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Turkish Press Review, 02-07-26
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
26.07.2002
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER: "A STRONG DEFENSE IS VITAL FOR TURKEY"
[02] ECEVIT: "EARLY ELECTIONS MAY DELAY PASSAGE OF EU HARMONIZATION LAWS"
[03] MGK CONVENES
[04] CEM: "THE YT IS SECOND TO NONE ON EU ACCESSION"
[05] NEW TURKEY PREPARES FOR DERVIS
[06] DEATH TOLL INCREASES IN FLOOD DISASTER; EMERGENCY AID GRANTED
[07] NAVAL FORCES CONDUCT ASSET HANDOVER CEREMONY
[08] SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE OZKAYA: "THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED"
[09] NSC SPOKESMAN MCCORMACK: "THE US WILL COOPERATE WITH WHOMEVER THE TURKISH PEOPLE ELECT AS THEIR LEADER"
[10] TURKISH AND GREEK DIPLOMATS MEET IN ANKARA
[11] IRAQ ISSUE EXPECTED TO TOP RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT'S VISIT
[12] OZTRAK: "WE CAN'T AFFORD THE HIGH INTEREST BURDEN INDEFINITELY"
[13] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[14] IS THERE NO HOPE LEFT? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[15] LET US LEAVE THE EU ASIDE BY ALI SIRMEN (CUMHURIYET)
[16] THE EU PACKAGE, YILMAZ, AND ELECTIONS BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)
[01] SEZER: "A STRONG DEFENSE IS VITAL FOR TURKEY"
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer stated yesterday that Turkey had both the
ability and the need to maintain a strong defense. Delivering the
convocation address to the graduation ceremony at Istanbul's War Academy
Commandership, Sezer said that uncertainty and threats on the international
scene necessitated a strong defense on Turkey's part. "Our shipyards are
fully capable of producing the world's most modern ships and submarines,"
he added. Also present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit,
Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Sukru Sina Gurel, Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Interior Minister
Rustu Kazim Yucelen and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu.
In his speech to the academy graduates, Kivrikoglu stressed the need for a
strong naval force. This year 390 students graduated from the War Academy
Commandership. /Hurriyet/
[02] ECEVIT: "EARLY ELECTIONS MAY DELAY PASSAGE OF EU HARMONIZATION LAWS"
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit answered journalists' questions yesterday at
Esenboga Airport before his departure for Istanbul to attend a National
Security Council (MGK) meeting. Ecevit said that next week after Parliament
makes a decision on early elections, work on Turkey's European Union
harmonization laws might be delayed. Stressing that his party, the
Democratic Left Party (DSP), had worked hard to push forward Turkey's
accession to the full EU membership, Ecevit said, "Unfortunately, many
circles are insistent on holding early elections. The DSP has been against
them from the beginning. The government has been working on reforms for our
EU membership bid. When all those are completed, this will be a great step
forward for us. However, this opportunity seems to have been lost."
Regarding rumors that State Minister Kemal Dervis will leave the government
at the beginning of August, Ecevit said, "We have nothing to do if he
prefers to serve in a different party. We will continue our duty." He also
predicted that the DSP would emerge the winner in coming elections. /All
Papers/
[03] MGK CONVENES
The National Security Council (MGK) chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
held its July ordinary meeting in Istanbul yesterday. During the
approximately four-hour meeting, the MGK discussed domestic and regional
developments and a possible US operation in Iraq. Absent at the gathering
were State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis, who is currently in the
US, and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who was in Rize to inspect
damaged caused by recent floods in the region. /All Papers/
[04] CEM: "THE YT IS SECOND TO NONE ON EU ACCESSION"
Stating that no one needed to vouch for his credentials on Turkey's
European Union accession bid, New Turkey (YT) leader Ismail Cem said
yesterday that he was only trying to head off exploitation of the mother
tongue languages issue. Speaking to journalists, Cem criticized Motherland
Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz as trying to claim sole ownership of the
EU issue. Cem denied recent media reports indicating that the YT opposed
certain EU accession measures. "These reports are regrettable," he stated.
"Our path is clear. As I have said before, the YT is second to none in the
support for going forward with Turkey's EU bid. I've told Mr. Yilmaz this
as well. We will support whatever approach will be the most fruitful."
/Cumhuriyet/
[05] NEW TURKEY PREPARES FOR DERVIS
According to information leaked by diplomatic sources, State Minister for
the Economy Kemal Dervis, who is currently visiting the United States, has
sent a message to New Turkey (YT) Chairman Ismail Cem and former Deputy
Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan indicating that he was ready to resign from
his post and join their newly established movement. Dervis, who is expected
to return to Turkey next Tuesday, will reportedly submit his resignation to
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Wednesday in Ankara. After he steps down,
Dervis is expected to put together a team within the YT consisting of
representatives from various occupational organizations and business
groups. /Milliyet/
[06] DEATH TOLL INCREASES IN FLOOD DISASTER; EMERGENCY AID GRANTED
Heavy rains across the Black Sea region and central-eastern Anatolia this
week have taken at least 33 lives while scores of other people are missing.
