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Turkish Press Review, 02-10-11Turkish 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> <map name="FPMap1"></map> Press & Information Turkish Press Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning11.10.2002SETTING A DATE FOR ACCESSION TALKS ALONE ISN’T ENOUGH BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)CONTENTS
[01] SEZER: “WE BELIEVE THE EU WILL GIVE TURKEY[02] A DATE FOR ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS”In a speech yesterday, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer issued a call for the EU member states to set a date for the start of Turkey’s accession negotiations. “We hope to start accession talks next year,” Sezer told a meeting of the Atlantic Treaty Association, a NATO support group. Stressing the importance of recent reforms passed by Parliament, Sezer affirmed that further reforms would be adopted and implemented, adding that the Progress Report released this week by the European Commission was based on technical information as opposed to the political character of December’s Copenhagen summit. A decision on setting a negotiations date for Turkey is expected at that summit. /Cumhuriyet/[03] ECEVIT: “SOCIAL JUSTICE REQUIRES GRANTING[04] PERMANENT STATUS TO TEMPORARY WORKERS”Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit said yesterday that social justice requires that businesses make their temporary workers into full-fledged, permanent staff. Speaking to the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) flanked by DSP economic policymakers, Ecevit stated that such action wouldn’t impose an undue burden on Turkey’s economy. Forest Minister Nami Cagan told the ASO there was no populist pandering in such an argument. Economy Minister Masum Turker said that businessmen who file tax returns and pay taxes to the state should be protected. Also present at the meeting were Hikmet Ulugbay and Zekeriya Temizel, the latter a former Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) head. /Milliyet/[05] EU: “THE US CANNOT INTERFERE IN[06] OUR ENLARGEMENT POLICY”European Union Commission spokesman Jonathan Faull said yesterday that the United States could not interfere in the EU’s enlargement process, as it was not an EU member country. Responding to a statement made by US State Department spokesman Richard Baucher that the US was in favor of the EU’s setting a date for Turkey to begin its membership talks, Faull said, “The spokesman noted that the US is not a EU member. I concur. As such, the US cannot interfere in the EU’s enlargement process.” He added, “The Americans underlined the importance of Turkish-American relations. We, too, are aware of this importance.” /Turkiye/[07] GUREL: “TURKEY IS DOING ITS BEST TO[08] RESOLVE THE IRAQ ISSUE PEACEFULLY”Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday stated that Turkey was doing its best to head off the possibility of US military intervention in Iraq. “Turkey places great importance on Iraq’s territorial integrity,” said Gurel. “We want Iraq to re-integrate itself with the international community through peaceful means. The only peaceful way to accomplish this is for Iraq to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions and fully cooperate with the international community on eliminating its weapons of mass destruction.” /Cumhuriyet/[09] PAPANDREOU: “THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE[10] EU NOT TO GIVE TURKEY A DATE”Speaking to reporters yesterday, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that he sees no reason for the European Union not to give a date to Turkey to start its membership negotiations process. “I believe that a positive message should be given to Turkey at the EU’s Copenhagen summit in December,” added Papandreou, referring to the gathering where Turkey hopes to get a date for talks. Papandreou also said that Turkey’s progress towards the EU was playing an important role in the improvement of relations between Ankara and Athens. /Hurriyet/[11] FOREIGN MINISTRY: “EU PLANS TO ADMIT[12] GREEK CYPRUS ARE ILLEGAL”Responding yesterday to this week’s European Union documents putting Greek Cyprus on track to join the Union in 2004, the Foreign Ministry yesterday blasted such plans as illegal and effectively hindering efforts to find a solution for the island. In a written statement, the ministry charged that the EU was disregarding international treaties concerning Cyprus, including the 1959 Zurich and London and 1960 guarantor agreements. Taking such unjustified unilateral action to admit Greek Cyprus violates these agreements and other international law, the statement said. Furthermore, since 1990, when the EU made Greek Cyprus a membership candidate, this has only hurt efforts to reach a settlement on the island, the statement concluded. /Hurriyet/[13] PEARSON: “TURKISH-US COMMON GROUND[14] HELPS TO BRIDGE OUR DIFFERENCES”In a speech to the Atlantic Treaty Association, a NATO support group, US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson yesterday acknowledged the existence of some differences of opinion between Turkey and the US. But “Turks and Americans need to remember how much we both agree on basic issues,” he continued. “Turkey and the US both strongly support the territorial integrity of Iraq. Both of us oppose an independent Kurdish state.” Though Pearson charged that Iraq was threatening its neighbors, supporting terrorism, and pursuing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, he admitted that Ankara and Washington have their own “individual perspectives” on the Iraq issue. “Tactical approaches, however, should not obscure strategic views,” he remarked. “Continued close consultations will help us to resolve such differences without threatening [each other’s] interests.” /Aksam/[15] DENKTAS TO BE DISCHARGED FROM[16] NEW YORK HOSPITALTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, who had successful heart surgery on Monday at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical center in New York, is due to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Denktas is expected to rest at his New York hotel for a week before leaving the city. The TRNC president’s original purpose for being in the city was to hold talks on the future of Cyprus. /Turkiye/[17] GUREL: “GREEK CYPRIOT MEMBERSHIP IN[18] THE EU WOULD PERMANENTLY DIVIDE THE ISLAND”Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday told the Agence France Presse news agency that the split in Cyprus would become permanent if the Greek Cypriots were admitted into the European Union. Gurel remarked that if the division did become permanent, it would be a direct consequence of the EU’s own actions. Commenting on Turkey’s Cyprus policy, Gurel stated that were Greek Cyprus admitted into the EU, Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be freer than ever to take the necessary measures “to build a common future,” alluding to Turkey’s possible annexation of the TRNC. Addressing the possibility of a political settlement to the 38-year dispute on the island, Gurel said that the EU, by promising the Greek Cypriots membership even in the absence of a settlement, had to a large extent made a solution almost impossible to achieve. In its enlargement plans announced this week, the EU put Greek Cyprus on track to join the Union in 2004. Gurel also said that in order to make a settlement, the Greek Cypriots would have to renounce their efforts to reduce the Turkish Cypriot population into a mere minority as well as accept the principle of equal sovereignty. /Cumhuriyet/[19] CILLER: “THE EU’S REPORT WAS A FAILURE,[20] BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS[21] ALSO FALLEN SHORT”True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller charged yesterday that the European Union’s Progress Report published on Wednesday represented a failure on the EU’s part. “However, the Turkish government hasn’t put forth sufficient efforts either,” said Ciller. “Turkey still has a chance to get a date at December’s Copenhagen summit for its accession talks, but the government must be resolute and determined.” /Milliyet/[22] BAYKAL: “TURKEY CAN GET A DATE[23] AT DECEMBER’S SUMMIT”Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said yesterday that a number of political and technical factors were challenges in Turkey’s European Union membership bid. “However, decisions in the EU are taken at the leaders’ level, and Turkey can still succeed in getting a date for its membership talks at the Copenhagen summit in December,” added Baykal. /Milliyet/[24] AYGUN: “THE EU’S STANCE IS NOT FAIR”Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun yesterday criticized the European Union’s stance against Turkey, saying that despite its tremendous efforts to implement EU criteria, Turkey had been met with an unfair attitude in response. In a written statement, Aygun remarked that the EU’s Progress Report on Turkey issued this week amounted to nothing besides another message to “continue to wait.” Pointing to domestic public disappointment with the report, Aygun stated, “Similar shortcomings of many other candidate countries were tolerated and downplayed in the past. However, now they withhold such forbearance in Turkey’s case.” He added, “This is clearly a double standard.” /Turkiye/[25] GEN. RALSTON PRAISES TURKEY’S[26] CONTRIBUTIONS TO PEACESpeaking to an international relations conference yesterday, Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, NATO supreme allies commander and head of US forces in Europe, singled out Turkey for praise for its contributions to peace in general and the fight against terrorism in particular. “Let’s not forget that Turkish soldiers also greatly contributed to peace efforts in both Kosovo and Afghanistan,” said Ralston. The commander urged world leaders to follow Turkey’s example in forming a united front against terrorism. /Cumhuriyet/[27] US REPORTEDLY STOCKPILING WEAPONS AND[28] MUNITIONS AT INCIRLIK AIRBASEAhead of a possible military intervention in Iraq, the US has been reportedly stockpiling weapons and munitions at Incirlik Base for some two weeks. Sources stated that there had been an increase in activity around the base over the past 15 days. /Aksam/[29] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[30] FROM THE COLUMNS…[31] WHAT SHOULD TURKEY DO NOW?[32] BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the European Commission’s Progress Report on Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:“The European Commission’s Progress Report on Turkey fanned the flames of our discussions on the EU and confused everybody yet again. The issue is now being used as a tool to attract votes in the partys’ election campaigns. Under such circumstances, there are a series of questions that need to be answered objectively. Yesterday we looked at what decision might emerge from the Copenhagen summit in December, which will be the second most important development after the Progress Report. Now let’s answer a few more questions. Did the European Commission’s Progress Report treat Turkey unfairly? As I’ve said before, the report should be taken as a whole, with its negative and positive aspects considered together. Generally the report is an objective document, but certain issues and figures were exaggerated. Actually most of the other candidate countries weren’t completely pleased with the report’s sections on themselves either. The commission might have acted much more constructively, particularly concerning the issue of setting a date for our membership talks, in light of the progress that Turkey has made of late. One can justifiably say that the authors of the report treated Turkey unfairly in not doing so. Why is the issue of setting a date so important? This year, the EU is putting together its enlargement policy. Ten additional countries are slated to become EU members in 2004. 