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Turkish Press Review, 02-06-12

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

<LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <map name="FPMap1"> </map> <map name="FPMap1"></map> Press &amp; Information Turkish Press Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

12.06.2002


CONTENTS

  • [01] SEZER TO ATTEND SEVILLE SUMMIT
  • [02] SEZER APPROVES SPECIAL CONSUMPTION LAW
  • [03] CEM VISITS UKRAINE
  • [04] YILMAZ: “WE ARE SEARCHING FOR AN AGREEMENT”
  • [05] BAHCELI CRITICIZES YILMAZ OVER EU STRATEGY
  • [06] ZORLU ARRIVES IN AFGHANISTAN
  • [07] DERVIS SPEAKS ON TURKEY’S GROWTH AND INFLATION TARGETS
  • [08] US CYPRUS ENVOY WESTON MEETS WITH ZIYAL
  • [09] OPPOSING DSP DEPUTIES GIVE PROPOSAL TO PARLIAMENT
  • [10] SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION BETWEEN NATO AND TUBITAK
  • [11] TUSIAD: “THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLEDGE PROGRESS IN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS”
  • [12] VILLAGE HEADMEN COME OUT AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
  • [13] CAY RESIGNS FROM MHP
  • [14] RESEARCH TEAM TO TRIGGER MILD ARTIFICIAL EARTHQUAKE
  • [15] MORE TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY
  • [16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
  • [17] TO CONTINUE OR TO DRAG ALONG? BY MEHMET TEZKAN (MILLIYET)
  • [18] CAN A CEM-DERVIS TWOSOME WORK? BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)

  • [01] SEZER TO ATTEND SEVILLE SUMMIT

    The Presidential Press Office yesterday announced that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will attend the European Union’s Seville summit scheduled for June 21-22. Sezer is to travel to Spain accompanied by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. /Turkiye/

    [02] SEZER APPROVES SPECIAL CONSUMPTION LAW

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday put his signature on the Special Consumption Law (OTV). The Presidential Press Office announced that OTV No. 4760 was sent to the Prime Ministry to be published in accordance with the Constitution’s Article 89, paragraph one and Article 104, paragraph two, clause (a). As part of the law, a variety of levies totalling 16% collected at various stages during the delivery and export of goods such as fuel oil, automobiles and other durable goods will be consolidated into a single tax collected just once. In addition, taxes will no longer be collected from the sales of used cars. /Milliyet/

    [03] CEM VISITS UKRAINE

    Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday arrived at Kiev, the capital of Ukraine for a one-day official visit. Cem said that this visit would accelerate relations between Turkey and Ukraine. Cem met with his counterpart Anatolly Zlenko and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. /Turkiye/

    [04] YILMAZ: “WE ARE SEARCHING FOR AN AGREEMENT”

    Speaking to reporters yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said that the parties in Parliament were searching for an agreement on the issues of the death penalty and teaching and broadcasting in mother tongues. Yilmaz added that no reconciliation committee had been established yet between the parties in order to resolve the death penalty abolition issue. In other news, Yilmaz traveled to Spain yesterday to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. /Turkiye/

    [05] BAHCELI CRITICIZES YILMAZ OVER EU STRATEGY

    Speaking at the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) group meeting yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli expressed his views on recent developments concerning relations between Turkey and the European Union, focusing particularly on the issue of abolishing the death penalty. Criticizing coalition partner Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairman Mesut Yilmaz, Bahceli alleged that certain political circles were misinforming Turkish society by hiding the fact that Turkey’s negotiation process might not begin earlier than 2010. Arguing that nobody had the right to raise peoples’ hopes by misinforming them, Bahceli asserted that scare tactics such as “EU membership or social chaos” would never help Turkey solve its problems. He added that a membership negotiation process, which is based on “sound, honorable and sincere grounds” would be the best solution for Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] ZORLU ARRIVES IN AFGHANISTAN

    Maj. Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu and 199 Turkish soldiers yesterday arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan to take over the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Great Britain. Turkey is expected to assume the command as of June 20 for six months and will increase the number of its troops in the country to 1,500. In related news, a $228 million loan that the US promised Turkey to offset its ISAF expenses has been held up in the US Congress. /Star/

    [07] DERVIS SPEAKS ON TURKEY’S GROWTH AND INFLATION TARGETS

    State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said yesterday that the most important task of the Central Bank was to reach a year-end inflation target of 35%. Dervis stated that an annual inflation rate of 35% and growth rate of 3% were targeted for this year and that both of these targets were of equal importance for the government’s economic administration. Stating that the Central Bank was an independent institution in terms of implementing monetary policies in accordance with the law, Dervis added, “The independence of the Central Bank is a leading element of confidence for the markets.” In addition, Dervis had a banquet with the ambassadors of the G-7 countries -- the US, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Japan, Italy and Germany -- at the German Embassy in Ankara. /Aksam/

