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Turkish Press Review, 01-09-06
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
06.09.2001
CONTENTS
[01] CYPRUS REPORT ACCEPTED
[02] DENKTAS REJECTS RESUMPTION OF PROXIMITY TALKS
[03] CEM TO HEAD FOR BRUSSELS
[04] WENCHANG TO VISIT TURKEY
[05] BUMIN TO VISIT THE ECHR
[06] IZGI WILL INVITE THE ASSEMBLY TO A MEETING
[07] MINISTER AYDIN RESIGNS
[08] TECIMER RELEASED BY MOROCCO
[09] HIZBULLAH OPERATION
[10] YERMEZ REENACTS HIS CRIME
[11] NEW JUDICIAL YEAR TO START TODAY
[12] IRAN: PREPARATIONS FOR GAS EXPORT TO COMPLETE
[13] DERVIS AND HISARCIKLIOGLU ON TURKISH ECONOMY
[14] TOURISM AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND TURKEY ON THE WAY
[15] EXCAVATIONS IN IKIZTEPE END FOR YEAR
[16] FAMOUS ORIENT EXPRESS ARRIVES IN TURKEY
[17] TURKISH BASKETBALL TEAM IN SEMIFINAL
[18] EMINE BILGIN WINS GOLD IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES
[19] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[20] EU REPORT ON CYPRUS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] CYPRUS REPORT ACCEPTED
The European Parliament accepted the report, which supports the Greek-Cypriot Administration's membership to the European Union and which states that If Turkey annexes Northern Cyprus, she should forget the EU membership. In the report prepared by the European Parliament's rapporteur on Cyprus, Jacques Poos, it is stated that the solution of the Cyprus issue is not a must for the Greek Cypriot Administration's full membership to the European Union (EU). The European Parliament has debated the reports on 12 countries, whose full membership negotiations have started, the day before. In his speech before the announcement of Poos' report, the EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement, Gunter Verheugen made a call stating that before the Greek Cypriot Administration's participation to the EU, diplomatic efforts to unite Cyprus should be strengthened. Meanwhile, Ankara has reacted harshly against the approval of the report prepared by Poos and stated, "There are two different nations and they have two different states in Cyprus. The claims that the so-called Cyprus Republic represents the whole island does not change the reality." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Turkey did not find it appropriate to establish a relation between Turkey's membership to the EU and the Cyprus issue and added, "It is clear that unless a solution based on consensus is reached by the two parties on the island, the inclusion of the Southern Greek Cypriot Administration into the EU will negatively affect the EU's future and the peace and welfare in the Eastern Mediterranean. /Cumhuriyet/
[02] DENKTAS REJECTS RESUMPTION OF PROXIMITY TALKS
The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, rejected the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's Cyprus envoy Alvaro de Soto's call for the resumption of talks between the two communities saying that a common ground was not formed yet. He said, "We do not think that resumption OF talks without completing the groundwork would be positive." Alvaro de Soto, carrying out a shuttle diplomacy between Greek Cypriot Administration leader Klerides and Denktas, had invited both leaders to New York on Sep. 12 to resume proximity talks. /Turkiye/
[03] CEM TO HEAD FOR BRUSSELS
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, is to head off for Brussels this Saturday to participate in an unofficial meeting of EU member and candidate countries' Foreign Ministers. Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said the meeting will focus on the future of Europe, and reminded that this issue will be a discussion topic in an ingovernmental conference in 2004 upon the decision taken in the last summit in Nice. Stating that candidate countries are also involved, Dirioz added that Turkey is content to participate in the activities in the same way as an ingovernmental conference, organized mostly by term presidencies. Dirioz added that it is also planned for Cem to visit New York to participate in the UN General Summit. Cem will meet EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, Chris Patton, EU Commission Member responsible for foreign relations, Gunther Verheugen, EU Commission member responsible for enlargement, and Alain Lamassure, EU Commission Member. Cem will return to Turkey Tuesday. /Turkish Daily News/
[04] WENCHANG TO VISIT TURKEY
Chinese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yang Wenchang, will come to Turkey today to hold talks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that within the framework of Yang's visit, the delegations from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will meet. During the meetings, the bilateral relations, regional and international relations will be discussed. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] BUMIN TO VISIT THE ECHR
It was stated that a delegation chaired by the Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Mustafa Bumin, will visit the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the European Council and hold a series of meeting in Strasbourg on September 17th-21st. It was further stated that this meeting will be held as the continuation of the panel titled "ECHR-Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court", which was organized with the participation of the high-ranking officials from the ECHR on May 7th-8th. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] IZGI WILL INVITE THE ASSEMBLY TO A MEETING
The Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ömer Izgi discussed the constitutional amendment package with the Secretary General for EU Affairs Ambassodor Volkan
Vural. Izgi stated that he will not wait for the 110 signatures to be completed to call the assembly to a meeting but invite the assembly to a meeting. Izgi said that he will begin discussions with the leaders of the opposition when the constitutional amendment package comes to the Prime Ministry. During the visit Izgi stated that he is pleased with the studies about the constitutional amendment package and to learn the opinion of
Vural. /Sabah/
[07] MINISTER AYDIN RESIGNS
The Minister of Public Works and Housing of the 57th coalition government Koray Aydin resigned yesterday.
