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Turkish Press Review, 02-03-08
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
08.03.2002
CONTENTS
[01] IN PRAGUE, SEZER REITERATES TURKEY’S RESOLVE TO JOIN EU
[02] ECEVIT: “THERE’S NO NEED FOR WAR IN IRAQ”
[03] INTELLIGENCE REPORTS: “IRAN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE PKK”
[04] MEETING SLATED TO DISCUSS TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
[05] TURKISH CONSTRUCTION TEAM TO VISIT AFGHANISTAN
[06] KIVRIKOGLU: “THE EU IS A GEOPOLITICAL NECESSITY FOR TURKEY”
[07] KILINC: “TURKEY SHOULD SEEK NEW ALLIANCES BESIDES THE EU”
[08] TURKEY MARKS WORLD WOMEN’S DAY
[09] BENAZIR BUTTO VISITS ISTANBUL FOR WOMEN’S CONGRESS
[10] AKCAN: “FIVE YEARS ARE NEEDED TO STRENGHTEN KEY ISTANBUL STRUCTURES”
[11] DERVIS: “TURKEY PLACES A HIGH PREMIUM ON EU MEMBERSHIP”
[12] IMF’S KAHKONEN CALLS MEETINGS “CONSTRUCTIVE”
[13] VURAL SEES BULGARIAN TELECOM COMPANY AS AN OPPORTUNITY
[14] SSSB REPORT: “IT’S NOW TIME TO INVEST IN TURKISH BANKS”
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[16] THE EUROPEAN UNION AND UNCONTROLLED AMBITIONS BY TUFAN TURENC (HURRIYET)
[17] EUROPE AND THE MILITARY BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
[01] IN PRAGUE, SEZER REITERATES TURKEY’S RESOLVE TO JOIN EU
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer arrived in Prague, capital of the Czech
Republic, yesterday to pay an official visit to that country. Following a
welcoming ceremony, Czech President Vaclav Havel met with Sezer. During
their meeting, the two presidents discussed Turkey’s and the Czech
Republic’s EU accession processes and reiterated their resolve to gain
membership. They also spoke about the threat of terrorism. Sezer then met
with Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman and visited Prague’s old quarter.
Havel hosted a dinner in Sezer’s honor that night. Speaking at the dinner,
Sezer said that EU membership was one of main targets of all the Turkish
governments and the Turkish nation. “Turkey believes that different
cultures and religions will contribute to the EU’s richness,” he added.
/All papers/
[02] ECEVIT: “THERE’S NO NEED FOR WAR IN IRAQ”
Appearing on CNN Turk yesterday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that
even if Turkey didn’t participate in a possible military operation against
Iraq, it would be greatly affected and tourism would suffer huge losses.
“We are trying to convince our US colleagues that any such operation would
deter foreigners from investing in Turkey,” Ecevit added. Ecevit also said
that there was no need to another war in the Middle East, that addressing
the current conflict there was enough of a task. Addressing his party’s
parliamentary group meeting yesterday and apparently referring to recent
calls for a national referendum on EU membership, Ecevit said, “We have no
need for any referendum. Let’s look after our own business.” /Hurriyet/
[03] INTELLIGENCE REPORTS: “IRAN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE PKK”
A report recently prepared by Turkish intelligence units purports that Iran
is still continuing to support the terrorist group PKK. According to the
report, so-called PKK chairmanship council members Osman Ocalan and Duran
Kalkan met with Iranian intelligence official Haci Ramazan this Feb. 18 in
Urumiye, Iran. Ramazan allegedly stated at the meeting that the PKK should
not halt its militant activities since it would never reach its goals
through political methods. /Sabah/
[04] MEETING SLATED TO DISCUSS TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
Officials from the United States and Great Britain are scheduled to arrive
in Ankara next week at Turkey’s invitation to discuss the proposal for it
to take up the command of the International Security and Assistance Force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan. During the meetings, Turkey wants certain points to
be clarified before it undertakes that command, namely: The United Nations
should layout the UN’s precise duty in Afghanistan; the quality and scope
of the duty and duration and authority of the force, as well as its basic
aim, whether to preserve or establish peace, should be clearly defined; and
international funds should be collected to cover the cost of the operation.
/Turkiye/
[05] TURKISH CONSTRUCTION TEAM TO VISIT AFGHANISTAN
Turkey is now preparing to send construction experts to Afghanistan to
investigate the reconstruction of the region. The Turkish team is to arrive
there on Monday under the leadership of State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel.