    [08] US CYPRUS ENVOY WESTON MEETS WITH ZIYAL

    United States Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston met with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal yesterday in Ankara. Expressing the US administration’s wish for progress in the ongoing peace talks between the island’s two leaders, Weston stated that the US also expected Turkey to assume a constructive role in this process. Stating that he believed the parties could reach an agreement on certain basic issues by the end of June, Weston said, “However, this is not the final date. Whatever the results are, the peace talks should continue.” /Cumhuriyet/

    [09] OPPOSING DSP DEPUTIES GIVE PROPOSAL TO PARLIAMENT

    To help the cause of death penalty abolition, deputies from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) yesterday submitted a proposal to Parliament under which criminals who are sentenced to lifelong heavy imprisonment with no parole due to crimes of terrorism will not be able to benefit from any conditional releases or amnesties. If this proposal is accepted by Parliament, terrorist Abdullah Ocalan’s death penalty will be turned into a lifetime heavy prison sentence with no chance of parole and no chance of benefiting from an amnesty. The proposal of deputies Ali Arabaci, Ahmet Arkan, Bayram Firat Dayanikli, Cengiz Gulec, Uluc Gurkan, Emin Karaa, Sadik Kirbas, Tahir Kose, Ertugrul Kumcuoglu and Ramis Savas suggests changes to a bill prepared in parallel to a constitutional amendment abolishing the death sentence except for “crimes of terror, war and situations of imminent war.” The related bill is to be discussed together with this proposal in Parliament next week. /Milliyet/

    [10] SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION BETWEEN NATO AND TUBITAK

    A “Science for Peace” seminar jointly organized by NATO and the Turkish Scientific and Research Council (TUBITAK) ended in Istanbul yesterday. The seminar was held to discuss the issue of improving cooperation between scientific research and the economic sphere. NATO Deputy Secretary-General Jean Fournet underlined that Turkey had always been one of NATO’s most important members. For his part, TUBITAK Chairman Namik Kemal Pak stated that Turkey had undertaken 8% of the scientific projects which were being carried out within NATO. “For NATO, Turkey is a very important country with its geopolitical and strategic position as well as its cultural and social values,” said Pak. “That’s why we are happy that these meetings have been held in Istanbul.” /Cumhuriyet/

    [11] TUSIAD: “THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLEDGE PROGRESS IN TURKISH-EU RELATIONS”

    The Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’ Association (TUSIAD) issued a statement yesterday evaluating recent economic conditions and the role of the government. TUSIAD requested that the coalition government provide society with a guarantee that it would take concrete steps regarding Turkish-EU relations. TUSIAD Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan stated that Turkey’s relations with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union were of great importance for the future of the country. “Any disputes within the government over these two basic issues could adversely affect the financial markets,” said Ozilhan. “The government must continue to fulfill its responsibilities concerning Turkey’s relations with the IMF and the EU. Turkish society needs a guarantee for the improvement of relations with the IMF and the EU.” /Hurriyet/

    [12] VILLAGE HEADMEN COME OUT AGAINST DEATH PENALTY

    Turkish Village Headmen’s Association Deputy Chairman Ramazan Ozunal said yesterday that the death penalty should be done away with so that Turkey can take its place in Europe. During a press conference held at the association’s headquarters, Ozunal said that political parties should put aside worries about losing votes, consider first and foremost the good of the country and take steps concerning the EU immediately. Stating that the history would judge those who play politics with Turkey’s EU bid, Ozunal added, “The people of this country have gone through very hard times but if getting rid of the death sentence would be to Turkey’s benefit, then it is inevitable. A European Turkey should take its place in Europe. Opinions on this issue should be expressed, but they should never be used as political weapons. Turkey should win its proud fight on the path to the EU for its own welfare and future and take its place within Europe.” /Aksam/

    [13] CAY RESIGNS FROM MHP

    Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Corum Deputy and former State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay yesterday resigned from the party. As of yet, he has not announced a new party affiliation. /Star/

    [14] RESEARCH TEAM TO TRIGGER MILD ARTIFICIAL EARTHQUAKE

    A joint Turkish-Japanese research team will create a brief “artificial earthquake” on Friday in order to help determine stress along Turkey’s northern Anatolian faultline. Marmara Research Center’s Earth and Sea Science Institute and the Japanese Earthquake Institute will trigger the mild quake on the Adapazari plain, some 150 km from Istanbul, through exploding dynamite. It should register .37 on the Richter scale, a “micro earthquake” well below the 2.0 minimum level to be able to be felt by people. Sakarya Governor Cahit Kirac issued a statement assuring the public that there was no danger whatsoever and that the experiment could not possibly trigger a real quake. /Milliyet/

