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Turkish Press Review, 08-12-31
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
31.12.2008
CONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN: "2008 WAS A HARD YEAR FOR TURKEY, BUT NOT A LOST ONE"
[02] NSC EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER THE DEATHS OF HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIANS IN ISRAELI OFFENSIVE
[03] OIC, ARAB LEAGUE TO MEET TO DISCUSS ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON THE GAZA STRIP
[04] US' RICE TO PAY FINAL VISIT TO ANKARA
[05] ISRAELI SECURITY CABINET MEMBER: "WE DON'T MEAN TO SHAME TURKEY"
[06] TURKISH AID TO ARRIVE IN GAZA TOMORROW
[07] TO OUR READERS:
[01] ERDOGAN: "2008 WAS A HARD YEAR FOR TURKEY, BUT NOT A LOST ONE"
In a televised address to the nation yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan said that 2008 had been a hard year for Turkey, but not a lost one.
Stating that 2008 would be remembered for the global economic crisis that
hit all countries all over the world, Erdogan said that the government had
successfully steered Turkey's economy through this process, despite a
number of difficulties. The impact of the crisis on Turkey will probably
continue next year, but the government has taken all necessary measures to
weather the crisis with minimal damage and will continue to do so, Erdogan
said. Touching on the importance of preserving the country's atmosphere of
stability and trust in the face of the crisis, Erdogan said, "We're aware
that together with its adverse effects, the crisis also offers important
economic opportunities for Turkey. We will work hand in hand to make 2009 a
year of opportunities for Turkey. We will address the crisis' negative
effects on our country as quickly as possible, and turn it into an impetus
for a stronger initiative and more dynamic economy." Stating that everyone
in Turkey has many reasons to look to the future with hope, Erdogan
stressed, "This hope and self-confidence will see the country through the
crisis. We should keep our faith in the future of Turkey and enthusiasm for
progress." Erdogan also said the most effective way out of the crisis is to
continue to produce, adding that no one should doubt that Turkey will score
successes next year, as in the past six years under his party's rule.
"Every new year means a new excitement and beginning," he said. /Turkiye/
[02] NSC EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER THE DEATHS OF HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIANS
IN ISRAELI OFFENSIVE
Meeting yesterday at the Cankaya Presidential Palace under the chairmanship
of President Abdullah Gul, the National Security Council (NSC) expressed
deep concern over the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in the ongoing
Israeli offensive in Gaza. The council said in a statement after the
meeting that the military operation should be stopped immediately, the
parties should give diplomacy a chance, humanitarian aid should be allowed
to reach the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the Palestinians should reach
a compromise as soon as possible. The NSC said during the meeting, its
members had discussed recent developments at home and abroad affecting
Turkey's security. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) will continue to carry
out cross-border operations into northern Iraq as long as necessary, said
the statement, reaffirming the NSC's determination to maintain measures
against the terrorist group and its supporters, and stressing the need to
improve cooperation with Iraq within the framework of the Turkey-Iraq High-
Level Strategic Cooperation Council. The NSC also reviewed other foreign
developments, including ones concerning Cyprus. /Aksam/
[03] OIC, ARAB LEAGUE TO MEET TO DISCUSS ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON THE GAZA STRIP
Following up on Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's call for the Organization of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Arab League to take immediate action to
end Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, the two organizations are set to
bring together member country foreign ministers this weekend in separate
meetings in Qatar and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Turkish scholar Ekmeleddin
Ihsanoglu, the OIC's secretary general, yesterday telephoned President
Abdullah Gul to tell him of his latest efforts to end Israel's attacks. In
related news, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara with his
visiting Qatari counterpart Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani. /Sabah-
Hürriyet/
[04] US' RICE TO PAY FINAL VISIT TO ANKARA
In possibly her last Turkish visit while in office, US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice will reportedly be in Ankara this Saturday and Sunday.
During her visit, issues such as the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in
Palestine will be discussed, along with the fight against the terrorist PKK,
the US-Iraqi Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA), Iran's nuclear program,
tensions between India and Pakistan, Israeli-Syrian indirect talks, the
tension in the Caucasus, the proposed Caucasus cooperation and stability
platform, and dialogue with Armenia. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] ISRAELI SECURITY CABINET MEMBER: "WE DON'T MEAN TO SHAME TURKEY"
Isaac Herzog, a member of Israel's Security Cabinet, yesterday participated
in a teleconference at Israel's Ankara Embassy about the ongoing Israeli
airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Asked about Turkey's disappointment with
Israel over the attacks in the wake of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's visit
to Ankara, and whether Israel would be able to regain Turkey's trust,
Herzog said, "We see Turkey as Israel's strategic friend, and we trust in
Turkey, which is an important and honest actor in the region." The Syria
issue was discussed during Olmert's meeting with Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan last week, he added. "The Gaza issue was discussed outside
the meeting," he said. "We don't intend to shame Premier Erdogan or the
Turkish government. We just want to protect our citizens. Turkey, which has
suffered greatly from terrorism, understands the fight against terrorism.
We did the same as your government has done to protect its people from
terrorism. We can understand Erdogan's anger. We'll regain Turkey's
confidence. The trust and strategic understanding between our countries are
very deep. I am confident that our relationship will improve." /Milliyet/
[06] TURKISH AID TO ARRIVE IN GAZA TOMORROW
Ten trailers from Turkey carrying food are expected to arrive in the Gaza
Strip tomorrow morning, according to the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay).
"Even though there is an embargo in the area, we have been able to secure
permission from the Israeli authorities, since the aid is purely for
humanitarian purposes," said Mustafa Aydin, one of two special Kizilay team
members currently in Jerusalem. Aydin added that over the last two years,
Kizilay has provided the region with 10,000 tons of flour (half of it for
the Gaza Strip and the other half for the West Bank), 100,000 backpacks, a
prefabricated school, and $2.5 million worth of medicine. Meanwhile, five
ambulances from Turkey and 100 trucks full of humanitarian aid reached Gaza
yesterday. The provision of the ambulances was coordinated by the Turkish
International Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) and will be used
by various Gaza hospitals, including the al-Shifa Hospital. Turkey has
given 10 more ambulances this month to the Palestinian Authority in the
West Bank. TİKA also plans to ship five generators to Gaza. In related
news, other Turkish volunteer and charity groups have been organizing
campaigns to help the Palestinian people with food and medicine. /Today's
Zaman/
[07] TO OUR READERS:
In honor of New Year's Day, the Turkish Press Review will not appear
tomorrow. Happy New Year, and please rejoin us on Friday, January 2.
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