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Turkish Press Review, 02-06-11
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
11.06.2002
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER TO VISIT IRAN
[02] SEZER HOSTS SHP LEADER
[03] ECEVIT MEETS WITH DSP DEPUTIES
[04] CABINET CONVENES UNDER BAHCELI
[05] YILMAZ: “THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ON ITS
ROAD”
[06] EP TO EU CANDIDATE COUNTRIES: “REFORMS MUST
CONTINUE”
[07] GUREL: “WE WANT TO KNOW THE EU’S REAL
INTENTIONS”
[08] INTERIOR MINISTRY RELEASES ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
REPORT
[09] BAYKAL: “CABINET CANNOT DECIDE WITHOUT PRIME
MINISTER”
[10] AKP: “CAPITAL PUNISHMENT COULD BE ABOLISHED
CONSTITUTIONALLY”
[11] US PUSHES BACK TURKISH INDUSTRIAL ZONE BILL TO
FALL
[12] BREKK: “STICK WITH THE PROGRAM”
[13] GARANTI BANK SELECTED BEST FOREIGN FINANCING
BANK
[14] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE
COLUMNS…
[15] CILLER MORALE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
[16] GETTING TO KNOW THE EU BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] SEZER TO VISIT IRAN
The Presidential Press Office yesterday announced that
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is scheduled to visit Iran on June
17-18 as an official guest of Mohammad Khatami, Islamic Republic
of Iran President. Sezer is to travel to Iran with State
Minister Mehmet Kececiler, who is responsible for customs and co-chairs
the Turkish-Iranian Joint Economic Commission (KEK). /Turkiye/
[02] SEZER HOSTS SHP LEADER
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted Social Democratic
People’s Party (SHP) leader Murat Karayalcin and the members of
its Central Executive Council yesterday. Karayalcin presented
the party’s program to Sezer and stated that their chairman
would be elected with the direct participation of the SHP’s
members, which would pave the way to greater democracy.
Karayalcin also said that SHP supported Sezer’s view on changing
the Election and Political Parties Law. In their talks, Sezer
remarked that last week’s Cankaya EU summit had been positive
and that he was hopeful about the European Union membership
process. /Star/
[03] ECEVIT MEETS WITH DSP DEPUTIES
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday welcomed a group of
Democratic Left Party (DSP) officials, Deputy Director General
Tayfun Icli, Zeki Sezer, Group Deputy Chairman Emrehan Halici,
Accountant Mecit Sekercioglu and Deputy General Secretary
Suleyman Yagiz, at his library. Ecevit called on the deputies to
pick up pace on work related to Turkey’s European Union
membership bid. He also asked Parliament to continue its work on
abolishing capital punishment as well as teaching and publishing
in mother tongues by reaching an agreement with the coalition
partners and opposition parties. /Aksam/
[04] CABINET CONVENES UNDER BAHCELI
The Cabinet convened yesterday under the chairmanship of
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahceli. The major issue discussed during the meeting was
the prospect of early elections. Central Bank Governor Sureyya
Serdengecti briefed the Cabinet on Turkey’s recent monetary
policies. Upon being asked by Minister of Culture Istemihan
Talay whether or not early elections would adversely affect the
Turkish economy, Serdengecti replied that speculations on the
future of the current government were disquieting the financial
markets and hurting the current balances which have recently
been established in the economy. The ministers also exchanged
views on the targets of the economic program such as expected
rates of growth and inflation. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] YILMAZ: “THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ON ITS
ROAD”
Appearing on NTV yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said that the
current government would continue on its road until one of its
partners leaves the coalition. Yilmaz also said that if the
government managed to steer clear of certain obstacles it could
continue its mission until April 2004, the normal scheduled date
for elections. /Turkiye/
[06] EP TO EU CANDIDATE COUNTRIES: “REFORMS MUST
CONTINUE”
The European Parliament is set to discuss and vote on a
report concerning the enlargement of the European Union at its
Plenary Session tomorrow. The report prepared by German
Christian Democrat member Elmar Brok calls on the EU candidate
countries to make further reforms. It details the current
conditions in the 12 candidate countries on their paths towards
the EU. In addition, a bill attached to the report was approved
last month in Brussels at a Foreign Relations Commission meeting.
