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Turkish Press Review, 02-07-08
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
08.07.2002
CONTENTS
[01] BAHCELI: "LET'S HAVE POLLS IN NOVEMBER"
[02] ECEVIT COMMENTS ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
[03] DSP DEPUTIES TO GATHER TODAY
[04] PARTY LEADERS RESPOND TO BAHCELI'S CALL FOR ELECTIONS
[05] YILMAZ: "ANAP IS IN FAVOR OF SPRING 2004 ELECTIONS"
[06] CILLER: "WE ARE READY FOR EARLY ELECTIONS"
[07] CLINTON ARRIVING IN ISTANBUL
[08] TOBB CHAIRMAN TO VISIT ECEVIT
[09] TUSIAD TO MEET WITH AKP LEADER ERDOGAN
[10] DERVIS VISITS SAMOS FOR SYMPOSIUM
[11] REAL SECTOR GROUPS ECHO EARLY ELECTIONS CALL
[12] CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY
[13] OTTOMAN HISTORY CONFERENCE GATHERS IN LONDON
[14] EPHESUS TO HOST OPERA RECITAL
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[16] US ROLE ON CYPRUS BY YASEMIN CONGAR (MILLIYET)
[17] THE NATION WILL NOT FORGIVE BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)
[01] BAHCELI: "LET'S HAVE POLLS IN NOVEMBER"
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet
Bahceli said yesterday, "As all the problems in the economy have been
linked to 'political uncertainty' in Turkey, let's call Parliament for an
extraordinary session on Sept.1, then at its Sept. 3 gathering let's make a
decision on early elections." Bahceli proposed that the election campaign
last for 60 days, as is the standard practice. "The date for the elections
may be Nov. 3," he said. "Turkey may have elections under the current
government headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit." Bahceli made these
remarks in Bursa where he attended the 11th Turkmen Convention. He told
reporters that under normal conditions, the MHP wanted elections to be hold
at the regularly scheduled date. "We believe that in the interest of
Turkey's political stability, governments should be long lasting and
elections should be held in their normally scheduled course. The coalition
government leaders have also declared their desire to hold elections on
time with a written statement." He added, "Despite this fact, from time to
time, certain coalition parties have called for early elections, while the
opposition has insisted on them." /All Papers/
[02] ECEVIT COMMENTS ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Interviewed yesterday on CNN-Turk, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit replied to
questions on recent developments. Pointing to the current coalition
government's breakthroughs in many areas, Ecevit said that the government
should complete its five-year service in power to complete all its reforms.
"There is an intensive campaign to force the government to resign. However,
I cannot not understand why they want this while many positive developments
have been taking place," he said. Concerning a scenario that a new
coalition could be formed with the True Path Party (DYP) in place of the
Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Ecevit stated that he did not favor such an
idea and that it was unnecessary. "There is no need to break the harmony of
the current government." Ecevit said. /Turkiye/
[03] DSP DEPUTIES TO GATHER TODAY
Following Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahceli's call to hold elections this November, Democratic Left
Party (DSP) Deputy Chairwoman Rahsan Ecevit yesterday met with a group of
DSP deputies including DSP Group Acting Chairman Emrehan Halici and Deputy
Chairman Zeki Sezer at the party's headquarters in Ankara. The deputies not
in the capital were also called for a gathering chaired by Rahsan Ecevit at
10:00 a.m. today. During the meeting, the party's internal affairs and
recent developments will reportedly be discussed. /Turkiye/
[04] PARTY LEADERS RESPOND TO BAHCELI'S CALL FOR ELECTIONS
Following Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahceli's call for early elections, a number of political party
leaders weighed in on the issue. True Path Party (DYP) deputy leader Hayri
Kozakcioglu said that his party was ready to support a range of measures
that might precede early elections this fall. He added that work for
Turkey's European Union membership bid should be done under a new
government and Parliament. Stating that his party was ready for elections,
Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said,
"There's no need to wait until November. The Parliament should convene in
August and let's start the election campaign. We have no time to lose."
Felicity Party (SP) deputy leader Mehmet Bekaroglu charged that Bahceli's
call for early elections was "insincere." Stating that his party favored
early elections, too, Bekaroglu said, "If Bahceli is sincere about this
issue, Parliament should be convened as soon as possible. However, I think
that Bahceli's call for elections is a tactic, which he made to ensure a
place for his party in the political wake after Ecevit leaves his post." In
addition, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that the
government had "run its natural course" and that it was incapable of
harmoniously implementing policies to solve Turkey's major problems.
