|
|
Turkish Press Review, 02-07-25
From: 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>
<map name="FPMap1"></map>
Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
25.07.2002
DEATH PENALTY TO BE LEFT OUT OF EU LAW PROPOSALS
BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET
[02] YILMAZ CALLS ON PARTY LEADERS TO SUPPORT EU ACCESSION LAWS
[03] FOREIGN MINISTER GUREL TO MEET WITH PAPANDREOU
[04] FLOOD WREAKS HAVOC IN FIVE PROVINCES
[05] VERHEUGEN: "COPENHAGEN CRITERIA SHOULD BE FULFILLED IN ORDER TO START MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS"
[06] CABINET MINISTERS SUPPORT FORMULA ONE HOSTING BID
[07] CILLER VISITS BAHCELI, DISCUSSES EU AND ELECTIONS LAWS
[08] MUMTAZ SOYSAL ESTABLISHES INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC PARTY
[09] BAYKAL: "ELECTIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY OUT"
[10] DTP LEADER: "A FAIR SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED"
[11] HISARCIKLIOGLU: "PARTIES SHOULD CLARIFY THEIR STANCE ON EU ISSUE"
[12] TUSIAD URGES QUICK ACTION ON EU ACCESSION LAWS
[13] FITCH ANALYST: "TURKEY CAN OVERCOME ITS POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY"
[14] TIM CHAIRMAN: "TURKEY IS LOSING TIME"
[15] 94TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABOLITION OF CENSORSHIP CELEBRATED
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[17] LET'S BE FRANK BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
[18] DEATH PENALTY TO BE LEFT OUT OF EU LAW PROPOSALS
BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
[19] WHICH IS TRUE? BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (HURRIYET)
[01] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET
The National Security Council (MGK) presided over by President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer will meet today in Istanbul. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will also
attend the meeting at the War Academy Commandership. Deputy Prime Minister
Mesut Yilmaz will not participate in the meeting, as he is scheduled to
inspect damage in the flood-stricken province of Rize due to recent heavy
rains and flooding. Before chairing the MGK meeting, Sezer will attend ship,
plane and helicopter handover ceremonies in Golcuk to be held by the Naval
Forces Commandership. /Turkiye/
[02] YILMAZ CALLS ON PARTY LEADERS TO SUPPORT EU ACCESSION LAWS
Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz
yesterday held a series of meeting with the leaders of parties represented
in Parliament, asking them to support the European Union harmonization
laws. Speaking to reporters after these meetings, Yilmaz said that an EU
law package prepared by his party would not hinder early elections expected
this fall. Yilmaz told the reporters that Deputy Prime Minister and
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli had said he would
support these laws, excepting education and broadcasting in mother tongues
and eliminating the death penalty. /Star/
[03] FOREIGN MINISTER GUREL TO MEET WITH PAPANDREOU
Turkey is preparing to put diplomatic pressure on the Greek government to
crack down on the activities of terrorist group the DHKP-C in Greece.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday
stated that he would soon meet with Greek Foreign Minister George
Papandreou to discuss the issue of the DHKP-C. The Turkish government is
disappointed with the lack of attention the Greek government has shown on
the issue to date. "We have been aware for some time that members of
certain terrorist groups threatening Turkey's democratic regime have taken
shelter with some of our neighbors," said Gurel. "Unfortunately, Greece is
one of those countries which has failed to crack down on those terrorists."
/Cumhuriyet/
[04] FLOOD WREAKS HAVOC IN FIVE PROVINCES
A total of 22 people have died due to two straight days of heavy rain and
flooding which cut a swathe through five different provinces in the Black
Sea region and eastern-central Anatolia, Rize, Yozgat, Corum, Kayseri and
Tokat. Some 19 people are still missing due to Tuesday and Wednesday's
flooding which also damaged hundreds of houses, destroyed farmers' fields
and killed livestock. The State Meteorology Institute is forecasting the
heavy rainfall in the region to continue through tomorrow. The Cabinet
yesterday resolved to provide financial aid to the affected regions.
