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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-07

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: 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> <map name="FPMap1"> <_map> Press &amp; Information Turkish Press Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt; Foreign Press Guide Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

07.02.2002


CONTENTS

  • [01] REFORM BILL PACKAGE PASSES PARLIAMENT
  • [02] SEZER RECEIVES VATICAN AMBASSADOR
  • [03] TURKEY MAKES GOODWILL GESTURE TO GREECE
  • [04] CEM MEETS WITH BELGIAN COUNTERPART MOLLER
  • [05] NEW BILL PROPOSES EXPANDING FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
  • [06] TENET: "AL QAEDA IS TARGETING TURKEY"
  • [07] ANKARA REACTS AGAINST BELGIAN VISIT TO PKK TERRORIST LEADER
  • [08] TERRORIST PKK COULD CHANGE ITS NAME
  • [09] TURKEY TRAINS ARAB EMIRATES PILOTS
  • [10] STATE MINISTER ONAL: "30,000 PUBLIC WORKERS WILL RECEIVE EARLY RETIREMENT"
  • [11] US TO GIVE TURKEY 6 FRIGATES
  • [12] OSMAN BOLUKBASI, DEAN OF TURKISH POLITICS, PASSES AWAY
  • [13] DERVIS TO UNVEIL ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTION PLAN
  • [14] KAHKONEN: "THE LIRA IS HOLDING ITS COMPETITIVE POWER"
  • [15] IFC TO EXTEND LOAN FOR EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE
  • [16] BEKO ELECTRONICS AIMING TO MOVE UP IN EUROPE
  • [17] TURKISH CARTOONIST DRAWS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES
  • [18] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [19] THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY AND ITS HISTORIC LEGACY BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)
  • [20] DISAGREEMENT AND COMPROMISE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

  • [01] REFORM BILL PACKAGE PASSES PARLIAMENT

    A controversial package of bills, which includes reforms to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), was finally approved in the Parliament yesterday with the changes introduced by the Democratic Left Party (DSP) left intact, despite the opposition of Nationalist Action Party (MHP). The changes were brought to the bill on amending Articles 159 and 312 of the TCK. The passage reading "in a manner raising the possibility of disrupting public order" in an article amending TCK Article 312 was replaced with "in a manner endangering public order," and thus the mention of "the possibility" term objected to by the opposition and Turkey's Western allies, was deleted from the text. The Parliament also approved an article easing some of the restrictions in TCK Article 312. The bill will next be sent to the president for his approval and after such an approval, it will go into force. /All papers/

    [02] SEZER RECEIVES VATICAN AMBASSADOR

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday received Edmond Farhat, the new ambassador to Ankara. The ambassador presented Sezer his letter of credentials at the Presidential Palace. /Star/

    [03] TURKEY MAKES GOODWILL GESTURE TO GREECE

    Turkey has begun to inform Greece through NATO about the Turkish warplanes' daily flights over the Mediterranean as a unilateral goodwill gesture to its neighbor. Under this new policy, Turkey has begun informing Greek authorities of the number of its planes and their flight routes since last December. Additionally, Turkish pilots have been responding to hails from Greek air traffic controllers asking for their identity and location. /Turkiye/

    [04] CEM MEETS WITH BELGIAN COUNTERPART MOLLER

    Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday met with his Belgian counterpart Per Stig Moller, who was on a two-day official visit to Turkey. Speaking to the press before the meeting, Cem stated that he would discuss Turkish-EU relations with his guest, reiterating that Denmark supported Turkey's bid for full EU membership. Stating that Turkey hoped to begin its membership negotiations at the end of Denmark's term presidency, which will begin this June, Cem said, "This is the main goal we have set for Turkey's future." Following the foreign ministers' meeting, Moller was also received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. /Cumhuriyet/

    [05] NEW BILL PROPOSES EXPANDING FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

    State Minister Yilmaz Karakoyunlu has prepared a bill to amend Turkey's Press Law which would effectively expand the scope of freedom of the press. The main criteria taken into consideration when preparing the bill were the priorities underlined in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In an effort to restrict the state's power to censure the press, the bill also suggests making reporters' right to keep their sources confidential legally guaranteed. "The freedom of press shall include the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference from public authorities," says the bill's first article. "The exercise of this freedom may be subject to restrictions in the interest of national security, public safety, for the protection of health or morals, to prevent the disclosure of information received in confidence, or preserve the authority of the judiciary." /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] TENET: "AL QAEDA IS TARGETING TURKEY"

