Turkish Press Review, 06-09-27

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From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

27.09.2006

CONTENTS

[01] ERDOGAN: “TURKEY HAS SEEN STABILITY UNDER THE AKP GOVT”

[01] ERDOGAN: “TURKEY HAS SEEN STABILITY UNDER THE AKP GOVT”

In a written statement yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan said that Turkey’s Iraq policy was a clear and transparent one, adding that Ankara considered an Iraq which maintains its political unity and territorial integrity and has friendly relations with its neighbors an indispensable factor for the stability of the region. Tan further stressed that Turkey’s contacts with all groups in Iraq were continuing, adding that Ankara was making concrete contributions to the stability and security of Iraq and that this was appreciated by the international community. /Aksam/[03] CHP'S BAYKAL CITES EU MEMBER STATE LAWS SIMILAR TO ARTICLE 301

Speaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal responded to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s contention that Article 301 was created to fill a need but that certain changes could be made to it. In his speech, Baykal cited laws similar to Article 301 in European Union member states. Saying that there are similar provisions in the penal codes of Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands, he added that these countries accept the European Convention of Human Rights. Baykal also stressed that freedom of opinion and insult weren't the same thing. /Milliyet/[04] TALABANI: “IF YOU INTERFERE IN OUR AFFAIRS, WE’LL MAKE TROUBLE FOR YOU”

In an interview with NPR radio in the US, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Monday accused its neighbors Turkey, Iran and Syria of interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs and threatened to “make trouble” for them if this doesn’t change. Asked whether he meant Iran and Syria, Talabani stressed that he also includes Turkey in this. When asked what Iraq would do if this situation continues, Talabani replied, “The Iraqi people will respond in the same way. So we’ll support the opposition within other countries. We’ll try to make trouble for them, as they are doing for us.” Meanwhile, Turkey’s special envoy to counter the terrorist PKK, retired Gen. Edip Baser, reacted sharply to Talabani having met with PKK leaders. Speaking to Turkish state broadcaster TRT, Baser said that no one has the right to interfere with Turkey’s efforts against terrorism. In related news, Foreign Ministry sources called Talabani’s words unacceptable. /Star/[05] EP TO VOTE ON TURKEY REPORT TODAY

The full European Parliament is due today to vote a Turkey report prepared by Dutch Christian Democrat Camiel Eurlings. During yesterday’s session, MEP Louis Michel said that recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide shouldn’t be a precondition for Turkey's accession, adding that it wouldn’t be appropriate to put forth new criteria. “We have to understand the importance of Turkey,” said Michel. “Turkey plays a key role in the region.” Michel added that the European Union needs Turkey for peace and stability. /Sabah/ [06] IN LETTER TO MEPS, ANKARA SIGNALS NO RETREAT ON KEY ISSUES

In letters to MEPs about the report prepared by Camiel Eurlings, the European Parliament Foreign Relations Committee’s Turkey rapporteur, Ankara has signaled not to expect more concessions on Cyprus. Greek daily Elefterotipia reported on the letter sent last week saying that Turkey was determined not to retreat on a series of issues. The letter said that if Ankara’s proposed 10-article plan isn’t taken into consideration, more concessions on Cyprus shouldn’t be expected and further stressed that Ankara wants a complete solution within the context of UN resolutions. On opening Turkey’s ports and harbors to Greek Cyprus vessels, the letter says, “We kept our promise, now it’s the European Union’s turn to end the embargo” on Northern Cyprus. /Cumhuriyet/[07] REPORT ON LEBANON UNDER REVIEW

A report prepared by a Turkish delegation which carried out observations in Lebanon and recently returned to Turkey is under review at the General Staff. The General Staff officials stated that Turkey could send naval forces to Lebanon at first, and ground forces if needed. The report pointed out that the Lebanese people are richer than the people of other regions where peacekeeping forces have deployed, including Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Afghanistan, and needed assistance for reconstruction rather than humanitarian aid. /Turkiye/[08] REHN: “I’M TIRED OF HAVING TO ADDRESS THE ARTICLE 301 ISSUE”

Even as the European Parliament debates a report which includes harsh criticisms and heavy demands of Turkey, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said yesterday that he was tired of having to urge changes to Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). At the EP session where Christian Democrat Camiel Eurlings’ Turkey report was discussed, Rehn said that freedom of expression was threatened under Article 301 and repeated his call that laws in Turkey which restrict freedom of expression should be changed.. /Cumhuriyet/ [09] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[00] IS THE EU SHUTTING ITS DOORS? THE PKK GAME IS ON STAGEBY M. ALI KISLALI (RADIKAL)

Columnist M. Ali Kislali comments on PKK. A summary of his column is as follows:

“Last week at an international conference on the NATO, Turkish participants complained about NATO’s and the US’ stance against the terrorist PKK. A US diplomat asked what Turkey wants from the US and NATO, as if they don’t know. Former Turkish Ambassador to Washington Sukru Elekdag and a retired general answered his questions in a harsh manner. Special Envoy for combating the PKK Edip Baser took the floor and stated that Turkey is at the beginning of a process whose end it can’t see.

He first corrected some misstatements, saying there is no such thing as ‘PKK coordination’. They joined forces with the US to fight terrorism and are seeking things to do about this. He said that the US had been clearly told that this process would end if the real intention is something else. ‘The Turkish state is expecting concrete developments, and it would be good if there would be a joint effort to counter the PKK. Appointing coordinators was the idea of the US and the Turkish government accepted it, which is a test. We should look at the methods and try to find ways to cut foreign support for the PKK,’ Said Baser. He also has told his US counterpart that there won’t be a meeting with the PKK and it won’t be seen as an addressee. There won’t be an effort to turn it to a political identity. If Turkey has the slightest suspicion about this, then it will pull back. There is no tolerance on this.

Whatever the US says, we can’t know what is behind this initiative. Baser also said that this duty also carries risks for him, but that he won’t avoid it and added: ‘Not only will the PKK not be taken as addressee, but also (northern Iraqi Kurdish leader) Massoud Barzani and (Iraqi President) Jalal Talabani in Iraq. They would only bring up the PKK view.’ Turkey neither received support from the US nor NATO. Turkey doesn’t expect a force from NATO. We should get their support on issues like intelligence, or it should at least announce which countries aren't abiding by the rule not to support the PKK. It is said that the General Staff, Foreign Ministry and officials are all doubtful about the initiative by the US, and the work on it continues because the government has accepted it. Baser is trying to prevent some prospects of this game in the beginning.”

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