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Turkish Press Review, 02-07-30
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
30.07.2002
ALTERNATIVE PLANS FOR IRAQ
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY ELECTIONS
BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT: “WE CANNOT IGNORE PROBLEMS THE AKP AND HADEP MIGHT CAUSE”
[02] BAHCELI: “A DECISION ON EARLY ELECTIONS WILL BE TAKEN”
[03] CEM: “EARLY ELECTIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY”
[04] PARLIAMENT HOLDS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
[05] ANAP CHAIRMANSHIP BOARD URGES QUICK ACTION ON EU LAWS
[06] SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TOMORROW
[07] GOREN RESIGNS FROM SP
[08] SOYSAL ELECTED BCP LEADER
[09] GUREL RECEIVES RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
[10] ECONOMIC PROGRAM PROJECTS BALANCED BUDGET BY 2005
[11] TUSIAD: “THE POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO PASS EU LAWS”
[12] OZTRAK: “NO GREAT DEVIATION FROM ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS EXPECTED”
[13] DEAL SIGNED ON HIGH-TECH BORDER CONTROL SYSTEM
[14] SISECAM GLASS FACTORY IN RUSSIA BEGINS PRODUCTION
[15] ANKARA TO HOST YOUTH PEACE EDUCATION
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[17] FROM THE COLUMNS…
[18] ALTERNATIVE PLANS FOR IRAQ
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[19] THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY ELECTIONS
[20] BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)
[01] ECEVIT: “WE CANNOT IGNORE PROBLEMS THE AKP AND HADEP MIGHT CAUSE”
Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit said
yesterday at the DSP’s group meeting that all the political parties were
ignoring the prospect that the People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) and the
Justice and Development Party (AKP) might gain power in upcoming early
elections. “If we give a chance to these parties in early elections, it may
cause some serious problems for our regime as well as the social structure
and the economy,” he stated. Ecevit also said that he wouldn’t resign in
order to postpone early elections. Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahceli, Ecevit’s coalition partner, criticized the premier’s
remarks, saying that they only served to strengthen the AKP and HADEP.
/Cumhuriyet/
[02] BAHCELI: “A DECISION ON EARLY ELECTIONS WILL BE TAKEN”
Speaking to reporters after attending Parliament’s extraordinary session
yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader
Devlet Bahceli said that he expected an early elections decision to be
taken in Parliament. The extraordinary session was convened to decide on
election and European Union reforms. /Turkiye/
[03] CEM: “EARLY ELECTIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY”
Speaking to his party’s group meeting yesterday, Former Foreign Minister
and New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said that the YTP was giving
full support to both early elections and enacting European Union
harmonization laws. Cem also said that YTP sees early elections as the only
way to end the current political uncertainty. The coalition government now
in power is no longer able to govern the country, added Cem. /Hurriyet/
[04] PARLIAMENT HOLDS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
Parliament held an extraordinary session yesterday at 2:00 p.m. with the
participation of 451 deputies to debate early elections and European Union
harmonization laws. Leaders of the political parties also took part in the
session. Parliament’s Plenary Session decided to send a decision for early
elections to its Constitutional Commission for approval. The commission is
expected to discuss the matter today. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament,
Murat Sokmenoglu said, “Should the government dissolve, Parliament will be
unable to debate draft draft laws but it will still be capable of approving
an early elections date. Turkey is already in the midst of an early
elections process.” /Cumhuriyet/
[05] ANAP CHAIRMANSHIP BOARD URGES QUICK ACTION ON EU LAWS
The Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairmanship Board held a meeting yesterday
headed by its leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. During the
meeting, the board resolved that the European Union harmonization laws
before Parliament were vital for Turkey’s future and should take priority.