Stating that the government was unable to fulfill its duties or shoulder
its responsibilities anymore, Baykal added that that the government was
also failing to take important steps for EU membership. /Turkiye/
[05] YILMAZ: "ANAP IS IN FAVOR OF SPRING 2004 ELECTIONS"
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz yesterday reacted to
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli's call for early
elections. Yilmaz stated that his party was in favor of elections being
held in 2004, their regular date, as the coalition parties had decided at
the leaders' summit. "ANAP thinks that it will be advantageous for Turkey
to hold elections in 2004," he stated, adding however that his party was
ready for early elections. /Milliyet/
[06] CILLER: "WE ARE READY FOR EARLY ELECTIONS"
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said yesterday that her party was
ready for early elections on Nov. 3, as called for by Nationalist Action
Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli. Ciller also said that the Political
Parties Law and steps for Turkey's European Union membership bid should be
taken before that date. In related news, Ciller has obtained an appointment
to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit tomorrow. /Hurriyet/
[07] CLINTON ARRIVING IN ISTANBUL
Former US President Bill Clinton is to visit Turkey today as a guest of the
Turkish-American Businessmen's Association (TABA). Clinton is scheduled to
give a speech on Turkish-European-US relations vis-à-vis the European Union
tomorrow at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace. Clinton is also expected to meet
with Turkish businessmen, members of Parliament and bureaucrats. Deputy
Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz is also
expected to meet Clinton. The former president previously visited Turkey
while still in office, in 1999. /Sabah/
[08] TOBB CHAIRMAN TO VISIT ECEVIT
Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat
Hisarciklioglu is to visit Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit today at the Prime
Ministry's residence. Hisarciklioglu cancelled his visits to the eastern
cities of Bayburt and Gumushane in order to be able to attend the meeting.
/Hurriyet/
[09] TUSIAD TO MEET WITH AKP LEADER ERDOGAN
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman
Tuncay Ozilhan and an accompanying delegation will meet with opposition
Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan today at a
luncheon in Istanbul. Erdogan will be accompanied by several AKP deputies,
including former Finance Minister Abdullatif Sener as well as Ali Coskun.
The issues of political uncertainty, the economy and early election
discussion spurred by Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli
are expected to be discussed at the meeting. TUSIAD had said it wanted to
meet with AKP officials since the party plays a key role in Parliament
concerning Turkey's European Union membership process and it is attracting
increasing support among voters. /Milliyet/
[10] DERVIS VISITS SAMOS FOR SYMPOSIUM
The Fifth International Symi Symposium organized by the Andreas Papandreou
Foundation began on the Greek island of Samos over the weekend. Turkish
State Economy Minister Kemal Dervis is representing Turkey at the symposium,
which is scheduled to end next week. Among other attendees are former US
President Bill Clinton and Javier Solana, European Union's secretary-
general and high representative for the common foreign and security policy.
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou is chairing the symposium, which
brings together a host of prominent figures such as high-level politicians,
intellectuals and scientists. The agenda of the symposium has been
influenced by events in recent months in New York, Afghanistan, and the
Middle East, their effects on perceptions of international relations, and
the effective management of these relations. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] REAL SECTOR GROUPS ECHO EARLY ELECTIONS CALL
A number of representatives of the real sector voiced their support for
early elections in the wake of yesterday's call by Deputy Prime Minister
Devlet Bahceli for polls to be held this fall. Turkish Union of Chambers
and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu stated that
people had the right to demand early elections in democratic societies,
underlining that delaying elections by claiming that they could hurt the
economy would be a mistake. He also stated that the TOBB considered
amending the Political Parties and Elections Law a must for further
democratization. In addition, the Turkish Association of Agriculturalists
(TZD), the Foreign Capital Association (YASED) and the Young Businessmen's
Association (TUGIK) also expressed their support for early elections,
stressing that Turkey had no time to waste. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] CHINESE DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY
A delegation of 12 representatives from nine Chinese firms is scheduled to
arrive in Istanbul today to hold a three-day meeting with Turkish
exporters. The delegation will also visit Ankara on Thursday. The Chinese
businessmen are expected to visit a number of factories during their visit.
/Cumhuriyet/
[13] OTTOMAN HISTORY CONFERENCE GATHERS IN LONDON
Famous historians and scholars will gather together in Britain today for
the 15th International Committee of Pre-Ottoman and Ottoman Studies. The
conference will be held at the London School of Economics through Friday.
Well-known academics, including Professors Salahi Sonyel, Ilber Ortayli,
Sina Aksin, and Kemal Karpat as well as Orhan Kologlu will discuss all
aspects of Ottoman Empire history, including art, politics, economy,
medicine, and culture. /Aksam/
[14] EPHESUS TO HOST OPERA RECITAL
Renowned baritone Mesut Iktu, a performer with Istanbul's State Opera and
Ballet as well as a member of Mimar Sinan University's Opera Department, is
scheduled tomorrow to give a recital at the Celsus library in the Ancient
city of Ephesus. The concert, during which Iktu is set to perform 21 opera
arias and other works, is being held to celebrate the first anniversary of
the Praktiker Market in nearby Izmir, and is sponsored by Praktiker owner
Metro AG. Iktu will be accompanied by Russian pianist Sergei Gavrilov, and
he is expected this October to perform the same works at Eskisehir's
International Music Festival. While Iktu is famous for his renditions of
the works of Gustav Mahler, he has pledged to also perform pieces by young
Turkish composers so as to support their works. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[16] US ROLE ON CYPRUS BY YASEMIN CONGAR (MILLIYET)
Columnist Yasemin Congar writes on the probable role of the US in a
solution of the Cyprus problem. A summary of her column is as follows:
"The lack of progress in face-to-face negotiations between the leaders of
two communities on the island strengthens the possibility of a Cyprus
crisis at the end of the year. Those who say that if the EU invites Cyprus
by only addressing the Greek Cypriot administration then no alternative
will be left to Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Cyprus (TRNC) but to
draw a 'separate but joint' path, are giving indications that they are
inclined to integrate the north of the island with Turkey.
