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Turkish Press Review, 01-11-29
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
29.11.2001
CONTENTS
[01] SECURITY SUMMIT CONVENES
[02] ECEVIT URGES EU TO STAND AGAINST ANTI-TURKISH TERRORIST GROUPS
[03] YILMAZ: "2002 WILL BE THE YEAR OF SACRIFICES"
[04] OFFICE OF CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF'S AFGHANISTAN PLAN
[05] CAKMAKOGLU: "IRAQI QUESTION MAY BE RECONSIDERED"
[06] GERMANY AND FRANCE OPPOSED TO EXPANSION OF WAR
[07] PAPANDREOU'S CALLS DENKTAS-CLERIDES MEETING "HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY"
[08] THE FRONTIER POST: "TURKISH TROOPS ARE IN AFGHANISTAN"
[09] FORBES: "SADDAM HUSSEIN COULD BE DESTROYED WITH TURKEY'S HELP"
[10] IMF RELEASES FOURTH TRANCHE OF LOAN
[11] TURKEY TO TRAIN RABBANI'S BODYGUARDS
[12] TIME PRAISES TURKISH WOMEN'S FREEDOM
[13] THIRD VICTORY OF THE '12 GIANT MEN'
[14] YOUTH FESTIVAL STARTS IN ANKARA
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[16] WHAT A FRIENDSHIP BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)
[17] IS THE IRAQI POLICY CHANGING? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] SECURITY SUMMIT CONVENES
In a summit at the Prime Ministry yesterday, recent international
developments were taken up. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit, and Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Foreign
Minister Ismail Cem, Foreign Minister Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and other
bureaucrats were in attendance. During the one-hour-and-a-half meeting, the
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), Afghanistan operations and a
possible operation in Iraq were reportedly discussed. /Turkiye/
[02] ECEVIT URGES EU TO STAND AGAINST ANTI-TURKISH TERRORIST GROUPS
During European Union Term President Belgium's Prime Minister Guy
Verhofstads' two-hour visit to Ankara yesterday, Turkish Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit presented a comprehensive file to his Belgian counterpart
containing significant information on seven terrorist organizations which
target Turkey. In the post-Sept. 11 period, the EU has decided to develop a
new policy and take new measures in the fight against terrorism; however
there is a dispute between Turkey and the EU over the issue due to certain
shortcomings in international cooperation against terrorism. The EU is
currently preparing a list of terrorist organizations, but this list does
not include organizations which commit acts of terrorism in EU candidate
countries. Turkey is trying to persuade the EU to include such
organizations -including the terrorist PKK and DHKP-C- on the list. Under
these circumstances, Ecevit conveyed Turkey's concerns to Verhofstads
yesterday. Seven terrorist organizations listed in the file presented to
Verhofstads have been proven to have contacts with a number of European
circles. Ecevit reiterated that international cooperation was vital for the
fight against terrorism to succeed. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] YILMAZ: "2002 WILL BE THE YEAR OF SACRIFICES"
In his address at the Motherland Party (ANAP) group meeting yesterday,
Deputy Prime Minister and ANAP Chairman Mesut Yilmaz commented on recent
economic developments. Arguing that Turkey's economy has begun to recover,
Yilmaz remarked that a positive atmosphere had dominated the markets last
week. Yilmaz stated that 2002 would be a year of sacrifices during which
all Turkish people would do their utmost to help the economy recover.
/Cumhuriyet/
[04] OFFICE OF CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF'S AFGHANISTAN PLAN
The Office of the Chief of General Staff has reportedly presented a plan to
the Turkish government concerning its troops to be sent to Afghanistan. The
plan presents two alternatives, one sending 1,050 troops to the region, the
other sending 800. The plan proposes establishing two headquarters in
Afghanistan, the first under United Nations auspices where executive
decisions will be made, and the other as a headquarters to fight Afghan
domestic terrorism to be grounded at the airport near Kandahar recently
seized by US soldiers. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] CAKMAKOGLU: "IRAQI QUESTION MAY BE RECONSIDERED"
Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said yesterday that Turkey was
opposed to any attack on Iraq, but added that if new factors arise then the
"Iraqi question" may be reconsidered. Reportedly Cakmakoglu's statement may
signal a revision in Turkey's policy towards Iraq in the lead up to the
visit of US Secretary of State Colin Powell to Turkey next week.