Yilmaz was also briefed by ANAP’s group deputy chairmen about the
proceedings at Parliament’s extraordinary session. Deputy Chairman Bulent
Akarcali briefed reporters after the meeting, saying, “The most urgent
thing for Turkey is that Parliament passes the EU laws and enacts the
required regulations.” /Cumhuriyet/
[06] SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TOMORROW
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) will convene tomorrow under the
chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. During the meeting, new
appointments will be made to fill the posts of the retiring Chief of
General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Gendarmerie General Commander
Gen. Aytac Yalman, who are both due to step down on Aug. 30. During the
council, the situation of personnel discharged from the Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK) due to “lack of discipline” will be discussed. Decisions taken
at the YAS will be released to the public after being presented for
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s approval. /Aksam/
[07] GOREN RESIGNS FROM SP
Felicity Party (SP) Adana Deputy Ali Goren yesterday resigned from his
party. Goren stated that he was leaving the party in order to contribute to
a project that had priority and importance for his country and people, but
did not specify what the project was. /Hurriyet/
[08] SOYSAL ELECTED BCP LEADER
Mumtaz Soysal, one of the founding members of the just-established
Independent Republic Party (BCP), yesterday was elected as the party’s
chairman. In addition, Ilter Ertugrul was elected as the BCP’s secretary-
general and Sina Aksin as its deputy chairman. /Star/
[09] GUREL RECEIVES RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday
received Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov, who is in the
midst of a greater Mideast regional tour. Following the meeting at the
foreign ministry, Saltanov said that he had discussed the Middle East and
Iraq issues with Gurel. In addition, he stated that Russia and Turkey
shared the same concerns and that both countries were worried about
maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq. Warning that a possible
armed operation against Iraq could upset regional and international
balances, Saltanov said that the Arab countries were also concerned about
this possibility. /Aksam/
[10] ECONOMIC PROGRAM PROJECTS BALANCED BUDGET BY 2005
A report detailing Turkey’s “Economic Program Before Accession,” due to be
sent to the European Union next month, predicts that a balanced budget is
attainable for the nation by 2005. An earlier version of the State Planning
Organization (DPT) document, meant to cover Turkey’s annual macroeconomic
indicators in the years leading to its EU accession, was sent to the EU
last October, but this move was criticized by State Minister for the
Economy Kemal Dervis as the report did not include middle-term targets. The
program will be sent to the EU after being approved by the Supreme Planning
Council (YPK) and the Cabinet. According to the report, an annual growth
rate of 5-6% is expected through 2005. /Milliyet/
[11] TUSIAD: “THE POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO PASS EU LAWS”
The Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) issued a
written statement yesterday urging Parliament to reach a broad and flexible
agreement on Turkey’s European Union harmonization laws. The parties in
Parliament could forge diverse alliances in order to reach the required
majority, said TUSIAD. TUSIAD also stated that such an agreement would
facilitate reaching the majority of votes needed to pass these laws.
“Fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria is very important for starting our
nation’s full membership negotiations with the EU,” the statement added.
/Turkiye/
[12] OZTRAK: “NO GREAT DEVIATION FROM ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS EXPECTED”
Appearing on television yesterday, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak said
that there would be no great deviation from Turkey’s economic program.
Oztrak also stated that the government’s budget targets would be attained
and that thereby a 5.1% growth target could be reached. “The current
political uncertainty could create some risky conditions, so the economic
program should be applied without any compromise,” Oztrak added. /Sabah/
[13] DEAL SIGNED ON HIGH-TECH BORDER CONTROL SYSTEM
A deal was signed yesterday on a high-tech border control system designed
to control more quickly and effectively the transit of vehicles at Turkey’s
frontier checkpoints. Transportation Minister Oktay Vural and International
Transporters’ Association (UND) Chairman Cetin Nuhoglu signed the deal on
the project, called Ulas-Net. Vural said that Ulas-Net’s database system,
the Land Transportation Data Processing Center (KUBIS), would be able to
monitor and control the passage of 560,000 Turkish and 170,000 foreign
vehicles into and out of Turkey’s borders each year. Moreover, he added,
the new system would do the job more speedily and using fewer personnel
that are currently required. /Aksam/
[14] SISECAM GLASS FACTORY IN RUSSIA BEGINS PRODUCTION
A new glass container factory in Vlademir, Russia run by Anadolu Glass, a
division of the Sisecam Group, has begun production, the company announced
yesterday. Even though the factory won’t officially open until September,
the company added, it has already reached 80% of its production capacity.