The team’s mission in the region would include sweeping up mines, airport
reconstruction and residential development. /Hurriyet/
[06] KIVRIKOGLU: “THE EU IS A GEOPOLITICAL NECESSITY FOR TURKEY”
Speaking to military journal Defense and Aerospace this week, Turkish Chief
of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu said that European Union
membership was a “geopolitical necessity” for Turkey and that Turkey’s and
the EU’s interests were parallel to each other. He underlined the need for
Turkey’s participation in European organizations such as the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the EU. Kivrikoglu added,
however, that there were still some European countries which support
terrorist organizations who act against Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[07] KILINC: “TURKEY SHOULD SEEK NEW ALLIANCES BESIDES THE EU”
National Security Council (MGK) Secretary-General Gen. Tuncer Kilinc said
yesterday that the European Union had never supported Turkey on issues
concerning Turkey’s national interest, adding that Turkey should seek out
new alliances other then the EU, such as Iran and Russia. Gen. Kilinc made
the remarks at a conference at Istanbul’s War Academies Command, adding
that he was expressing his own personal views. Speaking at the same
conference, Istanbul University economics Professor Erol Manisali commented
that the European Union would never either exclude nor fully include Turkey,
but would rather always keep it waiting in the wings. /Hurriyet/
[08] TURKEY MARKS WORLD WOMEN’S DAY
Turkey will mark World Women’s Day with a number of activities today. In
Istanbul, women will march and hold a meeting, and in Ankara, some 2,000
women are expected to gather for various festivities. In addition, panel
discussions, conferences, shows and exhibitions will be held to mark the
occasion throughout major Turkish cities. /Turkish Daily News/
[09] BENAZIR BUTTO VISITS ISTANBUL FOR WOMEN’S CONGRESS
Former Pakistani President Benazir Butto is scheduled to participate in
today’s International Women’s Congress meeting, held this year in Istanbul
for the first time, to mark World Women’s Day. She will make a speech to
the Congress at the Cemal Resit Bey Convention and Exhibition Hall, and to
attend a reception in Kadikoy as well. Upon arriving in Turkey, Butto told
reporters that it was a great honor for her to be invited to the gathering.
/Star/
[10] AKCAN: “FIVE YEARS ARE NEEDED TO STRENGHTEN KEY ISTANBUL STRUCTURES”
Public Works and Housing Minister Abdulkadir Akcan said yesterday that it
could take up to five years to strengthen nearly a dozen key structures in
Istanbul to make them more earthquake resistant. Akcan added that there was
no problem in the delivery of a $100 million loan from the Japan Bank for
International Cooperation (JBIC) for that purpose. The key structures as
determined by Turkish and Japanese technical experts include the Bosphorus
Bridge, Fatih Bridge, both Halic Bridges, the viaduct approaching the
Bosphorus (European side), both viaducts to the Halic Bridge, and two
viaducts in Ortakoy. /Milliyet/
[11] DERVIS: “TURKEY PLACES A HIGH PREMIUM ON EU MEMBERSHIP”
Turkish State Minister for Economy Kemal Dervis, who is currently visiting
Great Britain, yesterday participated in a conference with British scholars
and students at Oxford University. Dervis remarked that Turkey had been
able to revive its economy by implementing an effective economic program
and pursuing successful foreign policies in the wake of last September’s
terrorist attacks on the US. Stating that he believed new reforms were
necessary for Turkey to join the EU, Dervis said, “The next 10 years will
be very important for us. Turkish people place a high premium on EU
membership, since it is the key issue which will determine Turkey’s
future.” Dervis is scheduled to travel to London today to hold a meeting
with British industrialists. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] IMF’S KAHKONEN CALLS MEETINGS “CONSTRUCTIVE”
In Turkey for a series of meetings as part of an International Monetary
Fund review, IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen said yesterday, “My
contacts with representatives of the manufacturing industry and financial
sector in Istanbul were very constructive.” Following the talks in Istanbul,
Kahkonen proceeded to Ankara for a number of technical meetings. /Aksam/
[13] VURAL SEES BULGARIAN TELECOM COMPANY AS AN OPPORTUNITY
Transportation Minister Oktay Vural said yesterday that Turkish companies,
including Turk Telekom, should be interested in regional telecommunication
companies and added, “In this respect, I consider the Bulgarian Telecom
Company [(BTC)] a real opportunity.” Speaking to the Reuters news agency,
Vural said, “Turk Telekom can employ privatization and cooperation in our
neighboring countries along with the private sector. We have the know-how,
and BTC is an opportunity in this regard. In addition, there are 1.5
million of our kinsmen living in Bulgaria.” /Aksam/
[14] SSSB REPORT: “IT’S NOW TIME TO INVEST IN TURKISH BANKS”
Schroder Salomon Smith Barney, a prominent international financial
consultant agency, stated in a new report on the Turkish banking system
released this week that the time was now ripe for foreign investors to
invest in Turkish banks since measures recently taken by the Turkish
government had reduced risks in the sector. The report stated that the
Turkish government had managed to improve the monitoring system in
financial markets as well as the general structure of the sector. /Sabah/
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[16] THE EUROPEAN UNION AND UNCONTROLLED AMBITIONS BY TUFAN TURENC
(HURRIYET)
Columnist Tufan Turenc writes on recent comments on Turkey’s relations with
the European Union. A summary of his column is as follows:
“It is certain that our next generation will remember Bahceli and Ciller
with regret. Both leaders will be mentioned as politicians who sought to
