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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-13
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Turkish
Press Review >>
Foreign
Press Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
13.02.2002
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER, ECEVIT CALL FOR COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM
[02] TERRORISM DISCUSSED AT OIC-EU JOINT FORUM
[03] BAHCELI: �TURKEY IS NOT THE SICK MAN OF THE EAST�
[04] CEM, PAPANDREOU SPUR NEW DIALOGUE ON AEGEAN
[05] SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER PRAISES TURKEY�S RECENT EFFORTS
[06] DERVIS: �A COUNTRY WHICH SPENDS ITS RESOURCES PROFLIGATELY WILL GO BANKRUPT�
[07] GERMAN MINISTER FAVORS STATE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TO HELP INTEGRATE TURKS
[08] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN OFFICE IN TURKEY
[09] TURKEY, GREECE HOLD ECONOMIC MEETINGS
[10] CHOMSKY ATTENDS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
[11] WOMAN IN NEW AFGHAN GOVERNMENT INSPIRED BY ATATURK
[12] ANKARA HOSTS CULTURE AND ARTS FAIR
[13] TURKISH POSTER HONORED BY AD COMMUNITY
[14] FROM THE COLUMNS�FROM THE COLUMNS�FROM THE COLUMNS�
[15] ISTANBUL TRUCE BY OZDEMIR INCE (HURRIYET)
[16] HYPOCRITES!! BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
[17] IS PKK ABANDONING OCALAN? BY MURAT CELIK (STAR)
[01] SEZER, ECEVIT CALL FOR COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM
Addressing the OIC-EU Joint Forum yesterday, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer said that terrorism was the chief issue before humanity for it to
wrestle and solve. He added, �To find a solution, a common definition of
terrorism is needed and its social, political and economical dimensions
must be clearly delineated.� He additionally pointed to the importance of a
united international stance on the issue. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit also
delivered a speech at the forum saying that disputes between ideologies and
hatred between races have caused wars and holocausts. He said, �The Sept.
11 terrorist attacks showed that committing acts of terrorism is very easy
and cheap, but precautions against such acts are very difficult and
expensive. For this reason, an effective international cooperation is
urgently needed.� Recalling claims by some that the tenets of Islam
justified last September attacks, Ecevit said, �This is a great deception
which is unsupportable and wholly unacceptable.� /Turkiye/
[02] TERRORISM DISCUSSED AT OIC-EU JOINT FORUM
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum
bringing together the Christian and Islamic worlds began yesterday in
Istanbul. The historic meeting�s opening speech was delivered by Turkish
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Pointing to last September�s terrorist attacks
on the US, Cem said that terrorism had no religion or region. �There is no
excuse for terrorism,� he added. While Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul
Settar said that there was a greater need for peace today than at any time
since World War II, his Iranian counterpart Kemal Harrazi underlined the
importance of civilizations encountering each other at the forum to prevent
conflicts between them. Additionally, EU Secretary-General and High
Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solona said,
�The EU rejects any linkage between terrorism and Islam.� He also remarked
on the importance of dialogue between civilizations. Another speaker,
Palestinian Foreign Minister Faruk Kaddumi, claimed that the main reason
for terrorism was the occupation of lands by certain countries. He said,
�Palestine has been resisting such action. However, it needs the support of
the whole international community.� /Turkiye-All Papers/
[03] BAHCELI: �TURKEY IS NOT THE SICK MAN OF THE EAST�
In a speech at the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) group meeting yesterday,
Deputy Prime Minister and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli offered his
evaluations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference-European Union
(OIC-EU) Joint Forum and criticized the EU for pursuing unjust and biased
policies concerning its relations with Turkey. Remarking that the forum was
a historic opportunity for Turkey, Bahceli stressed the necessity for
improving inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. He criticized the EU for
failing to develop just and impartial policies concerning its relations
with Turkey. �Everybody should understand that Turkey will never stomach
such mistaken policies,� said Bahceli. �The Turkish nation is not helpless,