    [15] MORE TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY

    Some 3.5 million foreign tourists have visited Turkey over the last six months, the Tourism Ministry announced yesterday. The number of tourists visiting Turkey between January and May increased by 3.59% compared to the same period last year. Minister of Tourism Mustafa Tasar stated that despite the negative effects of last September’s terrorist attacks on world tourism, Turkish tourism had still significantly improved and was helping the domestic economy to recover. Tasar added that he expected a total of 13- 14 million tourists to have visited Turkey by year’s end. /Hurriyet/

    [16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…

    [17] TO CONTINUE OR TO DRAG ALONG? BY MEHMET TEZKAN (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Mehmet Tezkan writes on Turkey’s EU membership bid. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “Is it necessary for Turkey to enter the EU? Even if they are not admitting it frankly, there are many political movements and persons who would say that the answer is no. In the same vein, we know that many circles in Europe share the same view. This is not the only point which those who are against the EU in Turkey and the circles which view the European Union a kind of ‘Christian values club’ agree on. The second view held jointly is expressed as ‘Europe cannot give up on Turkey’ by the circles in the country. Those opposed to the membership of Turkey in the EU share this view to a great extent. They prefer to keep Turkey by the side of Europe, not in it. There are many examples showing that the economic cooperation between the two which reached its peak with the Customs Union can be continued on international political issues. For the circles within the EU, Turkey carries an important place as the watchman of borders on the East. This means a kind of ‘bumper state’ between Iran, other Arab countries and the West, and therefore has a vital importance. Can Turkey survive without being a member of the EU? Certainly. Even though this cannot be defined as surviving but rather dragging along, such a project can be carried out. It is possible to manage our revenues and live while withdrawing within our borders. But this may create a host of problems. This means to forsake growing, or rather accept negative growth. In recent history, there were countries following such a policy, such as Romania under Ceausescu’s rule... The revenues of the country were spent on arming and ostentatious investments...During this period the Romanians lived under difficult conditions. There are others who choose to live like this today. Countries like Uzbekistan and Iraq are imprisoning themselves within their borders and protecting themselves against what they see as possible dangers coming from abroad. Even though we may not like this lifestyle, we may do that. In such a case, you can hang anyone you like, imprison others who say things you would not want to be heard, and get used to living in a continual crisis atmosphere, and even accept the political-economic gains or losses according to changes in world circumstances. If we do that, we will see in no time that the appearance of the country will change. Roughly, Turkey will grow old, diminish and get poorer before our eyes. Turkey’s location is such that if we are left alone, it is inevitable for Turkey to arm. Therefore we will have to allot a greater portion of the budget for armaments. The budget left for us to manage will never allow us to reach the standards we are accustomed to but do not care for even today. We shall either be a nation which keeps on growing, elevating our standards of living, suffering so as to leave a brighter future for our children or one which gets smaller every day, with no hope of a future. Mr. Bahceli and Mrs. Ciller are trying to exploit politics on such a choice.”

    [18] CAN A CEM-DERVIS TWOSOME WORK? BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Hasan Cemal writes on the possibilities in Turkey’s political future. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “We have to find a way out from the uncertain political atmosphere of today. Leaving politics on its own natural course can only lead to more nonsensical behavior. Doing so may even be regarded as acting as an accomplice to it. Politics are being enlivened with a question. ‘Can a Cem- Dervis twosome work? Could they cooperate harmoniously?’ Another question on every mind is, what conditions would allow an Ismail Cem-Kemal Dervis twosome to work together? There are three scenarios, the first one their acting together within the framework of the Democratic Left Party (DSP). A Cem-Dervis twosome can take Husamettin Ozkan with them and the DSP may come into power. This is only possible if Ecevit gives a green light, or a DSP Convention where Ecevit doesn’t interfere brings Cem and Dervis to the frontlines of the party. The second scenario foresees the formation of a new party by Cem and Dervis with the participation of 20 deputies and their entering the elections under the banner of this new party. The third one calls for Cem and Dervis’ participation in the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and taking sides with Baykal. It must be underlined that scenarios including Cem-Dervis duo will be an important factor in Turkish political life in the near future. The carrying out of such a scenario is closely connected with political stability. During my recent 14-day tour of Anatolia, I got the impression that a Cem-Dervis scenario could work. There are other scenarios concerning Kemal Dervis in politics, such as his cooperation with Mesut Yilmaz or perhaps with Mehmet Ali Bayar. It is a well-known fact that the Motherland Party (ANAP) leader understands what Dervis is trying to say and is helping him. Dervis appreciates his help. It can also be said that Dervis looks warmly on Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) leader Mehmet Ali Bayar. However, it is also known that Dervis is closer to the left and therefore there is not a strong probability of him acting with Yilmaz or Bayar. In Turkey, politics is open to surprises. Therefore, the possibility of a Cem-Dervis twosome has to be closely followed.”

    ARCHIVE

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