    Appearing before the Intelligence Committee of the US Senate yesterday, CIA Director George Tenet said that Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations had Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia in their targeting sights. Tenet also told the US congressmen that Turkish diplomats and Turkish military units were in danger. Last September's attacks demonstrated that Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations would continue to use conventional arms in order to reach their goals, Tenet added. /Aksam/

    [07] ANKARA REACTS AGAINST BELGIAN VISIT TO PKK TERRORIST LEADER

    Ankara has taken action in the wake of recent reports that three Belgian parliamentarians went to northern Iraq earlier this year and met with PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan's brother Osman Ocalan. Belgian Ambassador to Ankara Jean Matthysen was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry yesterday and told of Ankara's displeasure concerning the visit. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz told reporters, "There have been initiatives concerning this incident in Ankara and Brussels. Our opinion has been expressed in both capitals." /Hurriyet/

    [08] TERRORIST PKK COULD CHANGE ITS NAME

    In a further attempt to put a political mask over its terrorist identity, the PKK separatist group is reportedly planning to change its name to the "Democratic Republic Party." The group has also recently announced its alleged intention to halt its terrorist campaign in Turkey and Europe. /Milliyet/

    [09] TURKEY TRAINS ARAB EMIRATES PILOTS

    As part of a recent military agreement signed between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 10 UAE F-16 pilots are being currently trained in Turkey in combat flying. The pilots began their flight training in Ankara at the Fourth Main Jet Base Command after completing technical training in Izmir and Eskisehir. Turkey will receive $10 million from the UAE for the education of the pilots. It is expected that 20 more F-16 pilots will be trained in Turkey by 2004 under this project. /Turkiye/

    [10] STATE MINISTER ONAL: "30,000 PUBLIC WORKERS WILL RECEIVE EARLY RETIREMENT"

    Speaking on the governments' plans to reduce over-employment at state-owned enterprises through restructuring and privatization this year, State Minister Recep Onal announced yesterday that 30,000 public workers would receive early retirement this year. He recalled that the government had issued a circular on this issue last December. Since the IMF is seeking the downsizing of the Turkish state to improve the efficient use of public resources, a reduction of over-staffing at state institutions was one of the most sensitive issues set out in Turkey's recent Letter of Intent. /Cumhuriyet/

    [11] US TO GIVE TURKEY 6 FRIGATES

    The United States will reportedly give six frigates to Turkey in order to aid the modernization of the Turkish Naval Forces. In addition to the six Knox frigates, the US also plans to sell to Turkey two types of Perry frigates. These frigates could be transferred to Turkey after the US Congress approves the deal. /Aksam/

    [12] OSMAN BOLUKBASI, DEAN OF TURKISH POLITICS, PASSES AWAY

    Osman Bolukbasi, one of the grand old deans of Turkish politics, died yesterday in Ankara at the age of 91. Bolukbasi, who help found the Nation Party (MP) in the 1940s, had been under intensive care for some time. His funeral will be held tomorrow. /All Papers/

    [13] DERVIS TO UNVEIL ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTION PLAN

    British daily The Financial Times yesterday featured an article on an action plan for fighting corruption which Turkey is set to unveil soon. The paper stated that the action plan drawn up by Turkish Economy Minister Kemal Dervis proposed solutions for virtually every problem of public life in Turkey -- ranging from over-employment and petty corruption in public services to the judiciary's inadequate handling of financial crimes. "The plan also stipulates the need for effective regulations to clean up campaign finance," said the Financial Times. "This includes requiring parties and candidates to declare the amounts and sources of all political donations." /Cumhuriyet/

    [14] KAHKONEN: "THE LIRA IS HOLDING ITS COMPETITIVE POWER"

    International Monetary Fund Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen said yesterday that recent increases in the value of the lira did not seem to be dulling Turkey's competitive edge on world markets. Speaking to investors via teleconferencing, Kahkonen said, "We expect that Turkey will remain competitive. When the IMF approved Turkey's new program, it did not target a certain foreign exchange level. In addition, Turkey proved itself able to weather the unexpected fallout from last September's terrorist attacks." Kahkonen added that Turkish officials had good qualifications for implementing the nation's reforms. /Sabah/

    [15] IFC TO EXTEND LOAN FOR EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

    The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank, yesterday approved a $50 million loan to the Turkish National Reinsurance Corporation (TAS). TAS Director General Cahit Nomer said, "We will use this loan as needed in the event of a devastating earthquake in Turkey that causes billions of dollars in damage. This will be an extra guarantee." Nomer added that there are nearly 16.3 million residences in Turkey but the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution (DASK) covers only 2.4 million of them. /Sabah/

