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Turkish Press Review, 02-09-25Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: 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 & Information Turkish Press Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning25.09.2002FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… EARLY ELECTIONS, TOO EARLY ELECTIONS... BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)CONTENTS
[01] GUREL: “THE LEGITIMACY OF ANY IRAQ OPERATION IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE”Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday arrived in London as a part of a round of visits to European Union member capitals. Appearing on the BBC program Newsnight, Gurel remarked that since the United Nations Security Council was a key source of legitimacy in dealing with weighty international disputes, the US and Britain should ensure the council’s full support before launching any military strike against Saddam. He also stated that Britain’s just-released dossier on Iraq displayed how much its government was committed to the principle of transparency. “This is a very important step,” said Gurel. “However, we can’t say that the dossier disclosed totally new information that we hadn’t seen before. Turkey believes that efforts aimed at finding a political solution to the problem should continue with great determination.” In the evening, Gurel also met with his British counterpart Jack Straw and Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Peter Hain. /Cumhuriyet/[02] IZGI REJECTS DISGRUNTLED DEPUTIES’ BIDParliament Speaker Omer Izgi yesterday rejected a request by a group of deputies to convene Parliament for a special session to vote on whether to delay elections. On Monday evening, some 121 disgruntled deputies, mostly from the New Turkey Party (YTP), the Felicity Party, the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP), submitted a proposal to the Parliament Speaker’s Office requesting a special parliamentary session. As the petition was not submitted during Parliament’s working hours, Izgi put the petition into process yesterday. At a press conference yesterday, he said that under Parliament’s bylaws he had one week to consider the motion. “Parliament will reconvene from summer recess at the end of this one-week period anyway, and I decided not to put the motion into process as I saw no possible benefit,” said Izgi. The Parliament speaker stated however, that the deputies could bring a motion to delay the polls after Oct. 1, when Parliament reconvenes from its summer recess. Stressing that an opening ceremony would be held on Oct. 1, Izgi said that Parliament would resume its sessions unless the deputies decided to recess until the elections. /All Papers/[03] WARSAW HOSTS NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS’ MEETINGDefense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu has travelled to Poland to attend the NATO defense ministers’ fall meeting, which began yesterday in the Polish capital of Warsaw. In his opening speech, NATO Secretary-General George Robertson stated that the organization had to be more effective in countering the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, adding that in order to so, the organization had to adapt to the current international situation. Donald Rumsfeld, the United States defense secretary, proposed that the alliance create a 20,000-strong rapid-reaction force ready to be deployed to any part of the world during times of crisis. Meanwhile, the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) declared yesterday that four new rapid-reaction headquarters were now operational and that one of these was located in Istanbul. /Cumhuriyet/[04] ABIYEV: “TURKEY’S MILITARY SUPPORT WILL CONTINUE”Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev on Monday received a Turkish General Staff delegation led by Lt. Gen. Saffet Kaya, head of logistics for the Army’s Chief of Staff. Speaking after the meeting, Abiyev stressed the importance of cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Abiyev said that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had given generous support to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and that such support would also continue this year. In addition, a protocol was signed between Turkey and Azerbaijan concerning technical equipment and related matters. /Star/[05] IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS TO MEET IN TURKEYRepresentatives of Iraqi opposition groups are to hold a meeting in Nevsehir, a Central Anatolian province, on Friday to discuss the future of Iraq in a possible post-Saddam period. Among the issues to be debated at the conference entitled “Iraq and Democracy” are Iraq’s various ethnic groups, US policy on Iraq and restructuring Iraq’s social fabric. Diplomatic sources see this meeting as a platform for scholars and politicians to exchange views on a number of significant issues. /Cumhuriyet/[06] BRITISH DOSSIER CHARGES THAT SADDAM HAS MISSILES CAPABLE OF STRIKING TURKEYBritish Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday unveiled a government intelligence dossier of evidence against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to an emergency session of the House of Commons. Blair said that the 50-page report, based on intelligence and United Nations inspectors' reports, detailed the history