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Turkish Press Review, 03-10-09Turkish 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 morning09.10.2003FROM THE COLUMNS … FROM THE COLUMNS … FROM THE COLUMNSCONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN MEETS WITH DUTCH FM BALKENEDE, DISCUSSES TURKEY’S EU BIDPrime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with his visiting Dutch counterpart Jan Peter Balkenede to discuss a number of issues, including Turkey’s European Union membership bid. During their talks, Balkenende said that it was important to reach a resolution on the island by next May, when Greek Cyprus is set to join the Union. He stated that Turkey’s EU bid was not strictly speaking related with the Cyprus issue, adding however that a resolution on the island would aid Ankara’s bid. Balkenende also praised Turkey’s recent reforms, urging further that they be fully implemented. /Sabah/[02] GUL: “OUR TROOPS IN IRAQ WILL BE PEACEKEEPERS”Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday briefed several foreign ambassadors on Parliament’s decision on Tuesday greenlighting the deployment of Turkish troops to Iraq. During the meeting, Gul said that the troops would serve Iraq as a peacekeeping force. “Our forces will ensure Iraq’s security,” he stated. “Our decision is in line with a UN resolution to promote stability there. If a new UN resolution comes, this will be important for us. But the absence of one won’t stop us from helping Iraq.” Gul added that Foreign Ministry and the General Staff were continuing to discuss details of the issue, including exactly where Turkish troops would be deployed. /Milliyet/[03] TURKISH, US OFFICIALS TO BEGIN SETTLING DETAILS ON IRAQ DEPLOYMENTFollowing Parliament’s approval on Tuesday for sending troops to Iraq, Turkish and US officials are set to begin negotiations to settle technical details of the deployment, including the number of soldiers, where they will serve and the scope of their duty. A high-level US delegation will begin meetings today with Turkish officials. In addition, a delegation from Poland, another nation contributing troops to Iraq, led by Slawomir Cytryeki is to hold contacts in Ankara. After the talks’ completion, Turkish troops reportedly will be sent to Iraq in November. /All Papers/[04] US’ BREMER: “THE COALITION WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON TURKISH TROOP DEPLOYMENT”US administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer is continuing his talks with the members of Iraq’s Governing Council to persuade them to support Turkish troop deployment in their country. Bremer reportedly told the council’s members that the final decision on the matter would be made by coalition forces headed by the US. Meanwhile, US officials said that despite the objection of some council members, Washington would continue to insist on Turkish troop deployment. Speaking to reporters, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher also said that the US would not give up on having Turkish troops in Iraq, adding that objections on the matter were coming from certain members of the Iraqi council but by no means all. "There has been no decision, no announcement, no statement, no resolution passed by the Governing Council," added Boucher. "Until they, as a body ... or a majority fashion have expressed their views, I think you have to say it's a matter under discussion." Regarding the cost of Turkish troop deployment, Boucher indicated that following talks between both sides, the US might decide to meet some of Turkey’s expenses. It “will depend on how they [Turkey] work out the whole scenario for deployment," he said. /Turkiye/[05] PKK_KADEK’S OSMAN OCALAN: “THE US WON’T ATTACK US”Osman Ocalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK_KADEK, said yesterday that Washington’s promises to Ankara notwithstanding, he didn’t believe US forces in northern Iraq would attack his group. "I don't think the US will come to attack us as Turkey is urging them to do," he told British daily The Guardian. "I don't think they will allow Turkey to attack us either." Speaking from the PKK's headquarters in the Qandil Mountains along the Iraq-Iran border, Ocalan said that the terrorists had had "informal" contacts with US forces in northern Iraq. "We are in the process of learning more about each other," said Ocalan, the brother of convicted terrorist Abdullah Ocalan. "But there is nothing official." Saying that he doesn't oppose the presence of Turkish troops in Iraq per se, he added the warning: "But they must keep well away from Kurdish areas and not build permanent logistical bases in the north." Lt. Col. Harry Schute, who commands US operations in northern Iraq, was also quoted in the article as saying: "We're not looking to butt heads with them right now, but ultimately [the PKK's] presence is untenable."/Turkiye/[06] MIDEAST ANALYST: “TURKEY SHOULD BE READY TO TAKE CASUALTIES IN IRAQ”The public should be prepared for the likelihood that Turkish troops sent to Iraq will face causalities, warned a Middle East analyst yesterday. “Going to Iraq will be a risky operation,” said Nile Gardiner of Washington’s Heritage Foundation. “So the public should be ready for the fact that some troops will die.” Speaking to the Voice of America, Gardiner said this week’s go-ahead to send Turkish troops would go a long way towards mending relations with Washington, which were strained in March by Parliament’s refusal to let the US use Turkey to launch a northern front into Iraq. “Washington has recently been in great need of international support,” Gardiner added. /Hurriyet/[07] GONUL ATTENDS NATO SUMMITAn unofficial two-day NATO defense ministers’ meeting is to begin today in Colorado in the United States. Present at the gathering will be the defense ministers from 19 NATO member countries as well as seven candidate countries, with member Turkey represented by its Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul. The main topic of discussion at the meeting will be recent developments in Iraq. /Turkiye/[08] DULGER RECEIVES FRENCH PARLIAMENTARIANParliament Foreign Policy