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Turkish Press Review, 01-12-04
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
04.12.2001
CONTENTS
[01] POWELL TO VISIT TURKEY
[02] DENKTAS MEETS WITH CLERIDES
[03] SEZER HONORS THE DISABLED
[04] ECEVIT PHONES ARAFAT
[05] MIGUEL: "TURKEY SHOULD SOLVE THE CYPRUS
PROBLEM"
[06] GREECE: "RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE ESDP
DON'T BIND US"
[07] TURKEY'S STANCE ON ESDP FINDS FAVOR IN EUROPE
[08] THREE CONDITIONS FROM IMF
[09] INFLATION FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED
[10] CIRCULAR ISSUED ON SAVING MEASURES
[11] RETIRED AMBASSADOR: "TURKEY USED VETO THREAT TO
REACH ESDP DEAL"
[12] NATO DIPLOMAT: "ESDP APPROVAL IS ONE OF THE
YEAR'S BIGGEST STORIES"
[13] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI TO VISIT ROMANIA
[14] RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR YILMAZ VISITS BULGARIA
[15] FLOODS HIT MERSIN, KILLING THREE
[16] TURKISH VOICES HEARD AT EUROPEAN YOUTH SUMMIT
[17] TURKEY RECEIVES TWO AWARDS FROM NIKE
[18] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[19] TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN ARMY BY FIKRET BILA
(MILLIYET)
[20] SHOULD WE REJOICE? BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
[01] POWELL TO VISIT TURKEY
As a part of his nine-day tour through Europe and
Central Asia, US Secretary of State Colin Powell will arrive in Turkey
today. During his meetings with Turkish authorities, Powell will
reportedly discuss the Afghanistan operation including formation of
the peacekeeping force and humanitarian aid to that country. Powell is
also expected to express US objection to the opening of a second
border gate between Iraq and Turkey. The US doesn't want Iraq to feel
encouraged, claiming that it has been developing weapons of mass
destruction. Powell will reiterate US views on the Cyprus issue,
calling on both sides to hold meetings. Recent developments on the
European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) will also be taken up.
After completing his contacts in Turkey, the US secretary of state
will then proceed to Romania, Belgium, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,
Germany, France and Britain. /Turkiye-All Papers/
[02] DENKTAS MEETS WITH CLERIDES
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides will
today hold their first face-to-face meeting in several years. The
meeting will begin at the residence of Zbigniew Wlosowicz, the UN
secretary-general's deputy special representative for Cyprus, at
International Airport Lefkosha at 10:00 a.m. UN Special Representative
for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will also attend the meeting as an observer
in order to take notes on it for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The
meeting carries no agenda and has no preconditions. Denktas is
expected to propose to Clerides that they meet more frequently.
/Turkiye/
[03] SEZER HONORS THE DISABLED
In commemoration of World Disabled Person's Day,
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday received State Minister Suayip
Usenmez and representatives from the Turkish Confederation of the
Disabled. Confederation Chairman Faruk Oztimur told Sezer about
problems of the disabled and Usenmez told him of steps the state had
taken to help. Sezer emphasized that addressing the concerns of the
disabled was necessary for a healthy society and added, "A happy
and peaceful society can be ensured by solving all the people's
problems in areas such as health, education, transportation,
employment and social rights, and by providing them with better living
conditions." /Sabah/
[04] ECEVIT PHONES ARAFAT
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit spoke
yesterday of developments in the Middle East saying that Israeli Prime
Minister Sharon had talked about the possibility of war. Ecevit added,
"I had a phone conversation with Palestinian leader Arafat. He is
ready to sit at the table. A meeting is being planned for New York,
and he wants this meeting to be held." Stating that he also
wanted to talk with Sharon, Ecevit added, "However, following his
press conference last night, Mr. Sharon attended the meeting of the
Israeli Cabinet so he was unavailable. Therefore we could not have
met. If possible, I will talk with him tomorrow." /Hurriyet/
[05] MIGUEL: "TURKEY SHOULD SOLVE THE CYPRUS
PROBLEM"
Ramon De Miguel, Spain's secretary of state for
foreign affairs and for the European Union, remarked yesterday that
Spain would give its full support to Turkey during its upcoming EU
term presidency period. Spain will take over the EU term presidency
from Belgium on January 1, 2002. Miguel asserted that Turkey should
take advantage of Spain's full support and also take significant
steps, especially regarding the Cyprus issue. Madrid also wants to
begin the screening process for Turkey if necessary conditions arise.