of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, its breach of UN resolutions and its current attempts to rebuild its illegal weapons program. According to the report, Saddam has acquired missiles capable of striking British bases in Cyprus, NATO members Greece and Turkey, and all the countries in the Middle East, including Israel. /Cumhuriyet/[07] DUZ JOINS ANAP, YAKIN RESIGNS FROM YTPIstanbul independent deputy Mustafa Duz, formerly of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), yesterday joined the Motherland Party (ANAP). Speaking to reporters after meeting with ANAP leader Mesut Yilmaz, Duz stated that he had joined ANAP because he believes that ANAP as helmed by Yilmaz could usher in a better future for Turkey. With Duz’s action, the number of ANAP deputies in Parliament has risen to 71. In separate news, New Turkey Party (YTP) Group Acting Chairman Gaffar Yakin yesterday resigned from his party. /Hurriyet, Star/[08] TURKER: “I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF POSTPONING ELECTIONS”State Minister for the Economy Masum Turker said yesterday that he didn’t think that the Nov. 3 elections would be postponed, but that, in case of any delay, the economy would remain unaffected. Speaking to reporters at the opening ceremony of Cankaya University’s 2002-03 academic year, Turker said that he did not favor postponing the elections, as they would provide a needed release of pent-up pressure. “The ballot box is the place to let off this steam,” said Turker. Stressing that there was no need to think negatively, Turker stated that Turkey had many capable bureaucrats ready to serve the nation. He also predicted that certain of Turkey’s commitments to the International Monetary Fund might not be implemented due to the early elections. “However, I don’t think that this will cause any problems,” added the minister. /Turkiye/[09] BREKK: “ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE ACTING RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM”Appearing on television yesterday, International Monetary Fund Turkey Director Odd Per Brekk said that all of Turkey’s political parties had taken a responsible stance towards the nation’s economic program, a development he said pleased the IMF. Brekk predicted that Turkey wouldn’t need an additional credit tranche from the IMF next year. Brekk also said that Turkey would achieve its annual 3% growth rate target and likely even exceed it, and that inflation would fall to under the year-end 35% target. “Turkey should deal with its political instability before it affects the real economy,” stated Brekk. He added that the Privatization Administration (OIB) should receive political support so that it can reach its targets. /Milliyet/[10] KUTAN: “WE WON’T IMPLEMENT THE IMF PROGRAM, BUT RATHER A RESTORATION PROGRAM”Speaking on television yesterday, Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan said that if the SP comes to power after November’s elections it wouldn’t implement the economic program associated with the International Monetary Fund. “If we win the upcoming elections and come to power, we will carry out a restoration program aimed at the economic and political well-being of the people, one focused on the market economy,” he stated. “We won’t implement the IMF program, but rather apply our own economic program with a focus on using Turkey’s national resources.” Asked about Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi’s declaration that he wouldn’t convene Parliament for an extraordinary session, Kutan stated that he disagreed with Izgi’s actions. “Nov. 3 is a inappropriate date for elections,” added Kutan. /Milliyet/[11] CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON BTC’S CEYHAN LEGConstruction on the Ceyhan leg of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline project will begin tomorrow. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz is expected to attend a groundbreaking ceremony on the construction to be held at the southern city near the Mediterranean Sea. As part of the project, a 1,076-kilometer pipeline will extend across Turkish territory and its land and sea terminals, and pumping stations will also be constructed in Adana and Ceyhan. Construction of the BTC’s Azerbaijan leg began last week in Baku. /Turkiye/[12] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[13] WILL THE EU CONSIDER THIS AN OBSTACLE? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on possible EU reaction to last week’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) ruling concerning Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and three other politicians. A summary of his column is as follows:“It should be seen as natural that Europe and the wider international community, which have been lately preoccupied with German elections and the Iraqi crisis, wasn’t terribly interested in last week’s Supreme Election Board (YSK) ruling concerning Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and three other politicians. As a matter of fact, world press coverage of the matter didn’t go into much detail. EU officials didn’t address the issue much either. Obviously some circles in the EU interested in Turkey are following these developments closely. Some European diplomats have expressed their displeasure as well. One of the reasons for this is that Westerners -- whatever the reason -- are generally opposed to political prohibitions and restrictions. The YSK’s decision was looked at through this prism. Some stated that the contradiction between recent Turkish legal arrangements and the articles of some laws still in force has created an ‘abnormality.’ In addition, it comes to mind that this incident occurred just before the publication of our EU Progress Report, which is an unlucky situation in terms of timing. In fact it’s obvious that the prohibition imposed on these four politicians will appear in the ‘problems’ section of the report to be published on Oct. 4. How much will this affect Turkey’s EU membership prospects and the decision to be handed down at the Copenhagen summit? In the words of one analyst, ‘If the EU intends to give Turkey a date at the Copenhagen summit, this wouldn’t create an obstacle.’ Yes, the YSK decision wasn’t warmly welcomed in Brussels and Strasbourg. This constituted another excuse for those who don’t favor Turkey’s membership. Certainly it would help Turkey’s prospects if such a situation didn’t exist. Now Turkish diplomats have to make a special effort to dispel the suspicion created by this development. Meanwhile, if the EU is really intent on giving Turkey a date, there is one thing left for Erdogan to do so Turkey won’t be hurt by this situation. He should go to Brussels immediately and tell the EU, ‘Don’t use me as an excuse,’ and in this way help efforts to ensure that Turkey’s membership bid isn’t stymied. Such a move might be effective and would also signal the importance the AKP places on the EU. Ankara’s official stance is that the EU doesn’t have the right to question the truth and validity of a decision taken by Turkey within its legal system. Along these lines, Turkey can give as examples the recent banning of the separatist Batasuna party in the Basque region of Spain as well as the case of Joerg Haider, former leader of the Freedom Party, the coalition partner in Austria two years ago which was forced to withdraw under intense pressure from the EU. Certain parallels can be drawn between these developments and the situation in Turkey. However, there are also important differences. The closing down of the Batasuna Party resulted from the ETA’s active support for terrorist actions, not from its wish for ‘freedom.’ However, Spain took a great deal of flack from the EU for its decision. It’s true that there was a harsh reaction against Haider in Austria. Doesn’t it show that the EU intervenes in domestic affairs when necessary? Moreover, Haider’s participation in elections hasn’t been prohibited in Austria…” [14] EARLY ELECTIONS, TOO EARLY ELECTIONS... BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek writes on Turkey’s elections ahead and their possible aftermath. A summary of his column is as follows:“Can anyone predict what’s going to happen after Nov. 3? We’re waiting for the elections without knowing how faithfully the promises we hear today are going to be kept after the campaigns end. However, if the public opinion polls are can be believed, certain well-known topics will occupy our agenda. The Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Justice and Development Party (AKP) are separately trying to convince the people to bring them to power alone. This is why CHP leader Deniz Baykal has refused to discuss any prospective coalition government. The AKP’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems much more flexible on the issue, but of course he is also very keen on forming a government on his own. In fact, by saying ‘We will willingly be a coalition partner with the CHP,’ he is trying to prepare his grassroots in advance for an outcome which he considers likely. So, what will be the very first task that this possible coalition government, most probably headed by the AKP, will be handling? Will it be Turkey’s unemployment problem or maybe repairing the economy without IMF help? Of course, it will be neither of these. It’s already clear: the new government, once formed, will try to change Article 76 of the Constitution, which sets out conditions for candidates standing in elections. Actually, the Motherland Party (ANAP) has already proposed reworking the article under which AKP leader Erdogan’s parliamentary candidacy was forever barred. Would the AKP not support this proposal? Of course it would. The CHP is also against the current implementation of Article 76. So the grounds on which these two parties will stand together have already been laid. Yet, there has been a notable lack of criticism and condemnation of Erdogan for his persistent, age-old pro-Islamic thoughts and beliefs which he hasn’t changed at all, his claims to have done so notwithstanding. It can hardly be the case that Erdogan has ceased dreaming of a world where ‘minarets are bayonets and mosque domes are helmets.’ There are several names on the AKP’s candidate list known for their close relations with the Islamic Nakshibandi sect. Is this alone not sufficient proof that Erdogan hasn’t changed a bit? Who is going to save Turkey? Current political cadres trapped between the nation’s vital problems and their parties’ interests, or those who have proven unable of reforming their minds, beliefs and thoughts?” ARCHIVE <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript" src="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_statistic/countcode.js"> </script> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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