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Turkish Press Review, 06-05-30Turkish 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> <style type="text_css"> <!-- .baslik { margin-right:0cm; margin-left:0cm; margin-top:1cm; font-size:12.0pt; color:#000099; text-align: justify; } --> <_style> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning30.05.2006FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] SEZER TO HOST DINNER FOR VISITING SWEDISH MONARCHSPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer is due today to host a dinner for Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia, who arrived in Ankara yesterday. Under a Swedish tradition, Gustaf XVI and Queen Silvia will then host a dinner for Sezer. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok and foreign ambassadors in Ankara are also expected to be invited to the latter dinner. /Milliyet/[02] ARINC: “TENSION SHOULD BE REDUCED”Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said yesterday that tension in society should be reduced and people should not lose hope. Speaking to reporters about the recent bloody attack on Council of State judges, Arinc said that the attack was carried out against the secular republic and judiciary, adding that security forces are doing their best to unravel the incident. Meanwhile, the speaker said that radical changes would be made to Parliament’s bylaws through a 103-article bill. The bill proposes that Parliament work four days a week rather than three. During the first 20 days of a month, the deputies would deal with legislation, while in the last 10 days, Parliament would recess to allow deputies to return to their constituencies. /Turkiye/[03] ISRAELI FM LIVNI VISITS TURKEYIsraeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, visiting Turkey in her first official visit abroad, yesterday sought Turkish support for her government’s unilateral withdrawal plan from the Palestinian territories, but was politely turned down by her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul. To Gul’s remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, “This will also be negotiated and mutually discussed through dialogue. The roadmap and UN documents will be the guide for this,” Livni responded, “We can’t wait forever.” During her meeting with Gul, the Arab-Israeli dispute and regional issues were debated. The top Israeli diplomat was also received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Livni also met with National Security Council (MGK) Secretary-General Yigit Alpogan. /Cumhuriyet/[04] CICEK: “PUBLIC PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES WILL GET A PAY RAISE”Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek said that a bill on improving the conditions of public prosecutors and judges has been discussed at the meeting, adding that the salaries of these jurists would be raised. Saying that a bill to that end had been sent to Parliament, Cicek stressed that under the measure, the salaries of judges at all levels would be increased. Asked whether the Anti-Terror Law, which was sent to Parliament some time ago, had been forgotten, Cicek said that deputies were working hard to pass the law by the end of June before they go on recess. /Aksam/[05] RICE’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR VISITS TURKEYUS Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s Technology and Science Advisor Dr. George Atkinson, in Ankara upon the invitation of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), yesterday said that international relations carry great importance for progress in science and technology. Atkinson stressed that science sets the public agenda and added, “Science isn’t only important for scientists, but also for ordinary people. Science and technology in international relations determines the course of politics and the economy.” /Aksam/[06] FORMER GERMAN FM: “TURKEY’S LARGE SIZE SCARES EU CITIZENS”Speaking at a conference in Zurich yesterday, Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said that Turkey was size “XXL” for the European Union, adding that this scared EU citizens. “Turkey should explain itself to EU citizens, especially Austrians and Germans,” he said. “You have success stories and should tell these stories in the EU. If you do this, this will help to dispel prejudices.” Fischer stressed that he had always supported Turkey’s EU bid, adding that he wanted the EU to join the Union. “But I also understand criticisms of Turkey,” he said. “You shouldn’t be emotional about these criticisms. Just persuading the governments isn’t enough, you should also win over EU citizens about your membership.” /Hurriyet/[07] TURKISH-US STRATEGIC VISION PAPER OMITS PKK ISSUEThe issue of the terrorist PKK will reportedly not be mentioned directly in an upcoming Turkish-US strategic vision paper. A high-level source stated that the PKK issue would be worked on separately, adding, “The name of the terrorist group may not appear directly in the document. But cooperation on the PKK with the US will continue.” Work on the strategic vision paper has reportedly been completed, with only approval of the document pending. The countries were unable to reach full agreement on the terrorist PKK, so it does not appear in the document, which will determine common steps between the two countries. In the document, the countries state their agreement on Cyprus and this statement appears: “The US supports Turkey’s