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Turkish Press Review, 05-12-22Turkish 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> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning22.12.2005FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...CONTENTS
[01] SEZER TO VISIT EGYPT NEXT WEEKPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer will travel to Egypt next week for a visit expected to focus on economic relations between the two countries. Egyptian officials said Turkey and Egypt would sign a free trade agreement during Sezer’s visit. The issue of a free trade agreement was first discussed during a Turkish-Egyptian Business council meeting in Cairo in September. /Turkish Daily News/[02] ERDOGAN REBUFFS TUSIAD CRITICISMS OF ASKIN TRIAL, DENIES EARLY ELECTION RUMORSSpeaking at a meeting of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to criticisms of Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association’s (TUSIAD) High Advisory Council (YIK) Chair Mustafa Koc on the current cases against Van Yuzuncu Yil University Rector Yucel Askin and novelist Orhan Pamuk. Erdogan said that he was disappointed by Koc’s criticisms, adding that it was better for TUSIAD members to comment on economic issues. “They should present proposals to us on the economy,” said Erdogan. “It wouldn’t be appropriate to intercede in the trial process of Askin in violation of the Constitution. The YIK chair has no right to say anything concerning the issue.” Erdogan further stated that Article 138 of the Constitution stated that no authority could order the courts and judges while they are doing their duty. “The Constitution says this, not I,” he said. Also commenting on rumors of early elections, Erdogan said that there were circles who wanted to harm the atmosphere of stability and credibility in the country, adding that the government has no plans for early elections. /Milliyet/[03] AKSU: “TERRORISM ISN’T LOCAL, BUT GLOBAL”Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said yesterday terrorism has become a global phenomenon, adding that Turkey had spent the last 35 years battling this “plague.” Speaking at Parliament’s General Assembly, Aksu said some countries that turned a blind eye to or even supported terrorist groups were now being victimized by them. He stated that fighting terrorism, human trafficking, the international drug trade and organized crime were his government’s top priorities. The minister stressed that the transformation taking place in Turkey to harmonize with European Union norms was improving people’s lives, adding that Turkey had implemented serious policies to improve democratization, human rights and freedom of expression and strengthen non-governmental organizations (NGOs). /Turkish Daily News/[04] FM GUL: “TURKEY IS BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY ON THE ORHAN PAMUK CASE”Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday argued that Turkey is being treated unfairly on freedom of thought and expression, and said, “They’re acting as if prisons are full of poets and writers, like in the old days. This is unjust. If there’s no violence, and no incitement to illegality, whether we like these writings or not, these are not restricted in Turkey.” Speaking during budget debates at Parliament’s General Assembly, Gul said that courageous initiatives are being realized on international policy. He also touched on criticisms of the Cyprus issue and said that Turkey won’t make concessions on its vital interests, especially on Cyprus. Gul said that they are looking for a lasting solution in Cyprus. “We’re ready to do whatever we can for a permanent solution on Cyprus just like we did during the preparation of the UN’s comprehensive solution plan. But our willingness shouldn’t be misunderstood. Everybody should know that we won’t sacrifice Cyprus for other interests.” Gul also said that important steps are being taken for the implementation of various reforms and touched on the debates over Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), saying that the TCK was modified six months ago and this was one of the most important reforms of the current government. /Star/[05] CHIEF NEGOTIATOR BABACAN: “WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH THE EU PUBLIC”Turkey’s Chief European Union negotiator Ali Babacan yesterday met for the first time with the EU countries’ ambassadors to Ankara. During the meeting, issues such as the cases of Van University Rector Yucel Askin, novelist Orhan Pamuk, Turkey’s negotiation process with the EU, and drinking restrictions were discussed. Babacan said that Turkey would like to finish the screening process next year and that Ankara has had problems regarding communicating with the EU public. Babacan said that Turkey has started some initiatives to address this problem. /Aksam/[06] TRNC AMBASSADOR: “GREEK CYPRIOTS DON’T WANT A RESOLUTION ON THE ISLAND”Meeting with reporters yesterday at a breakfast, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ambassador to Ankara Tamer Gazioglu said that the shape of the Cyprus issue was changing, adding that the Greek Cypriots were trying to move the issue to the European Union. “So Ankara is faced directly with the EU,” he said. Gazioglu charged that the Greek Cypriots don’t want a resolution on the island, adding that recently the Greek administration rejected a UN request that both sides present the changes they want to the UN Cyprus plan. “It’s not just them at the UN, so they want to turn over the issue to the Union,” said Gazioglu. Asked about