/Hürriyet/
[06] GERMANY AND FRANCE OPPOSED TO EXPANSION OF WAR
The leaders of Germany and France yesterday declared their opposition to
any expansion of anti-terrorist military operations outside Afghanistan.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that Germany would not allow
German troops in the coalition against terrorism to fight in any other
country. French Defense Minister Alain Richard, echoed Schroeder saying
that there was no need to strike Iraq or another country. The Arab League
also warned that a possible strike against any Arab country might alter the
political atmosphere in the region. On the other hand, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair remarked yesterday that the fight against terrorism
could enter a second stage, a remark taken to signal an operation against
Iraq. /Turkiye/
[07] PAPANDREOU'S CALLS DENKTAS-CLERIDES MEETING "HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY"
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou remarked yesterday that Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas's call for a
meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides was an important
development. "The parties will sit the negotiation table without any
preconditions," said Papandreou. "I believe this is a historic opportunity
that mustn't be missed. Over 25 years, we have been disappointed many
times. But this time we must reach a solution." Remarking that Turkish and
Greek Cypriots might live peacefully together under a unitary structure to
be established by the United Nations, Papandreou said, "Let the parties
themselves determine their own destiny. An imposed solution by one party
onto another can't possibly endure. We mustn't miss this opportunity. A
permanent solution will be beneficial for all parties." /Hurriyet/
[08] THE FRONTIER POST: "TURKISH TROOPS ARE IN AFGHANISTAN"
Afghan newspaper the Frontier Post reported yesterday that Turkish troops
had entered Afghanistan from Uzbekistan along with US troops two weeks ago
and were currently conducting operations against Al Quaida and Taleban
forces. The newspaper quoted native Afghans as a source for this story. The
paper added that the Turkish troops might be particularly helpful in this
operation due to their experience in fighting PKK terrorists in
mountainous southeastern Turkey. /Milliyet/
[09] FORBES: "SADDAM HUSSEIN COULD BE DESTROYED WITH TURKEY'S HELP"
The editor of influential US business magazine Forbes wrote this week that
Saddam Hussein could only be destroyed with Turkey's help. Editor and
former presidential hopeful, Steve Forbes wrote that a second front must be
opened in Iraq apart from the Afghan front. Mr. Forbes called on Western
countries to act together to destroy Saddam's regime and with Turkey's
help. "I am sure that people living in that region would prefer to live
under Turkey's control rather then Saddam Hussein," he wrote. /Milliyet/
[10] IMF RELEASES FOURTH TRANCHE OF LOAN
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday approved the release of the
fourth tranche of its current loan to Turkey. At the IMF Executive Board
meeting, the extension of about $3 billion was approved. After the
completion of necessary procedures, the loan is expected to reach Turkey
late this week or early next week at the latest. /Turkiye/
[11] TURKEY TO TRAIN RABBANI'S BODYGUARDS
Former Afghan President Burhanettin Rabbani has reportedly sent a team of
bodyguards to Turkey to be trained by Turkish security forces. Rabbani is
expected to take part in the new government to be formed after the defeat
of the Taleban regime in Afghanistan. Reportedly Turkish security forces
are second only to those of the US and Israel in terms of personal defense.
/Sabah/
[12] TIME PRAISES TURKISH WOMEN'S FREEDOM
Prominent US newsmagazine Time has posted an article on its website
entitled "The Other Women of Islam". The article stresses the fact that
Turkey's women are the most liberated among all the Islamic countries.
"Turkey is an exception to many rules," the piece says. "Women in Turkey
are the most liberated in the Muslim world, though Malaysia and Indonesia
come close, having hosted relatively progressive cultures before Islam came
to Southeast Asia in the 9th century. In Turkish professional life women
enjoy a level of importance that is impressive not only by the standards of
other Islamic countries but also by European lights. Turkey's liberalism is
a legacy of the republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a secularist who
gave women rights unprecedented in the Muslim world. Last week the Turkish
parliament went a step further by reforming family law." /Hurriyet/
[13] THIRD VICTORY OF THE '12 GIANT MEN'
The Turkish Basketball Team defeated Ukraine last night in Istanbul by a
score of 80-67, in the third match of group qualifications for the 2003
European Basketball Championship. The Turkish team previously defeated the
Bulgarian and Swiss teams. /Turkiye/
[14] YOUTH FESTIVAL STARTS IN ANKARA
The Third European Youth Festival is to start tomorrow in Ankara. Festival
coordinator Ertugrul Senoglu said yesterday that 23 countries would take
part in the festival. The festival's aim is to create an atmosphere in
which people can share cultural and social ties. /Sabah/
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[16] WHAT A FRIENDSHIP BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek comments on relations between Turkey and the US
following the Sept. 11 attacks. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The West has two faces: When they need Turkey, Turkey is 'in,' but then
when it suits their purposes, Turkey becomes 'out.' Since the Sept. 11
attacks, they have been buttering Turkey up. Turkey is in the foreground
with its soldiers, who are due to be sent to Afghanistan as peace forces in
the course of that country's political reconstruction. However, during the
international meetings meant to lay out Afghanistan's future development,
the doors were slammed in Turkey's face. The US, France, Britain, Germany
and Pakistan were present during the international conference organized by
the UN Development Program, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in
Islamabad, but Turkey was not invited. Actually Turkish contractors could
have helped in many areas such as boasting the fertility of Afghanistan's
land and improving its education and health. The above-mentioned countries'
ambassadors were invited to the meeting attended by 350 people, but Turkish
ambassadors and contractors were excluded.