Aydin, a senior figure in the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), announced his resignation from both his post and Parliament during a live television broadcast due to the corruption allegations against him in some state tenders, including contracts for housing constructions for the earthquake survivors. Regarding the resignation, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters that he welcomed Aydin's resignation and said, "It is a very positive move, I congratulate him." Reportedly, the Minister of State Tunca Toskay will be the acting Minister at Aydın's post until a new minister is appointed.
/Turkiye/
[08] TECIMER RELEASED BY MOROCCO
Aysegul Tecimer, who was wanted and searched for due to the historical artifact smuggling, was arrested in Marrakech, Morocco, and was released by Morocco's King Sidi Muhammed the 6th without informing Ankara. Therefore, Turkey reacted against this release. It was stated that Tecimer was arrested by the Court on July 16 to be extradited to Turkey but then she was released by the Supreme Court of Morocco, who has also given her English passport back. Although there had not been any issue that required the rejection of the request for Tecimer's extradition, Tecimer was released. Turkey is expected to inquire about the cause of her release. A court verdict will be demanded concerning the issue. In addition, Turkey will ask Morocco to review the decision about Tecimer. /Hurriyet/
[09] HIZBULLAH OPERATION
During the raid organized against the Hizbullah terrorist organization in Adana's district of Pozanti, the organization's member responsible for financial issues, Sulhaddin Uruk was killed and three administrators of the organization, including Haci Bayancik, were injured. The operation was held by Adana's Directorate of Security, Anti-Terror and Special Organization teams together with the help of the gendarmerie. /Hurriyet/
[10] YERMEZ REENACTS HIS CRIME
Yener Yermez, the main suspect in the murder of businessman Uzeyir Garih, reenacted his crime for police at Eyup Cemetary yesterday. Bekir Raif Aldemir, the prosecutor dealing with the case told reporters that Yermez confessed his crime and the knife used by Yermez while committing the murder was also found at the Eyup Cemetery. /Turkiye/
[11] NEW JUDICIAL YEAR TO START TODAY
The new judicial year stars today with ceremony to be held at the Middle East Technical University (METU). At the ceremony, Supreme Court President Sami Selcuk and Turkish Bar Association Chairman Ozdemir Ozok are expected to deliver speeches. A ceremony will also take place at Ataturk's Mausoleum in the afternoon. Throughout the judicial recess, duty courts and duty offices have heard cases. The Constitutional Court and State Security Courts (DGMs) were not on recess during the summer holiday, which started on July 20. /Turkiye/
[12] IRAN: PREPARATIONS FOR GAS EXPORT TO COMPLETE
Iranian Natural Gas Company Chairman and Advisor to the Iranian Petrol Minister, Hamdullah Muhammed-Nejad, issued a statement to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA) today, saying preparations for gas export to Turkey were ready. Nejad reported that the gas would start flowing as soon as Turkey completed its tests in the gas measurement station on the Bazergan border with Turkey. The state-owned Turkish Pipeline company (BOTAS) recently stated that a technical committee would be departing for Iran with the aim of conducting tests in the station. Stating there was no basic technical, practical or legal problem in exporting gas to Turkey, Nejad said that they expected the flow to start soon. /Turkish Daily News/
[13] DERVIS AND HISARCIKLIOGLU ON TURKISH ECONOMY
The State Minister responsible for economy, Kemal Dervis, who attended the "Sector Council" meetings of the Turkish Association of Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB), said, "The budget of the year 2002 will be hard to prepare and implement. Do not expect a miracle. However, we will not compromise the tough financial policies." Meanwhile, Chairman of the TOBB, Rifat Hisarciklioglu said, "It was previously stated that Turkey will grow by 4% next year. According to the foreign resources, this rate will reach 6%." The "Sector Council" meetings of the TOBB continue. During the meeting attended by the Minister of Environment, Fevzi Aytekin, Undersecretary of Treasury, Faik Oztrak, and the high-ranking bureaucrats, the problems of the machines manufacturing, leather and cement sectors were discussed yesterday. After the meeting, Hisarciklioglu said, "When the 'Sector Council' come to an end, a technical study will be started with the government. The results of this study are expected to be received at the end of September. We have decided that a technical committee and the Union of Banks will work for the fund to be established concerning the manufacturing industry. The International Finance Corporation might support the fund." /Cumhuriyet/
[14] TOURISM AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND TURKEY ON THE WAY
Studies are continuing for the declaration of Turkey as a new "official holiday country" of China. China Friendship Association General Manager Cheng Hasou and 9 members of an executive committee visited Antalya Governor Ertugrul Dokuzoglu on the invitation of the Turk Introduction Foundation. Dokuzoglu gave detailed information about Antalya during the visit. Hasou said, "They were impressed by the beauty of Antalya and promised that they would accelerate studies to declare Turkey as an official holiday country of China. Chinese tourists, like European tourists, want natural beauty, historical wealth and shopping. Turkey contains all of these features in abundance. In addition, Turks are unique in respect to hospitability." /Turkish Daily News/