Commission Chairman Mehmet Dulger yesterday received Renaud Donnediue de Vabres, the deputy chair of the French Parliament’s Foreign Policy Commission. Speaking on the recent go-ahead for Iraq troop deployment in Iraq, de Vabres warned, “Nothing can compensate for a lack of political will inside Iraq. Without it, Turkey will look like another occupier.” Asked by de Vabres whether Ankara was seeking international authorization for the deployment, Dulger pointed to a May United Nations resolution requesting all nations’ assistance in rebuilding Iraq. /Cumhuriyet/[09] ERDOGAN: “NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET WILL STICK TO THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM”The Higher Planning Board (YPK) yesterday held a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the meeting, Erdogan said that the government was determined to prepare next year’s budget without deviating from the nation’s economic program. Speaking afterwards, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said Turkey’s per capita income is expected to rise to $3,500 next year and that this year’s 6.5%-primary surplus target was within reach. /Milliyet/[10] CB HEAD: “THE LIRA’S RECENT RISE COMES FROM MARKET CONFIDENCE IN OUR ECONOMIC PROGRAM”Speaking in London yesterday, Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti predicted that there would be no problem in achieving this year’s target of 20% inflation. Also touching on the recent appreciation of the Turkish lira against the dollar, Serdengecti said that this was a result of increased market confidence in Ankara’s implementation of its International Monetary Fund-supported economic program. He stated that the CB had no specific target level for the lira, adding that this should be set by the market. This year the lira has appreciated by 20% against the dollar. /Aksam/[11] FROM THE COLUMNS … FROM THE COLUMNS … FROM THE COLUMNS[12] IN OLD SOLDIERS’ EYES... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen writes on two retired generals’ views on Turkish troop deployment in Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:“In the wake of Parliament’s go-ahead for the deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq, Ankara’s real work has just begun. New negotiations with Washington are underway to settle a number of important points such as where our troops are to be sent and their path for deployment. This preparation period will probably continue for a couple of weeks. Which chief points must Turkey take into account ÝN preparing to send its troops? Yesterday I discussed this issue with two retired generals, Gen. Cevik Bir, who led the Turkish peacekeeping force in Somali in 1993-94, and Gen. Necdet Timur, the former chief of the Land Forces Staff. These two prominent veterans believe that Turkey might have an important strategic opportunity in the region. Gen. Bir stated that Turkey should be allowed to choose where to deploy its troops. In his opinion, our government should choose its location very carefully, taking into consideration all the strategic, security and political factors. Both commanders stressed that the troops should be moved to their areas of duty by passing through northern Iraq. Despite Kurdish opposition, Ankara and Washington should agree that the Turkish troops use this path to ensure the region’s security firsthand. Gen. Timur added that a ‘buffer corridor’ should be established in northern Iraq for sending our troops, and that a Turkish brigade should assume the responsibility of ensuring their safety. In this mission, American forces and Kurdish peshmerga should work alongside each other. Both commanders also underlined that the troops’ mission in Iraq in will be to help American forces establish peace and stability in the region. Our soldiers will help the Iraqi people’s efforts to rebuild their war- devastated country. Gens. Bir and Timur believe that our government should work to create an image of ‘saviors’ instead of the notorious ‘new invaders.’ According to Cevik Pasha, Red Crescent (Kizilay) and civilian education and health personnel should accompany our troops to win over the Iraqi hearts. He also believes that an Ankara coordination center for civilian services should be established immediately. What will happen if Turkish troops suffer causalities? Our commanders stated that every war carries such risks. However, they said they hoped the Turkish people could keep up their spirits, always keeping in mind that the soldiers are serving in Iraq to protect Turkey’s national interests.” [13] TURKEY’S SITUATION BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on Turkey’s situation after Parliament authorized the deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:“On Tuesday Parliament passed a government motion requesting one-year authorization for the deployment of Turkish troops in Iraq. Our national interests require this, and actually we’ve been late on it. Israel started the Syrian operation by bombing territory inside the country. This way it gauged Syria’s military reaction. But Damascus might accept the US’ conditions, and this might defuse the threat of war with Syria. Ankara should follow a considered and reasonable policy with the US. If Washington puts more pressure on Iraq, more serious incidents will follow and Turkey will have to act in line with this new atmosphere. Our economic indicators are good. As we’re once again officially a US ally, Europe will respect us much more. If we just solve a few problems, we’ll be able to start negotiations with the European Union late next year. Turkey will have full security and confidence in all respects. The first step toward this is to set foot in Iraq firmly and with the largest number possible. Turkey’s importance in Iraq’s reconstruction should be seen and emphasized. There is no reason for Arabs and Kurds to be afraid of Turks. If they move in our direction, we’ll be two steps closer to them. If they can grasp this, the anarchy in Iraq will end to be replaced by peace and welfare.” 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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