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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-04
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Turkish
Press Review >>
Foreign
Press Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
04.02.2002
CONTENTS
[01] EARTHQUAKE IN AFYON TAKES 45 LIVES
[02] SEZER EXPRESSES GRIEF OVER WEEKEND EARTHQUAKE
[03] CROATIAN DELEGATION TO VISIT ANKARA
[04] BARKA, EARTHQUAKE SCHOLAR, LAID TO REST
[05] CEM, PAPANDREOU SIGNAL NEW ERA ON THE AEGEAN
[06] PAPANDREOU: "BETTER ATMOSPHERE THEN EVER
BEFORE"
[07] TURKEY TO LEAD AFGHAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE
[08] CABINET ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE ON AFGHANISTAN
[09] JANUARY INFLATION FIGURES RELEASED
[10] IMF DIRECTORS TO DISCUSS TURKEY TODAY
[11] CAKAN: "THE BLUE STREAM PROJECT IS NO
DREAM"
[12] TOBB PREPARING FOR TURKISH-US ECONOMIC COMMISSION
[13] THREE TURKS NAMED "GLOBAL LEADERS FOR
TOMORROW"
[14] ITALIAN LITERARY HONOR FOR PAMUK
[15] TURKISH FILM FESTIVAL IN HUNGARY
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[17] RESPECTABLE TURKEY BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)
[18] WHAT DOES "AXIS OF EVIL" MEAN TO TURKEY?
FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
[19] TURKEY SUFFERS ANOTHER QUAKE YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] EARTHQUAKE IN AFYON TAKES 45 LIVES
Yesterday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 on
the Richter scale struck the Western Anatolian province Afyon at 9.15
a.m. The epicenter of the quake was the town of Sultandagi and the
towns of Bolvadin and Cay were hardest hit. The devastating earthquake
caused the deaths of 45 people and some 200 others were wounded, and
scores of buildings collapsed as well. The region was also shaken by
aftershocks for the rest of day. The quake could also be felt in the
central Anatolian provinces of Ankara, Burdur, Isparta, Eskisehir,
Kocaeli and Sakarya. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and a number of
ministers arrived in the region following the disaster for inspection.
Kizilay (the Turkish Red Crescent) rushed hundreds of tents and
blankets to the region. Search and rescue teams also arrived in the
area to save people trapped under the ruins. Meanwhile, Greece was
reportedly the first country to offer aid to the Turkish government in
the wake of the disaster. Greek Ambassador to Turkey Yannis Corantis
immediatedly conveyed his country's condolences and offer of aid to
the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Turkish officials welcomed the offer,
but added that urgent international aid was not presently needed.
Greek Foreign Minister George Papendreou also issued a statement
expressing his sorrow and condolences to the quake victims. /All
Papers/
[02] SEZER EXPRESSES GRIEF OVER WEEKEND EARTHQUAKE
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said yesterday that
yesterday's earthquake in the province of Afyon had saddened the
entire Turkish nation. "We hope that the number of casualties
doesn't increase, and moreover that our country will never have to
undergo another tragedy like this," Sezer stated. /Hürriyet/
[03] CROATIAN DELEGATION TO VISIT ANKARA
Croatian Parliament Speaker Zlatko Tomcic and an
accompanying delegation is to arrive in Ankara tomorrow as the
official guests of Turkish Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi. Izgi is to
give a banquet in honor of Tomcic tomorrow night. On Wednesday, the
delegation is expected to visit Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
and be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Star/
[04] BARKA, EARTHQUAKE SCHOLAR, LAID TO REST
Professor Aykut Barka, one of Turkey's foremost
earthquke experts, who died of brain hemorrhage on Friday night, was
laid to rest yesterday in Istanbul. Following a service attended by
hundreds of his friends, loved ones, and colleagues at Istanbul
Technical University, Barka's body was interred at Zincirlikuyu
Cemetery. Barka was 50. Prior to his death, the scholar had lain in a
coma for three weeks. /All Papers/
[05] CEM, PAPANDREOU SIGNAL NEW ERA ON THE AEGEAN
Turkey and Greece have signaled their willingness
to start a new process of dialogue in order to work out their
differences on the Aegean. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his
Greek counterpart George Papandreou met yesterday in New York during
the World Economic Forum and decided to discuss the Aegean dispute at
the ministerial level. Cem said that as a first step, experts from
both sides' governments would come together in order to work on
finding a solution. For years Turkey has been ready to cooperate with
Greece on the Aegean issue, Cem added. /Hürriyet/
[06] PAPANDREOU: "BETTER ATMOSPHERE THEN EVER
BEFORE"
In an interview with the Greek daily To Vima over
the weekend, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou remarked that an
atmosphere promising better developments had been recently created
through the joint efforts of Turkish and Greek officials. Papandreou
stated that bilateral political contacts and meetings were taking
place in a better atmosphere than ever before. He added that the
Turkey and Greece should not pass up this opportunity to find
solutions to their problems. "Greece is ready to do its utmost to
reach a permanent solution on Cyprus," said Papandreou. "We
are ready to do whatever is necessary to increase the opportunities
towards a permanent solution." /Cumhuriyet/
[07] TURKEY TO LEAD AFGHAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE
NATO has reportedly agreed to hand over the command
of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
to Turkey when the UK's leadership term ends after three months. A
high-level German official stated yesterday that Turkey had proved
that it was capable both politically and militarily of leading the
peacekeeping force. Turkey was the first Muslim country to announce
its support for the US following last September's terrorist attacks.