Miguel said that what Spain as the next EU term president wants to see
is Turkey contributing the efforts towards a permanent solution for
Cyprus. "We want to see Turkey as a full EU member," said
Miguel. "Spain believes that Turkey should also be a part of the
structure which will shape Europe's future. This structure, which will
be formed at Laeken, will contain the European Parliament, national
parliaments, local committees and non-governmental
organizations." Miguel said he considered the Denktas-Clerides
meeting to be held today a historic opportunity and he requested that
Turkey to do its utmost on the Cyprus issue. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] GREECE: "RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE ESDP
DON'T BIND US"
Turkey's recent statement that it accepted the
basic framework of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) in
principle have led to widespread reactions in Greece. While Greek
government spokesman Hristo Protopapas claimed that binding decisions
for the ESDP were still the ones taken at last year's Nice Summit,
Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis elected to use a more
cautious tone, saying "The ESDP issue is not matter of
Turkish-Greek relations." In addition, Protopapas stated that the
decisions of one government within the EU would not be binding for
Greece apparent referring to Britain's assurances to Turkey on the
ESDP. Beglitis reportedly made phone calls to US Secretary of State
Colin Powell and British Foreign Minister Jack Straw. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] TURKEY'S STANCE ON ESDP FINDS FAVOR IN EUROPE
Brussels has reportedly been satisfied with
Turkey's recent decision to accept the European Security and Defense
Policy (ESDP) in principle. European Union Term President Belgium has
requested the details of the agreement reached on the ESDP issue from
the British government. EU circles are now awaiting Greece's reaction.
This week is critical for the EU, which has already begun to examine
the text of the agreement, to determine its stance towards the new
development. /Milliyet/
[08] THREE CONDITIONS FROM IMF
An International Monetary Fund delegation headed by
Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen arrived in Ankara yesterday. The IMF
delegation, in groups, will hold meetings with the Treasury,
Privatization Administration (OIB), State Planning Organization (DPT),
Finance Ministry and Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK),
as well as Central Bank officials. State Minister for the Economy
Kemal Dervis released a statement yesterday saying that IMF $10
billion in additional loans from the IMF to Turkey would be provided
based on three conditions, namely, maintenance of strong financial
policies, improvement of public administration and providing a sphere
in which the private sector can move more actively. A World Bank team
is also expected to arrive in Ankara during the IMF visit. /Milliyet/
[09] INFLATION FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER RELEASED
The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) yesterday
released inflation figures for November. Month-on-month, the increases
in both the wholesale price index (WPI) and the consumer price index
(CPI) were 4.2%. The year-on-year inflation was announced as 84.5%
WPI, and 67.3% CPI. /Turkiye/
[10] CIRCULAR ISSUED ON SAVING MEASURES
Yesterday the government issued a circular giving
details on the implementation of saving measures first announced on
Nov. 16. The major topic of the eight point was retirement. Under the
circular, the contracts of the state workers over 50 who are eligible
for retirement will be cancelled, pending the payment of all monies
owed them by the state. Another article says that a bonus stipulated
under Law 6772 will be postponed until 2003. The circular also
proposes maximum savings measures in a number of different areas.
/Turkiye/
[11] RETIRED AMBASSADOR: "TURKEY USED VETO THREAT TO
REACH ESDP DEAL"
Retired Turkish Ambassador Gunduz Aktan yesterday
characterized Ankara's decision to support the European Security and
Defense Policy (ESDP) as "Turkey's first achievement realized
through the threat of veto." In an interview, Aktan said,
"These negotiations in the European Security and Defense Policy
(ESDP) were the first ones made under Turkey's threat of a veto.
