely the call made by the Nationalist
Action Party [MHP] to hold early elections and the resignations
of half of the deputies from the Democratic Left Party [DSP],
have led us to bring the date of elections forward to this Nov.
3. Due to the resignations from the DSP, the government has now
lost its majority in the Parliament, so early elections have
become inevitable. If the current government stays in power,
this will only cause problems for the country. On the subject of
the EU, I believe that Turkey should not miss this opportunity
to pass the harmonization laws. It�s not possible for parties to
pick and choose through the European Union Copenhagen criteria
and say �yes� to some and �no� to others.� /Hurriyet/
[04] SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TODAY
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) will convene today under
the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. During the
meeting, new appointments will be made to fill the posts of
retiring Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and
Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman. The YAS meeting
will end on Aug. 4. /Sabah/
[05] CEM: �I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT KEMAL DERVIS
JOINING OUR PARTY�
Answering reporters� questions before a Turkish Exporters�
Assembly (TIM) meeting yesterday, New Turkey Party (YT) leader
Ismail Cem said that he had no doubt that Kemal Dervis would
join the YT. �Kemal Dervis�s remarks both to our party and in
public make it impossible to doubt his joining,� said Cem.
�Turkey needs change, which the YTP represents, so it doesn�t
depend on anyone but our nation�s young people. The young
generation will lead our party rather than any of us.� Cem also
said that his party was ready for early elections, adding that
the YTP would be setting up regional organizations towards this
end. /Milliyet/
[06] DENKTAS: �TO ADDRESS TERRITORIAL ISSUES,
SOUTHERN CYPRUS MUST RESPECT OUR SOVEREIGNTY�
Speaking to reporters yesterday before meeting with Greek
Cypriot leader Clafcos Clerides, Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that he would respond
to the views of the Greek side on the island�s territorial
issues. Denktas also said that these issues could be solved only
if the Greek side accepts the sovereignty of the Turkish
Cypriots. �If a new partnership is set to be established, this
should proceed on the basis of a state,� added Denktas. /Turkiye/
[07] STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED IN TUNCELI AND
HAKKARI
The State of Emergency (OHAL) was officially lifted yesterday
in the southeastern provinces of Tunceli and Hakkari. This
marked a return to civilian legal order after 23 years. Martial
Law was declared on 1979 in these two provinces and after eight
years of rule under Martial Law, OHAL was declared in 1987 which
lasted for the next 15 years. Even though the OHAL has been
lifted, for the next four months security matters in Tunceli and
Hakkari will be coordinated by the OHAL Governorship Region.
While people living in these provinces are pleased about the
return to civilian legal order, they also believe that
development is essential for the region. /Hurriyet/
[08] OZTRAK: �THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE
ECONOMIC PROGRAM�
Speaking on television yesterday, Treasury Undersecretary
Faik Oztrak said that Turkey�s economic program was supported by
every sector of society. �The program is able to roll over debts,
so it is also supported by international institutions,� he added.
Oztrak also stated that the economic program should continue to
be carried out since there was no viable alternative to it.
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, appearing alongside
Oztrak, echoed his colleague�s words, saying there was no way
for Turkey to go forward but by implementing the program.
/Milliyet/
[09] TIM CHAIRMAN: �POLITICIANS SHOULD STOP FIGHTING
AND INSTEAD EXPLAIN THEIR DIFFERENCES�
Turkish Exporters� Assembly (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici
yesterday called on politicians to cease fighting, saying that
they should instead calmly lay out their differences, or else
unite for the sake of the country. Satici made the remarks at
TIM�s General Council meeting in Istanbul, where a number of
political party leaders also spoke. Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit, appearing via a live satellite hookup, told TIM members
that legal measures protecting exporters had been prepared by
the government. Former Foreign Minister and New Turkey Party (YTP)
leader Ismail Cem attended the gathering, and while entering the
convention hall he was greeted by applause, the sole politician
to be afforded that honor. Thereafter Satici�s speech began, an
address harshly critical of Turkey�s politicians. Charging that
it was difficult to tell apart the programs of the various
parties, Satici said, �Turkey doesn�t need any more saviors,
charismatic leaders, or miracles. When the parties� programs are
so similar, there are two choices: They can either explain their
differences, or give up their personnel fights and unite.� Also
speaking at the meeting, True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu
Ciller criticized the government�s handling of the economy,
saying that businessmen had supported post coalition governments.
Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Abdullah Gul
said that Turkey needed to make a great leap to solve its
problems. /Milliyet/
[10] UN REPORT LAUDS TURKEY�S DYNAMIC ECONOMIC
INFRASTRUCTURE
A new United Nations report places Turkey in the top ranks of
the world�s developing countries in terms of its economic
infrastructure. The report, prepared by the UN Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO), cites Turkey�s �dynamic
performance� in production as landing it among the top 16 in its
class, adding that Turkey was one of the few developing nations
to enjoy such dynamism. The UNIDO report includes a scoreboard
ranking 87 countries according to their level of industrial
development performance and competitiveness. The report contends
that foreign trade and investment are not enough for developing
countries to benefit from globalization and recommends that
these countries increase their competitiveness through a process
of �renewal and learning.� Among the other countries listed as
having dynamic production and export structures are Brazil,
Costa Rica, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa and
Thailand. /Hurriyet/
[11] KUTAN CALLS FOR ALLIANCE OF RIGHTIST PARTIES
Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan yesterday urged the
leaders of rightist parties not represented in Parliament to
form alliances for expected early elections. The SP itself is
represented in Parliament. �The struggle in early elections will
be between those who support the current economic program and
those who support the real sector,� he said. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] SHP LEADER: �LEFTIST PARTIES SHOULD UNITE FOR
SUCCESS�
Social Democratic People�s Party (SHP) leader Murat
Karayalcin yesterday visited the leaders of the leftist parties
represented in Parliament, telling them that they should unite
in order to triumph in early elections. The leftist parties
should prepare a common program and put forward a leader, said
Karayalcin, whose own party is not currently represented in
Parliament. Karayalcin also stated that the SHP was waiting for
regulations which would enable it to participate in early
elections. /Cumhuriyet/
[13] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[14] IRAQ ON THE AGENDA, EARLY ELECTIONS IN DANGER
BY OMER CELIK (STAR)
Columnist Omer Celik writes on the high probability of a US
military attack on Iraq and its impact on Turkey�s early
elections expected on Nov. 3. A summary of his column is as
follows:
�Yesterday in Ankara the traffic at the top levels of the
state administration suddenly intensified after Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit and Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu
held a meeting. This intensity cut across the heated debate on
early elections proposed to be held on Nov. 3. It is very likely
that the political atmosphere in Ankara is going to get even
hotter in the days to come. Later in the afternoon, Foreign
Minister Sukru Sina Gurel joined Ecevit and Gen.Kivrikoglu, and
this trio then met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. After that,
Ecevit and Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu held a
separate meeting, giving some clues about the meaning of this
intense traffic. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Ankara Robert
Pearson went to the Foreign Ministry twice to speak with
Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. This cluster of meetings points to
two things: a US attack on Iraq, and the ever-stronger
probability of Turkey�s military intervention in northern Iraq.
Turkey initially has two strategic concerns about the issue.
Firstly, it does not want to face a financial loss similar to
the one incurred in the Gulf War, which cost some $35 billion at
the time. Secondly and more importantly is the high probability
of a Kurdish state being formed in northern Iraq. Certainly,
Turkey has a military plan ready to be immediately deployed if
such an attack takes place and if conditions make such an
intervention necessary. Under these circumstances, early
elections may be endangered. In case of such a postponement of
early elections and Turkey�s active participation in a war on
Iraq, we will be facing a much more threatening picture. Turkey
is again at crossroads with a very fragile political conjuncture.�
[15] THE EU ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH OUR BREAD MONEY BY
SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on Turkey�s EU membership bid.
A summary of his column is as follows:
�It seems that the parliamentary elections on Nov. 3 will
serve as a referendum on the EU issue. Actually, excepting a few
marginal groups, there is no party in Turkey which opposes our
EU membership. Even some parties which had characterized the EU
as hostile are now supporting Turkey�s EU membership. However,
the degree of this desire and support varies among the parties.
Some of them take the necessary criteria for EU membership into
consideration and fully support them. Others always start their
sentences, �yes, but �� and then lay down conditions. This
situation appeared clearly with the disagreements concerning
such sensitive issues as the death penalty and Kurdish
broadcasting and education. Now, when Parliament is getting
ready for the EU harmonization laws, political disputes have
been added to this basic ideological dispute. It has been gotten
to the point that no one can predict whether the democratic
regulations called �EU laws� will be approved as a package or
instead some of them are accepted and others rejected � If the
EU laws package is not enacted at Parliament as is, we can be
sure that this issue will be used as fodder during the elections
campaign. Particularly the sensitive issues will be ripe for
demagogical disputes. Some people will say, �We tried to
modernize and relieve Turkey, but they prevented us.� Others
will say, �We protected our sovereignty and national integrity,
but our opponents acted submissively.� How should one interpret
that the democratic reforms meant to open the path for Turkey�s
negotiations with the EU are reflected on such an important
platform of elections? At first, the issue might be considered a
political problem and one might think that when the citizens are
suffering from economic difficulties, they wouldn�t be
interested in such complex issues as our EU bid. However,
various polls also show that the Turkish nation is closely
interested in the EU and that it is supporting Turkey�s EU
membership. The reason for this is that the EU is not only a
political issue, as some believe. The EU is tightly connected
with the Turkish nation�s daily life, problems, future and hopes
for a better life. The politicians should understand this.
Turkey�s EU project is too important to be left to speeches on
the elections trail and tactical games in Parliament, because
this issue is about the lives of the Turkish people. Let�s
consider this subject from another angle: If Turkey waves aside
the �EU laws,� that is, the reforms that will increase the
Turkish nation�s standards in politics and economics, its EU
membership prospects will grow dim. It will be impossible for a
Turkey outside the EU to solve its economic problems. Turkey
won�t be able to attract necessary foreign economic support,
loans and investments. Then it will be impossible for the
Turkish people to solve its various problems, including
inflation and unemployment. Therefore the EU issue is also
closely related with our �bread money.� Therefore the
Parliament�s and political parties� stance towards issue is of
the utmost importance.�
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