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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-27
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
27.02.2002
CONTENTS
[01] MGK TO MEET TODAY
[02] ECEVIT MEETS SPANISH DEFENSE MINISTER
[03] LEADERS DISCUSS ISAF COMMAND BY TURKEY
[04] TURKISH-US ECONOMIC COMMISSION STARTED YESTERDAY
[05] PAPANDREU: "TURCO-GREEK MEETINGS ARE HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITIES"
[06] GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER BURJANADZE VISITS TURKEY
[07] DERVIS TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS
[08] GREECE SCRATCHES AN OLD WOUND
[09] IRAN WANTS TO BUY GASOLINE FROM TURKEY
[10] SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS IN THE EP REPORT
[11] FORESTRY MINISTRY MAKES ECEVIT'S POEM UNFORGETTABLE
[12] FEHRIYE ERDAL CASE POSTPONED
[13] AYSE KIL BECOMES EUROPEAN CHAMPION
[14] GALATASARAY DRAW 1-1 WITH LIVERPOOL
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[16] MONEY IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[17] EUROPEAN TURKISH JOURNALISTS UNION BY GURAY OZ (CUMHURIYET)
[18] TURKISH-AMERICAN TRADE PARTNERSHIP BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] MGK TO MEET TODAY
The National Security Board (MGK) chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
will meet this morning at the Presidential Palace. The two controversial
topics, the abolition of the capital punishment, as well as education and
broadcasting in Kurdish language are expected to be discussed during the
meeting. /All Papers/
[02] ECEVIT MEETS SPANISH DEFENSE MINISTER
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday met with Spanish Defense Minister
Federico Trillo Figueroa who is paying an official visit to Turkey. At the
meeting, Ecevit conveyed Turkey's concern over the exclusion of the PKK and
the DHKP-C terrorist organizations from the EU's recently released list of
terrorist organizations. Figueroa said that Spain would do whatever it
could for the topic in question. Ecevit also informed the Spanish Minister
about the recent developments on the Ankara-Istanbul Railway project which
will be carried out by Spanish loan. Stressing that Turkey was willing to
take over the command of the International Security and Assistance Force
(ISAF), Ecevit stated however, that Turkey had difficulty in financing. He
also expressed Turkey's concern about a possible intervention in Iraq that
would have negative effects on Turkish economy. /Turkiye/
[03] LEADERS DISCUSS ISAF COMMAND BY TURKEY
Leaders of the coalition government met yesterday to discuss the topic of
Turkey's taking over the International Security and Assistance Force
(ISAF)'s command from Britain. Following the one-hour meeting Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters that international community
including the US, Britain, France, as well as Afghan Interim Government
Prime Minister Hamid Karzai, asked Turkey to take over the command. Ecevit
said that "finance support" was not the only topic, but all other
conditions should be examined in detail. /Turkiye/
[04] TURKISH-US ECONOMIC COMMISSION STARTED YESTERDAY
The Turkish-US Economic Partnership Commission started yesterday in Ankara.
US Assistant Secretary of State Alan Larson at the opening meeting said
that US wanted to establish a strong relationship with Turkey and that they
would work in coordination with Turkish authorities in order to lay the
groundwork for the Turkish economy to move from recovery to growth and
competitiveness. Larson also said that he was very pleased with the
improvements of the Turkish economic program. Speaking at the start of the
meeting Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that the new body would
aim at bringing US-Turkish economic relations to a close strategic
partnership between the two countries. For his part US Secretary of
Treasury Paul O'Neill, speaking at Chicago yesterday in Chicago Economy
Club sent a message to Turkey by saying that Bush administration is
satisfied with the improvements in Turkey. /Hurriyet, Sabah/
[05] PAPANDREU: "TURCO-GREEK MEETINGS ARE HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITIES"
Greek Foreign Ministry George Papandreou said that the meetings held by
Turkey and Greece concerning the Aegean and Cyprus issues were historical
opportunities. Speaking to the German daily "Der Tagesspiegel," Papandreou
pointed out that Greece's relations with Turkey had improved a great deal
in the last two years. Stating that the two nations want to live in peace,
he added, "Cyprus will either unite, or separate us. Sooner or later, we
have to find a solution to this problem." While answering a question if
Turkey can be a member of the EU in the year 2007, Papandreou said, "Turkey
is the candidate country. This is a big opportunity for the country. We
support Turkey's European perspective. At this point, it is important if
Turkey has the will and wish for carrying out the necessary reforms. This
will not be easy. This might last longer than Ankara expects them to last."
/Aksam/
[06] GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER BURJANADZE VISITS TURKEY
Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze yesterday met with Turkish
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli.
Among the issues discussed during the meetings were the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline project and the problem of Abhaz. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] DERVIS TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS
State Minister for Economy Kemal Dervis is to meet with the representatives
of the employees and employers today to discuss future increases in wages.
Minister of Labor and Social Security Yasar Okuyan, Finance Minister Sumer
Oral and representatives from organizations of employers and employees are
expected to attend the meeting. The main theme of the meeting will be
"Production and Distribution of Income." /Cumhuriyet/
[08] GREECE SCRATCHES AN OLD WOUND
There are signs that diplomatic tension between Turkey and Greece will
increase, following the recent attempts of the Greek officials to bring the
issues of so-called Armenian, Pontus and Anatolian genocide into the
spotlights. Although such attempts are to blow a deal on the recent
rapprochement process between the two countries, Greek officials seem
determined not to give up their hypocritical policies on those issues.
Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Magriotis stated at a press conference
that Greece would aid the minorities of allegedly Greek origin living in
Black Sea region. Stating that they would convey the aids via local
organizations, Magriotis argued that the Greek minorities living in the
Black Sea region and especially in Albania had serious problems due to
historical and political reasons. He added that those problems would be
discussed at the 5th World Pontus Forum to be held on Sept. 18-21 in
Salonica. Turkey had previously denounced such attempts, stressing that
Greece distorted historical facts. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] IRAN WANTS TO BUY GASOLINE FROM TURKEY
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Muhsin Eminzade yesterday transmitted a
message to Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal saying that Iran
wanted to buy gasoline from Turkey. Eminzade also said that Iran was ready
to buy sugar, wheat, rice and gasoline from Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[10] SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS IN THE EP REPORT
The European Parliament's recent "Caucasus Report" included the allegations
of the so-called Armenian genocide. The report, prepared by Swedish
parliamentarian Per Gahrton, is to be discussed today at the Foreign
Relations Commission and will be voted tomorrow at the Plenary Session.
Turkish lobbies in Brussels, despite the strong Armenian lobbies, are
currently trying to convey Turkey's views as well as historical facts to
the diplomatic circles, reiterating that a possible approval of those
allegations would seriously damage Turkish-EU relations. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] FORESTRY MINISTRY MAKES ECEVIT'S POEM UNFORGETTABLE
Forestry Ministry will carve Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's poem, which
recounts the Canakkale Legend, on the entrance of Kabatepe Museum on
granite panels. Ecevit's poem, written in 1988, was printed on panels by
using serigraphy technique. These panels, which were prepared in English
and Turkish, will be put on both sides of Kabatepe Museum and Simge
Monument. In addition, the CD, which was prepared by the National Parks and
Game-Wildlife in order to promote 33 national parks, includes the poem that
is read by Ecevit himself. /Aksam/
[12] FEHRIYE ERDAL CASE POSTPONED
As the judicial process on the case of Fehriye Erdal is continuing in
Belgium, the Belgian Court of Appeals yesterday decided to postpone the
case until April 16th. One of the assassins of Ozdemir Sabanci, Fehriye
Erdal is being tried in Belgian courts for the crimes she committed in
Turkey. Belgium had previously rejected to extradite Erdal to Turkey.
/Cumhuriyet/
[13] AYSE KIL BECOMES EUROPEAN CHAMPION
First lieutenant Ayse Kil from Marksmanship and Sharp Shooters Training
Unit, attached to the Training and Doctrine Command (EDOK) became the first
in the Balkan Marksmanship Championship, which was held in Istanbul this
year. Yugoslavia placed second and Bulgaria came third in the championship,
which was also attended by Macedonia, Greece, Romania and Albania. /Sabah/
[14] GALATASARAY DRAW 1-1 WITH LIVERPOOL
Galatasaray drew 1-1 with British Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League
second-round match in B group last night in Istanbul. Galatasaray is still
maintaining its chance for quarterfinals and it will play its next match
with Rome on March 13. /All Papers/
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[16] MONEY IS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on Turkey's taking over the command of
International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"Great Britain is eager to turn over the command of the multilateral force
(ISAF) in Afghanistan to Turkey. Turkey is still hesitant on the issue.
