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Turkish Press Review, 07-03-22Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning22.03.2007CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY CELEBRATES NEVRUZYesterday Turkey celebrated Nevruz across the country with a host of activities. Nevruz, celebrated every March in Asia and the Mideast, is believed to mark the advent of spring and the reawakening of nature. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended Nevruz celebrations in Ankara, organized by the Culture Ministry, while Kurds gathered by the thousands in various cities. In a speech, Erdogan called for peace and unity, emphasizing that all the elements and differences of Turkish society were genuine. Lighting a traditional bonfire after his speech, Erdogan forged iron with state ministers Mehmet Ali Sahin, Besir Atalay, Mehdi Eker and Atilla Koc. The state ministers later jumped over the fire. As part of celebrations in Diyarbakir, Democrat Society Party (DTP) leader Ahmet Turk and former Deputy Leyla Zana delivered speeches. /All Papers/[02] ERDOGAN LASHES OUT AT OPPOSITION CHPPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday attended a meeting held by his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara. Speaking at the gathering, Erdogan criticized the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). Stressing that his party was continuing to climb in the polls, Erdogan said that the CHP was showing signs of being "crazy." Claiming that for years the opposition has been unable to comprehend the expectations of the people, the premier said in contrast his party only takes orders from the nation. /Turkiye/[03] GUL TRAVELS TO MACEDONIAForeign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday traveled to Macedonia to pay an official visit. Speaking to reporters before his departure, Gul dismissed claims that main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has documents proving that the prime minister used the term "Mr." to refer to convicted terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan, saying that the opposition would say such things before May's presidential election. Stressing that the government was ready for such false or exaggerated claims, Gul added, "These don't reflect the truth." Later in Skopje, commenting on German Chancellor Angela Merkel not inviting Turkish officials to the 50th anniversary of the European Union's landmark Treaty of Rome, Gul said that Ankara had started accession talks with the EU after fulfilling the political criteria. He added, however, that no one knew what the Turkish nation would say after the talks are completed. "What we want is to complete the process successfully," added Gul. /Milliyet/[04] BAYKAL: "THE PREMIER IS ACTING DESPERATE"Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday claimed that the premier was acting rushed and desperate. Speaking at his party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting, Baykal said he was putting forth claims with concrete documents and waiting for answers. "Unfortunately, Erdogan isn't responding to them, but instead is insulting us," said Baykal. /Hurriyet/[05] IN WASHINGTON, TUSIAD HEAD YALCINDAG CALLS ARMENIAN RESOLUTION A "BLACK CLOUD"A Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) delegation led by its head Arzuhan Došan Yalcindag yesterday continued contacts in Washington to work against passage of the Armenian resolution. Speaking to reporters, Yalcindag said that the delegation was trying to make clear to US officials how much damage the resolution -- which she called a "black cloud" -- could do to Turkish-US ties. Yalcindag stated that the issue should be left to historians and shouldn't become a political tool, adding that bilateral relations needed strengthening since they aren't as strong as they should be. Yalcindag added that the delegation also met with officials from the International Monetary Fund, who urged Turkey to pursue tight monetary policy. /Milliyet/[06] RICE STRESSES ARMENIAN ISSUE SHOULD BE LEFT TO HISTORIANSUS Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that Turkey was passing through a democratization "evolution" concerning discussions of the so-called Armenian genocide. "I think the historical circumstances require that we allow historical commissions to explore this issue and come to terms with their past," she told a House of Representativessubcommittee hearing, adding that the House resolution on the "genocide" issue wouldn't help this process. "I think that the Armenians and the Turks need to resolve their past before they can move forward," she added. "I do think there is an evolution going on in Turkey." Ankara has proposed that a commission of Turkish and Armenian historians study the issue, but Armenian officials turned the offer down. /Sabah/ [07] TUZMEN ADDRESSES SEMINAR TO BOOST TURKISH-IRAQI ECONOMIC TIESSpeaking at a seminar yesterday on Turkish-Iraqi partnership, State Minister for foreign trade Kursat Tuzmen said that all regional countries should support the Iraqi nation's efforts to establish peace and stability. Addressing the seminar, which was meant to boost economic ties between Turkey and Iraq, Tuzmen said that despite Iraq's problems the trade volume between the two countries stood at about $7 billion, adding that this figure would climb higher after the Habur Border Gate is opened. /Cumhuriyet/[08] TURKISH DELEGATION VISITS HARAM-AL SHARIF DIGA delegation of seven Turkish experts yesterday inspected Israeli excavation work near Haram-al Sharif (the Temple Mount) in Jerusalem. The delegation visited the Israeli History Institution and spoke with its members. During their visit, the delegation is also expected to meet with Palestinian officials. After completing their work, the experts will prepare a report on the matter to present Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The trip of the Turkish experts was planned during Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert's visit to Ankara last month. /Hurriyet/[09] SAMA DUBAI WINS ISTANBUL LAND AUCTIONIn an open auction among the highest three bidders for Istanbul