Turkish Sisecam workers make up the lion’s share of the factory’s
employees. The company confidently stated that the facility’s success was
ensured through the enthusiastic support of local and national Russian
officials as well as $6.5 million in equity for the $26 million total
investment. Pointing out that the new factory was the company’s second
venture abroad after an investment in Georgia, Sisecam Glass Container
Chairman Teoman Yenigun said, “Our experience in Russia is an example of
growing Turkish-Russian relations and a peaceful prosperity which will
benefit both our nations.” /Milliyet/
[15] ANKARA TO HOST YOUTH PEACE EDUCATION
This weekend some 40 students from 20 countries will gather in Ankara to
participate in a series of seminars on “The Value of Peace and Peace
Education.” International educators such as Ozgehan Senyuva, Diana Popa
from Moldova, Svetlena Papsoui from Belarus and Nihad Mecid from Bosnia-
Herzegovina will be leading the seminars. In addition, former President
Suleyman Demirel is scheduled to meet and talk with the students. Hakki
Camur will preside over the six-day event, which is sponsored by the
Anatolian Scouts Association, the Turkish Association of Youth Union, the
Association of European Approach (from Greece), the Pangea Student
Association (Italy) and the Youth Culture Association (Jordan), and
supported by the European Commission, the Peace Sailors’ Group and Peace
Path Project. /Aksam/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…
[17] FROM THE COLUMNS…
[18] ALTERNATIVE PLANS FOR IRAQ
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes about changes in US thinking on launching an
operation in Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:
“In my article on Saturday I said that not a day went by without us hearing
something new from Washington or London. I was right because according to
the latest information making the rounds, the US is considering changing
its plans to launch a large military operation in Iraq. In fact, the US
could even postpone the strike on Iraq until now planned for the end of
this year. This development was reported in the Washington Post and the New
York Times, so I think we can safely conclude that the Bush administration
is reassessing its strategies and that in fact it has begun to change its
way of thinking on the issue of Iraq. The article in the Washington Post
states that senior military officials have started to rethink the
Pentagon’s plans for an operation in Iraq. According to these anonymous
military officials, it would be risky to simply abandon political means and
resort to military strategies to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. And
according to the New York Times, the Pentagon is now working on plans for a
limited operation against the Iraqi regime instead of total war. Plans to
gain control of Baghdad and important military command centers, for
instance, are being considered. The paper also states that US officials
believe such a limited operation would not require ground troops of 250,000
men, as was initially planned, and wouldn’t meet much protest from
countries in the region. We don’t know whether this ‘alternative thinking’
will actually be put into practice, but these reports show that senior
military and civilian officials advising the Bush administration are
looking for alternatives to all-out war against Saddam. The Pentagon is
formulating new and different strategies. But why is this needed? Firstly
there is the political factor. Almost all the world, and especially the
countries in the region are against a wide-scope operation including Russia
and international bodies such as the United Nations and the European Union.
Great Britain is an exception. British Prime Minister Tony Blair is
promising support, but even his Labour Party and most of the British public
do not approve of his approach. President Bush needs to take the likely
opposition of his international partners into consideration before US
congressional elections in November. Secondly there is the military factor.
It is said that Iraq constitutes a threat with its weapons of mass
destruction. However an increasing number of people agree that launching a
war may actually constitute a much greater threat. So, if these alternative
US plans gain ground in US politics, then a US operation in Iraq will
become less likely; in which case Turkey would undoubtedly let out a sigh
of relief.”
[19] THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY ELECTIONS
[20] BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)
Columnist Sedat Ergin writes on early elections and their importance in
determining the course Turkey will take over the next 10 years. A summary
of his column is as follows:
“Early elections, which are almost certain to be held on Nov. 3, carry a
vital importance for Turkey’s future as they will shed a light on our route
through the 2000s. The national will expressed through the ballot box is
going to shape Turkey’s administration in the first half of this decade
probably through 2006, and thus it will put its mark on the next decade in
Turkey, at least. Unfortunately, Turkey cannot be said to have made a
perfect start into the very first years of the new century. The economic
crisis of February 2001 plunged the country into a series of prolonged
economic and social hardships. Moreover, Turkey was unable to realize its
expected takeoff in the 1990s after the Cold War drew to a close. Some 10
years ago ex-Iron Curtain countries such as Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic
and Slovakia lagged far behind Turkey, but today they are just outside the
gate of the European Union and their full membership is almost a done deal.
Why did Turkey fall behind these countries, which only a decade ago were in
an altogether different league than ours? There are two paths before
Turkey. It will either choose not to waste its energy and resources and
instead make a great leap forward in every aspect of life, in its systems
of justice, politics and the economy, or else it will be doomed to be
consigned as a Third World country and be torn apart. Thus, the early
elections ahead are critical in the sense that Turkey will choose one of
these two paths.”
ARCHIVE
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