/Cumhuriyet/
[08] CABINET ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE ON AFGHANISTAN
State Minister Tunca Toskay announced yesterday
that the Cabinet had established a special committee on Afghanistan.
He said, "At our last meeting, the cabinet set up a committee to
work on issues related to Afganistan. The members of the committe will
visit Afganistan this month to tour and observe the country and also
see what Turkish businessmen can do to help reconstruct the
country." The committee is made up of Toskay, the state ministers
Sukru Sina Gurel and Faruk Bal, and Public Works and Housing Minister
Abdulkadir Akcan. /Turkiye/
[09] JANUARY INFLATION FIGURES RELEASED
The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) yesterday
released the month-on-month inflation figures for January that were
higher than what many analysts had expected. Inflation in January was
4.2% on the wholesale price index (WPI) and 5.3% on the consumer price
index (CPI). The figures pushed year-on-year WPI inflation to 92.0%
and CPI inflation to 73.2 percent. /All Papers/
[10] IMF DIRECTORS TO DISCUSS TURKEY TODAY
The International Monetary Fund Board of Directors
is scheduled to meet today in order to discuss Turkey's Letter of
Intent and its new standby agreement. /Milliyet/
[11] CAKAN: "THE BLUE STREAM PROJECT IS NO
DREAM"
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan
yesterday carried out an inspection tour at the Saipem 7000 Platform,
the world's largest semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, which belongs
to the Italian Eni_SNAM Company currently laying pipeline in the Black
Sea as part of the Blue Stream Pipeline Project. During his tour,
Cakan said that Russia was laying 307 km of pipeline on its territory
and two pipelines in the Black Sea, one of which is 396 km long and
the other 392 km. Saying that all the risk in this region belonged to
Russia, Cakan said, "People are criticizing this project without
getting the facts. Some people have called the pipeline a
pie-in-the-sky dream, but I say that this project is just right for
Turkey. Turkey has laid 501 km of pipeline in the region stretching
all the way to Ankara, and our nation will invest a maximum of $320
million." /Aksam/
[12] TOBB PREPARING FOR TURKISH-US ECONOMIC COMMISSION
The Turkish Association of Chambers and Stock
Exchanges (TOBB) is busy laying the groundwork for the first meeting
later this month of the Turkish-US Economic Partnership Commission.
The TOBB announced yesterday that a preparatory meeting would be held
at TOBB's Ankara headquarters tomorrow as part of its preparations.
Among those slated to attend this week's meeting are the TOBB council
chairmen, as well as representatives and chairmen from the Turkish
Exporters' Center, Turkish Association of Industrialists and
Businessmen, Islamic Development Foundation, Foreign Economic
Relations Committee, Turkish-American Business Association and Turkish
Association of Contractors. /Aksam/
[13] THREE TURKS NAMED "GLOBAL LEADERS FOR
TOMORROW"
The current World Economic Forum in New York City,
a summit of international government and civic opinion makers, brought
forth an honor for Turkey this weekend: it selected three Turkish
citizens to its prestigious list of 100 "Global Leaders for
Tomorrow." Democratic Left Party (DYP) Adana Deputy Tayyibe Gulek,
CPS Consultancy founder Tulu Gumustekin and HC Company administrator
Elif Bilgi were identified as being among the world's most brilliant
young people in the list released on Sunday. In addition to being 36
years old or younger, members of the Global Leaders list had to have
already achieved a position of considerable influence and
responsibility, demonstrated leadership and commitment in addressing
social issues beyond their immediate professional interest, and
demonstrated a commitment to the principles and objectives which guide
the World Economic Forum. /Sabah/
[14] ITALIAN LITERARY HONOR FOR PAMUK
Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk was named over the
weekend as the recipient of one of Italy's most prestigious literary
awards, the Primio Grinzane Cavour, for his book 'My Name is Red.'
