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Turkish Press Review, 05-04-20Turkish 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> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning20.04.2005LATVIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY ERDOGAN TO PAY VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN ERDOGAN: “THE GOVT IS CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS ON THE ROAD TO EU MEMBERSHIP” ARINC THANKS DENKTAS FOR HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TRNC BARROSO: “IF TURKEY SIGNS THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL, THERE WON’T BE NEW CRITERIA FOR BEGINNING ACCESSION TALKS” TURKEY SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL TO BUY 10 SPY PLANES BAYKAL CRITICIZES ERDOGAN’S “CONFLICTING” STANCE ON ANKARA’S EU BID BOUCHER: “WE WELCOME THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS’ REAFFIRMATION OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO A SOLUTION” CEMAL KAYA RESIGNS FROM PARLIAMENT CICEK SUBMITS DRAFT TCK AMENDMENTS TO ERDOGAN TOBB TO HOST ISRAELI, PALESTINIAN BUSINESSMEN IEA: “TURKEY IS MAKING PROGRESS ON ENERGY STANDARDS” INVESTMENT GIANTS TO GATHER ON APRIL 29 FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… ETHNIC POLITICS AND THE KURDS BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET) EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY BY MURAT CELIKKAN (RADIKAL)CONTENTS
[01] LATVIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEYLatvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga yesterday arrived in Ankara to pay an official visit at the invitation of her Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer. As part of her contacts, the Latvian president had talks with both Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony for the Latvian Embassy, Vike-Freiberga pointed to the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations. After meeting with Sezer, the Latvian president remarked that her country became a NATO member one year ago. “We want to further develop our relations in several realms as an alliance as well,” she added. In the evening, Sezer hosted a dinner in honor of the guest president and her husband at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. /Hurriyet/[02] ERDOGAN TO PAY VISIT TO AFGHANISTANPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to travel today to Afghanistan to pay an official visit. As part of his two-day stay, the premier is expected to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and former King Muhammad Zahir Shah and then tomorrow visit the headquarters of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF), currently under Turkish command. He will also have talks with NATO Afghanistan Senior Representative Hikmet Cetin and ISAF Commander Gen. Ethem Erdagi. After meeting with Turkish citizens and businessmen in this country, Erdogan will return to Ankara. He will be accompanied on this trip by Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Health Minister Recep Akdag, Istanbul Deputy Egemen Bagis and Adana Deputy Omer Celik. /Turkiye/[03] ERDOGAN: “THE GOVT IS CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS ON THE ROAD TO EU MEMBERSHIP”Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government was determinately continuing its work on the road to European Union membership. Speaking to his party’s parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan criticized opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal’s recent remarks on the matter. Stressing that the government was carrying out its work normally in line with the established timetable and that there were no problems in EU relations, Erdogan said, “Trying to create a false expression is not appropriate. It only harms the country.” He added that the topic was a national cause. /Turkiye/[04] ARINC THANKS DENKTAS FOR HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TRNCParliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday issued a message thanking outgoing Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas for his valuable contributions to the TRNC. “We’ll never forget your contributions,” said Arinc. “The Cyprus cause and your name are synonymous.” /Turkiye/[05] BARROSO: “IF TURKEY SIGNS THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL, THERE WON’T BE NEW CRITERIA FOR BEGINNING ACCESSION TALKS”Appearing on CNN Turk yesterday, European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that he foresees no new criteria for Ankara before beginning its EU accession talks on Oct. 3. “If Turkey signs the additional protocol of the Ankara Agreement, we’ll not put forth new criteria for its EU talks,” he said. “But Ankara should fulfill all the required criteria.” Barroso stressed that the Turkish nation wants to join the EU and the Union also wants Turkey’s membership. “Therefore, we need to gain the support of the public in the various EU member states,” he said, adding that this could be difficult. /Milliyet/[06] TURKEY SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL TO BUY 10 SPY PLANESTurkey signed an agreement with Israel yesterday to buy 10 spy planes from