and Turkey is not the �sick man� of the East.� In addition, Bahceli also
praised the harmony the coalition government had achieved despite a
significant divergence of opinions among some of its members. Underlining
the necessity for a sound evaluation of Turkey�s EU adjustment laws,
Bahceli commented on recent efforts to enact these laws, saying, �During
this period both Turkey�s resolve for democratization and the consistency
of Turkish politicians have been tested. I believe that we passed these
tests.� /Cumhuriyet/
[04] CEM, PAPANDREOU SPUR NEW DIALOGUE ON AEGEAN
Turkey and Greece have decided to start a new process of dialogue in order
to work out their differences on the Aegean. Turkish Foreign Minister
Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou met yesterday in
Istanbul during the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European
Union Joint Forum and resolved to discuss the Aegean and continental shelf
issues at the level of general director. /H�rriyet/
[05] SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER PRAISES TURKEY�S RECENT EFFORTS
In a press conference yesterday at the OIC-EU Joint Forum in Istanbul, EU
Term President Spain�s Foreign Minister Josep Pique spoke to the domestic
press about Turkey�s bid for EU membership, the Cyprus issue and the
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Praising Turkey�s resolve,
Pique remarked that Turkey had taken significant steps with its recent
political and economic reforms. Pique stated that Turkey had displayed the
necessary determination to fulfill the EU�s political and economic criteria,
adding that there was still a great deal to do in order to implement the
reforms. Underlining the importance of structural reforms for the Turkish
economy, Pique said that in the past Spain had also overcome its problems
through implementing such reforms. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] DERVIS: �A COUNTRY WHICH SPENDS ITS RESOURCES PROFLIGATELY WILL GO
BANKRUPT�
Speaking to Parliament�s Planning and Budget Commission yesterday, State
Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said, �Any country which distributes
its resources without regard for its limits will go bankrupt.� Dervis also
said that states should evaluate the potential dangers in any situation
before taking action. /Sabah/
[07] GERMAN MINISTER FAVORS STATE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TO HELP INTEGRATE
TURKS
Northern German Rhine-Westphalia Minister for Education, Science and
Research Gabriel Behler, who is currently in Ankara for an official visit,
yesterday said that he did not give credence to the so-called �clash of
civilizations� theory that grabbed headlines following last September�s
terrorist attacks. �People say that this conflict is between Christianity
and Islam,� Behler said. �I think that�s mistaken.� Following his contacts
in Ankara, Behler told Turkish daily Milliyet that Turkish people living in
Germany placed a special importance on religious education and added, �The
Sept. 11 attacks lent Turks� integration into German society a special
emphasis once again. An important element of this integration is giving
religious education to our Turks at state-run schools. The responsibility
for religious education should not be left to private communities or
groups. Instead, it should be given under the umbrella of the state and
within a constitutional framework.� /Milliyet/
[08] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN OFFICE IN TURKEY
Prominent human rights group Amnesty International will soon open a branch
office in Turkey. A decree on the issue has been presented for President
Ahmet Necdet Sezer�s approval. �This is a very important development for
Turkey�s bid for full EU membership,� said State Minister for Human Rights
Nejat Arseven yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] TURKEY, GREECE HOLD ECONOMIC MEETINGS
The first meetings of the Turkish-Greek Joint Economic Council (KEK) are
currently being held in Athens. The Turkish delegation attending the
meeting is chaired by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen and the
Greek delegation by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos. The meetings
are being seen as a demonstration of both countries� good will and resolve
for further rapprochement. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] CHOMSKY ATTENDS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
Famed US intellectual Noam Chomsky arrived in Istanbul yesterday for a
conference at Bahcesehir University held by the Contemporary Journalists�
Association. /H�rriyet/
[11] WOMAN IN NEW AFGHAN GOVERNMENT INSPIRED BY ATATURK