US diplomats are following these indications with concern. They believe
that the integration of the TRNC with Turkey may result in a deterioration
of relations with both Greece and the EU and even with the West in general.
This deterioration may spook foreign investors, upset the markets and cause
new tremors in the Turkish economy. For Washington, which probably will ask
for Turkey's support at the end of the year for a strike in Iraq, this is a
pessimistic scenario. There may be those who think that the weaker Turkey
is the more it may suit the US' purposes, as it can use Turkey easily to do
its bidding. It is true that economic and political troubles have weakened
Ankara's hand to act effectively and independently in regional matters.
However, Washington cannot trust the support of a weak Ankara. We could see
the strengthening of anti-western, anti-American feelings and the emergence
of Islamist or ultra-nationalist currents if there is a crisis over Cyprus-
EU relations. Therefore, a fire spread by a Cypriot admittance into the EU
is contrary to US interests. However, the US administration has not changed
its policy of supporting Cypriot admittance into the EU with or without a
solution, as they consider EU membership to be in the benefit of both
sides. When asked how they can be both frightened of a fire but in favor of
the first spark which may ignite it, the US officials are saying that EU
membership must encourage a political solution on the island.
Notwithstanding the impasse in the Denktas-Clerides negotiations, this hope
is being reiterated. One US diplomat has said that if the sides take
advantage of a new opportunity which will give them a calendar for a
solution in autumn, a great stride will have to been taken not only for the
Turkish Cypriots but also for Turkey's admittance into the Union. This
belief gives the impression that Turks are participating in the
negotiations not to find a solution to the problem, but rather to show that
they are not the ones hampering a solution. The US official said that if
Cyprus were admitted into the EU as it is, many Turkish Cypriots would
leave the TRNC and take Greek Cypriot and European passports. Two scholars
of the subject, Philip H. Gordon from the Brookings Institute and Henri
Barkey from Lehigh University, have a suggestion on the issue which ties a
solution to the Cyprus issue to Turkey's admittance to the Union. The
admittance of the Greek Cypriots should not be considered the end of a
process but rather the first step for the Turkish side's admittance
together with Turkey's admittance into the organization. These two analysts
believe that Athens and the Greek Cypriot side should be persuaded to
accept Turkey's EU membership and a political solution in Cyprus, and that
Ankara should be discouraged from integrating Northern Cyprus. Gordon and
Barkey know that it will not be easy, but are of the opinion that
preventing a crisis in the Turkey-EU-West triangle lies this way."
[17] THE NATION WILL NOT FORGIVE BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (SABAH)
Retired Ambassador Sukru Elekdag writes on the barriers before Turkey's
entrance to the European Union. A summary of his column is as follows:
"In order for Turkey to get out of the dangerous impasse it is currently in,
it needs not only a healthy prime minister but also a government focused on
the country's membership to the EU, one where the Nationalist Action Party
(MHP) is not represented. If such an administration formula is not
immediately put into effect, uncertainty and instability will continue and
therefore the fire in the markets will remain roaring. At the point we're
at now, it is not enough for Ecevit to withdraw and be replaced by a new
prime minister to boost the markets and establish stability. The key factor
which would boost the economy would be Ankara's success in getting a date
for accession negotiations at the end of the year from the EU. If this is
achieved, it will be proof to the whole world that Turkey has settled into
a stable orbit. In the history of the EU, there is no country which has
entered the negotiations process and then been rejected. Kemal Dervis is
working on this point in agreement with business circles and he has
stressed that if deadlock on the issue continues, the country will be
unable to emerge from its crisis. Getting a date for accession negotiations
from the EU will be a 'quality certificate' for this government. Thus, it
will regain the credibility and confidence it has lost both on domestic and
foreign markets. If this hapens, the funds fleeing the system will return
to the economy and serve to trigger growth. In such an environment, foreign
capital will find Turkey attractive and Turkey's fate will change. However,
the coalition parties are throwing the present and future of Turkey into
danger out of fear of not being elected again. They are stealing the future
of the country for their blind ambitions. They are deciding to freeze
questions on the EU leading to dispute within the government just to rule a
little longer as a government. Thus they are inviting a new economic crisis
and blocking Turkey's road to reach the standards of modern civilization.
The future of the country is more precious than the future of its political
parties. Unfortunately the Parliament has stayed silent and failed to take
any initiative regarding the recent developments. Under these conditions,
the only way out seems to enter elections as soon as possible."
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