Pamuk is due to receive the award on June 15 in Torino, Italy. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] TURKISH FILM FESTIVAL IN HUNGARY
The Turkish Cinema and Audiovisual Cultural
Foundation (TURSAK) will hold a Turkish film festival in Budapest,
Hungary on March 8-13. Among the movies to be screened at the festival
are director Fehmi Yasar's "Heart of Glass", Tunca Yonder's
"Return to Agri," Semih Kaplanoglu's "Away From
Home," Serdar Akar's "Offside" and Dervis Zaim's
"Elephants and Grass." /Cumhuriyet/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[17] RESPECTABLE TURKEY BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)
Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag writes on the
debate over freedom of speech within the context of harmonization laws
and the EU. A summary of his column is as follows: " The freedoms
of speech and expression as well as education in Kurdish and Kurdish
radio-TV broadcasts, which have recently dominated our country's
agenda within the framework of the harmonization laws with the EU,
have a more significant meaning for Turkey than being just for gaining
EU membership. Their importance lies in the desire of the Turkish
people to see a respectable Turkey with a sound democratic system, one
based on the rule of law. The preconditions for being a respectable
state today, lie in our ensuring a democratic system which guarantees
the basic rights and freedoms of our citizens. Articles 312 and 159 of
the Penal Code in their present state would impose restrictions on
freedom of thought and expression akin to those in dictatorial
regimes. The changes on the table should have been in line with the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions. If Ankara wants the
ECHR not to impose sentences on itself, it should break the chains of
the freedoms of thought and expression and while doing so take the
norms of the ECHR into consideration so as not to be in the wrong. We
must declare that President Sezer's words, saying that statements
which do not call for action or pose a concrete threat cannot be
punished, aptly summarize these norms. On education in Kurdish, the
chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) made a moderate and
balanced explanation saying that the official and educational language
in Turkey was Turkish. However, all citizens have the right to speak
freely, improve their mother tongues and develop their cultural
riches. He added that the state is ethnically blind and that it
doesn't discriminate among its citizens according to mother tongue,
religion or sects. The state's stance regarding education and training
covers two different areas,.one public and the other private. Public
education is given in Turkish, the official language of the country.
The state has no commitment to give education in the various tongues
spoken within the country. On the other hand, all Turkish citizens
must have the opportunity to establish training and educational
courses in their mother tongues within the framework of individual
rights. The barriers to broadcasting in Kurdsih must be lifted within
these individual rights. A short time ago, Ankara struck a clause from
the Constitution speaking of 'language banned by the law'. Some EU
circles believe that this action was taken to mislead the Europeans
just before the Laeken Summit. Such a stance doesn't become Turkey.
Therefore, I hope that necessary changes will be introduced and that
the path to Kurdish broadcasts will be opened. Moscow is no longer a
foreign threat to Turkey. It wants to be a NATO member and sees
cooperation with Turkey in its national interests. Therefore, demands
for individual rights should not be opposed by saying that these would
pose a threat to the territorial integrity and political unity of the
country."
[18] WHAT DOES "AXIS OF EVIL" MEAN TO TURKEY?
FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
Columnist Ferai Tinc comments on what US President
George W. Bush's recent statement accusing Iran, Iraq and North Korea
of constituting an 'axis of evil' against world peace means to Turkey.
A summary of her column is as follows: "Turkish politicians
should fully comprehend what US President George W. Bush's recent
statement singling out Iran, Iraq and North Korea as constituting 'an
axis of evil' means to Turkey. Bush's statement interests Turkey not
only regarding political, economic and social matters but also on
security issues. Washington is likely to attribute a significant role
to Turkey as 'the only moderate Muslim country which enjoys good
relations with Western countries.' This reminds me of old Cold War
theories that a front should be erected against Communism through the
formation of a 'Green Belt' of Islamic allies. Here is the situation
today: the axis of Turkey-US-Israel versus the axis of Iran-Iraq. Is
this role in line with Turkey's goals and social projects? The US
believes that it is in a war. President Bush will send Congress a
spending plan proposing the biggest jump in defense spending in 20
years. US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's recent statement that
'the United States needs to revamp its military to become more
flexible and proactive to meet future threats' signals what kind of
policies the US is likely to pursue in the future. The more the US
spends on defense, the more the rest of the world purchases weaponry.
The US is also expected to support the establishment of an 'European
Army' which would lift some of its burden in protecting its European
allies. Don't these developments show that Turkey's goals concerning
the European Union are growing much more important for the country's
security agenda? Turkey should take part in a decision-making
mechanism which will be influential in determining the future of
Europe. This is a precondition for Turkey to be considered an equal
ally against any 'axis of evil' in the international community. That's
why the direct relation between Bush's statement and our discussions
on democratization should be properly understood in order for us to
act in line with our vital national interests."
[19] TURKEY SUFFERS ANOTHER QUAKE YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on yesterday's
earthquake.A summary of his column as follows: "In the midst of
this harsh winter, a harsh earthquake has once again struck our
country. The epicenter of the quake was the town of Sultandagi in the
Afyon province and it had a magnitute of 6.0 on Richter scale. Our
citizens, many sleeping or having just woken up or eating their
breakfast on a weekend morning at 9 a.m., were faced with a disaster.
When I wrote these lines, the quake's death toll stood at 37, but it
will unfortunately rise. Many buildings have collapsed and a number of
animals and livestock also died. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit arrived
in the region almost at once and Kizilay (theTurkish Red Crescent)
hurried aid to the region. But can you imagine how the survivors
suffered last night? The thoughts of our friends, fearfully rushing
out of their homes yesterday morning caused great pain in our hearts.
In recent years, earthquakes have frequently been in Turkey's
headlines. Our land has suffered greatly from quakes from the very
beginning of recorded history. Our government has willingly or not
gained experience in dealing with disasters, and it will do whatever
it can. Everything will be done to heal the wounds, and our economic
crisis will not cause any negligence or lack of efficiency in doing
so. Meanwhile, I want to express my deep sorrow and convey my
condolences to the victims of the quake."
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