action plan and shares the view that the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be abolished.” /Cumhuriyet/[08] EU SET TO OPEN FIRST CHAPTER OF NEGOTIATIONSThe first signal that a new era is set to begin on June 12 with the EU has been given. During a European Union foreign ministers’ meeting over the weekend, a decision was made towards opening the first chapter of negotiations with Turkey on June 12, following the screening process now in progress. The final decision will be taken during the European Union ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg on June 12 and if the decision is approved, the EU plans to open talks on the science and research chapter during the Turkey-EU Partnership Council meeting the same day in Luxembourg. /Star/[09] IRTEMCELIK IN ANKARA AFTER INCIDENT WITH ERDOGANHaving been publicly scolded by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan when the premier mistakenly believed that Turkey’s embassy in Germany refused to serve women wearing headscarves, Turkish Ambassador to Germany Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik arrived in Ankara over the weekend. He is said to be in Ankara in preparation for an official visit by German Foreign Minister Walter Steinmeier, who is expected to arrive in Turkey later this week. After having talks at the Foreign Ministry, Irtemcelik met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. He is expected to meet with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul this morning. Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul Deputy Ali Riza Gulcicek submitted a question motion to Parliament yesterday asking Erdogan whether it was his habit to scold ambassadors who represent the republic abroad, while CHP Ankara Deputy Yakup Kepenek asked whether Erdogan had the right to publicly scold the ambassador. /Turkish Daily News/[10] ISTANBUL CELEBRATES 553RD ANNIVERSARY OF CONQUESTCelebrations were held in Istanbul yesterday marking the 553rd anniversary of the city’s conquest by the Ottomans. Greater Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas said that the conquest of Istanbul by Ottoman Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror had closed one era and opened a new one. Both President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued messages in honor of the anniversary. Sezer stated that it was Turkey’s responsibility to protect the heritage of all civilizations that the city of Istanbul has played host to during its long history. /Turkiye/[11] UNAKITAN: “TURKEY IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW IT USED TO BE”Speaking at the opening of a panel yesterday, Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan said that the government had made large structural reforms, adding that Turkey was very different from how it used to be. “If high budget deficits continue, this could hurt our economy,” warned Unakitan. “If we continue our structural reforms and fiscal policies, then our nation will see better days.” /Hurriyet/[12] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…[13] FRESHENED PARTNERSHIP WITH RUSSIA BY MUHARREM SARIKAYA (SABAH)Columnist Muharrem Sarikaya comments on Turkish-Russian relations. A summary of his column is as follows:“Washington is concerned about a Russian monopoly over the region’s energy. Does Ankara also have the same concern? Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Turkey tomorrow and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s scheduled visit to Moscow show that Turkey doesn’t have such a concern. Both sides are looking for methods to pave the way for intensive cooperation. A partnership document was signed during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Ankara. A new partnership document is planned which strengthens the partnership. The same effort can also be seen in Moscow. The reason for this is the speedy improvement of relations between the two countries over the last 15 years. As examples, take the approximately 2 million Russian tourists who visit Turkey every year, and the trade done by Turkish businessmen. According to leading Turkish-Russian businessman Ali Ihsan Ahiskali, the current situation will bring developments in Turkey’s interests. One of the most important developments is the employment of the Turkish labor force in Russia. ‘The European population is growing older and needs working young people,’ said Ahiskali. ‘Russia is in the same boat. Furthermore, due to its development, Russia needs a new labor force. The EU and Russia will turn to Turkey for their labor needs.’ Turkey has to think 10 years ahead and implement exports of labor and capital together. As a matter of fact, the first signs of this are coming. The number of Turkish workers and firms in Russia has reached 40,000 and 400 respectively. Another interesting development is that Russians are starting to learn Turkish. Turkish language and culture centers are being established in many universities. One shouldn’t think that Turkey would allow a Russian energy monopoly in the region. There is also no such expectation in Moscow. However, also nobody should expect from Turkey that it would waste its years of effort to become a terminal for energy. It is inevitable that the partnership between the leading countries in the region will develop further. The effort for developing the partnership document also reflects this.” 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 |