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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-14Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr><LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <map name="FPMap1"> <_map> Press & Information Turkish Press Turkish Press Review >> Foreign Press Guide Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning14.02.2002CONTENTS
[01] SEZER BRIEFED ON QUAKE PREPAREDNESS IN ISTANBULWhile in Istanbul yesterday for the OIC-EU Joint Forum, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer toured the city and was briefed by Governor Erol Cakir on the province’s problems. During Sezer’s visit to the Disaster Administration Center, Cakir briefed the president about the precautions taken to minimize damage in a possible earthquake in the city. /Turkiye/[02] ECEVIT: “SADDAM MUST TAKE SERIOUSLY THE US’ WARNINGS”Speaking to reporters yesterday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Iraqi Foreign Minister Naci Sabri had sent a message to UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan, saying that Iraq was ready to address their differences without any preconditions. However, he stated, Annan has not yet replied to the letter. Ecevit also reiterated his call on Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to take seriously the US administration’s warnings, saying that the US had its mind set an military intervention in the country. /Turkiye/[03] YILMAZ: “IN CONSIDERING IRAQ INTERVENTION, THE US MUST THINK OF IMPACT ON TURKEY”Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz spoke yesterday about possible US intervention in Iraq, saying, “The losses which would affect Turkey directly or indirectly should be well taken into consideration by the US as it weighs any operation against Iraq.” We don’t want chaos with our neighbor, Yilmaz remarked. He added that Turkey was against any operation which would harm the territorial integrity of Iraq, balances in the region or Turkey’s security. Yilmaz also said that Turkey would not tolerate an operation which could work against Turkey’s interest, without being consulted or informed. /Hürriyet/[04] CEM, PAPANDREOU WORK TO ELIMINATE MUTUAL PREJUDICESTurkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou yesterday attended a discussion panel entitled “Who is ‘the Other?’ Does it Really Exist?”, the final panel of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum in Istanbul. The two ministers stressed the importance of mutual respect and understanding to surmount the current problems between Turkey and Greece, which have mutually considered each other “the Other” at times in the past. In his speech at the panel moderated by European Council Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer, Turkish Foreign Minister Cem stated that although just five years ago the Turkish and Greek nations considered each other “the Other,” the two countries had recently entered a period of rapprochement which altered the prevailing negative value systems. “The concept of the other, at one time, had negative connotations since countries used it to indicate countries which they considered as their enemies,” said Cem. “There were national interests behind this mentality. However, the term is changing nowadays. It is being redefined in line with universal values rather than national interests. The concept of the other is used today to refer to groups which work to destroy universal values. For example, terrorist organizations which have no regard for universal human rights can be considered ‘the other.’” Meanwhile, Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou expressed his wish that Turkey and Greece could overcome all their bilateral problems and praised recent mutual efforts aimed at bolstering relations. “Although we still have certain problems, I believe we can eliminate all the established clichés which have alienated the two nations from each other,” said Papandreou. “We should educate our nations and encourage them to contribute this rapprochement process.” /Cumhuriyet/[05] OIC-EU JOINT FORUM ENDSThe Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum ended yesterday in Istanbul. A joint press statement was issued at the end of the forum, which was held with the participation of 71 countries from Europe, Asia and Africa at the invitation of the Turkey’s foreign minister, Ismail Cem. Cem remarked that Turkey’s initiative was of great importance not only for the region, but also for all worldwide nations. The press statement said, “History has taught us that a lack of mutual knowledge and respect among civilizations can greatly affect world stability and peace. Harmony and welfare are nurtured when different peoples make communication a priority, taking the time to express and listen to each other’s views and interests, acknowledging and tolerating differences, while at the same time seeking out commonalities that can help build strong relationships and promote political and economic cooperation.” Despite some disagreements among the attendees over certain sensitive issues such as Israel- Palestinian dispute, significant decisions were taken at the end of the forum. The following points were agreed upon: “1) The Forum reaffirms its strong belief that cultures, in their diversity, complement and enhance one another. 2) The main means to support unity and solidarity and to avoid racial, religious and cultural prejudices is to enhance our knowledge of one another through communication and cooperation for the promotion of common universal values. 3) The Forum affirms that terrorism cannot be justified for any reason whatsoever. It recognizes the joint responsibility to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations within the framework of the UN, in conformity with its Charter and its resolutions. 