[15] EXCAVATIONS IN IKIZTEPE END FOR YEAR
The archeological excavations in the ruins at Samsun's Bafra township Ikiztepe have been completed for this year. The ruins were discovered by foreign archeologists in 1940 and since 1974 when Turkish archeologists under the leadership of Professor Bahadır Alkım started the excavations, 9 000 atifacts have been found. Professor Önder Bilgi who carries out the excavations since 1981 gave information on this years excavations and said: "The spearheads are 4,600 years old and are very important. 4,600 year-old bronze
spearheads had never been discovered in Anatolia. /Turkish News/
[16] FAMOUS ORIENT EXPRESS ARRIVES IN TURKEY
The famous "Orient Express" coming from Paris arrived at the Edirne Kapıkule Station Border Gate in Turkey. The train made its first journey in 1883 from Paris to Istanbul and was later restored and used for touristic purposes. The Orient Express has 14 luxurious cars, able to carry 106 passangers and seven original compartments, one kitchen, two retaurants and a large salon. The Orient Express has provided a setting for six movies, 19 books and some musicals. /Turkish News/
[17] TURKISH BASKETBALL TEAM IN SEMIFINAL
The Turkish National Basketball Team rose to semifinal after 52 years in the 32nd European Basketball Championship defeating Croatian team with a score of 87-85 last night in Istanbul. The Turkish Team will play against the German Team which defeated France in the quarterfinal, on Saturday in Istanbul. The Turkish Basketball Team had also the right to participate in the World Championship to be organized in Indianapolis, US, in 2002 for the first time. On the other hand , the Turkish National Soccer Team was defeated by Sweden with a score of 1-2 last night in Istanbul in the qualifying matches of the World Cup. /All Papers/
[18] EMINE BILGIN WINS GOLD IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES
The Turkish female weightlifter Emine Bilgin won two gold medals in weight lifting at the 14th Mediterranean Games in Tunisia yesterday. She reached the gold with 82.5-kg and 105-kg lifts in the Snatch and Clean-and-Jerk categories respectively. Meanwhile, the Turkish National Wrestling Team received four gold and two bronze medals at the Games. /Turkiye/
[19] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[20] EU REPORT ON CYPRUS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the Cyprus report accepted by the EU Parliament. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The decision of the European Parliament on Cyprus comes as no surprise. Following the EU Parliament Foreign Relations Committee, the plenary session has also approved the Cyprus report prepared by the Cyprus rapporteur, Luxembourg deputy Jacques Poos by an overwhelming majority. It should be accepted that this is a great victory for both the Greek-Cypriots and Greeks. The efforts of the Greek-Cypriots to have a report written in their favor is utterly acceptable, however, the adoption of this report by 14 EU countries other than Greece somehow casts a shadow on the role and responsibility of this organization. The report not only guarantees the full EU membership of the Greek-Cypriots but displays an approach against the Turkish side. In the report it is stated that the Cyprus Government holds membership negotiations for all Cypriots. This expression is only one of the facts showing how the EU Parliament is ignoring the facts. There are other absurdities in the report. For example, it talks of Turkey's intention to annex northern Cyprus as her 82nd province. It is threatened that in such a case Turkey should forget its desire to become a full member to the EU. The hard and imbalanced attitude Poos has displayed in the Parliament is also seen in the report. For example, TRNC President Denktas is blamed for the failure of the proximity talks and it is stated that the full EU membership of the Cyprus Republic( Greek Cypriots) will be accepted even without solving the Cyprus problem.
Such reports are presented to the EU Commission and Council of Ministers only as an 'advice'. It does not mean that it is the official stance of the EU just because the rapporteur says so and the parliamentarians approve it. However the speech of Gunther Verheugen, EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement, also shows that the general trend in EU is for a united Cyprus. In the light of the statements made formerly by various EU officials Cyprus(Greek Cypriots) will be admitted to the EU even if there is no solution to the problem and the recent news coming from Brussels indicates that this trend is gaining strength.
It is apparent that the Turkish side will be facing hard times in the coming days. Turkey has to produce new formulas and solutions on closely related three issues, reforms, Cyprus and ESDP. Various forces ranging from non-governmental organizations to the Parliament should contribute to these issues. For example, Turkish political parties should form close contacts with their counterparts in the European Parliament and Turkish representatives with their colleagues there. If such contacts had taken place in recent weeks, may be the acceptance of the report by some EU parliamentarians could be averted."
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