/Cumhuriyet/
[05] VERHEUGEN: "COPENHAGEN CRITERIA SHOULD BE FULFILLED IN ORDER TO START
MEMBERSHIP NEGOTIATIONS"
Speaking at the European Parliament yesterday, European Commissioner for
Enlargement Gunter Verheugen spoke on Turkey's European Union accession
process. "If the Copenhagen criteria are fulfilled, we could immediately
start the negotiations process," the commissioner said. "The commission
could make this happen." Meanwhile, Verheugen stated yesterday in an
interview with German daily Die Zeit that the two parties on Cyprus, the
Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, might reach a settlement before
the EU's Copenhagen summit this December. "Turkey might suggest a new model
for a solution in order to obtain a political award from the Union," said
Verheugen. "It might even begin its accession negotiation process earlier
then expected. However, the Turkish government should place a high premium
of the implementation of political reforms for its EU accession."
/Cumhuriyet, Hurriyet/
[06] CABINET MINISTERS SUPPORT FORMULA ONE HOSTING BID
The Cabinet ministers chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit met
yesterday. During its meeting, the Cabinet decided to support the Turkish
Federation of Automotive and Motor Sports' (TOMSFED) bid to host the
Formula One racing competition in 2005. Health Minister Osman Durmus
initially opposed the move, as previous Formula One races have carried
cigarette advertising. "While we are trying people to stop smoking, those
races encourage it," he argued. However, he was eventually persuaded when
TOMSFED pledged that this race would not carry tobacco ads. State Minister
Fikret Unlu was appointed to the work on the topic. /All Papers/
[07] CILLER VISITS BAHCELI, DISCUSSES EU AND ELECTIONS LAWS
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller yesterday visited Deputy Prime
Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader in order to seek support
for the European Union harmonization laws, as well as amendments to the
Elections Law. After the meeting, Ciller told reporters that the Parliament
should reconvene in order to make a decision on early elections. Ciller
also said that her party had submitted a proposal to Parliament that the
elections be held on Nov. 3. /Star/
[08] MUMTAZ SOYSAL ESTABLISHES INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC PARTY
A new political party called the Independent Republic Party (BCP) was
officially established yesterday. Mumtaz Soysal, Ismail Sina Aksin and
Cevat Ismail Geray are among the founding members of the party. The
application for formation of this new party has been submitted to the
Interior Ministry. According to a statement released by the BCP, the party
currently has 67 members. /Star/
[09] BAYKAL: "ELECTIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY OUT"
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday received a
delegation from the Turkish Young Businessmen's Association (TUGIAD) at his
party's headquarters in Ankara. Baykal said that a consensus had finally
been reached that elections were the only way out. Stressing that Turkey's
economy had paid a great price before reaching this point, Baykal said that
Nov. 4 was an important date for Turkey to establish a strong, effective
Parliament. Regarding a possible US operation in Iraq, Baykal stated, "We
don't want war. Such an operation would harm Turkey's economy and political
life." /Turkiye/
[10] DTP LEADER: "A FAIR SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED"
Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) leader Mehmet Ali Bayar yesterday said that
changes were needed to Turkey's election system. Speaking to the Turkish
Journalists Association, Bayar stated, "You have listened to the
discussions over the European Union. But the vision of the EU, which points
to our nation's future, has been lost in the shuffle of day-to-day
political concerns. If this situation persists, either a single-party
government or a ruling coalition will emerge. Whatever the result, Turkey
needs new hope. Elections will give the Turkish people a chance to make
their voices heard. However, we need to ensure a level playing field for
elections. Parliament should prepare measures to establish fairer
elections." /Sabah/
[11] HISARCIKLIOGLU: "PARTIES SHOULD CLARIFY THEIR STANCE ON EU ISSUE"
Speaking to the Istanbul Union of Commerce yesterday, Turkish Union of
Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu
said that Turkey was witnessing a great divide over the issue of its
European Union membership bid. "The EU issue shouldn't be used as a
political tool," he stated. "Turkey is now heading for early elections.
