Compact version |
|
Wednesday, 18 December 2024 | ||
|
Turkish Press Review, 05-08-22Turkish 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 morning22.08.2005FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...CONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN: “THE KURDISH PROBLEM AND PKK TERROR ARE SEPARATE ISSUES”Speaking to reporters in Istanbul over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Kurdish issue and the problem of terrorism were separate matters. “We’ll not confuse them with each other,” he said. “We’ve taken necessary steps to promote an atmosphere of peace in our country and we took these steps to overcome the Kurdish problem, which is separate from terrorism.” Erdogan stressed that the nation’s Kurds were citizens of Turkey, and that being a Kurd was a sub identity. The premier stated that he was responsible for dealing with problems in the eastern region of Turkey, adding that if other political leaders didn’t agree with him this was their problem. Also touching on his recent meeting with intellectuals, Erdogan said that it was important to get their views concerning the Kurdish issue. /Star/[02] BAYKAL: “TURKEY CAN’T DEFEAT TERRORISM BY MEETING THE DEMANDS OF THE PKK”Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday criticized the government, saying that Turkey can’t overcome terrorism by meeting the demands of the terrorist group PKK. In a written statement, Baykal said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent remarks that the Kurdish problem could be solved through democracy had hurt the country’s fight against terrorism, adding that Erdogan was speaking as there were two nations and two ethnic groups in the country. “Saying this is dangerous,” said Baykal, adding that legitimizing terrorism by calling it the “Kurdish problem” was inappropriate. /Star/[03] BAHCELI: “WE OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE AKP”Opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said yesterday that early elections should be held as soon as possible, adding that the government had failed to keep most of its promises. “We offer an alternative to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP),” said Bahceli. Speaking in Sivrihisar, Bahceli said that farmers, tradesman, civil servants and retires were all suffering and charged that the unity of the country was under threat. Bahceli further criticized the government’s stance on the Cyprus issue. /Turkiye/[04] TUZMEN: “FOREIGN CAPITAL INFLOW IS A SIGN OF CONFIDENCE IN TURKEY’S FUTURE”State Minister Kursat Tuzmen said yesterday that the inflow of foreign capital to Turkey was very important, adding that the nation was attracting a great deal of investment. “In the past Turkey couldn’t attract foreign capital, but now it is,” said Tuzmen, adding that this was an indicator of confidence in the country’s future. /Aksam/[05] ERDOGAN TOUTS F1 TURKEY GRAND PRIX, PREDICTS EVEN BETTER SHOW NEXT YEARPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul over the weekend to watch the inaugural Formula One Turkey Grand Prix, yesterday touted the race, adding that it would be even better next year. “There were some minor snags, but we’ll overcome these,” he said. Greater Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said that Turkey had once again proved its capability and would do so again in October when Istanbul hosts the world motorcycling series MotoGP. Also in Istanbul to watch the race were Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler, and Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) head Murat Yalcintas. /Turkiye/[06] ITO CHAIR: “TURKEY’S FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DREW MANY VISITORS”Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Head Murat Yalcintas said yesterday that interest in the Formula One Turkey Grand Prix over the weekend was high, adding that it had attracted many visitors. “Attendance was better than expected,” said Yalcintas, adding that the race’s contribution to promoting Turkey on the international stage was very important. /Turkiye/[07] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[08] BETWEEN TWO FIRES BY H. BULENT KAHRAMAN (RADIKAL)Columnist H. Bulent Kahraman comments on the Kurdish issue. A summary of his column is as follows:“Those who consider the Kurdish issue a problem only within the borders of Turkey can continue to believe this. Even the concept of democratization doesn’t only relate to us anymore. Even if the world which emerged following the 1990s seems to be forgotten now, it makes every step taken by such a country as Turkey dependent on the world outside and the conditions wrought by the new world order. Considering the issue of the Middle East, this situation has held since the early 2000s, particularly following the Sept. 11 attacks. Likewise, Brussels barring the Kongra-Gel [terrorist PKK’s so-called political will] leader from holding a press conference on Friday confirms the ever-shifting structure and nature of these developments. Then, as I indicated at the outset, people who insist on not seeing the foreign policy dimension of the problem should be reminded of the following: 1. Some people want to bring the issue to another point, to a deadlock. As part of this, they say, back in March 2003 Turkey should have allowed the US to deploy its soldiers and so partnered with the US’ Iraq policy – actually, read this as Turkey should have become a tool for the US’ ‘Middle East’ policy. Turkey would have started a downward spiral by getting involved in this policy. Such people are trying to put this difficult situation on Turkey’s shoulders by using the current situation as a pretext. Meanwhile, the same circles reject the involvement of the effect of the world in current developments. This view is absurd. The terrorist PKK and similar group are tools being manipulated by powers playing the games internationally. 2. Some have been saying recently that Turkey failed to adapt to the policies which emerged in the new world order, starting from the Gulf War or the occupation of Iraq. Some people even think that Turkey’s function ended with the Cold War. This claim isn’t so far off. If the world order during the Cold War were considered the US policy of today, then it would be correct. Turkey has no place in this process. Turkey should evaluate this issue in the long-term and make its decisions in these respects. This wouldn’t mean giving up its claims for Turkey. On the contrary, it would mean establishing a new strategic policy with new strategic planning. 3. While doing so, we should not ignore this: The Kurdish state in northern Iraq is the US’ new base in its Middle East policies. This is the focus where incidents are set in order. The harmonization of this new state, against the caprices of Turkey, shouldn’t be neglected. In this respect, Turkey should be the real determinant and it should construct the remaining part step by step. In other words, Turkey should criticize and take measures against being stuck between the PKK and the US’ Greater Middle East Initiative (GME). This would mean, ‘All roads lead to Rome.’ However, the important thing is to find where this new Rome is, and some people already know this.” 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 |