Furthermore, it has often been said in recent weeks that Turkey would have
a major role in the new Afghanistan. Really? Turkey wasn't included in
meetings convened to draw the outline of a new Afghan state. But when we
are asked to be prepared to sacrifice the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC) and leave the entire island to the Greek Cypriots in exchange
for EU membership, Europe comes knocking at Ankara's door. When our manner
becomes harsher concerning the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP),
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt (who represents the current EU term
president) comes knocking on Bulent Ecevit's door. I think they must have
thought that they would be able to make Turkey fear the attacks of those
who are accustomed to street violence like Daniel Cohn-Bendit. The National
Security Council's (MGK) attempt to protect TRNC President Rauf Denktas
blow to the repeated mentor "give up and you will be free." Why would the
Turkish government find sufficient Verhofstadt's guarantee that 'The
European army wouldn't intervene in crises around the Aegean or Cyprus
issues or disputes between two NATO countries'? Consider this strange
logic: an army that will use all of NATO's assets is guaranteeing that it
won't threaten a NATO country (Turkey) with weapons. Bravo! The EU thinks
that Turkey will be satisfied with such a guarantee, which is only a dream.
The EU doesn't think that Turkey needs a place in the ESDP. The sudden
change in the US, which had supported our policy on the ESDP issue before
the Sept. 11 attacks, makes our eyes water in the name of friendship and
alliances. The US gives is now fully supporting the EU on the European army
issue. Some even say that it told Ankara, "If you resist, the European army
might be established without Turkey, which is a NATO country." In addition,
there have been scenarios floating around since the Gulf War, suggesting
that northern Iraq would be given to Turkey. Every day another US
commentator writes of removing Saddam Hussein with Turkey in the mix. If
Saddam is overthrown with Turkey's support, Ankara's reward has even been
determined: a piece of Iraq's oil. One cannot help but feel that the US is
preparing to play the same game as in Afghanistan, but this time in Iraq
through using us. The US has trounced the Taleban regime by supporting the
Northern Alliance with money and materials, and is now searching for Bin
Laden, whom it plans to hang - all in territory that was cleansed without
losing a single US soldier. Why wouldn't the US think of leaving us to tame
the enemy-ridden Iraqi deserts (note: This column was written before the
confirmed combat death of a CIA operative in Afghanistan( and then coming
to Baghdad with a clear path and enjoying overthrowing Saddam? The US puts
its own national interest first and foremost; it would certainly do this."
[17] IS THE IRAQI POLICY CHANGING? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the Turkey's policy concerning Iraq. A
summary of his columns is as follows:
"It might be thought that there has been a change in Turkey's policy
towards Iraq. Along these lines, yesterday some TV channels presented
National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu's words that 'if there are
new conditions, we might reconsider our options' as a sign of such a
change. Previously there were people who interpreted Turkish Ambassador to
Washington Faruk Logoglu's words in the same way. The seasoned diplomat
said if the US puts for convincing evidence that Iraq has something to do
with the Sept. 11 attacks, then Ankara might 'review its policy.' The fact
that some American commentators have spread the interpretation that the US
might open a second front in Iraq after Afghanistan has created the
impression that Ankara might agree with such an action, in other words,
that it might change its policy in this direction.
As I wrote last week, the US has not yet decided whether to act against
Iraq, or even how this would be carried out. No strategy has been
determined, one can only read position papers from think tanks and the
like. Another interesting issue now is that a different rationale is being
put forward for possible action against Iraq. The previous argument spoke
of punishing Iraq due to its links to the Sept. 11 attacks and terrorism in
general. However, US officials have come to accept that there is not enough
evidence concerning this issue. So now Washington has changed its reasoning
entirely: Iraq has weapons of mass destruction and as Saddam has driven out
the UN inspectors, there is no way to check or control him. Thus the Bush
administration now says to Baghdad "Either you let the inspections resume,
or else...' The meaning of 'or else' is unspoken but clear. Even Bush says
'they will see' and closes the subject.
Actually this situation could help Turkey show its position more openly. If
the US attacks Iraq due to its 'support for terrorism' and wants Turkey to
second this cause, Ankara will evaluate the issue. According to Turkish
officials, it would be impossible for Turkey, whose stance against
terrorism is so open, to say 'No, it isn't our business.' If this is so
then Ankara's support is inevitable. Otherwise, if the US acts against Iraq
for its rejection of inspections of its weapons of mass destruction,'
Ankara might not feel obliged to support it. In that case Ankara would
evaluate the new conditions according to the situation. Turkish officials
think that the US might want to solve this problem through other means. The
US might involve the UN Security Council or it might use other ways to
depose Saddam, or it might attack using its own military capabilities, not
including Turkey's. Thus, one should not conclude after reading and
listening to every statement and article that the US will open a second
front against Iraq and that Turkey would participate in this."
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