the EU demand that Turkey open up its harbors to Greek Cyprus, Gazioglu said that Ankara’s stance on the issue remained the same, referring to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who said that restrictions should be lifted bilaterally. /Cumhuriyet/[07] GREEK CYPRIOT FM IACOVOU: “WE DON’T RECOGNIZE THE TRNC PROPERTY COMMISSION”Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou yesterday said that his country does not recognize any institution in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and that Greek Cypriots will reject TRNC moves for property exchanges, compensation and returns. Speaking on a new TRNC law to set up a property resolution commission, Iacovou said that the European Court of Human Rights had rejected a similar previous body, and added, “We can’t recognize institutions established by ‘Turkish occupation regimes.’ This is a completely illegal situation, and citizens of our republic will understand that this won’t benefit them and so reject the fake state’s moves.” /Aksam/[08] PARLIAMENT COMMISSION DISCUSSES BAN ON SMOKING WHILE DRIVINGDebates on a proposal to ban smoking while driving, made by a subcommission of Parliament’s Health Commission, began this week. If it comes into effect, drivers violating the ban will pay a fine of YTL 50. The subcommission also recommended smoke-free sections in coffeehouses larger than 50 square meters. /Aksam/[09] ISRAELI CHIEF OF STAFF DUE IN ANKARA TO DISCUSS REGIONAL ISSUES WITH OZKOKIsraeli Chief of General Staff Gen. Dan Haluz is expected to arrive in Ankara today for his first official visit abroad since taking his post. During his stay in Ankara, Haluz is expected to meet with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok to discuss cooperation between the two countries on defense industry and regional issues. The two generals are also expected to evaluate recent remarks from Tehran about Israel. Haluz is expected to tell Ozkok that Syria supports radical groups in Palestine and seek Turkey’s help to cut this off. /Cumhuriyet/[10] UNAKITAN: “ALL INVESTORS SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY”Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said yesterday that he favored giving equal treatment to all investors. Asked about Hyundai’s possible investment in Turkey, the minister told reporters that officials would do their best in line with current regulations, but he was against any discrimination. Hyundai officials have recently been looking into the best place in Turkey to make an investment. /Hurriyet/[11] MINIMUM WAGE SET AT YTL 380After its fourth meeting, the commission tasked with setting the new minimum wage for Turkey’s workers yesterday announced the wage for 2006, effective Jan. 1. Following the gathering, Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu told reporters that the minimum wage for workers over 16 would be net YTL 380.40, up 8.5% from last year. /Sabah/ [12] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[13] EARLY ELECTIONS NEEDED BY CUNEYT ULSEVER (HURRIYET)Columnist Cuneyt Ulsever comments on the ruling Justice and Development Party and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A summary of his column is as follows:“The reason I’m insisting on early elections is that they would be most beneficial for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), while the opposition’s claims are still weak. Next year, the AKP will 1. be stuck in terms of Iraq, Iran and Syria, 2. have difficulties due to social security and agriculture reforms in terms of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, 3. face difficulties concerning the Greek Cypriot administration, harbors, the Aegean issue, etc., 4. fail to find structural solutions for unemployment, poverty and the problems of the agriculture sector, 5. try hard to make Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the president 6. have to start working with a new chief of general staff during the second half of the year. So it would be beneficial for the AKP to hold polls before the opposition is ready. Otherwise, the ruling party will lose its authority under next year’s very special conditions. Holding the elections at the scheduled time – that is, fall 2007 – would favor the opposition the most. In addition, when presidential elections and the selection of a new chief of general staff start to be discussed in August, there will be great tension in the country and the AKP will grow more isolated. Among AKP administrators, some are making rational calculations for next year and some are acting stubbornly. I consider Erdogan the one most confused on the issue. He seems to be in a dilemma. Actually his mind works pragmatically, but right now he’s not examining his assumptions. Therefore, he believes that someone can always support him and some of his words are unclear, like on the Kurdish issue. As he’s aware of this conflicting picture, his criticisms are growing harsher. In essence, the AKP doesn’t know what to do in 2006, which is the most important factor encouraging a disaster. The government is stuck between the policy of base and ceiling, and recently allowed a more populist approach. The best example of this is drinking restrictions! Officials are transferred to the base (municipalities) upon the request of the ceiling (the EU), but the base which smells the juxtaposition turns this transfer of authority into restrictions. So wisdom calls for early elections next year.” 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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