the country. The agreement will cost $183 million to Ankara. In related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to travel to Israel on May 1-2 to pay an official visit. During his short stay, Erdogan is expected to meet with his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon and Israeli President Moshe Katsav to discuss bilateral relations. /Sabah/[07] BAYKAL CRITICIZES ERDOGAN’S “CONFLICTING” STANCE ON ANKARA’S EU BIDSpeaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently warned that there were attempts within the European Union to divide Turkey, adding that Erdogan had recognized this fact too late. “Erdogan’s late recognition cost Turkey dearly,” he said, adding that the premier needed to brief both the Parliament and the CHP on the reason for his statements. Baykal criticized what he called Erdogan’s “conflicting” stance on the nation’s EU bid. “The premier’s attitude against Ankara’s EU membership has undergone a rapid change of late and as an opposition party, we need to know the reason why,” he added. /Cumhuriyet/[08] BOUCHER: “WE WELCOME THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS’ REAFFIRMATION OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO A SOLUTION”Asked about the electoral victory of Mehmet Ali Talat in the weekend presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Tuesday, “We did do a statement yesterday that congratulated him on his victory in the Turkish Cypriot elections. ... Turkish Cypriots exercised their right to select a leader of a community. It was a free, fair and democratic election. We welcome the reaffirmation by the Turkish Cypriots of their commitment to a comprehensive solution and to the reunification of Cyprus and we look forward to working with all interested parties to that end.” Later, asked whether more concrete steps would be taken to end the TRNC’s isolation, Boucher stated, “[Our] policy ... didn't really depend on the election of a particular person; it depended on the Turkish Cypriot attitude in trying to maintain a positive Turkish Cypriot attitude towards reaching a solution ... as they voted in the referendum. And so this is probably another sign that they do maintain that attitude and I would expect that our efforts to support the Turkish Cypriot community to try to help them overcome some of their difficulties, that those will continue because it is important for them to remain committed ... to see the practical benefit in seeking reunification.” Boucher declined to comment on the outgoing TRNC President Rauf Denktas not seeking another term. /Turkiye/[09] CEMAL KAYA RESIGNS FROM PARLIAMENTRuling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Agri Deputy Cemal Kaya yesterday resigned as a parliamentary deputy in order to clear his name in court against corruption allegations, but a parliamentary majority still needs to approve his resignation. Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Kaya said that he was regretfully resigning as a deputy in order to defend his innocence. Commenting on the matter, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he respected Kaya’s honorable decision and urged all AKP deputies to attend the vote. “After clearing himself, our door is always open to our friend,” added Erdogan. /Sabah/[10] CICEK SUBMITS DRAFT TCK AMENDMENTS TO ERDOGANJustice Minister Cemil Cicek yesterday submitted a draft of amendments to the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), set to be put into force on June 1, to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During a gathering in Parliament, including Erdogan, Cicek, Parliament Justice Commission Chairman Koksal Toptan, and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies, as well as bureaucrats and experts, the amendments were taken up. /Turkiye/[11] TOBB TO HOST ISRAELI, PALESTINIAN BUSINESSMENPrior to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Israel starting on May 1, the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) will host Israeli and Palestinian businessmen next Tuesday and Wednesday in Ankara. While the Israeli delegation will be headed by Israeli Union of Manufacturers head Shraga Brosh, Ahmet Azzghayar, the head of the Federation of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry Chambers, will chair the Palestinian delegation. “As political efforts are continuing to seek a solution to the region’s problems, business circles must also get closer to each other,” said TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu. In related news, the TOBB was yesterday visited by a Latvian delegation of businessmen led by President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Hisarciklioglu and Latvian Commerce and Industry Chamber head Janis Leja signed a cooperation agreement to boost bilateral relations between the two institutions. For his part, Industry and Commerce Minister Ali Coskun said that the two countries had improved their relations, especially during Latvia’s struggle for independence and its European Union membership bid, and would sustain good relations in the future. /Sabah, Hurriyet/[12] IEA: “TURKEY IS MAKING PROGRESS ON ENERGY