Hundreds of homes have been flooded and livestock killed, and many farmers'
fields were ruined. Rescue teams are continuing to search for people in the
wreckage. Following the disaster, many politicians and ministers have
travelled to the Black Sea region, and especially to Rize. In addition to
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Justice and Development Party (AKP)
leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday arrived in Rize, the province hardest
hit by severe floods. Yilmaz stated that the damage was extensive, and that
TL 500 billion had been granted to the Rize governor in emergency aid. /All
Papers/
[07] NAVAL FORCES CONDUCT ASSET HANDOVER CEREMONY
The Naval Forces Commandership yesterday held a handover ceremony in Golcuk
to mark its purchase of five ships, seven boats, two helicopters and an
airplane for its army from France and the United States. Speaking at the
ceremony, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said, "I am very proud to see our
Naval Forces reach such a distinguished point." /Turkiye/
[08] SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE OZKAYA: "THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE
ABOLISHED"
Speaking to the Anatolia News Agency yesterday, Supreme Court of Appeals
Chief Justice Eraslan Ozkaya laid out his views on Turkish-European Union
relations, underlining that Turkey should do its utmost to become a full EU
member. Stressing his belief that solutions which would damage neither
Turkey's territorial integrity nor its democratic regime could be found to
certain sensitive issues such as education in Kurdish and ending the death
penalty, Ozkaya stated that a new constitution must be prepared which would
pave the way for more democratic practices in the judiciary. Stating that
capital punishment should be immediately abolished, Ozkaya said, "Modern
societies must protect certain basic rights and freedoms which are sine qua
non for a fully democratic regime. The government should find solutions to
Turkey's problems by taking national interests and priorities into
consideration. I believe such solutions which will pave the way for
Turkey's full EU membership aren't difficult to find." /All Papers/
[09] NSC SPOKESMAN MCCORMACK: "THE US WILL COOPERATE WITH WHOMEVER THE
TURKISH PEOPLE ELECT AS THEIR LEADER"
Sean McCormack, spokesman for US presidential advisory group the National
Security Council, yesterday told a foreign press briefing that the US was
ready to cooperate with any leader the Turkish people might elect in coming
polls. Stating that Washington was closely following the recent political
developments in Turkey, McCormack said, "We're aware of the discussions
over early elections in Turkey. Since this issue is a domestic matter for
the Turkish people and politicians, I'd rather not remark any further. All
I can say is that Turkey is a close ally and friend of both the US and
NATO. We're ready to cooperate with whomever the Turkish nation elects as
its leader." /Sabah/
[10] TURKISH AND GREEK DIPLOMATS MEET IN ANKARA
Officials from the Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministries gathered together
in Ankara yesterday as part of their regular political discussions. During
the meeting, which took place amid recent Greek government operations
against the November 17 terrorist group as well as Turkish concerns that
DHKP-C terrorists were taking shelter in Greece, a number of regional
issues were discussed. The meeting was co-chaired by Turkish Foreign
Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Baki Ilkin and George Yenimatas, political
director for the Greek Foreign Ministry. Sources from the Turkish side
stated that such issues as the Balkans, the Middle East and the Caucasus
were discussed during the meeting but that it had not touched on bilateral
issues. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] IRAQ ISSUE EXPECTED TO TOP RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT'S VISIT
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov will arrive in Turkey on
Monday as part of a round of Middle East region visits expected to focus on
the Iraq issue. During his visit, Turkey and Russia, whose reservations
about US intervention in Iraq are well known, will likely discuss common
ways to defuse the situation peacefully through the United Nations and
other political means. While Saltanov will stress Moscow's opposition to
military intervention, Turkey will tell how it has briefed the US
extensively on problems that intervention risks creating. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] OZTRAK: "WE CAN'T AFFORD THE HIGH INTEREST BURDEN INDEFINITELY"
Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak said yesterday that if the current high
interest rates persisted, this might endanger the achievement of targets in
Turkey's economic program. Speaking at a meeting hosted by monthly Global
Finance in Istanbul, Oztrak remarked that the Treasury could not afford
these rates indefinitely and pointed to the end of political uncertainty to
bring the rates down. "We will carry on our borrowing policy in line with
the demands of the markets and within the limits of the economic program,"
he said. "Nevertheless, the present high interest rates must decrease if we
are to stay on track with this year's as well as next year's program
goals." /Hurriyet/
[13] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[14] IS THERE NO HOPE LEFT? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes about the steps that Turkey needs to take to
pass the European Union adaptation laws and how likely it is for the
European Union to give Turkey a date for the start of accession
negotiations. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Have we really missed the train to take us into the European Union? Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit stated yesterday that if the issue of early
elections hadn't been brought up, steps could have been taken to enact the
reforms. Earlier in the week, Ecevit also said that the debate over early
elections had made it almost impossible to pass the necessary laws. So
Ecevit believes that the Parliament is going to convene next Monday, decide
to hold elections and then end the parliamentary session without approving
the laws. Hopefully the Parliament will prove Ecevit wrong and put some
extra time and energy into passing the EU reform package. If it doesn't
approve these laws and elections are held in November then it will be
impossible for Turkey to get a date for the start of accession negotiations
at the Copenhagen summit in December. EU Commissioner for Enlargement
Guenter Verheugen made it clear, earlier this week, that Turkey shouldn't
expect a date at the Copenhagen summit. He pointed out that the needed laws
still hadn't been passed and that under these circumstances it would be
unrealistic to expect the EU to start negotiations. So, is the Copenhagen
summit Turkey's last chance? The EU diplomats that we spoke to told us that
there was still some hope for the coming year. They said that if the
government formed after the elections in November is serious about the EU,
then Turkey still might have a chance next year to catch the train. However,
if Turkey still hasn't taken the necessary steps by 2004, then it should
forget about getting a date for negotiations because by then EU will have
already enlarged and accepted 10 new members. So if the laws are not passed
this year, what's going to happen next year and what should the new
government do to make sure it isn't too late for Turkey? Firstly, the new
government has to be committed to the objective of EU membership. Secondly,
the EU perception of Turkish politics in the post-election period will be
very important. If, for instance, the legitimacy of the Turkish Parliament
is called into question in relation to the People's Democracy Party (HADEP)
and the Justice and Development Party (AKP), then the EU's reluctance to
give Turkey a date will increase. So next year we may be up against new
obstacles and may well wish we had passed the laws this year, when the time
was ripe."