It includes a paragraph on Turkey, stating that the Turkish
government must continue its constitutional reforms concerning
democratization. The bill also underlined that Turkey has
achieved significant progress since 2001. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] GUREL: “WE WANT TO KNOW THE EU’S REAL
INTENTIONS”
State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday accused certain
domestic circles who have been arguing that Turkey is about to
“miss the train of the European Union” of misinforming and
misleading Turkish society. Stating that it would not be correct
to make haste on such a sensitive issue on which all segments of
society should reach agreement, Gurel remarked that he believed
that Turkey would solve its problems with great determination
and added that relations between the Turkish government and the
EU would not be adversely affected by domestic discussions on
Turkey’s bid for full membership. “We can solve the problem of
the death penalty,” said Gurel. “However, Turkey wants to know
what the real intentions of the Union are. Neither Turkish non-governmental
organizations [NGOs], nor political parties nor society at large
is opposed to the EU. However, the EU must be objective in its
dealings with Turkey. For example, the Cyprus issue has, in fact,
nothing to do with Turkish-EU relations.” /Cumhuriyet/
[08] INTERIOR MINISTRY RELEASES ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
REPORT
The Interior Ministry has released a report detailing
Turkey’s efforts to fight the plague of human smuggling. The
report, which was written partially in response to a recent US
report faulting Turkey’s efforts to date, says that 364,00
illegal immigrants were captured and 175,000 deported over the
last five years, and that this year alone Turkey spent some 364
billion Turkish liras to deport illegals from Turkey. The report
stated that Turkey was a “transit route” for migrants from such
countries as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Bangladesh
so that they can make their way into European countries, and
that Turkey was a “target country” so they can work. The report,
which stated that illegal immigrants’ routes of passage had
shifted to the south and north as a result of Turkey’s fight
against illegal immigration in 2000 and 2001, added, “In the
most recent period, African migrants began to favor Italy and
France, and ships coming from Sri Lanka and India have started
to follow the Suez Canal and also Southern Cyprus, Greece and
Italy.” The report added that over the last five years nearly
45,000 people had been denied entrance to Turkey on the
suspicion that they were involved in illegal immigration.
/Milliyet/
[09] BAYKAL: “CABINET CANNOT DECIDE WITHOUT PRIME
MINISTER”
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said
yesterday that a decision cannot be taken in the Cabinet without
the prime minister, stressing that the Cabinet was a basic
institution of the Constitution and the democratic regime. He
added that the prime minister could leave Cabinet meetings for a
short time but that the Cabinet meeting could not be held
without the prime minister present. Baykal was apparently
referring to Monday’s Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by
Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli due to Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit’s illness. Constitutional law scholar Professor
Erdal Onar echoed Baykal’s view, calling Monday’s meeting
outside the bounds of law. /Hurriyet/
[10] AKP: “CAPITAL PUNISHMENT COULD BE ABOLISHED
CONSTITUTIONALLY”
Insisting that capital punishment should be abolished only
through an amendment to the Constitution, Justice and
Development Party (AKP) leader Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday
that he had told last week’s Cankaya’s summit that abolishing
capital punishment and replacing it with life imprisonment
without parole should be enacted simultaneously. However, at
least 367 votes are required to make such an amendment, and this
seems a distant prospect. Meanwhile, a bill now facing
Parliament contains an amendment which proposes ending the death
penalty. /Hurriyet/
[11] US PUSHES BACK TURKISH INDUSTRIAL ZONE BILL TO
FALL
The Bush administration’s first attempt to pass legal
regulations necessary for the establishment of Qualified
Industrial Zones (QIZ) in Turkey yesterday met with postponement.
A bill containing the needed framework as well as giving the US
president expanded authority was discussed in the US Senate late
last month. However, a number of senators objected to the
section on the QIZs plus other provisions, mostly on the grounds
they had neither been consulted nor given a chance to study the
issue. The Bush administration thus tacked on the QIZ matter to
another bill which will be discussed this fall, prior to US
congressional elections, and pledged to brief the Senate on the
matter. The QIZs were promised to Turkey earlier this year in
recognition both of its stalwart friendship with the US and its
support for the war on terrorism. /Milliyet/
[12] BREKK: “STICK WITH THE PROGRAM”
IMF Turkey Representative Odd Per Brekk said yesterday that
it was very important for Turkey to apply and stay on track with
its economic program. Brekk also said that despite all political
contingencies, success was the only way forward and an
attainable goal. “Turkey has a great opportunity here to break
away from high inflation and interest rates,” Brekk added. /Turkiye/
[13] GARANTI BANK SELECTED BEST FOREIGN FINANCING
BANK
Garanti Bank has been selected the best bank in Turkey for
foreign trade financing service by the journal Global Finance,
the bank announced yesterday. Garanti will receive the honor at
an awards ceremony in Washington, DC this September on the
sidelines on an International Monetary Fund–World Bank meeting.