STANDARDS”Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler and International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Claude Mandil yesterday unveiled the IEA’s energy report on Turkey with a presentation at the ministry headquarters. Mandil said that Turkey has made much progress in the field of energy over the last few years, and Guler emphasized that the government had taken important steps towards the formation of a liberal, competitive market. /Star/[13] INVESTMENT GIANTS TO GATHER ON APRIL 29The Investment Advisory Council will assemble in Istanbul on April 29 under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A report on last year’s progress will be presented during the meeting, which will also be attended by International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato, World Bank Managing Director Shengman Zang and European Investment Bank Chairman Philippe Maystadt. /Star/[14] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[15] ETHNIC POLITICS AND THE KURDS BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)Columnist Taha Akyol comments on former Democracy Party (DEP) member Orhan Dogan’s rejection of ethnic politics. A summary of his column is as follows:“Former DEP member Orhan Dogan held out a peaceful hand, so I’m holding out my own hand in order to greet him. But I can’t do the same for Osman Baydemir, because he’s still indulging in blood trade and terror. A couple of days ago, Dogan gave an interview to Mehmet Ali Birand on CNN Turk. What he said during the interview was remarkable. First of all, Dogan demanded that all of society rid itself of arms and eschew violence. He claims that ‘ethnic politics’ is no longer valid. Dogan says that the Kurds don’t want autonomy. They want to be a part of Turkey, and they have respect for the unitary state structure of Turkey and the Turkish flag. As long as the Kurds embrace these fundamentals, any problem can be solved. In fact, the problem occurs when some people try to attack them and demand autonomy. Turkey can’t be divided into ethnic groups. Whether the Kurds say ‘we will leave’ or Turkey tells them to leave, the results will be terrible. The Kurds see this. They don’t want to separate from the society. The Democratic People’s Party (DEHAP) can only get around 5 percent of the votes in elections, because most Kurds don’t subscribe to the narrow, tribal world of ‘ethnic nationalism.’ DEHAP officials every so often argue that they aren’t an ethnic party, but their fanatical approach reveals their true aims. But Dogan’s words don’t seem to be mere slogans. He’s clearly looking for a way to escape the narrow, tribal approach of ethnic nationalism. If he succeeds in doing so, any problem could be solved.” [16] EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY BY MURAT CELIKKAN (RADIKAL)Columnist Murat Celikkan comments on the refugee issue. A summary of his column is as follows:“On Monday night an office was opened in the Tunel district of Istanbul for a nongovernmental group called the Refugees Commission which will provide refugees in the city with legal and social support. Thousands of refugees, the victims of such hardships and catastrophes as wars, ethnic disputes and poverty, are of great importance not only to our country but also to the entire world as globalization and local conflicts displace more and more people each day, depriving them of their basic rights. These refugees are growing in number. According to the 1951 Geneva Convention, every state is obliged to grant these people equal rights with its own citizens. However most refugees in Turkey cannot enjoy these rights because Ankara ratified the convention with a reservation that it will accept only Western refugees. These people have been waiting on our soil for years, hoping that the United Nations will one day give them the status of refugees. Those who feel great desperation are sometimes ensnared by human traffickers. Turkey has recently pledged to prepare a new Refugees Law as part of its efforts to harmonize with the European Union acquis. The Helsinki Citizens Association (HYD), which is operating the Refugees Commission, and the Heinrich Boll Foundation will hold a symposium at Istanbul’s Bilgi University this weekend to discuss this issue. The aim of the symposium will be to provide a platform for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to exchange information on the refugee laws and regulations. In addition, international analysts will discuss Turkey’s current situation, comparing it with international practices and standards. The gathering is also expected to ensure the participation of the relevant NGOs in the law-making process and launch a Europe-wide campaign in Istanbul, as the applicable laws and regulations are still among the most reactionary ones. The participants will probably also criticize UN practices, since the organization can sometimes violate even its own main principles when it comes to refugees. The symposium will also prepare an advisory text for both the UN and our government to guide them towards good and fair implementation.” 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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