[15] LET US LEAVE THE EU ASIDE BY ALI SIRMEN (CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Ali Sirmen writes on the recent discussions over the acceptance
of EU adaptation laws. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The Parliament will convene on Monday. Everyone is wondering if the
process to pass the EU harmonization bills will be started. Motherland
Party (ANAP) Chairman Mesut Yilmaz, who saw his party has lost most of its
voters, seems like a statesman who is ready and determined to do everything
he can for Turkey's EU membership bid. The other party leaders are putting
forward some excuse or another to evade the issue. Deputies are already
caught in the climate of elections which will not solve any issue at all.
The bosses in the press are harshly criticizing the politicians by causing
us to miss the EU train. The press wants Turkey to enter the EU, and the
deputies are concerned with the coming elections. In such an atmosphere,
can a positive development be expected on the EU issue? There is no need
for any expectations. I would like to call on the deputies to say, 'Let's
leave the EU adaptation laws aside, let us be the one who have abandoned
the issue.' In fact there is no point in discussing the issue at this time.
I would like to make clear that I am in favor of entering the EU. However,
neither the EU wants Turkey nor does Turkey want the EU under these
circumstances. Do not let the polls do mislead you. The results of all
polls demonstrate a willingness on the part of a majority of the people for
EU membership. However, the same public doesn't want to fulfill the 'sine
qua non' commitments for the EU such as the Copenhagen criteria. Therefore
if questions are asked properly, I believe the answers in the polls will
come out differently. The greatest problem in a country is not the
confusion of its politicians but rather that of its people."
[16] THE EU PACKAGE, YILMAZ, AND ELECTIONS BY DERYA SAZAK
(MILLIYET)
Columnist Derya Sazak writes on the discussions over how the EU adaptations
bill should be debated in the Parliament. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"When Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz could not find the support he
sought from the political party leaders for a discussion of EU adaptation
laws before a decision for new elections on Nov. 3 is taken, he challenged
everyone by saying,' If all the parties which have said that they would
support our EU bid, work in the Parliament with us, we will not bring up
the EU issue during the elections. However, if the enactment of this law is
obstructed with trivial excuses, despite all the promises made before the
public, we shall build our election campaign on the issue.' Yilmaz's
message was directed more to opposition parties such the True Path Party
(DYP), the Justice And Development Party (AKP) and the brand new New Turkey
(YT) rather than his coalition partners. The request on the part of the YT,
which was built around the goal of entry to the EU, regarding the exclusion
of the abolition of the death penalty as well as allowing teaching and
broadcasting in the mother tongues from the package swept it to the side of
Nationalistic Action Party (MHP). However, following criticism in the media,
YT leader Cem said they woud sign the bill. There has been a certain
softening in the MHP's stance. The Felicity Party (SP) supports it. The
Democratic Left Party is in favor of the abolition of capital punishment.
Only the DYP and AKP are left. If they too support the 13- article package
'unconditionally' as they had promised the Parliament can pass the EU laws
in two or three weeks. Besides, the discussion of EU laws will not hinder
deciding on a date for new elections. In the UN Humanitarian Progress
Report Turkey ranks 85th, way below Greece which is 24th. It is quickly
becoming a Third World country. Even under these circumstances we are
resisting the EU. In fact, those governing the country are trying every
method to leave Turkey out of the EU enlargement policy at the Copenhagen
summit to meet in December. All surveys show that all the political parties
are on razor's edge, except for the AKP. However there are no guarantees.
All parties could stay well below the election threshold, as the public is
furious. The people will not forgive parties which will darken its projects
for brighter futures such as the EU."
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