Turkey has never before used its right to veto. On the other hand,
Greece has always exploited its right of veto. For the first time
Turkey has used this power as a threat. Secondly, the negotiations
were made by both the civilians and the military, which is an
interesting development for Turkey. Thirdly, the US and Britain were
in the game with Turkey. Turkey sat at the table with a strong nation
like the US and the EU's most powerful country Britain and it got a
written agreement, not an oral one. /Hurriyet/
[12] NATO DIPLOMAT: "ESDP APPROVAL IS ONE OF THE
YEAR'S BIGGEST STORIES"
A NATO diplomat who did not with to be named told
Hurriyet that Turkey's approval of a planned European army was under
the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) was "one of the
biggest stories of the year, the biggest score of the year." The
diplomat told us, "Now the ball is in the EU's court. All the EU
countries, particularly Greece, should approve the draft
agreement." The NATO diplomat said that Britain, which held
meetings with Turkey on the issue, will make the necessary inquiries
among the EU members and gave guarantees concerning the Cyprus and
Aegean issue. He added that he hoped that good results would come at
next Monday's meeting of the EU members' foreign ministers in
Brussels. /Hurriyet/
[13] PARLIAMENT SPEAKER IZGI TO VISIT ROMANIA
Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi will visit Romania at
the official invitation of Romanian Senate Chairman Nikolae Vacariou
on Dec. 10-13. On Dec. 10, the delegation, headed by Izgi wil
negotiate with a Romanian parliamentary delegation headed by Vacariou.
Following this meeting, a meeting will be held with the Romanian
Foreign Affairs Commission. On the same day the delegation will meet
with Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase. On Dec. 11, the
delegation will meet with another Romanian parliamentary delegation,
this one headed by Romanian Deputy Parliamentary Chairman Valer
Dorneanu. The Turkish delegation will later meet with Romanian-Turkish
Inter parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Mircea Geoana. Later
that day the delegation will visit Romanian President Ion Iliescu. On
their final day in Romania, the delegation will visit Sinaia and
Bucharest, and meet Turkish businessmen. The Turkish delegation will
return to Turkey on Dec. 13. /Turkish News/
[14] RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR YILMAZ VISITS BULGARIA
Religious Affairs Director Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz
visited Bulgaria yesterday at the invitation of Bulgarian Religious
Affairs Director Lubomiv Mladenov and Bulgarian head Mufti Mehmet
Selim. Yilmaz first visited Deputy Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan
Petkov. In the meeting, ways of strengthening the religious and
cultural ties between the two countries were discussed. In a
post-meeting statement, Yilmaz said that Turkey would not allow the
growth of fundamentalism, and that in this respect cooperation with
the Bulgarian head mufti's office was very important. Yilmaz later met
Orthodox Church Patriarch Maksim, and they discussed harmony and
cooperation between religions. "If there isn't peace among
religions, world peace is just a dream," he remarked. /Turkish
News/
[15] FLOODS HIT MERSIN, KILLING THREE
Three people were killed yesterday as floods
drenched hundreds of homes and businesses in coastal Turkish cities.
In Icel's city center, schools were closed indefinitely. Local
officials at the crisis desk were trying to help the residents of
flooded houses and owners of businesses. A bridge in Icel collapsed,
blocking traffic in and out of Mersin, and leaving hundreds of
vehicles waiting on the road that connects Mersin with Antalya. /All
Papers/
[16] TURKISH VOICES HEARD AT EUROPEAN YOUTH SUMMIT
Young Turks representing Turkey at the European
Youth Summit held in Brussels yesterday stated that they did not want
to be considered a source of "cheap labor." They voiced
their wish for Turkey's immediate admittance to the European Union.