bar Turkey’s entrance into the EU. Those who support them will be
remembered only as their followers. Membership in the European Union has
the power to change Turkey’s fate. In June, Turkey will either receive a
certificate which says that it belongs to Europe or the accession
negotiations will be postponed indefinitely. That is why those who believe
that Turkey’s future lies in Europe are getting increasingly concerned. In
the next three months, Turkey’s fate will be shaped irreversibly. I do not
know if Devlet Bahceli, Tansu Ciller and their followers are aware that
they are harming the country with their groundless fears. The European
Union summit which will be held on June 21-22 in Seville will be a turning
point for Turkey. At this summit either a date for the start of accession
negotiations will be set for Turkey, or they will be postponed to an
unspecified time. If a date is set, there is no turning back. Turkey will
sit at the table for full membership and at the end of the process will
become a full-fledged part of Europe. From that time on, neither the EU nor
Turkey can give up on Turkey’s EU membership. Therefore, fulfilling our
short-term commitments to the EU before the end of March carries vital
importance for us. If we cannot complete this, it will be impossible to get
a date for negotiations in Seville. Are Bahceli, Ciller and their
supporters who are obstructing this development either deliberately or
unknowingly aware of this? Is picking up a few votes by saying we should
execute Ocalan really worth forsaking our children’s future? Don’t they
know that if Turkey enters the EU its unitary structure will be
strengthened and it will take great strides only in 5-10 years? They must
be fully aware of these facts. Then why are they opposing this membership
and trying hard to miss this opportunity for Turkey, thus relegating it to
stay as a Middle Eastern country? Insistence on retaining the death penalty
means an end to the initiative. Therefore saying that we should abolish the
death penalty after executing Ocalan is deceiving ourselves. In fact in
1984 Turkey, in a moratorium it gave to the European Council, guaranteed
that death sentences would not be carried out. From that time on, no one
has been executed. As Professor Bakir Caglar has pointed out, even if the
European Court Of Human Rights decides in Turkey’s favor, execution cannot
take place within the framework of this moratorium. If that happens,
everything will be over, a fact which I believe both Bahceli and Ciller are
aware of. Unfortunately, uncontrolled ambitions sometimes put personal
interests agendas before national interests.”
[17] EUROPE AND THE MILITARY BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on this week’s statement by National Security
Council (MGK) Secretary General Gen. Tuncer Kilinc regarding relations with
Europe. A summary of his column is as follows:
“Yesterday there was an unexpected explosion on the road to EU. As the move
comes from the military, it is of great significance. Yesterday in a
symposium held at Istanbul’s War Academies, MGK Secretary-General Gen.
Tuncer Kilinc said that Turkey did not receive any help from the EU and
that the organization took an unfavorable stance on issues regarding
Turkey. Then he added that he believed it would be more beneficial for
Turkey to enter into new relations with Russian and Iran, albeit not
excluding the US. Although he stated that this was his own personal view,
it is impossible to believe that he was not influenced by the institution
he belongs to. If viewed from that respect, are we to understand that the
Turkish Armed Forces are against our EU membership under the present
circumstances? The previous day, Deputy Prime minister Mesut Yilmaz,
addressing the circles opposing the EU, had said that no one should ‘hide
behind the military’ and added that the military was not opposed to the EU.
Is Yilmaz mistaken? Are those hiding behind the military making the right
choice? We believe that this is not so. While searching for alternatives,
we must consider the common interests we share with the countries we are
contemplating cooperation with. For example, do we have common interests
with Russia and Iran in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Iraq or the Gulf
region? Can the values we believe in help us in meeting with Iran against
the same background? When our historic aims and aspirations are taken into
consideration we can see that there is no alternative other than the EU.
The latest intelligence reports show that the reason for closing the door
to relations with Iran is not just a difference in regimes. A report
disclosed yesterday said that Iranian intelligence was trying to convince
the PKK to take up terrorist activities. Membership in the EU is a
political decision and this decision has been made. The General Staff has
repeatedly stated that it supported this decision. The military is
disturbed by the EU’s inconsiderate stance vis-a-vis our security needs.
Chief of General Staff Gen. Kivrikoglu said that our European allies
supported terrorism directed against Turkey, some openly and some covertly.
Many Turkish politicians are of the same view. The aim of the military is
that we not conduct the negotiations in a climate of total surrender. That
is to say, we should be able to convince the EU that Turkey is different
than countries such as France, Portugal and Spain. At least it should be
able to get the PKK and DHKP-C included in the EU’s list of terrorist
organizations. The statement of the MGK secretary- general should be seen
as a move designed to support strengthening the government’s hand. In fact
the military also know what famous geopolitical strategist, and former
advisor to US President Carter Zbigniew Brzezynski said, ‘The US is an
insurance for Turkey’s security. However, Turkey’s democratic future is in
Europe!’”
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