Sima Samar, one of the two women holding a ministerial post in the Afghan
interim government, said yesterday that she held Turkish Republic founder
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in great esteem. Stating that the women who had been
forbidden to receive education under the Taleban had now begun to go back
to school, Samar said that they would work to connect Afghanistan�s women�s
education centers with the International Blue Crescent. Samar added, �As
part of a project financed by the Blue Crescent, the women will be educated
on carpet weaving, handcrafts, sewing, computers and English. The reforms
carried through Ataturk played an important role in terms of Turkish women
taking their place in modern world, and therefore I take Ataturk as an
example.� Samar invited the Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
who work for women�s rights to come to Afghanistan to help solve the
problems of Afghan women. Saying that they wanted to benefit from Turkey�s
experiences, Samar added, �We hope that Turkish women will stand with us in
our struggle to bring Afghan women into modern society.� /Aksam/
[12] ANKARA HOSTS CULTURE AND ARTS FAIR
The Fourth International Culture and Arts Fair was opened in Ankara�s
Ataturk Culture Center this last weekend. At the fair, souvenirs, books,
furniture, hobby crafts, home textiles and weapons from over 20 countries
are being exhibited. The event will run through Feb. 20. /Aksam/
[13] TURKISH POSTER HONORED BY AD COMMUNITY
A tourism promotion poster published in Germany by the Turkish Tourism
Ministry bearing the slogan �Come to Turkey, Catch the Rhythm� was honored
yesterday by a professional trade journal. The Tourism Ministry announced
that the readers of WV, an advertisement and media newspaper published in
Germany, ranked Turkey�s poster number two among a field of 20 top ad
campaigns. WV gave the honor on the basis of good taste, attractiveness,
effectiveness and how well it conveyed information. /Star/
[14] FROM THE COLUMNS�FROM THE COLUMNS�FROM THE COLUMNS�
[15] ISTANBUL TRUCE BY OZDEMIR INCE (HURRIYET)
In his column in the daily Hurriyet, Ozdemir Ince writes on the meeting of
civilizations taking place in Istanbul. A summary of his column is as
follows:
�The joint meeting of the EU and OIC countries at Ciragan Palace in
Istanbul has a symbolic importance. On the one side there are the EU
countries, all of which are Christian and on the other side the
Organization of the Islamic Conference countries, all of which are Muslim.
The organizer of the meeting is Turkey, which is a member of one group and
a member candidate of the other. Turkey is a partner of both sides. Towards
the end of his address to the meeting, President Sezer stressed an
important point, �Terrorism must not be attributed to only one religion, or
ethnic group. In order to solve this issue it is of utmost importance to
formulate a common definition of terrorism, describe its social, political
and economic dimensions and take joint action on a global scale. We believe
that terrorist groups should be identified not as it suits the purposes of
some particular interest but on the basis of objective definitions, and
that we should continue the war against terrorism with this in mind.�
President Sezer certainly knows that the main cause of terrorism stems from
the conflicts between the rich and prosperous North and the poor and
miserable South, and that �the damned of the earth� living in the South,
mainly made up of nonwhites and non-Christians, are on the verge of
desperation. President Sezer is right in that a joint definition of
terrorism must be arrived at. However, will biased countries such as
Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway will agree to this? I
believe that these countries will not agree to a rational definition of
terrorism. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said, �Another result of the Sept.
11 attacks is the emergence of a new awareness. This awareness stems from
our realizing the fact that we know very little about the other, and that
we need a new set of relations and solidarity on the basis of respect for
cultural diversity.� With these words he was expressing one of the most
provocative factors behind the Sept. 11 tragedy. Turkey, leading the way
with a moral responsibility, has shown that it has reached maturity. This
is indeed a good sign.�
[16] HYPOCRITES!! BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the OIC-EU meeting in Istanbul. A summary
of his column is as follows:
�Istanbul, the meeting point of civilizations, is hosting the most
important conference of the new century. Robert S. Robins and Jerrold M.