Young people age 19-25 from EU member and candidate countries attended
the summit. /Cumhuriyet/
[17] TURKEY RECEIVES TWO AWARDS FROM NIKE
Turkey has received two awards from Nike
International, one for being the best Nike company and the other for
being the best Nike seller the company announced yesterday. Nike
Turkey General Director Zafer Parlar spoke of the domestic division's
satisfaction with the prizes, saying "We are very pleased to
receive such awards." /Milliyet/
[18] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[19] TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN ARMY BY FIKRET BILA
(MILLIYET)
Columnist Fikret Bila writes on the support Turkey
has given for a planned European army. A summary of his column is as
follows: "Turkey stated during the summit which convened the day
before that it supported the European Security and Defense Policy
(ESDP) process. The reason why Ankara made such a statement following
two years of negotiations is that it has received the guarantees it
asked for. In other words, the European army will not be used against
NATO member countries in a manner threatening their security. For
Turkey, this means that European army will not be a party to the
Cyprus question, the Aegean problem and other conflicts Turkey is
engaged in. That was the guarantee Turkey had asked for. Another
Turkish request was to participate in the decision-making mechanism of
the European army. However, since it was not an EU member, this
request was viewed as overstepping its boundaries and a middle path
was found. The European Union will invite Turkey to be present when it
makes decisions to use the European army. Ankara has stated that it
will support the process on the conditions that it is invited to the
meetings and that the European army will not be used against it. How
will this guarantee be given and such invitations extended? What if
Greece vetoes the decision in favor of invitation? According to
Ankara, the agreed-upon text erases all such objections. However, it
has declined to release the text which provides these conditions It
believes that now is too soon for an explanation. According to a
number of foreign ministry officials, a 'trilateral negotiation text'
agreed on by the US, Britain and Turkey can lead to such a result.
This text will be voted on in the European Union and NATO separately
and if it is accepted, Turkey will receive the right of invitation and
the guarantees it had sought. Ankara has solved the European army
issue for itself. But what if Greece vetoes the 'trilateral'
negotiation text with its vote and blocks Turkey's path? Foreign
ministry oficials reply that in such a case it would be a problem
between the EU, NATO and Greece, and it would then fall on the EU and
NATO to persuade Greece. Yesterday, Greece officially stated its
objections to the plan. Ankara is now expecting Europe and the US to
convince Athens."
[20] SHOULD WE REJOICE? BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
Columnist Oktay eksi comments on the decision to
support the European Defence and Security Policy. A summary of his
column is as follows: "Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stated this
week that a problem which has vexed Turkey and the European Union for
two years has now been solved. The prime minister said that Turkey had
not retreated from the approach on the 'European Security and Defense
Policy' (ESDP) that it has followed up to now and added that the
conditions we had accepted met our expectations to a great extent.
However, even this statement shows that there is a difference between
our expectations and the conditions we have accepted. At this point,
we have to examine whether our expectations were too high and if our
achievements mean we retreated from our position. We have to point out
that some diplomats were criticizing the government for displaying
high expectations. First we have find out if Turkey has relinquished
some of its wishes. Turkey wanted to have a say in all matters when
the military power to be formed by the EU wants to use NATO
facilities. However, it seems that Turkey has abandoned this stance.
Turkey's view will be taken only in 'strategic' operations requiring
the use of NATO facilities. What will Turkey do if the EU decides
which operation is 'strategic' or not? At this point, the decision
concerns NATO as much as Turkey. Therefore there is no need to panic.
The issue which concerns Ankara is that if the EU army could be used
against Turkey when Turkey's national security and interests are in
question. According to what we know now, the EU power won't be used
against Turkey. This guarantee is given particularly on Turkish-Greek
disputes. However, if this guarantee is given only by a letter or an
accord between Turkey and the current EU President, we must remember
that the guarantees given by the Helsinki Summit term President of the
EU are evaporating even now as the member states are beginning to say
that they never signed such an accord. Therefore, such guarantees
should be clearly inserted into the status of the power to be formed
by the EU. Then we should also remember that the guarantee is limited
to what is proferred to us. That is if you attach importance to the
promises of the EU power in asking our opinions about operations which
will be carried out in places of vital importance to us."
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