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Turkish Press Review, 05-08-01Turkish 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 morning01.08.2005FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN: “TURKEY IS TAKING DETERMINED STEPS INTO THE FUTURE”Speaking over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of how the government had signed the additional Customs Union protocol with the European Union on Friday, adding that Turkey was taking determined steps into the future. “This future is a policy where Turkey is open to the world, ” said Erdogan. “We truly want to achieve our goal of being open to the world.” Touching on recent economic developments, Erdogan said that the economy was recovering more each day since the nation’s self-confidence was on the rise. “When we first came to the office per capita income was about $2,000, and now it is some $4,200,” said Erdogan, adding that the government hopes to raise this figure to $10,000. “When we get there, we’ll also join the European Union,” he said. The premier stated that Turkey was a country without discrimination, adding that this desirable condition would continue. “It’s time we worked together for our country’s progress,” he said. /Turkiye/[02] YAS TO CONVENE TODAYThe Supreme Military Council (YAS) is due to convene today at General Staff headquarters to discuss the promotion of 116 generals and admirals and the retirement of others. The four-day meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul is also expected to take part. The decisions of YAS will take effect after President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s approval. /Star/[03] BAHCELI CRITICIZES ANKARA SIGNING ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS UNION PROTOCOLNationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday criticized Ankara signing the additional Customs Union protocol, calling it a great mistake. Bahceli further urged the Parliament not to approve the protocol. “Let us not endorse the protocol in order to save our national cause of Cyprus,” said Bahceli. “I say this to both the deputies of the party in power and those of the opposition.” /Turkiye/[04] DEMIREL: “ANKARA STARTING ITS EU TALKS ON OCT. 3 STILL ISN’T CERTAIN”Appearing on television over the weekend, Former President Suleyman Demirel spoke about Ankara’s signing the additional Customs Union protocol on Friday, saying that even with this important step it was still not certain whether Ankara would begin its accession talks with the European Union on Oct. 3. “Greek Cyprus could insist on Ankara recognizing it before talks begin,” said Demirel, adding that this could create problems. In related news, Democratic Leftist Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer charged that by signing the protocol the government had given into the Greek Cypriots’ policy. /Cumhuriyet/[05] TERRORIST PKK OPENS BUREAU IN KIRKUKThe terrorist group PKK has reportedly opened a 60-person bureau in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. A radio station has also been set up to address members of the terrorist group. Should the US and local forces not halt this development, a crisis could ensue. /Aksam/[06] 5.3-EARTHQUAKE ROCKS BALA IN ANKARA PROVINCEAn earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale rocked the Bala district of the Ankara province on Saturday. There was no loss of life, though there was damage to some houses in Bala. /All papers/[07] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…[08] TURKEY IS SAVED, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TRNC? BY ERDAL SAFAK (SABAH)Columnist Erdal Safak comments on the Cyprus issue and Turkey signing the additional Customs Union protocol. A summary of his column is as follows:“Following my recent interview with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, he said, ‘It wasn’t easy to overcome the greatest obstacle to membership talks with the European Union without a few bumps and scrapes. However, I believe we could achieve this without giving away some part of our land. What’s more, the isolation on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was greatly eased during this period. In addition, Turkish Cypriots became better off. Each family has nearly two houses and three cars.’ TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas also agreed with Gul, saying, ‘The economic situation of the TRNC isn’t bad at all. The per capita national income has reached $7,500.’ For this reason, the additional Customs Union protocol is vitally important for Turkish Cypriots. According to the common view in the TRNC, Brussels won’t accept Turkey’s interpretation that ‘harbors and airports are covered by the free movement of not goods, but services.’ Opening the harbors will mean the end of the TRNC, as Talat said. So, what can be done? There are two alternatives for Turkish Cypriots: 1. The application of the free movement of goods over the entire island with Turkey’s support, and opening the way for the TRNC’s integration with the EU. 2. Leaving the TRNC independent on paper but obliging its integration with the Greek Cypriot administration. It’s not too late for the former. Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ali Erel said, ‘Turkey can’t help but sign the additional protocol, just as it must open its harbors. However, there is a solution for this: We should immediately take steps to ensure the free movement of goods over the entire island. Free trade, that is, the integration of the Turkish Cypriot economy with the Greek Cypriot administration and the EU, would rescue Turkish Cypriots and Turks from their problems. We should ensure the harmonization of the legal and physical infrastructure of northern harbors with the acquis communautaire towards this end. Harbors can be administered by the EU Commission or under its control. We can separate the Financial Aid Charter from the Direct Trade Charter and use resources from Brussels to boost the infrastructure. Only this way can the period until a political solution is reached be spent beneficially. We can bridge the difference between the two economies on Cyprus and bring Turkish Cypriots closer to EU membership. Otherwise, our situation isn’t good at all.’ Meanwhile, Greek Cypriots are looking to see the conditions of the second alternative. Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou said, ‘The Turkish Cypriot nation has already integrated with the Greek Cypriot Republic to a great extent. Turkish Cypriots have gained the position of citizens of the republic and thus EU citizenship. They are using the opportunities under this to benefit from many services, mostly in health care.’ Obviously the EU is secretly supporting a policy of melting the Turkish Cypriot nation into the Greek Cypriots. As Ankara can’t consider foisting Turkish Cypriots upon the Greek Cypriot nation like a minority, it should come up with other solutions.” 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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