2007 was set as the membership date for two other candidates, Bulgaria and Romania. Thus, it’s important for Turkey to get a date for membership negotiations at December’s Copenhagen summit. With the EU’s ranks swelling by 10 countries in 2004, it might be more difficult then for the EU to admit Turkey. Is the Copenhagen summit our ‘last chance’? Recently everybody was saying, ‘If Turkey can’t get a date by the end of this year, it will miss the train’ and everybody saw Copenhagen as our ‘last chance.’ Obviously it would be wonderful to receive this decision at Copenhagen. However, it’s not true to say that if this doesn’t happen, then our ‘road forward will become a dead end.’ At least Turkey has some time before the Thessalonica summit next June, during Greece’s EU term presidency. A date for negotiations with Turkey might be given there. How would Greece’s term presidency affect the decision? Athens has recently been acting in a manner which favors Turkey’s membership. Turkey might actually have fewer difficulties in the period of January-June 2003 with Greece’s support. If there is progress on finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, it would then be that much easier for Turkey. Otherwise Greece might use its tenure at the EU helm to advance its own interests. What should Turkey’s first priority be? The government should reply with a report based on rock-solid information and distribute it to all the parties concerned. The political parties should pursue common action instead of blaming each other in their election campaigns. It would be better if a ‘common declaration’ were issued, as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. It would also be very beneficial if the major political parties sent delegations to Brussels, Copenhagen and other important European centers. Some EU circles are unsure whether Turkey wants to continue its path towards EU membership. Such a declaration would put an end to their suspicions. However, this cannot wait until after the Nov. 3 elections, but should instead be done at once. Is there any hope for the Copenhagen summit? The ‘political factors’ and Turkey’s ambition can keep these hopes alive. If Turkey moans that ‘there’s no hope’ and fails to take action, of course it won’t be able to get the result that it wants from the Copenhagen summit.” [33] SETTING A DATE FOR ACCESSION[34] TALKS ALONE ISN’T ENOUGH[35] BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on the EU Progress Report released earlier this week. A summary of her column is as follows:“Will the EU set out a date for its accession talks with Turkey to begin, or won’t it? Since the EU released its progress report on Wednesday, it’s become apparent that this is no longer a meaningful question considered in isolation, since there are many other questions awaiting immediate answers. Turkey would be very much pleased if the EU said at December’s Copenhagen summit: ‘Alright! Turkey’s accession talks will begin on Jan. 1, 2003.’ However, this wouldn’t be the right attitude for Turkey to take, since from now on it’s not simply a matter of receiving some kind of date. Everything changed when the EU declared that Greek Cyprus, too, was among the 10 countries put to the front of the queue in its enlargement policy. This was not a great surprise, yet it all boiled down to Greek Cyprus officially receiving a date for its EU membership. However, Greek Cyprus’ membership cannot be assessed in the same way as Poland or Hungary’s. Brussels has to recognize the difference between Greek Cyprus and the other candidates. Otherwise, the EU setting out a date for Turkey would mean nothing. As is known, since 1981 the EU has itself failed to abide by the reservations made on Greece’s EU (then European Community) membership documents. On these documents, it was stated that Greece could in no way take the advantage of its membership to work against Turkey. Yet Greece, whenever it has the opportunity, hasn’t hesitated to use its veto against Turkey in its relations with the EU. Turkey, when it reminded the EU of all the promises it made, got this response: ‘Sorry, old boy, but Greece is a member country.’ Brussels is sadly misinformed if it believes that Greek Cyprus’ membership would do any good towards solving any problem. The EU has never been an appropriate platform for settling disputes between Turkey and Greece. On the contrary, the EU has turned out to be another card in Greece’s hands to play against Turkey. And, if the EU grants the same privilege to Greek Cyprus, Turkish-EU relations will no doubt grow even more problematic. Unless Brussels officially comes to resolve that Greek Cyprus will not be given the chance to abuse its membership status against Turkey, Turkey’s receiving a specific date for accession talks would completely be worthless. True, the EU has relatively minor factual errors on Turkey in its progress report. But the report also rightfully observes that Turkey has failed to fully comply with the criteria the EU put forth. Turkey should take the following three steps up until the Copenhagen summit convenes. Firstly, it should urge the EU to correct the factual errors in the Progress Report. Secondly, Turkey should continue reiterating that it is determined to comply with the Copenhagen criteria. And lastly, it should remind Brussels that a proper approach on the Cyprus issue is as important as receiving a date for accession talks.” ARCHIVE <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript" src="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_statistic/countcode.js"> </script> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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