Post in their book �Political Paranoia� search for an answer to the
question what can be done against the merchants of hatred who want to lead
the world to a clash of civilizations. The writers say that nothing deeply
rooted can be exterminated. However we can always be on alert against the
danger of political paranoia. Remaining indifferent to the issue means
making a deal with the devil. If enough care is not taken, the paranoid
tendency will grow, be exploited and explode as a policy of hatred
psychology. The Organization of the Islamic Conference and European Union
countries and member countries met in Istanbul against a background similar
to that of the UN General Assembly to discuss this danger threatening the
future of mankind. They are searching for an answer to the question what
can be done about the common enemy, which perpetrated the most tragic
attack in order to escalate terrorism into a clash between religions. The
first answer coming to mind is dialogue. The clash of religions deeply
rooted in history can only be solved through reason, faith and sincerity.
NATO member and EU candidate member Muslim Turkey has shown that Islam is
compatible with democracy and has played an effective mediator role in the
meeting of a great number of countries and thus increased its own
importance and respectability. Hate, whatever the reason, be it religious
or ethnic, leads to terror. First of all mankind has to denounce terrorism
whatever the cause and stand in unison against it. When this basis is
damaged by self-interest, terrorism finds the swamps it thrives on. As
civilization and harmony were being discussed at the Ciragan yesterday, we
received a report laying out the relation between the PKK and some EU
countries. According to the document obtained by our intelligence units,
advice from some European countries lies behind the PKK�s politicization
drive. These countries are advising the PKK to adopt policies they believe
will facilitate their hand in supporting them. The blind self-interest of
willfully ignoring an evil right under one�s nose because it isn�t
threatening you in particular can still ensnare the wing of civilizations
meeting in Istanbul, which boasts of being �modern.� This hypocrisy is
sabotaging humanity�s hopes for compromise and peace.�
[17] IS PKK ABANDONING OCALAN? BY MURAT CELIK (STAR)
Columnist Murat Celik writes on the recent activities regarding the PKK
front.
A summary of his column is as follows:
�The PKK is preparing for a new era. The organization is continuing to
discuss �Strategies for the Politicization Process�. It is determining
policies not only by itself but with the help of the politicians from such
countries as France, Gemany and the Netherlands. The decisions which will
be finalized in Europe will be conveyed to the international community
through the Eighth PKK Congress. A change in the name of the organization
is also expected to be proclaimed. The recent news seems to show that there
is a disagreement over �Abdullah Ocalan.� The European representative of
the group, Riza Altun, sent a message to Abdullah�s brother Osman Ocalan
saying, that he had met with the officials of the countries he cited.
�They laid out the resolutions which must be taken so that the PKK could
overcome its current troubles and so that some countries could ease their
policies towards it. The following decisions must be taken and proclaimed
at the congress, otherwise serious troubles may emerge.� The message of the
PKK European representative is clear: Europe is dictating to the PKK what
it is going to do and if its conditions are not met, it will not support
the organization as before. Europe is looking for a PKK without Ocalan. The
conditions they have listed are , first the new name of the organization
should not disturb anyone. Second, the PKK armed forces should be renamed
�National Defense Forces.� Third, there should be no compromise in the
demands for Kurdish education or from the mention of �Kurd� in identity
cards. Fourth, the expression �Kurdistan� should not be used in the
congress decision but should rather wait for developments in Iraq to play
out. Fifth, it should be stated that the PKK is ready to abandon arms but
that a general amnesty should be granted to all PKK members, except
Abdullah Ocalan. In other words Europe knows full well that there is no
question of an amnesty being granted to Ocalan. There is no place for him
in a politicized PKK looking towards future. Europe is trying to mold the
PKK in a form of its desiring. Until this final form is given, they are
delaying the members of the PKK in advance without drawing any reactions.
Therefore the eight congress of the PKK is of great importance.�
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