Those parties seeking to lead the country should either state clearly that
they favor our EU reforms, or else lay out what they plan to do instead."
/Milliyet/
[12] TUSIAD URGES QUICK ACTION ON EU ACCESSION LAWS
The Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD)
yesterday urged Parliament to pass the laws needed for Turkey's European
Union membership bid at its extraordinary session next Monday. A statement
issued by the group said that all EU candidate countries were required to
fulfill the Copenhagen criteria, and that Turkey wasn't being singled out.
The statement added that fixing a date for early elections would boost the
nation's economy. /Milliyet/
[13] FITCH ANALYST: "TURKEY CAN OVERCOME ITS POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY"
A senior analyst at international ratings agency Fitch yesterday told
Reuters there were currently no plans to alter Turkey's credit rating. "It
is still possible for Turkey to overcome its political uncertainty," said
Nick Eisinger, director of sovereign ratings. "We will see how this turns
out in the months to come." Three weeks ago Fitch affirmed Turkey's rating
as B and stable. /Aksam/
[14] TIM CHAIRMAN: "TURKEY IS LOSING TIME"
Turkish Exporters' Union (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici said yesterday that the
current climate was making Turkey lose valuable time, time that it needed
to spend on its European Union membership bid and other important matters.
"We hope all the political parties and politicians can feel the problems of
both exporters and the nation at large," he stated. "If they ignore these
problems, then sooner or later elections will be held, and only this will
dispel the uncertainty hanging over us." /Sabah/
[15] 94TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABOLITION OF CENSORSHIP CELEBRATED
Yesterday, the 94th anniversary of the abolition of press censorship in
Turkey was celebrated. In a message to mark the occasion, Turkish
Journalists' Association Chairman Nazmi Bilgin remarked that freedom of
expression was a fundamental human right and freedom. "Left unexpressed,
thoughts lack sense and definition," he said. "Thoughts are abstract; they
gain meaning and reality only when aired." There is no censorship in Turkey,
he stressed, but added that increasing media monopolization could carry an
equal danger. /Turkiye/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[17] LET'S BE FRANK BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the possibility of Parliament's adjourning
after deciding on a date for new elections. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"The current political picture rouses the fear that the Parliament will
adjourn for a recess after setting a date for new elections. However, I
haven't lost my hopes yet because I don't want to believe that the majority
of the Parliament has lost its sense of shame. Blocking the road going to
the EU has triggered the recent developments bringing new elections to the
agenda and the division in the Democratic Left Party (DSP). All the groups
of political parties in the Parliament, excluding the Nationalist Action
Party (MHP), said they supported Turkey's EU membership bid. If they
sacrifice this project which concerns Turkey's future and declare the
session over after setting a date for elections, how will they face the
nation during election campaigns? Parliament's agenda is not clear due to
sly calculations and childish caprices. The proposal prepared by Motherland
Party (ANAP) Chairman Yilmaz's team gathers the EU harmonization steps
under a framework. At the moment, ANAP and the Felicity Party (SP) fully
support it. There has been news to the effect that even New Turkey (YT)
hesitated to support it. The YT denied these reports and stated that it
would support the proposal. What happened to make ANAP suspect its motives?
During the meeting, YT chairman Ismail Cem had stated that they would like
to see if ANAP's coalition partner the DSP - Cem's former party - would
sign the proposal. He later said that this was not a condition. Political
parties are afraid of any success regarding the issue becoming political
capital for ANAP and that the MHP may use the issue as a point against
rival political parties. ANAP leader Yilmaz said that the package regarding
the EU adaptation laws was not his own property. His explanations sounded
realistic, convincing, effective and sincere. He added that if the parties
promising to pass the EU harmonization laws unconditionally actually signed
the bill he would not use this as a propaganda issue in the coming
elections. However, if these political parties promising to support it
before the public did not keep their words, he would harp on the issue all
through the election campaign. He has the right to do so. It is true that
the EU means more freedoms, more security and more wealth for the Turkish
people. How will the other parties ask for votes if they play with the
future of our children?"
