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Turkish Press Review, 02-06-28

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

28.06.2002


CONTENTS

  • [01] ECEVIT ATTENDS DSP GROUP MEETING
  • [02] PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS FOR THREE-MONTH SUMMER RECESS
  • [03] MGK TO DISCUSS BORDER TRADE
  • [04] EU’S IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO TURKEY
  • [05] INCOMING EU TERM PRESIDENT DENMARK’S ENCOURAGING WORDS
  • [06] OSKANYAN: “TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS SHOULD BE NORMALIZED”
  • [07] ATHENS CLAIMS “VICTORY” AT SEVILLE ON ESDP ISSUE
  • [08] KIVRIKOGLU RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
  • [09] FOGG PAYS FAREWELL VISIT TO DTP LEADER BAYAR
  • [10] TURKISH DATA PROCESSING COMPANY TO PARTNER WITH GREEK CONCERN
  • [11] INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE MINISTER TANRIKULU SPEAKS ON IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER RIGHTS
  • [12] CILLER: “IT’S TIME FOR ECEVIT TO RESIGN”
  • [13] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS DEPUTIES’ CHALLENGE OF RTUK LAW
  • [14] NEW DAYS TO HONOR GALLIPOLI VICTORY, ATATURK
  • [15] TSK BEACH RECEIVES “BLUE FLAG” CLEAN BEACH AWARD
  • [16] WINNERS OF AYDIN DOGAN CARTOON AWARDS ANNOUNCED
  • [17] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [18] ARMENIAN MINISTER’S DIASPORA COMMENT BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
  • [19] WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CYPRUS? BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)

  • [01] ECEVIT ATTENDS DSP GROUP MEETING

    Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit yesterday attended his party’s Parliament group meeting for the first time in two months. After ascending to the podium to the applause of the DSP deputies, Ecevit said that he wasn’t in favor of early elections. He also commented that most of the figures calling for early elections were not sincere in their wishes and that they really couldn’t dare to participate in early elections. Also at the DSP meeting, he asked deputies to spend Parliament’s summer recess keeping in contact with citizens throughout the country as well as working together with other party representatives to put together a formula for the EU harmonization laws. Regarding the recent disputes between coalition partners concerning certain European Union harmonization laws, the prime minister said, “I regret those disputes and the tension they have caused. Up to now, the coalition government has exhibited a harmony not seen in any other country in the world. The continuation of this is vital for Turkey. I request that my friends both from the Motherland Party [ANAP] and the Nationalist Action Party [MHP] reestablish the harmony among us.” Ecevit also added that his health was improving, but he needed two or three more weeks of recuperation for a complete recovery upon the recommendation of his doctors. Following his speech at the DSP group meeting, Ecevit proceeded to the Cankaya Presidential Palace and met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for half an hour. Then Ecevit received Pakistani head of state Pervez Musharraf’s representative Wasim Sajjand at his working office in Oran. Sajjand reportedly delivered a letter from Musharraf to Ecevit. /All Papers/

    [02] PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS FOR THREE-MONTH SUMMER RECESS

    The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) yesterday began its recess for summer. If it is not called back to Ankara for an extraordinary session, Parliament will resume its work this Oct. 1. /Turkiye/

    [03] MGK TO DISCUSS BORDER TRADE

    The National Security Council (MGK) is to discuss a number of sensitive issues during its June meeting such as border trade and energy policy. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will not be able to attend the gathering. The council is to convene under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and with the attendance of Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz, and Husamettin Ozkan along with the foreign minister, interior minister and defense minister. Other issues to be discussed at the MGK meeting are the Cyprus issue and Turkish-EU relations. /Cumhuriyet/

    [04] EU’S IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO TURKEY

    The European Union has conveyed important messages to the Turkish government, which is currently discussing the steps which need to be taken in the country’s bid for full EU membership. Speaking to Turkish daily Cumhuriyet yesterday, a high-level European Union Commission official remarked that Turkey’s accession negotiation process could not begin before the Turkish government succeeded in fulfilling all of the Copenhagen criteria. Stating that the EU was satisfied with recent discussions on a number of sensitive issues in Turkey, the anonymous EU official added that the Union was placing a high premium on the continuation of reforms, decreasing the role of military in politics, abolishing the death penalty, allowing education in mother tongues and advancing the freedom of thought and expression. The EU official also stated that the main document for Turkey’s bid for EU membership was the Accession Partnership Document (KOB), which explains all the necessary criteria Turkey needs to fulfill. He added that there were no additional criteria for Turkey other than the ones set out in the KOB. /Cumhuriyet/

