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Turkish Press Review, 07-04-20Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning20.04.2007CONTENTS
[01] POLICE DETAIN FIVE MORE PEOPLE IN DEADLY ATTACK IN MALATYAWhile reactions gradually escalate, police detain five more people in connection with shocking murders of bible publishers in Malatya, doubling number of suspects in custody. Police’s investigation is underway. During a protest in Istanbul yesterday, demonstrators displayed a banner that reads ‘Solidarity against fascism. We’re all Christians’, and held placards that read, ‘Let’s defend living together.’ Both Turkish top officials and foreign leaders condemned the attack. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that nothing could excuse such an attack that comes at a time of great need for peace, brotherhood and tolerance. /The New Anatolian/[02] GUL TRAVELS TO BELGRADE TO ATTEND BSCE MEETINGSpeaking to reporters yesterday before flying to Belgrade to attend the 16th foreign ministers’ meeting of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSCE), Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul commented on a possible military operation against northern Iraq referring to the news of Washington Post, saying that careful statements were made on the issue before. “Everyone knows Turkey’s determination on the issue,” said Gul. Stressing that Turkey would takeover BSCE term presidency from Serbia by May 1, Gul added that a summit would be held in Istanbul to mark the 15th foundation anniversary of the organization. Also commenting on presidential election, Gul said that the final decision on the issue would be given by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would side by his decision. “The process is continuing transparently,” added Gul. /Milliyet-Sabah/[03] CHP’S DINCER LAID TO RESTOpposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Bursa Deputy, Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Dincer was laid to rest yesterday following a ceremony in Parliament and then at the Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara. Dincer’s funeral brought together President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, ruling and opposition party leaders and deputies, as well as a crowd of people. Dincer passed away on Wednesday after suffering an infection following his liver transplant. /Hurriyet/Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who traveled to Greece to attend Balkan States’ chiefs of general staff meeting, yesterday visited Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s house in Thessalonica. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Buyukanit said that the mission of military was to create an atmosphere of confidence between countries, but the problems could be solved by politicians in this atmosphere. Saying that significant decisions were made at the meeting, which brought Balkan States including those which are NATO members and non-members, Buyukanit stressed that a working group would be founded and detailed work would be made by this group. /Star/ [04] SENER: “IT’S APPROPRIATE FOR ERDOGAN TO BE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND BECOME PRESIDENT”Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said yesterday that he thought it was appropriate for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be presidential candidate and become the president. Asked about what was discussed at ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK) meeting, Sener said that it wasn’t appropriate to tell this because the meeting was closed to press, adding that he could only declare his own view that it was convenient for Erdogan to be president. /Milliyet/[05] ATATURK MUSEUM HOUSE OPENEDAtaturk’s Museum House, which takes place in the compound of the Cankaya Presidential Palace, was opened yesterday following its restoration. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit and other high-level officials attended a ceremony marking the opening. Speaking to reporters at the gathering, Buyukanit said that his message on the new president has been well received by the Turkish people. At a press conference on April 12, the top commander said that Turkey needed a president loyal to the fundamental principles of Republic not in words but in essence. /Cumhuriyet/[06] MUMCU CONTINUES HIS TOUR TO PARTY LEADERSFollowing the meetings with Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer and Devlet Bahceli of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), opposition Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) leader Erkan Mumcu yesterday continued to tour the party leaders who don’t have groups in Parliament on the upcoming presidential election. After having talks with Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Muhsin Yazicioglu and Felicity Party (FP) leader Recai Kutan, Mumcu told reporters that all agreed that the president should be elected by the public and urged the government to make the necessary amendments on the matter. /Turkiye/[07] US STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS A TURKISH CROSS-BORDER OPERATION COULDN’T BE THE BEST CHOICEUS Deputy Secretary of State Dan Fried said yesterday that a possible Turkish cross-border operation couldn’t be the best choice, adding that the US administration believed that the best choice for Turkey was to cooperate with the US administration and the Iraqi government. /Star/[08] HISARCIKLIOGLU: “SINCE UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG MIDDLE AGE PEOPLE INCREASED, THIS COULD CREATE A SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEM”Speaking at a meeting of