The situation emerging from the phone call between British Prime Minister
Tony Blair and Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit can be summed up in these
words. Britain seems eager on the issue as
its term of duty at the ISAF Command will expire on April 22. Blair
government would like to leave this duty at the date set particularly due
to the pressure of the opposition. The choice of Turkey for the job has
many reasons. For starters, Turkey had shown interest in sending troops to
Afghanistan and commanding the ISAF. The leading countries of the West,
such as the US and Britain see Muslim Turkey which is also a member of NATO
as the country cut out for the job. Turkey was among the first countries
which announced that it would like to participate in the international
force established in Afghanistan. The idea of Turkish troops serving in
Afghanistan following the Balkans, excited the public. However, the
political and military officials in Ankara found out that this was not as
easy as it seemed. Therefore, sending Turkish troops to Afghanistan took
some time. At the moment, Turkey prefers to study everything concerned with
taking command of the force in detail and talk them over with the allies.
According to news in the press, the main issue is focused on money. It is
true that Ankara has requested foreign aid to fulfill this mission
properly. However, it has been learned that money is not the only reason
why a decision has not been made. There are also legal and economic
problems involved and Turkey has to know other issues such as, 'What will
be the duties and responsibilities of ISAF?' At present ISAF is deployed
only in the Kabul region. The US wants some units to work in other regions
of the country. These issues and how the ISAF will act in certain
conditions should be clearly stated. Otherwise it can be caught in a
crossfire. That is why these issues lead Turkey to act cautiously.
Certainly this is a mission which will increase Turkey's prestige and
effectiveness but the risks involved should be reduced to a minimum."
[17] EUROPEAN TURKISH JOURNALISTS UNION BY GURAY OZ (CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Guray Oz writes on the organization of Turkish journalists living
in Europe. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Turkish journalists living in Europe took a serious step in organizing and
established an organization called 'European Turkish Journalists Union'
(ATGB). The organization, which announced its establishment with a
declaration signed by 70 journalists working in Turkish newspapers
published in Europe, German press institutions, and in local press held its
first congress last week. Its aim is to increase the number of its members
from now on, reach other European countries where there are Turkish
journalists. It is not easy for journalists to get organized or maintain
their organization for long. In its first statement European Turkish
Journalists Union draws attention to the fact that members of the press
working in Europe cannot avail themselves of the union rights. Another
point mentioned in the declaration is that during the globalization age
people were showered by information through communications which cannot be
controlled. This situation led the political and business circles to
direct the information flow through the groups holding the press groups in
their hand. As a consequence the managers in the press organizations are
left under the influence of politicians. This evaluation reflects the facts
in Turkey, Europe and other countries of the world. The best way to counter
these pressures is to get organized."
[18] TURKISH-AMERICAN TRADE PARTNERSHIP BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on the Turkish-American Economic Commission
meeting. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Turkish-American Economic Partnership Commission held a meeting in Ankara
yesterday afternoon. President Bush agreed on establishing such a
commission during Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to Washington.
Although it is not an EU member country, Turkey wants the privileges
recognized to European Union countries by the US to be granted to it. In
fact this is a modest and rightful request. Our government and businessmen
would like open the doors of the US market wide open instead of the
situation right now. We are asking for this since the time Turgut Ozal was
prime minister. However, Washington did not recognize the tolerance and the
facilities it granted to Jordan, from Turkey its most strategic and the
most powerful military ally. It granted these rights to Jordan as it was
the neighbor of Israel and lay between Israel and Iraq. At the meeting
yesterday, the negotiations for the attack helicopters and early warning
planes were requested be finalized as soon as possible. It is evident that
the possibility of our agreeing with another country for the deal worth
billions of dollars is causing concern."
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