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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-13

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

13.02.2002


CONTENTS

  • [01] SEZER, ECEVIT CALL FOR COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM
  • [02] TERRORISM DISCUSSED AT OIC-EU JOINT FORUM
  • [03] BAHCELI: “TURKEY IS NOT THE SICK MAN OF THE EAST”
  • [04] CEM, PAPANDREOU SPUR NEW DIALOGUE ON AEGEAN
  • [05] SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER PRAISES TURKEY’S RECENT EFFORTS
  • [06] DERVIS: “A COUNTRY WHICH SPENDS ITS RESOURCES PROFLIGATELY WILL GO BANKRUPT”
  • [07] GERMAN MINISTER FAVORS STATE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TO HELP INTEGRATE TURKS
  • [08] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN OFFICE IN TURKEY
  • [09] TURKEY, GREECE HOLD ECONOMIC MEETINGS
  • [10] CHOMSKY ATTENDS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL
  • [11] WOMAN IN NEW AFGHAN GOVERNMENT INSPIRED BY ATATURK
  • [12] ANKARA HOSTS CULTURE AND ARTS FAIR
  • [13] TURKISH POSTER HONORED BY AD COMMUNITY
  • [14] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…
  • [15] ISTANBUL TRUCE BY OZDEMIR INCE (HURRIYET)
  • [16] HYPOCRITES!! BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
  • [17] IS PKK ABANDONING OCALAN? BY MURAT CELIK (STAR)

  • [01] SEZER, ECEVIT CALL FOR COOPERATION AGAINST TERRORISM

    Addressing the OIC-EU Joint Forum yesterday, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that terrorism was the chief issue before humanity for it to wrestle and solve. He added, “To find a solution, a common definition of terrorism is needed and its social, political and economical dimensions must be clearly delineated.” He additionally pointed to the importance of a united international stance on the issue. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit also delivered a speech at the forum saying that disputes between ideologies and hatred between races have caused wars and holocausts. He said, “The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks showed that committing acts of terrorism is very easy and cheap, but precautions against such acts are very difficult and expensive. For this reason, an effective international cooperation is urgently needed.” Recalling claims by some that the tenets of Islam justified last September attacks, Ecevit said, “This is a great deception which is unsupportable and wholly unacceptable.” /Turkiye/

    [02] TERRORISM DISCUSSED AT OIC-EU JOINT FORUM

    The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum bringing together the Christian and Islamic worlds began yesterday in Istanbul. The historic meeting’s opening speech was delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Pointing to last September’s terrorist attacks on the US, Cem said that terrorism had no religion or region. “There is no excuse for terrorism,” he added. While Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Settar said that there was a greater need for peace today than at any time since World War II, his Iranian counterpart Kemal Harrazi underlined the importance of civilizations encountering each other at the forum to prevent conflicts between them. Additionally, EU Secretary-General and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solona said, “The EU rejects any linkage between terrorism and Islam.” He also remarked on the importance of dialogue between civilizations. Another speaker, Palestinian Foreign Minister Faruk Kaddumi, claimed that the main reason for terrorism was the occupation of lands by certain countries. He said, “Palestine has been resisting such action. However, it needs the support of the whole international community.” /Turkiye-All Papers/

    [03] BAHCELI: “TURKEY IS NOT THE SICK MAN OF THE EAST”

    In a speech at the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) group meeting yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli offered his evaluations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference-European Union (OIC-EU) Joint Forum and criticized the EU for pursuing unjust and biased policies concerning its relations with Turkey. Remarking that the forum was a historic opportunity for Turkey, Bahceli stressed the necessity for improving inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue. He criticized the EU for failing to develop just and impartial policies concerning its relations with Turkey. “Everybody should understand that Turkey will never stomach such mistaken policies,” said Bahceli. “The Turkish nation is not helpless, and Turkey is not the ‘sick man’ of the East.” In addition, Bahceli also praised the harmony the coalition government had achieved despite a significant divergence of opinions among some of its members. Underlining the necessity for a sound evaluation of Turkey’s EU adjustment laws, Bahceli commented on recent efforts to enact these laws, saying, “During this period both Turkey’s resolve for democratization and the consistency of Turkish politicians have been tested. I believe that we passed these tests.” /Cumhuriyet/

    [04] CEM, PAPANDREOU SPUR NEW DIALOGUE ON AEGEAN

    Turkey and Greece have decided to start a new process of dialogue in order to work out their differences on the Aegean. Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou met yesterday in Istanbul during the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-European Union Joint Forum and resolved to discuss the Aegean and continental shelf issues at the level of general director. /Hürriyet/

    [05] SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER PRAISES TURKEY’S RECENT EFFORTS

    In a press conference yesterday at the OIC-EU Joint Forum in Istanbul, EU Term President Spain’s Foreign Minister Josep Pique spoke to the domestic press about Turkey’s bid for EU membership, the Cyprus issue and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). Praising Turkey’s resolve, Pique remarked that Turkey had taken significant steps with its recent political and economic reforms. Pique stated that Turkey had displayed the necessary determination to fulfill the EU’s political and economic criteria, adding that there was still a great deal to do in order to implement the reforms. Underlining the importance of structural reforms for the Turkish economy, Pique said that in the past Spain had also overcome its problems through implementing such reforms. /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] DERVIS: “A COUNTRY WHICH SPENDS ITS RESOURCES PROFLIGATELY WILL GO BANKRUPT”

    Speaking to Parliament’s Planning and Budget Commission yesterday, State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said, “Any country which distributes its resources without regard for its limits will go bankrupt.” Dervis also said that states should evaluate the potential dangers in any situation before taking action. /Sabah/

    [07] GERMAN MINISTER FAVORS STATE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TO HELP INTEGRATE TURKS

    Northern German Rhine-Westphalia Minister for Education, Science and Research Gabriel Behler, who is currently in Ankara for an official visit, yesterday said that he did not give credence to the so-called “clash of civilizations” theory that grabbed headlines following last September’s terrorist attacks. “People say that this conflict is between Christianity and Islam,” Behler said. “I think that’s mistaken.” Following his contacts in Ankara, Behler told Turkish daily Milliyet that Turkish people living in Germany placed a special importance on religious education and added, “The Sept. 11 attacks lent Turks’ integration into German society a special emphasis once again. An important element of this integration is giving religious education to our Turks at state-run schools. The responsibility for religious education should not be left to private communities or groups. Instead, it should be given under the umbrella of the state and within a constitutional framework.” /Milliyet/

    [08] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN OFFICE IN TURKEY

    Prominent human rights group Amnesty International will soon open a branch office in Turkey. A decree on the issue has been presented for President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s approval. “This is a very important development for Turkey’s bid for full EU membership,” said State Minister for Human Rights Nejat Arseven yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/

    [09] TURKEY, GREECE HOLD ECONOMIC MEETINGS

    The first meetings of the Turkish-Greek Joint Economic Council (KEK) are currently being held in Athens. The Turkish delegation attending the meeting is chaired by Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen and the Greek delegation by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos. The meetings are being seen as a demonstration of both countries’ good will and resolve for further rapprochement. /Cumhuriyet/

    [10] CHOMSKY ATTENDS CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL

    Famed US intellectual Noam Chomsky arrived in Istanbul yesterday for a conference at Bahcesehir University held by the Contemporary Journalists’ Association. /Hürriyet/

    [11] WOMAN IN NEW AFGHAN GOVERNMENT INSPIRED BY ATATURK

    Sima Samar, one of the two women holding a ministerial post in the Afghan interim government, said yesterday that she held Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in great esteem. Stating that the women who had been forbidden to receive education under the Taleban had now begun to go back to school, Samar said that they would work to connect Afghanistan’s women’s education centers with the International Blue Crescent. Samar added, “As part of a project financed by the Blue Crescent, the women will be educated on carpet weaving, handcrafts, sewing, computers and English. The reforms carried through Ataturk played an important role in terms of Turkish women taking their place in modern world, and therefore I take Ataturk as an example.” Samar invited the Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who work for women’s rights to come to Afghanistan to help solve the problems of Afghan women. Saying that they wanted to benefit from Turkey’s experiences, Samar added, “We hope that Turkish women will stand with us in our struggle to bring Afghan women into modern society.” /Aksam/

    [12] ANKARA HOSTS CULTURE AND ARTS FAIR

    The Fourth International Culture and Arts Fair was opened in Ankara’s Ataturk Culture Center this last weekend. At the fair, souvenirs, books, furniture, hobby crafts, home textiles and weapons from over 20 countries are being exhibited. The event will run through Feb. 20. /Aksam/

    [13] TURKISH POSTER HONORED BY AD COMMUNITY

    A tourism promotion poster published in Germany by the Turkish Tourism Ministry bearing the slogan “Come to Turkey, Catch the Rhythm” was honored yesterday by a professional trade journal. The Tourism Ministry announced that the readers of WV, an advertisement and media newspaper published in Germany, ranked Turkey’s poster number two among a field of 20 top ad campaigns. WV gave the honor on the basis of good taste, attractiveness, effectiveness and how well it conveyed information. /Star/

    [14] FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…

    [15] ISTANBUL TRUCE BY OZDEMIR INCE (HURRIYET)

    In his column in the daily Hurriyet, Ozdemir Ince writes on the meeting of civilizations taking place in Istanbul. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “The joint meeting of the EU and OIC countries at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul has a symbolic importance. On the one side there are the EU countries, all of which are Christian and on the other side the Organization of the Islamic Conference countries, all of which are Muslim. The organizer of the meeting is Turkey, which is a member of one group and a member candidate of the other. Turkey is a partner of both sides. Towards the end of his address to the meeting, President Sezer stressed an important point, “Terrorism must not be attributed to only one religion, or ethnic group. In order to solve this issue it is of utmost importance to formulate a common definition of terrorism, describe its social, political and economic dimensions and take joint action on a global scale. We believe that terrorist groups should be identified not as it suits the purposes of some particular interest but on the basis of objective definitions, and that we should continue the war against terrorism with this in mind.” President Sezer certainly knows that the main cause of terrorism stems from the conflicts between the rich and prosperous North and the poor and miserable South, and that ‘the damned of the earth’ living in the South, mainly made up of nonwhites and non-Christians, are on the verge of desperation. President Sezer is right in that a joint definition of terrorism must be arrived at. However, will biased countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway will agree to this? I believe that these countries will not agree to a rational definition of terrorism. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said, ‘Another result of the Sept. 11 attacks is the emergence of a new awareness. This awareness stems from our realizing the fact that we know very little about the other, and that we need a new set of relations and solidarity on the basis of respect for cultural diversity.’ With these words he was expressing one of the most provocative factors behind the Sept. 11 tragedy. Turkey, leading the way with a moral responsibility, has shown that it has reached maturity. This is indeed a good sign.”

    [16] HYPOCRITES!! BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

    Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the OIC-EU meeting in Istanbul. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “Istanbul, the meeting point of civilizations, is hosting the most important conference of the new century. Robert S. Robins and Jerrold M. Post in their book ‘Political Paranoia’ search for an answer to the question what can be done against the merchants of hatred who want to lead the world to a clash of civilizations. The writers say that nothing deeply rooted can be exterminated. However we can always be on alert against the danger of political paranoia. Remaining indifferent to the issue means making a deal with the devil. If enough care is not taken, the paranoid tendency will grow, be exploited and explode as a policy of hatred psychology. The Organization of the Islamic Conference and European Union countries and member countries met in Istanbul against a background similar to that of the UN General Assembly to discuss this danger threatening the future of mankind. They are searching for an answer to the question what can be done about the common enemy, which perpetrated the most tragic attack in order to escalate terrorism into a clash between religions. The first answer coming to mind is dialogue. The clash of religions deeply rooted in history can only be solved through reason, faith and sincerity. NATO member and EU candidate member Muslim Turkey has shown that Islam is compatible with democracy and has played an effective mediator role in the meeting of a great number of countries and thus increased its own importance and respectability. Hate, whatever the reason, be it religious or ethnic, leads to terror. First of all mankind has to denounce terrorism whatever the cause and stand in unison against it. When this basis is damaged by self-interest, terrorism finds the swamps it thrives on. As civilization and harmony were being discussed at the Ciragan yesterday, we received a report laying out the relation between the PKK and some EU countries. According to the document obtained by our intelligence units, advice from some European countries lies behind the PKK’s politicization drive. These countries are advising the PKK to adopt policies they believe will facilitate their hand in supporting them. The blind self-interest of willfully ignoring an evil right under one’s nose because it isn’t threatening you in particular can still ensnare the wing of civilizations meeting in Istanbul, which boasts of being ‘modern.’ This hypocrisy is sabotaging humanity’s hopes for compromise and peace.”

    [17] IS PKK ABANDONING OCALAN? BY MURAT CELIK (STAR)

    Columnist Murat Celik writes on the recent activities regarding the PKK front. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “The PKK is preparing for a new era. The organization is continuing to discuss ‘Strategies for the Politicization Process’. It is determining policies not only by itself but with the help of the politicians from such countries as France, Gemany and the Netherlands. The decisions which will be finalized in Europe will be conveyed to the international community through the Eighth PKK Congress. A change in the name of the organization is also expected to be proclaimed. The recent news seems to show that there is a disagreement over ‘Abdullah Ocalan.’ The European representative of the group, Riza Altun, sent a message to Abdullah’s brother Osman Ocalan saying, that he had met with the officials of the countries he cited. ‘They laid out the resolutions which must be taken so that the PKK could overcome its current troubles and so that some countries could ease their policies towards it. The following decisions must be taken and proclaimed at the congress, otherwise serious troubles may emerge.’ The message of the PKK European representative is clear: Europe is dictating to the PKK what it is going to do and if its conditions are not met, it will not support the organization as before. Europe is looking for a PKK without Ocalan. The conditions they have listed are , first the new name of the organization should not disturb anyone. Second, the PKK armed forces should be renamed ‘National Defense Forces.’ Third, there should be no compromise in the demands for Kurdish education or from the mention of ‘Kurd’ in identity cards. Fourth, the expression ‘Kurdistan’ should not be used in the congress decision but should rather wait for developments in Iraq to play out. Fifth, it should be stated that the PKK is ready to abandon arms but that a general amnesty should be granted to all PKK members, except Abdullah Ocalan. In other words Europe knows full well that there is no question of an amnesty being granted to Ocalan. There is no place for him in a politicized PKK looking towards future. Europe is trying to mold the PKK in a form of its desiring. Until this final form is given, they are delaying the members of the PKK in advance without drawing any reactions. Therefore the eight congress of the PKK is of great importance.”

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