the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD) yesterday, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu said yesterday that unemployment among middle age people had risen, adding that an increase in the unemployment rate could lead to a serious social problem in the future. Hisarciklioglu stressed that the nation didn’t feel the growth, adding that the budget deficit should be reduced. /Aksam/FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... [09] MADNESS BEHIND MADNESS IN MALATYABY HALUK SAHIN (RADIKAL)Columnist Haluk Sahin comments on recent murders in Malatya and methods behind them. A summary of his column is as follows: “Do you remember Hamlet by Shakespeare? Danish Prince Hamlet’s father is killed and Hamlet starts to pretend to be crazy in order to find the murderer and everybody gets surprised. While watching him, Grand Vizier Polonius says to himself that even if it is madness, there is a method behind it. When I heard the terrible news of murder in Malatya, I remembered these words. The signs, similarities and characteristics make us say that this is enough. Indeed, this is enough. A Catholic priest was killed by a 15-year-old-boy in Trabzon, which is madness! Journalist Hrant Dink who was one of the communal leaders of Armenians in Istanbul was killed by a 17-year-old-boy from Trabzon, which is the other madness! Three persons, one of whom was German (Protestant), were killed by five young people, as they were dealing with missionary work. This is terrible and pure madness! However, don’t you see that even if it’s madness, there is a method behind it! I won’t say that those who have actually killed them aren’t important. They are important for various reasons, but the method behind them and those who have planned and implemented that method are even more important. It’s impossible not to receive the message. Some people want to give the message that Turkey is an intolerant country which couldn’t pass its own Dark Ages. These people want to create the impression that Turks are bloody enemies of all the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant people. Who want to give this message? Many people come to our minds, but we cannot know it. Whoever they are, it’s not difficult for them to benefit from this unhealthy atmosphere and find a puppet who pulls the trigger. When I carry this method forward, I feel deeply concerned about what might happen in the future. I hope officials are taking necessary measures. Among these measures, the most important one is to evaluate the evidence well. Murders of Santoro, Dink and others in Malatya targeted Turkey, as much as the Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant people. It’s evident from the method that these murders are the links of a chain. If this chain had been broken at one point, it would have been impossible to proceed to the next link. If pain was taken over solving the Santoro murder with all the links, Dink wouldn’t have been killed. If these two murders had been really solved, it wouldn’t have been Malatya’s turn. The way of preventing the next murder is of course solving the murder in Malatya and two previous links. Polonius paid the price of his inability to solve Hamlet’s madness with his life. Most probably, Turkey won’t make the same mistake.” [10] TURKEY SHOULD BE READY FOR SURPRISESBY IBRAHIM KARAGUL (YENI SAFAK)Columnist Ibrahim Karagul comments on next month’s presidential election. A summary of his column is as follows: “While I am asking myself who is going to be the president in Turkey, I have noticed that I have clearer thoughts about France’s presidential election and that it is much more difficult to foresee the results in Turkey’s case, because everybody in Turkey has focused on the possible candidates. No one discusses what will happen then. France will elect its president on Sunday. This closely concerns the relations not only between Turkey and France but also between Turkey and the EU. Turkish-French relations may become much rougher if Sarkozy is elected. He has been the favorite so far. But everything may change in the second round. Socialist candidate Royal’s chances seem to be low. It is difficult for her, the architect of the Armenian genocide draft law, to pass on to the second round. Both Royal and Sarkozy seem to recede two points in a poll held on April 17. Le Pen’s votes, on the other hand, seem to be on the rise. In the same poll, Le Pen had 14 % of the votes whereas Bayrou had 20 % and surprised everyone. After such an increase, Michel Rocard, the former prime minister from the Socialist Party, called on to Royal to unite with Bayrou but she declined. Polls indicate that two candidates may pass on to the second round: Sarkozy and Bayrou. In fact, Bayrou is the only one who may leave Sarkozy out of the race. Sarkozy’s policies are known in Turkey. How does Bayrou view Turkey, then? He recommends that a transparent policy should be implemented towards the foreigners. He wants Turkey to be a privileged partner and says that the EU should be realistic towards Turkey, not two-faced. He is not one of those political elites. He is against the invasions of the US and supported by Jacques Chirac. Here is the possible atmosphere after the election: Should Bayrou be elected, Dominique de Villepin will stay prime minister and Sarkozy will probably lose his party. Thus, Turkey should be ready for the Bayrou surprise…” The Turkish Press Review will not appear on April 23, due to National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. Please join us on April 24, Tuesday. Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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