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Turkish Press Review, 06-12-21

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From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

21.12.2006


CONTENTS

  • [01] EU AGREES TO OPEN SINGLE CHAPTER IN ACCESSION TALKS
  • [02] ERDOGAN: "THE US SHOULD SET A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ"
  • [03] GUL: "WE VIEW FINLAND'S PROPOSALS ON CYPRUS POSITIVELY"
  • [04] ARINC MEETS WITH GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES TURKEY'S EU BID
  • [05] MUMCU: "THE PEOPLE SHOULD ELECT THE PRESIDENT"
  • [06] BAYKAL OPPOSES MUMCU'S PROPOSAL FOR POPULAR ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
  • [07] SPECIAL COUNTER-TERRORISM ENVOY BASER: "TURKEY COULD DECIDE TO LAUNCH A CROSS-BORDER OPERATION"
  • [08] THE EU IS INSISTENT

  • [01] EU AGREES TO OPEN SINGLE CHAPTER IN ACCESSION TALKS

    The Committee of Permanent Representatives to the European Union (COREPER) agreed yesterday in Brussels to send an invitation letter to Turkey to open talks in only one chapter of the accession talks, the enterprise and industry chapter. Ankara is expected to respond in three weeks' time at the latest, and talks on this chapter are expected to begin de facto at the beginning of February. In related news, Greek Cypriot administration Foreign Minister George Lillikas said that the administration would continue to veto the opening of chapters with Turkey in its EU accession talks, in response to Ankara's veto of Greek Cypriot membership in international organizations such as NATO. /Hurriyet/

    [02] ERDOGAN: "THE US SHOULD SET A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ"

    Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said that Iraq was in a state of civil war and the US should set a timetable to withdraw its forces. Erdogan made statements about Palestine and Iraq during the Alliance of Civilizations meeting in New York, leading some observers to say that his remarks opposed the US and British approaches. Before leaving New York, Erdogan told a press conference, "Iraq is in a state of civil war," and he spoke out against proposals to deploy US troops in northern Iraq. Also speaking to PBS' NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Erdogan said, "The number of people who have died in sectarian violence exceeds, according to some figures, 650,000 ... When you have that many people who have died as a result of a conflict that is taking place, that could only be explained as a civil war." /Cumhuriyet/

    [03] GUL: "WE VIEW FINLAND'S PROPOSALS ON CYPRUS POSITIVELY"

    Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday that both Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have a positive, constructive stance on the proposals of European Union Term President Finland, adding that the EU shouldn't expect unilateral steps from Turkey without it ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. "Turkey and the TRNC are always constructive about proposals which would enable ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots," added Gul. /Turkiye/

    [04] ARINC MEETS WITH GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, DISCUSSES TURKEY'S EU BID

    Georgian President Mihail Saakashvili, in Ankara for an official visit, yesterday met with Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. During their meeting, Arinc said that he was pleased with the visit of the Georgian president, adding that relations between the two countries were superb. For his part, Saakashvili stated that Turkey was an ally of Georgia with deep historical ties and also a window for Georgia to open to the world. Saying that the EU needed Turkey, Saakashvili stated that Turkey's membership wouldn't only contribute to the EU's economy, but also help to improve the Union's identity. "We wish Turkey the best of luck during its EU process," he added. /Turkiye/

    [05] MUMCU: "THE PEOPLE SHOULD ELECT THE PRESIDENT"

    Speaking to reporters before attending the Agricultural Congress yesterday, opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu commented on debates over the presidential election to be held next May, saying that the people should elect the president. Mumcu stressed that the Constitution should be amended so the people, not Parliament, elect the president. "If the people can elect parliaments and prime ministers, they can also elect the president," said Mumcu. "We should find a solution instead of creating crises." /Sabah/

    [06] BAYKAL OPPOSES MUMCU'S PROPOSAL FOR POPULAR ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

    Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday came out against the proposal of Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu that the people should elect the president, saying that this was seeking a solution outside the system. "In fact, there is no need for this," he said. "The solution within the system is clear, and this is to renew the Parliament by holding early elections. We can overcome this tension and concern by holding early elections." The presidential election is currently set for May, and general elections for November. /Aksam/

    [07] SPECIAL COUNTER-TERRORISM ENVOY BASER: "TURKEY COULD DECIDE TO LAUNCH A CROSS-BORDER OPERATION"

    Turkey's special counter-terrorism envoy, retired Gen. Edip Baser, yesterday said, "If my state considers a cross-border operation necessary, and takes this decision as an independent state, its armed forces will implement that decision very easily. Nobody should doubt this." Speaking to a regional TV station in Sivas, Baser said that terrorism was a fact which endangers the lives of innocent people without cause and threatens their rights to live peacefully and in safety. He also added that he gets the support he needs from politicians and the prime minister. /Turkiye/

    FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [08] THE EU IS INSISTENT

    BY SEMIH IDIZ (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the decision taken by the European Union Council last week to partially suspend Turkey's EU talks. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "Following the decision taken by the EU Council last week, it was clear that starting membership talks on four chapters which weren't suspended wouldn't be a great gesture to Ankara, because closing these chapters is also conditional. Actually the EU wants these chapters opened in order to be able to say that despite everything the train is moving forward. It's also known that membership talks have actually been stopped since June. If talks can be started on these chapters, it could appease Turkey. Although Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul knows the condition for closing those chapters, he wants talks to be opened on these chapters for pragmatic reasons, because Ankara has to show that relations with the EU are continuing in spite of everything and that EU membership is still a ‘state policy' for Turkey. In addition, Ankara doesn't have a consistent alternative, at least right now. However, when the EU Council suspended membership talks on eight chapters and stipulated the closure of other chapters was contingent on the Cyprus issue, it was clear that this matter wasn't over. Because, as I mentioned earlier, the Greek Cypriots announced that they retain their right of veto on other issues to be negotiated. The news from Brussels yesterday also shows that the Greek Cypriots have already started to use this ‘right.'

    According to this news, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (COREPER) reached a consensus during its meeting yesterday that membership talks would be opened not on four chapters, but on only one, as the Greek Cypriot administration wanted. This is nothing but rubbing salt into Turkey's wound. It seems that Greek Cyprus is a rare blessing for those who want to turn Turkey's EU journey into torture. We could see from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's press conference two days ago that during Germany's term presidency, which will start soon, no one should expect developments for Turkey or Turkish Cyprus. Steinmeier listed the issues that they will deal with during their term presidency, but he mentioned Turkey as little as he could, although it's been the number one issue for the EU for weeks. He offered no hope for lifting the embargo from the Turkish Cypriots. Instead, he only said that they would look for a ‘way' for this. However, there's no need to look for a way, because what should be done is very clear, that is, complying with the EU Commission's suggestions on this issue. The Greek Cypriot administration has already leaked the news that an agreement was reached with Germany that Turks would carry out international trade not directly, but through Greek Cypriot harbors. This is nothing but giving the message that ‘either Germany complies with this, or we'll use our veto.' In short, the EU is continuing to hurt and alienate Turkey."


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