    [05] INCOMING EU TERM PRESIDENT DENMARK’S ENCOURAGING WORDS

    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the prime minister of incoming EU Term President Denmark, yesterday gave important and positive signals concerning Turkey’s EU membership bid. Speaking to the Turkish and European press in Copenhagen, Rasmussen said, “We can give a date to Turkey at December’s Copenhagen summit to begin negotiations, but it depends on their carrying out the Copenhagen criteria.” He added, “Turkey can start negotiations as soon as possible when it implements its homework.” The Cyprus issue is among the priorities of Denmark’s term presidency and Rasmussen remarked that to find a solution for the island would be advantageous but wasn’t a precondition for Turkey’s membership, adding, “We are in favor of the membership of the whole island.” Rasmussen stressed that the EU was treating Turkey like all the other candidates and wasn’t discriminating among them. Denmark will take over the EU term presidency from Spain next week. /Milliyet/

    [06] OSKANYAN: “TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS SHOULD BE NORMALIZED”

    In a speech at a conference organized by the Turkish Foundation of Economic and Social Studies (TESEV), Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan stated that Armenia was closely following recent political discussions in Turkey, stressing that despite a number of disputes Turkey and Armenia had much in common in terms of their history and culture. Stating that Armenia was ready to improve its diplomatic relations with Turkey without putting forward any preconditions, Oskanyan said that Turkey and Armenia were the two countries which could greatly contribute to peace and stability in their region. Asked how he evaluated his recent meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Oskanyan said that their dialogue had been very positive and constructive during all of their three meetings. “By taking further positive steps, I believe that Turkey and Armenia can find solutions to all common problems such as Azerbaijan and Upper Karabakh,” said Oskanyan. “However, Turkey and Armenia should first normalize their diplomatic relations.” /Cumhuriyet/

    [07] ATHENS CLAIMS “VICTORY” AT SEVILLE ON ESDP ISSUE

    Greek Defense Minister Yanos Papaandoniou stated yesterday that Greece’s national interests concerning the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) had been completely ensured under the latest decisions made at last weekend’s European Union Seville summit. Papaandoniou also said that during its EU term presidency early next year, it would deal with the ESDP issue. “We won a victory at the Seville summit,” Papaandoniou remarked. Echoing this view, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated that Greece had completely turned the situation on the ESDP issue inside out during the Seville summit. “The 15 members of the EU determined the general framework of the ESDP through their decisions unanimously accepted,” Simitis added. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Diriöz said he could not confirm what the Greek officials were claiming, but added that their statements amounted to unnecessary polemics. Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said the Turkish government hadn’t obtained any official information on the establishment of European army. “We would not accept an planned EU intervention force being used against Turkey, and our meetings on this issue will continue,” Cakmakoglu added. /Cumhuriyet/

    [08] KIVRIKOGLU RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR

    Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev yesterday visited Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu in order to present him the medal of honor of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Speaking after the ceremony, Aliyev said that Kivrikoglu was one of the most important generals fulfilling the legacy of Ataturk. Aliyev also said that with the support of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the Azerbaijani Army had become strong. /Sabah/

    [09] FOGG PAYS FAREWELL VISIT TO DTP LEADER BAYAR

    European Union Commission’s Turkey Representative Karen Fogg is continuing her round of farewell visits before leaving her post in Turkey. Yesterday, she visited Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) leader Mehmet Ali Bayar at his office. Stating that Fogg had served during an important, pivotal period of Turkish-EU relations, Bayar said, “These relations have history of 40 years. Full EU membership is Turkey’s national goal.” Criticizing Parliament’s action in taking a recess for the summer, Bayar remarked that work to deal with many of the most important topics on Turkey’s agenda was being postponed. “When Parliament resumes its work in October, there will be little time before the EU summit in Copenhagen. This recess is unfortunate,” Bayar added. /Turkiye/

    [10] TURKISH DATA PROCESSING COMPANY TO PARTNER WITH GREEK CONCERN

    Leading Turkish data processing company Meteksan Systems yesterday signed a preliminary agreement to work with Intracom, a large European concern backed by Greek capital, and with Gantek Technologies, a joint Intracom-Turkish capital venture. Under the deal, Intracom is to invest $20 million in Meteksan, making the deal the largest injection of foreign capital in the history of the Turkish data processing sector. The deal also represents the second Turkish-Greek data processing partnership, after the partnership of Index and Greece’s Pouliadis. Meteksan Systems CEO Alper Kostem said that the meetings between the companies since the beginning of this year had been very fruitful, as proved by the signing of the preliminary agreement, and that the companies’ partnership efforts would be completed by the end of October. /Hurriyet/