    [16] BEKO ELECTRONICS AIMING TO MOVE UP IN EUROPE

    Beko Electronics General Director Aydin Cubukcu said yesterday that with an annual output of 2.2 million sets, the company was currently Europe's sixth-largest TV maker, but that it hoped this year's 4 million set production run would propel it to the number three spot. Stating that last year despite Turkey's economic crisis the company had managed to grow 100%, Cubukcu said that Beko's share in the 3.3 million set European market had recently climbed to almost 7%. Cubukcu added that Beko last year made exports totaling $200 million to 57 countries and that its goal this year was to increase this volume to $400 million. /Hurriyet/

    [17] TURKISH CARTOONIST DRAWS FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

    Kutlukhan Perker, who began his career as a cartoonist in Turkish humor magazine Girgir and then drew for the Avni, Digil and Leman magazines and Sabah newspaper, has begun to work for one of the US's most prestigious newspapers, The New York Times. Perker's first cartoon appeared in the newspaper's famous Book Review supplement this weekend. /Sabah/

    [18] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [19] THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY AND ITS HISTORIC LEGACY BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Taha Akyol writes on Republican People Party Chairman (CHP) Deniz Baykal's work to host an important international academic and political conference in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal had a talk yesterday with Bernard Lewis, a famous historian specializing in the Middle East and Islam, who will speak at an international conference entitled 'Civilization and Adaptation' organized by the Foreign Ministry. The panel Lewis will address is called 'The Prevention of Political Fault Lines.' During his talk with Professor Lewis, Baykal put forth the argument for a dialogue between civilizations in contrast to the 'clash of civilizations' theory. Baykal and Lewis share similar views on Turkey's important role regarding the dialogue between civilizations. Recently, the CHP has been preparing for an important international academic and political conference. This conference will be called 'The Model of Turkey for a Dialogue Between Civilizations.' The conference will probably be held in the spring, or in autumn at the latest. Baykal will also invite sociologist Samuel Huntington, the originator of the 'clash' view, to the conference. Respected Turkish scholars such as Halil Inalcik, Serif Mardin and Zafer Toprak will also be invited to the conference. In addition to Lewis and Huntington, the participation of important figures from the Socialist International in the conference will be an important achievement for the CHP if it succeeds in its efforts. Baykal says that Ottoman and even Seljuk experiences have great significance for humanity. 'The Islamic world today has a lot to learn from the modernization efforts of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Republic has presented the most successful modernization model to the Islamic world. It is in the interest of all humanity to spread and further Turkey's successes.' This vision not only demonstrates the important function of cultural legacies in the age of globalization, but also the positive signs that the CHP is breaking out of its shell and opening up to wider horizons and new ideas."

    [20] DISAGREEMENT AND COMPROMISE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Mustafa Balbay writes on the enactment of the mini democracy package and its effects on the parties. A summary of his column is as follows: "The mini-democracy package created huge problems and has now led to serious tremors in relations between the coalition partners. The point reached yesterday showed that from now on the partnership relations would be carried out on a different level than before. However, we must state that this tremor will not shake the coalition or affect its staying power. The spirit of Article 312 is concerned with the protection of public order. Such an arrangement exists in the laws of every democratic country throughout the world. All the fuss was about a phrase, which mentioned 'the possibility of disrupting public order.' Article 159 was prepared to protect the respectability of state institutions. Similar arrangements are also present in the laws of other countries. However, the partners had added to the law crimes of humiliating and slandering the representatives of state institutions. Common sense dictated that these passages should be erased, and it has been done. During the discussion on these changes, the Nationalist Action Party didn't waver from its established stance and seems to have obtained what it wanted as a party, which stood its ground. The Motherland Party (ANAP), as an organization, which turned its face towards the EU and believes that the road to the EU passes through democratization, seems to have achieved its goal. The Democratic Left Party (DSP) felt the pulse of the public, took care not to disturb any of its partners, and tried to keep Turkey's promises to the EU, and therefore got what it wanted. It may also be said that the coalition parties acted with concern for the next elections rather than our goal of EU membership. The opposition tried to open a hole between the partners and benefit from this disagreement. There is a crack among the partners, but this is not due to the efforts of the opposition. In the coming days we may see a new partnership model opposed from within and supported by the opposition."

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