Its co-honorees in the category include Citigroup (best foreign
financing in the US and worldwide) and HSBC (best in Asia).
Global Finance also selected Garanti “Best Bank in Turkey” in
1999 and 2000. /Milliyet/
[14] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE
COLUMNS…
[15] CILLER MORALE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on recent developments
regarding the government. A summary of his column is as follows:
“The opportunism of Tansu Ciller gave new life to a
government which had seemed on the verge of a breakdown. After a
long interval, the Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Deputy
Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli yesterday. The Central Bank
governor’s statements regarding indications towards of improving
conditions in the economy must have reminded the coalition
partners that there were valid reasons for them to be a little
more patient. The economic program has passed through its most
difficult period, and the coalition partners are indebted to the
voters due to the heavy burdens shouldered by the people. Now it
is time for these investments to bring profits to the parties in
power. If an unexpected crisis doesn’t erupt the economy will
get better with each passing day. Breaking the government at
this stage would only serve to present the political premium the
ruling parties earned to the opposition on a silver platter.
Ciller has played on this opportunity and the Nationalist Action
Party (MHP) has finally seen the truth and showed the common
sense to relieve the tension. Prime Minister Ecevit’s
performance during his press conference on Sunday has helped
bolster the belief that a new government crisis will not erupt
soon. Politics will focus on an EU-centered agenda. Talks aimed
at reaching an agreement passing the arrangements regarding
abolition of the death penalty as well as lifting the barriers
before teaching and broadcasting in mother tongues in the
Parliament will continue until the beginning of next week. If
agreement is reached, next week proposals concerning these bills
will be submitted to the Parliament. Officials stated that
although the MHP is against such a solution, it would not make
it a government issue. However, one must also remember that in
Turkey political developments to take place even over the next
few hours cannot be guessed.”
[16] GETTING TO KNOW THE EU BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the recent discussions over
Turkey’s membership bid to the EU and the requests of the Union.
A summary of his column is as follows:
“It is becoming increasingly clear that a majority of those
speaking at the panels or similar meetings held on Turkey’s
membership bid to the EU lack certain basic information. To be
frank, we can say that even some politicians lack knowledge on
the issue. That is why the evaluations regarding the importance
of EU membership for Turkey cannot go any further than
stereotypical opinions. In fact, in many member and candidate
countries, the people do not have much idea about the EU.
Naturally, this doesn’t amount to much in themember countries.
We cannot say that it is important for Hungary, the Czech
Republic and Poland, which are all very close to full membership.
They have already made their decision and all the arrangements.
For Turkey, which does not even have a date set for the
beginning of accession negotiations, the situation is rather
different. In Turkey, the fulfilment of certain political
criteria is being discussed. During these discussions, the sides
are positioning their arguments either for or against the EU.
Therefore we have to know the EU well and have basic information
regarding the organization. The Copenhagen criteria are basic
conditions every candidate state has to comply with before
beginning accession negotiations. If the candidate country
wishes to achieve the EU standards, it fulfils these requisites.
If it doesn’t have the sufficient will to fulfill these, it will
be left without a date for accession negotiations. Abolition of
the death penalty and allowing teaching and broadcasting in
Kurdish have been discussed for months as part of these criteria.
The argument which says that these are sensitive issues for
Turkey and the country has ‘special circumstances’ and that
these issues should be discussed with the EU shows this lack of
basic knowledge. Another issue where there isn’t enough
information is the assumption that if these sensitive issues are
solved, the road to accession negotiations will be opened
immediately. The criteria the EU is putting forth are not
limited to those. All the laws and implementations regarding
freedom of expression should be arranged in compliance with EU
standards. In other words, even if the issues leading to a
disagreement within the coalition are solved, there will be
other issues Turkey has to complete other homework on, and it
would be wrong to say that the requests of the EU will never
cease. The EU will not admit any candidate which doesn’t fulfill
its own criteria. In the panels and similar organizations
broadcast on television, we can see that there is an important
lack of information on the issue. First we have to learn the
facts regarding the issue. Aside from certain ideological and
political beliefs, the first condition for finding the true path
leading to the EU is this. It will be highly beneficial if
various organizations working for Turkey’s membership to the EU
should launch an information campaign on the issue. It is
important that this campaign should be based totally on
objective data and information, and reflect the facts as they
are.”
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