    [11] INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE MINISTER TANRIKULU SPEAKS ON IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER RIGHTS

    Industry and Commerce Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu said yesterday that a consumer could be considered conscious and aware if he uses his legal rights and protects his economic rights and Turkey’s economic health. Speaking at the Fifth Traditional Consumer Awards meeting, Tanrikulu said that the ministry was acting determinedly in imposing punitive fines on businesses that violate its regulations, and that it had handed out fines totaling 19 trillion TL over the last seven years. He stated that the consumer awards had two basic messages: firstly, encouraging companies to fulfill their legal responsibilities and take consumers’ requests and preferences into consideration; secondly, developing awareness among consumers and encouraging them to exercise their legal rights. /Aksam/

    [12] CILLER: “IT’S TIME FOR ECEVIT TO RESIGN”

    Speaking at her party’s parliamentary group meeting yesterday, main opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said that it was time for Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to resign. Ciller stated that Ecevit’s political life was at an end and that tripartite coalition government was unable to carry out its duties as a whole. / Star/

    [13] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS DEPUTIES’ CHALLENGE OF RTUK LAW

    The Constitutional Court yesterday rejected an appeal by 119 deputies to annul 12 articles of the recently passed RTUK law. The court said that annulling the article would be superfluous since it already was effectively cancelled. The court has yet to rule on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s challenge of the RTUK law. /Star/

    [14] NEW DAYS TO HONOR GALLIPOLI VICTORY, ATATURK

    Parliament yesterday passed a resolution designating March 18, the date of Turkey’s 1915 victory at Gallipoli, as “Martyrs’ Day.” In addition, Parliament decided that September 19, the day Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk achieved the rank of “Marshal,” will be heretofore celebrated as “Veterans’ Day.” /Star/

    [15] TSK BEACH RECEIVES “BLUE FLAG” CLEAN BEACH AWARD

    The Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) Karpuzkaldiran Special Training Central Commanding beach in Antalya yesterday received the international “Blue Flag” clean beach award. During the award ceremony held at Karpuzkaldiran’s military facilities, Muratpasa Mayor Suleyman Evcilmen gave the Blue Flag to Karpuzkaldiran Special Training Central Commander Engineer Col. Recep Kilic. Stating that the award was an international honor, Evcilmen said, “The Blue Flag prize has a great importance for protecting and raising awareness of the environment, and it is an international award. It’s difficult to deserve this award in the first place, but keeping the award is more difficult. In addition, it pleases us greatly that a military facility has received the Blue Flag.” Col. Kilic also spoke, saying that the beach had met all the criteria necessary for the Blue Flag. Following the ceremony, the flag was hoisted over the beach. The Blue Flag is an eco-label handed out by the international nonprofit Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) to beaches worldwide for having high environmental standards and safety facilities. Turkey has 127 Blue Flag-designated beaches. /Aksam/

    [16] WINNERS OF AYDIN DOGAN CARTOON AWARDS ANNOUNCED

    The 19th Aydin Dogan International Cartoon Competition, which this year had the theme of “terrorism” to commemorate last September’s terrorist attacks, ended yesterday with the participation of 3,157 cartoons by 1,360 artists from 90 countries. The competition’s Preliminary Council presented 386 cartoons by 330 artists to the jury. The jury, chaired by Czech artist Miroslav Bartak in Antalya, then made its evaluation and announced the results. The jury rewarded first prize to Turkish artist Mehmet Ates Gulcugil, second prize to Icelandic artist Eythor Stefansson, and third prize to Cuban artist Alberto Morales Ajubel. A selection of winning and distinguished cartoons will be exhibited at Antalya’s Falez Hotel through July 5. The winning artists will be officially given their awards at a ceremony to be held at the Ankara State Painting and Sculpture Museum on November 5. /Hurriyet/

    [17] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [18] ARMENIAN MINISTER’S DIASPORA COMMENT BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)

    Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on Turkish-Armenian relations. A summary of her column is as follows:

    “There is a newspaper called Agos published for citizens of Armenian descent living in Istanbul. An important article by the newspaper’s editor-in-chief Hrant Dink, was published on June 21. In his article, ‘Armenia in a Squeeze’ Dink said, ‘Armenian foreign policy, which over the last 10 years was based on the disputes between the US and Russia, and trying to carve a place between the balances of interest is now nearing collapse as there is no US-Russian tension or a conflict of powers in sight.’ Following this analysis, Dink said that Armenia used to index its foreign policy on Russia’s power in the region and so had grown troubled and confused in determining a new stance to pursue. In fact, Russia’s rapprochement with NATO, signing a strategic agreement with the US and deciding to cooperate in the energy field instead of competing has led to radical changes in the Caucasus. Armenian Foreign Minister Minister Vartan Oskanyan was in Istanbul on the occasion of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)’s 10th anniversary meeting. Oskanyan met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. This was the third meeting of the foreign ministers. The first meeting took place during the Davos meetings in New York, and the second was held in Rejkjavik, Iceland. Both ministers are evaluating these meetings cautiously, but it is certain that a rapprochement process has begun. The changing balances in the region following the Sept. 11 attacks and Washington’s influence play an important role in this process. Oskanyan spoke at a panel meeting jointly organized by the TESEV and AVRASYA associations. His statement was an interesting to listen. He said that Turkey should not exclude Armenia as a regional power. It wasn’t possible for Armenia to harm Turkey anyway, as it didn’t have the power to do so. Oskanyan said, ‘We are reaching out hand to Turkey, take it.’ He added that they wanted to enter into a dialogue with Turkey wth no preconditions and stressed that problems could be solved more easily in a climate of dialogue and mutual confidence. Four months ago, Oskanyan told said in the Armenian Parliament that relations with Turkey must be improved and called on the Parliament to launch new initiatives. However, it is not that easy. What would they do regarding the diaspora Armenians? The diaspora did not allow anyone to speak of an unconditional agreement or a dialogue for that matter. Everyone knows what happened to Ter Pertrosyan. His answer was, ‘If a dialogue between Turkey and Armenia begins, then we can say to those in the diaspora to mind their own business and not to disrupt our relations, and silence them.’ Is it not worth thinking on the issue?”

    [19] WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CYPRUS? BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Orhan Birgit comments on the outcome of recent talks between Denktas and Clerides in Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “The successes of the Turkish football team in the World Cup must have hampered the public’s keeping up with the developments taking place in the talks between Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Denktas and Greek Cypriot administration leader Glafcos Clerides. Both sides are trying hard not to leave the impression that they are the one who has left the table. The new formula the TRNC brought to the table through consulting with Turkey has left the Greek Cypriot side in a tight spot. Turkish Cypriots are adopting the living example of an EU country, Belgium, for the island. Denktas, who tailored to Cyprus’ conditions the model ensuring that both the Flemish and the Walloons live in peace together in Belgium, is presenting a structural formula abolishing the state presumed to exist today and instead proposing a republic based on partnership. This new ‘Partnership Republic,’ which will have a new name, a new flag and a new anthem will be formed by the Greek Cypriot state in the south and Turkish Cypriot state in the north. These two states will grant restricted authority to the new Partnership Republic they will form, and yield their own power. In the Partnership Republic, which will have a tri-partite sovereignty right, the main two legs will not interfere in the other’s affairs, nor will they claim that they are superior to the other. Furthermore they will carry out the work of a joint police force, judiciary, education and other functions they will agree upon in a democratic structure. Certainly, both partners will enter the EU. The European Union cannot in principle oppose the implementation of a system existing in one of its members in Cyprus. The US seems to support this initiative. There has been no opposing view from the UN yet as the sides are expected to reach an agreement on certain principles. Since the joint republic to be formed by Denktas’ proposal will accept the 1960 Agreement as valid, Britain one of the guarantor powers supports the initiative and this achieved a new significance following the statements of Cyprus Special Representative David Hannay on CNN-Turk. When Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides found himself in a squeeze, he wanted to bring the security issue to the table. He suggested that the European army to come to the island be responsible for security. In addition to Turkey, both the US and the UK rejected this offer as they knew that the underlying reason for such a suggestion was to dress the EU member Greek Cypriot national guards and the Greek army corps on the island in EU uniforms. This time Clerides asked for an increase in the number of UN troops on the island and to arm them with new authorities. Denktas opposed this suggestion by listing the incidents the UN force was involved in before 1974 one by one. He recalled that the UN peace force troops on the island had occasionally supplied the gangs of Sampson with intelligence and weapons during the June 20 operation. This time, the reactions of the opposition on the island came to the help of Clerides. They claimed that the Greek Cypriot administration did not have the power to negotiate a Partnership Republic which was not approved by the Greek Cypriot National Council. The Greek Cypriots said that only Magosa should be left in the Turkish side in the east, and asked for Lefke and Yesilyurt to be joined to the Greek Cypriot territory in the west and the north. Denktas is playing a chess game with his diplomatic attacks. Prime Minister Ecevit has said frequently that Cyprus was not a European issue but one that concerned the Near East and added that the EU should not be concerned with the problem there. He reiterated that the solution of the issue must be left to the two communities on the island and to thee three states party to the agreements guaranteeing the communities’ survival.”

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