Transportation Authority-owned land in the Levent district, Sama Dubai Istanbul Real Estate made the winning bid of $705 million, edging out Zorlu Real Estate's $701 million bid. Speaking to reporters after signing the sale agreement, Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas said that that global capital was entering Istanbul, adding that the money would be spent to improve Istanbul's transportation system. /Aksam/FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... [10] IN THE BALKANS WITH GULBY ISMAIL KUCUKKAYA (AKSAM)Columnist Ismail Kucukkaya comments on his visit to Macedonia with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. A summary of his column is as follows: "While Turkey is busy with the upcoming elections, there are extraordinary diplomatic developments going on. The Iraq fire is flaring, not dying down. A new government was established in Palestine, but it seems conflicts won't end. Israel stated that it wouldn't enter into talks with the new government. Turkey is giving priority to these two foreign policy issues. The meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries will be held in Istanbul in April. What about the Balkans? Have we forgotten them? Actually, the US, Russia, the EU, and even China and India are seeking greater influence in the Balkans. All the Balkan countries are dependent on the EU financially and on the US militarily. Russia's Slavic policies are again trying to carve out a sphere of influence. The Burgaz-Dedeagac oil pipeline pact was signed last week between Russia, Greece and Bulgaria. Following a bloody time, the Balkans have reached a relatively peaceful period, but there are still growing pains. And there is a great accumulation of energy as well. So the great countries in the world are developing their policies in the Balkans. Kosovo's prime minister was in Ankara a while ago. So was the Albanian prime minister. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan postponed a visit to Albania due to illness, but he'll make it there soon. In such a foreign policy atmosphere, we're in Macedonia with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Gul came to Skopje with a group of businessmen and spent a busy day in meetings. It's a very positive step that after dealing with the Middle East, the government turned to the Balkans. As the Balkans are on the threshold of an important transformation, we don't have the luxury of ignoring this region, which is our historical responsibility. Macedonia is an EU candidate country. Maybe it will get in before us. Its population is only 2 million. There are two Turkish deputies in its Parliament, representing nearly 100,000 Turks. In addition, a Turkish state minister appointed from outside is in the Cabinet. Maybe Macedonia is the country where you can see the clearest remains of the Ottomans. Sometimes you feel like you're in an Anatolian town. Yahya Kemal College, the historical Fatih Bridge over the Vardar, Ottoman houses, mosques and Turkish baths are all Turkish works. It's said that half of the population has a relative in Turkey and there are direct flights to Turkey every day. At least 120,000 entrances and exits are carried out between Istanbul and Skopje every year. Gul's visit aims not only to show Turkey's support for this country, which is in a process of transformation, but also to maximize these relations economically. Educational and environmental agreements were signed and an infrastructure cooperation pact was strengthened. In the country, Gul was asked certain questions about Turkey's EU membership bid. We read in newspapers that Turkey's EU membership was important for Turkish- friendly countries as well. During his visit, Gul's morale was high. Maybe he was excited to be in the Balkans, like me. As I finish this column on the way back Turkey I can hear excellent Balkan music in the background, and I'm planning on asking Gul some questions about May's presidential election. He seems to be resisting talking about domestic issues, but let's see." [11] THE KURDS ARE TIREDBY ERGUN BABAHAN (SABAH)Columnist Ergun Babahan comments on this week's Nevruz celebrations and developments in southeastern Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "Nevruz celebrations went off without a hitch, contrary to what leading people of the region predicted. That was thanks to the common sense of both security forces and the organizing committees. Reports from the region showed that participation in the celebrations was lower and enthusiasm was more subdued, which comes from two main factors: Firstly, the people of the region have become tired of policies based on violence. The fact that such policies prevail in the region, despite efforts for democratization and legal reforms, hasn't offered hope to those people. Especially the atmosphere in northern Iraq has made the people of the region who watch developments there on their satellite TVs and witness it by traveling to the region ask questions. It became clear that violence is against the interests of the people of the southeast. The incidents in Diyarbakir last year made the situation worse. Businesses and traders suffered the most from those incidents. Leading businessmen of the region noticed how political movements supporting violence harm them, and they said so. As a result of this, the terrorist PKK, which is not supported by the Kurdish bourgeoisie, also lost the sympathy of the common people. Today we see the terrorist PKK lose more support every day. The Democratic Society Party (DTP), which is (together with the terrorist PKK) under the supervision of terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan, gets its share. It will be no surprise if these developments are reflected in general elections later this year. The DTP probably won't win as many seats in Parliament as it wants, whether it makes an alliance with other parties or runs independent candidates. It is inevitable that a political movement which can't meet the needs of the people of the region will lose support." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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