[18] DEATH PENALTY TO BE LEFT OUT OF EU LAW PROPOSALS
BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
Columnist Fikret Bila writes about the likelihood of Parliament passing the
European Union adaptation laws and the possible approaches of political
parties to the issue. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Parliament is set to convene next Monday, and the political parties seem
to have reached an agreement to hold elections on Nov 3. The debate over
whether a decision on elections or the EU adaptation laws should take first
place on Parliament's list of priorities seems to have been resolved.
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz looks as if he has accepted the
'elections first' argument put forward by True Path Party (DYP) leader
Tansu Ciller. Right now the debate is centred on whether it will be
possible to pass the necessary EU laws after a decision on elections has
been taken in Parliament. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit believes that it
would be difficult for anything other than elections to be discussed once a
decision to hold elections is made. However, he has said that his
Democratic Left Party (DSP) would support efforts to pass the EU laws. The
DYP, as well as the newly established party New Turkey (YT), has promised
to vote in favor of the laws once a decision to hold elections is reached.
Both the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Felicity Party (SP)
are in favor of passing these laws. However, all the parties are
stipulating different conditions. The AKP and DYP, for instance, would like
to amend the Constitution on the subject of the death penalty to make sure
that terrorists do not benefit from amnesties. The parties don't seem to
have reached a full agreement on the law enabling broadcasting and teaching
in the mother tongue languages. So the plan right now is to try and pass
the EU laws, with the exception of the laws concerning the death penalty
and broadcasting_teaching in mother tongues. The YT is also in favor of
leaving these issues out because it believes that only laws all parties
agree on will be accepted after Parliament decides on elections. If the
parties can keep their parliamentary groups together, then there is a
chance that the EU laws will be passed with the exception of the ones
concerning controversial issues. The parties seem to have agreed to leave
the issue of the death penalty aside until after the elections."
[19] WHICH IS TRUE? BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (HURRIYET)
Columnist Muharrem Sarikaya writes on New Turkey (YT) Chairman Ismail Cem's
and his party's ambiguous attitude towards the EU adjustment laws package
prepared by Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz. A summary of his
column is as follows:
"Is it true that New Turkey (YT) Chairman Ismail Cem rejected supporting
the EU adjustment laws package prepared by the Motherland Party (ANAP)?
Yesterday Cem denied all such accusations, saying that they would
definitely stand behind the EU adjustment laws. However what some YT
members told me the day before doesn't match Cem's statement. What lies
behind this contradiction? Yesterday I had the chance to interview Cem. He
answered my questions on the issue and reiterated the YT's full support for
Turkey's EU membership bid, but added that he had a different proposal than
the one ANAP leader Yilmaz came up with. Cem said that he had suggested to
Yilmaz that the three laws on capital punishment and the right to education
and broadcasting in mother tongues be excluded from the package and placed
in a separate one, then that the latter be brought onto the agenda of the
Parliament. Cem added that they had serious concerns about these three laws
and the high probability of abuse of these rights. All in all, in my long
interview with Cem, I got the impression that the YT doesn't want these
three laws to be included in the package, believing that leaving them out
of the package will ensure the easy passage of the other EU adjustment laws
by Parliament. It seems to me that the YT will not add its signature to the
package in its present version circulated by ANAP. On the other hand,
Yilmaz told me that he had never received a pledge of unconditional support
from the YT and that he also suggested that Cem bring the three most
contentious laws together in a separate package, and then asked for the
YT's support in that case, but that Cem gave him a clear 'No'. Now, which
of these accounts is true?"
ARCHIVE
<script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript" src="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_statistic/countcode.js">
</script>
|