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Turkish Press Review, 07-12-26
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
26.12.2007
CONTENTS
[01] GUL TO VISIT WASHINGTON NEXT MONTH
[02] ERDOGAN: “NO PARDON FOR TERRORISTS WHO TARGET CIVILIANS OR SOLDIERS”
[03] PM ERDOGAN CONGRATULATES NEW POLICE CHIEFS
[04] MILITARY SAYS 200 PKK TARGETS HIT SINCE MID-MONTH
[05] PUTIN: “RUSSIA PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY”
[06] GOVT PROPOSALS TO CHANGE ARTICLE 301 NEAR COMPLETION
[07] BAYKAL: “ANTI-PKK MILITARY OPS SHOULD CONTINUE AS LONG AS NEEDED”
[08] BAHCELI CRITICIZES GOVT OVER “RETURN TO HOME” LAW
[09] INONU COMMEMORATED
[01] GUL TO VISIT WASHINGTON NEXT MONTH
President Abdullah Gul is set to visit Washington early next month at the
invitation of US President George W. Bush. Gul is scheduled to arrive on
Jan. 6, and to meet with Bush at the White House two days later. /Milliyet/
[02] ERDOGAN: “NO PARDON FOR TERRORISTS WHO TARGET CIVILIANS OR
SOLDIERS”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that terrorists who
target innocent civilians and security forces won’t be tolerated as so-
called “victims of fate,” while Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin said
the government has no preparations for a general or partial amnesty.
Speaking at his party’s parliament group meeting, Erdogan said that
without even knowing who would benefit from their actions, some young
people have fallen in the traps of arms smugglers, drug dealers and the
international mafia. Deadly attacks on innocent civilians by such young
people have saddened the entire nation, he added. /Today’s Zaman/
[03] PM ERDOGAN CONGRATULATES NEW POLICE CHIEFS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday received a group of newly
appointed chiefs of police led by Interior Minister Besir Atalay and
National Police Chief Oguz Kaan Koksal. Wishing success to the leaders in
their new posts, Erdogan said that the stability, peace and economic
development of countries largely depend on maintaining security and order.
Stressing that the government puts particular stress on the issues of
security, education, health and the judiciary, the premier stated that the
police not only safeguard security, but also serve as a guarantor of
democracy and human rights. /Turkiye/
[04] MILITARY SAYS 200 PKK TARGETS HIT SINCE MID-MONTH
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) yesterday announced the results of recent
operations against terrorist PKK forces in northern Iraq. The military said
Turkish airstrikes and artillery on December 16-22 hit more than 200 PKK
targets in northern Iraq, killing hundreds of militants in the process.
/Cumhuriyet/
[05] PUTIN: “RUSSIA PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday telephoned Russian President
Vladimir Putin to extend happy New Year’s wishes to him and the Russian
people. Erdogan and Putin also discussed economic and commercial relations
between Turkey and Russia. During the conversation, Putin said that Russia
places great importance on dialogue between the two countries, adding that
bilateral ties, including political ones, have been going well. /Star/
[06] GOVT PROPOSALS TO CHANGE ARTICLE 301 NEAR COMPLETION
The ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Central Executive Board
(MYK) convened yesterday. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Justice
Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said that preparatory work to amend controversial
Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 301 will end within two weeks, and the
resulting proposals will be reviewed by the Prime Ministry and then
discussed by the Cabinet. Commenting on recent rumors that the government
was planning an amnesty for PKK militants, Sahin said that they have no
plans for either a general or partial amnesty, and had not made any
promises to that effect. /Sabah/
[07] BAYKAL: “ANTI-PKK MILITARY OPS SHOULD CONTINUE AS LONG AS NEEDED”
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal
yesterday urged the government to continue its military operations against
the terrorist PKK until the job is completed. Speaking at his party’s
parliamentary group meeting, Baykal praised Turkish soldiers’ successful
crackdowns on terrorists, adding that they should continue until the PKK
threat in northern Iraq against Turkey has been eradicated. The CHP leader
also voiced his objections to a rumored amnesty of violent PKK militants.
Turning to the issue of preparations for a new constitution, Baykal
complained that this work was going on behind closed doors. “The main
opposition, media and the business community have no idea what’s
happening about this,” said the CHP leader. /Aksam/
[08] BAHCELI CRITICIZES GOVT OVER “RETURN TO HOME” LAW
Addressing his Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputies at a parliamentary
group meeting yesterday, Devlet Bahceli criticized the government’s
efforts to expand the “return to home” law. He said the law had only
served to set PKK terrorists free from prison so they could join militants
in the mountains. Bahceli alleged that a rumored amnesty from the
government would be the first step in a sweeping plan. “Bloody terrorists
will come down from the mountains, be rewarded financially, and allowed to
enter politics,” claimed Bahceli. “This is the project the prime
minister is trying to sell.” The MHP leader also criticized efforts to
change Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). /Aksam/
[09] INONU COMMEMORATED
Ismet Inonu, the second president of the Turkish Republic, was commemorated
yesterday, the 34th anniversary of his death. The day’s first ceremony
was held at his tomb inside Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Inonu’s comrade
and republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Additionally, ceremonies were
held in Istanbul and Malatya, Inonu’s hometown. /Star/
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