4) The Forum underlines that in order for peace, stability and harmony to prevail, the Middle East conflict must be settled in a just and comprehensive manner and in accordance with international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions.” /All Papers/[06] LINN IN ANKARA TO PUSH ACTION PLANJohannes Linn, the World Bank vice president in charge of Europe and Central Asia, arrived in Ankara yesterday in advance of a WB Executive Board meeting scheduled for March 15. Linn is expected to ask Turkey to approve an anti-corruption action plan in the lead up to the meeting. While in Turkey, Linn is scheduled to attend a series of conferences in Ankara and Istanbul. He will also meet Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, government economy ministers and other officials. If Turkey does not approve the action plan, then the Executive Board meeting will be delayed. /Hürriyet/[07] BILL IN US CONGRESS CALLS FOR BETTER TIES WITH TURKEYFour congressmen from the US House of Representatives have introduced a bill to that body calling on the US to support and increase its political, cultural, economic and military relations with both Turkey and Israel. /Hürriyet/[08] GORE CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR TURKEYSpeaking to the Foreign Political Institute in New York yesterday, former US Vice President and presidential contender Al Gore said that in case of a military operation in Iraq, Turkey’s interests in the region must be protected. /Sabah/[09] AFGHAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABDULLAH PRAISES TURKEY’S COOPERATIONThe Afghan interim government’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah yesterday expressed satisfaction over Turkey’s decision to take over command of the international peacekeeping force in his country in March when the British command expires. Responding the questions of the Turkish press at the end of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)- European Union Joint Forum yesterday, Abdullah stated that Afghanistan highly appreciated Turkey’s efforts to help the country restructure its social and economic fabric. He evaluated Turkey’s efforts as “a positive contribution to establish stability in the region.” /Cumhuriyet/[10] VERHEUGEN TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY TODAYEU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenther Verheugen is to arrive in Turkey today to pay a two-day visit. An EU spokesman said that among the subjects he was planning to discuss with Turkish officials were Turkish-EU relations, recent reforms and the issue of Cyprus. /Cumhuriyet/[11] ERDOGAN CALLS FOR RESTRICTIONS ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTIONJustice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan called yesterday for a ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public buildings. Speaking to his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan said, “We have declared our party’s program and asked for the people’s vote. If the public doesn’t like it they will not vote for us and we will be unable to come to power.” He added that if the AKP did assume leadership of the country, it would privatize the state tobacco and alcohol monopoly TEKEL as soon as possible. /Turkiye/[12] DEMIREL CUTS RIBBON ON NEW CAMPUSFormer Turkish President Suleyman Demirel officially opened the campus of Kadir Has University in Cibali, Istanbul yesterday. During the ribbon- cutting ceremony, businessman and university namesake Kadir Has said, “A former TEKEL factory which was granted to our university has been restored in the best possible way and outfitted with educational and scientific equipment. This project is one of my most important charity works. I can only hope that this campus finds favor among Turkey’s students. True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller also participated in the ceremony. /Milliyet/[13] TURKISH COCA-COLA OFFICIAL MEETS PAKISTAN’S MUSHARRAFCem Kozlu, a Turkish citizen who heads Central European and Middle Eastern operations for the Coca-Cola Company in New York city, met with Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf yesterday to speak about investment and business opportunities in that country. Their meeting in Washington DC’s Cosmos Club took place just prior to a roundtable gathering held by Coca-Cola Chairman Douglas Daft. Kozlu supervises Coca-Cola’s operations in nearly 50 countries. /Milliyet/[14] TURKISH DESIGNER’S WARES ATTRACT ATTENTION IN NEW YORKTurkish fashion designer Atil Kutoglu’s fashion show, this week held as part of the annual New York Fashion Show turned the heads of industry leaders and potential buyers. Hundreds of press and broadcast institutions from the US and Europe attended the top fashion show. Kutoglu’s 65 creations were presented on the catwalk by 20 models. /Aksam/[15] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO SIGN DEAL FOR EGYPTIAN INDUSTRIAL AREAUnder a new agreement, an industrial region similar to Ankara’s Ivedik Organized Industrial Region will be opened with Turkish participation in Cairo with the name “Kivedik.” Ivedik Organized Industrial Region Executive Board Chairman Hasan Gultekin and a group of 29 businessmen went to Cairo this week and are expected to sign an agreement to establish Kivedik. Gultekin said that 100 firms would work in Kivedik in the first stage and that the land for the project would be allocated to the investors for 99 years for free. Meanwhile, Egyptian Prime Minister Atif Ubeyt welcomed the Turkish delegation and said that he would do his best to prepare an area of 1 million square meters with infrastructure within two years for the Kivedik project. /Star/[16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[17] ISTANBUL SPIRIT BY ALI SIRMEN (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Ali Sirmen writes on the OIC-EU Joint Forum held in Istanbul. A summary of his column is as follows:“During the OIC-EU Joint Forum attended by 51 ministers and representatives from 75 countries, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said that the term ‘clash of civilizations’ should not unsettle anyone. The important point was to turn it into a dialogue and mutual understanding. He also stressed that in order to achieve this aim, the sides should discuss their problems seriously and comprehensively, and bring the issues they do not understand about the others to the table in a friendly manner, instead of at diplomatic forums where no one can fully express their problems and end up leaving satisfied. ‘For example, we find it hard to understand the secondary role of women in Islam, and we must express this view. In return, they don’t understand the modern family structure of the West, and don’t view it favorably when old people are left alone with their fate living on their own. They must express these views to us. A real dialogue begins in this way. This meeting has formed an Istanbul spirit on the issue. Istanbul is the most convenient place for such a meeting. We must act without creating new bureaucracies and work to benefit from this spirit.’ Mr. Vedrine’s words best summarized this conference. However, if an operation against Iraq is carried out and Turkey stands by the US, such a conference cannot be convened in Istanbul again. A probable intervention in Iraq and Turkey’s participation in it, however small, would lead to grave consequences for Turkey both economic and political. What will happen to the Istanbul spirit if such a strike takes place? How long would we have wait to revive this spirit? [18] PUTTING OUR HOUSE INTO ORDER BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the OIC-EU Joint Forum held in Istanbul. A summary of his column is as follows:“The OIC-EU Joint Forum, which is an obvious success at the hands of Foreign Minister Ismail and his close friends, has also shown the significance of Turkey clearly. As a consequence, it lays a burden of important responsibilities on Turkey’s shoulders. However, if Turkey will play a role focused on ‘tolerance’ and respect for ‘the other’ with its special identity based on a synthesis of the East and West, it must overcome a series of concerns regarding its important shortcomings as well as groundless suspicions. Otherwise, no one will respect a country calling for tolerance abroad when intolerance reigns high within its borders. We must accept that FM Cem’s success has lifted Turkey’s respectability on an international level. However, it is also certain that there are some who feel disturbed by this. They hate concepts such as ‘cultural diversity’ and ‘searches to overcome monotony’ which the Forum brings to mind. It must be recalled that there have been culture ministers who said that they didn’t recognize any culture other than their own national culture in Turkey. We are witnessing the presence of others who believe in not opening a can of worms, lest they would not be able to deal with political problems which could erupt. The presence of this opposition front is well known and the news that the EU is showing the way to the PKK terrorist organization are believed to bear its stamp. This front may slow down Turkey’s development or its process oftaking its place on the international stage as a respected state. However, in time all the pieces will fall into place. This is neither a political nor a cultural preference. It is the inevitable result of urbanization and industrialization. When Italian fascism, German Nazism, and Soviet totalitarianism are studied, this fact becomes evident. All distorted systems which tried to shunt humanity’s natural process of evolution into certain directions in the modern world were eventually discarded. These mistakes resulted in the loss of life for innocent millions. The Forum held in Istanbul has once more shown the greatness of Ataturk, as he didn’t pursue a restrictive or narrow ideology. He pointed to a lifestyle obliged to get into step with civilization and developments based entirely upon human values. The opposition front doesn’t want to see this. As they are afraid of the European and universal values when Turkey is strong, Ataturk had seen that the precondition for Turkey was to evolve into a nation from a Muslim society when the country was at its lowest point. The OIC-EU Joint Forum has clearly pointed out the important role Turkey can play in the international arena. However, in order to play this role and feel its importance, Turkey has to put its own house into order and as soon as possible.” [19] TURKEY’S CONTRIBUTION BY ENGIN GUNER (AKSAM)Columnist Engin Guner writes on the OIC-EU meeting in Istanbul and the need to define terrorism. A summary of his column is as follows:“The Sept. 11 attacks brought the concept of ‘clash of civizilations’ first put forth in 1997 by Samuel Huntington to the table for discussion. Meetings based on tolerance and dialogue among religions and cultures have been held before. However, the meeting which ended in Istanbul yesterday was important because it covered a wide range of countries and brought the OIC and EU nations together. This is the first time the East and the West have come together since the declaration of war against terrorism by the US. This helped them to begin a dialogue towards understanding each other. The aim of the meeting was to eradicate misunderstandings, get to know one another better, and search for solutions to problems through dialogue. This was not going to be easy. The beginning of such a process in Turkey is meaningful. Apart from its geographical location, Turkey’s role as a bridge between three continents is enough to demonstrate how important this initiative is. Notwithstanding its shortcomings, predominantly Muslim Turkey sets an example for other Muslim countries. It isn’t easy to abolish all prejudices and animosities stemming from different cultural legacies. In order to eradicate misunderstandings leading to these, one must try to understand and show respect to the cultural identity of the other. That is why dialogue is a must. However it is not always easy to get results. Everyone knows the difficulty of defining terrorism in a way which is acceptable to all. As it uses violence instead of ideas, an effective fight must waged against it. However, no one should forget that terrorism cannot be abolished through force alone. Understanding the reasons which foster terrorism is more important. It should be recalled that terrorism is nourished by poverty, injustice, ignorance, anger and hate. It is not possible to eradicate all these scourges in a very short time. The tolerance shown by the Ottomans for cultural, religious and ethnic diversity is nowhere to be found in many countries today. We have to fight against poverty and ignorance, establish justice in place of revenge, dialogue in place of violence, conciliation instead of clashes, and take mutual confidence building measures.” ARCHIVE Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |