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Turkish Press Review, 02-10-15Turkish 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> <map name="FPMap1"> </map> <map name="FPMap1"></map> Press & Information Turkish Press Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning15.10.2002FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…CONTENTS
[01] ECO LEADERS’ SUMMIT CONCLUDESThe Seventh Leaders’ Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (OEC) ended yesterday in Istanbul. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer represented Turkey at the summit. During the one-day gathering, Sezer had bilateral meetings with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Iranian President Mohammed Khatami, Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev and Tajik Foreign Minister Imamali Rahmanov. Sezer then gave a banquet at the Cýragan Palace for the leaders attending the summit. /Hurriyet/[02] MGK TO CONVENE NEXT WEEKThe National Security Council (MGK) is set to convene next Tuesday, Oct. 22, one week earlier than scheduled. The MGK, chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, will reportedly discuss recent developments in northern Iraq. Other topics at the gathering will be the European Union’s Progress Report on Turkey released last week and the Cyprus issue. /Milliyet/[03] HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT TURKEYHungarian President Ferenc Madl is set to arrive in Turkey today as a guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Madl first is scheduled to tour the Aegean coast city of Izmir and then on Thursday start his official program in Ankara. Madl is also to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi. /Star/[04] TURKEY CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK IN BALITurkey has formally condemned a weekend terrorist attack on the island of Bali in Indonesia, which killed at least 188 people and injured scores more. In a written statement, the Foreign Ministry conveyed Turkey’s condolences to Indonesia, the attack’s victims, and their friends and families. It said the attack had served as an unfortunate reminder of how terrorism poses a threat to all countries worldwide, one that requires a more effective, coordinated response to defeat it. /Turkiye/[05] TURKEY TO PREPARE ITS OWN PROGRESS REPORTFollowing last week’s release of the European Commission Progress Report on Turkey, selected Turkish government institutions, namely the EU General Secretariat and related bodies, have decided to prepare their own progress report. It was decided at a meeting held yesterday between officials from the secretariat that the report would be submitted to the European Commission after its completion. /Cumhuriyet/[06] CAKMAKOGLU: “TURKEY WILL NEVER ALLOW A KURDISH STATE TO BE ESTABLISHED IN NORTHERN IRAQ”Appearing on NTV yesterday, Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu gave his views on the latest developments in northern Iraq. Remarking that Turkey would never allow a Kurdish state to be established in the region, Cakmakoglu stated that there were a number of steps Ankara could take, including the use of armed forces or shutting its border gates, should Iraqi Kurdish groups attempt to set up an independent state. Çakmakoglu added that he did not believe that a US-led operation against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein could take place before Nov. 3, the date of Turkey’s general elections. “I believe that the Bush administration will take into consideration Turkey’s views and concerns before launching a military strike,” said the defense minister. /Cumhuriyet/[07] BAHCELI: “THE MHP SHOULD BE PART OF THE POST-ELECTION GOVERNMENT”Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said yesterday that neither the post-Nov. 3 Parliament nor its government should be formed without MHP participation. Bahceli stated that after coming to power, the MHP would carry out a new economic recovery program. “We will also implement administrative reform and try to govern the country with 21 ministers, including the prime minister,” said Bahceli. Turkey currently has 36 state minister posts. He also said that the MHP had acted responsibly this summer during Parliament’s debates over a package of European Union harmonization laws, one which eventually passed despite MHP opposition. “The current government has made greater efforts for EU membership than any government in the last 40 years,” stated Bahceli, whose party has been part of the tripartite ruling coalition for three years. “However, some circles have tried to paint MHP as opposed to Turkey’s EU membership.” /Milliyet/[08] BAYKAL: “A NEW, ELECTED GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET TURKEY’S COURSE ON IRAQ”Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal yesterday declared that recent talk by the current “lame duck government” of possible Turkish involvement in an Iraq intervention was not serving the country’s best interests. “A decision on such involvement should be made by an elected government [after Nov. 3], one supported by a majority of the people,” stated Baykal. Speaking to the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), Baykal said that the current situation in northern Iraq was the consequence of mistaken policies at the hands of the government. “Turkey has sat and watched the developments from afar,” he added. “It failed to take measures when the time was ripe.” /Turkiye/[09] TURKEY TO CONVEY ITS CONCERNS ON IRAQ ISSUE TO US OFFICIALSAhead of a possible US operation in Iraq, Turkey is preparing to make contacts with the Bush administration to discuss all dimensions of the Iraq issue. The National Security Council (MGK) is due to convene on next Tuesday, Oct. 22, to discuss the issue and definitively formulate Turkey’s stance. The Turkish government is planning to once again convey its concerns to the Bush administration. Turkey believes that a recent draft constitution drawn up by Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) leader Massoud Barzani and Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (IPUK) leader Jalal Talabani should be considered null and void and that the US should work to block Kurdish groups from occupying oil-rich Kirkuk as a capital city. Meanwhile, the IKDP and IPUK are preparing to send delegations to Ankara in an attempt to ease Turkey’s concerns. /Cumhuriyet/[10] TURKER: “RUMORS OF WAR IN IRAQ CAN HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON TURKEY”Economy Minister Masum Turker told reporters yesterday that rumors concerning a planned United States operation in Iraq could have negative effects on the Turkish economy. He stated that if such an attack came to pass, it would have negative repercussions on Turkey’s trade, production and tourism, but the worst effects would be seen in the interest on Turkey’s foreign debt. However, despite the probable negative effects of an operation, Turker stated that he believed Turkey was strong enough to weather any hardships that might come. /Cumhuriyet/[11] KUTAN: “NEXT MONTH’S ELECTIONS CARRY GREAT IMPORTANCE”Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan said yesterday that next month’s elections carried great importance for Turkey’s future, adding that the people should bear this in mind when casting their ballots. “Turkey is facing a host of political, economic and social problems, and a government prepared to overcome these problems should come to power next month,” said Kutan. The SP leader added that after coming to power, his party would support Turkish agriculture. /Turkiye/[12] IKDP REP: ”THERE’S NO NEED FOR TURKEY TO BE CONCERNED”Responding to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s recent statement that the situation in northern Iraq had taken a wrong turn, Safeen Dizayee, Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) representative to Ankara, said yesterday that there was no need for Turkey to be concerned. Stressing that reports of recent developments in northern Iraq had been exaggerated, Dizayee said, “We assure the Turkish premier that we have no hidden agenda.” He then asked that politicians refrain from using the northern Iraq situation as election campaign fodder. Dizayee added that a high-level delegation from the IKDP would visit Turkey to hold a series of contacts with Turkish officials within the next one or two weeks. /Turkiye/[13] US OFFICIAL: “THE US DOESN’T WANT A KURDISH STATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ EITHER”Addressing Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s recent statement that the current situation in northern Iraq was spinning out of control, an unnamed top- level US official stated yesterday that the Bush administration didn’t believe the latest developments in the region were paving the way to the establishment of a Kurdish state. Stating that discussions on the establishment of a federation in the region had been held for over a decade, since 1991’s Gulf War, the US official remarked that Turkey should not consider the recent developments as representing fundamental breaks from the past. He reiterated that it was official US policy not to favor the establishment of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq. /Aksam/[14] US STATE DEPARTMENT: “TURKEY SHOULD ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA”United States Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage yesterday sent a letter to the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, telling congressmen of US efforts to encourage Turkey to establish relations with Armenia. The letter stated that the Bush administration was putting pressure on Turkey to open border gates on the Turkish-Armenian frontier and establish economic and cultural relations with Armenia. “We believe that such an initiative would contribute to both the Turkish and Armenian economies,” the letter added. /Cumhuriyet/[15] IMF DELEGATION TO DEPARTFollowing a press conference today, an International Monetary Fund delegation headed by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen is expected to depart from Turkey today. The delegation, which has been in Turkey since Oct. 3 as part of the fourth review of the nation’s economic program, has completed its work with Turkish officials on a new Letter of Intent. /Turkiye/[16] FUKUYAMA: “TURKEY IS A MODEL FOR THE ISLAMIC WORLD”Speaking at a conference yesterday, prominent writer and political philosopher Francis Fukuyama said that Turkey stood as a model for the rest of the Islamic world. Turkey is the only country in the Islamic world with a liberal democracy and a definite upward trend, added Fukuyama. He also said that Turkey’s attitudes towards its European Union membership bid, the Kurdish issue and the fight against terrorism were appreciated by Washington. /Aksam/[17] FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS… FROM THE COLUMNS…[18] ALARM BELLS FOR NORTHERN IRAQI BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on a possible operation by the US against Iraq. A summary of his column is as follows:“Everybody has been talking about a possible US operation against Iraq and what’s more, an related military operation by Turkey against its neighbor. The incidents that sparked these rumors were the drawing up of a draft constitution by two Kurdish groups in northern Iraq, one envisaging a federation with Kirkuk as its capital, and Ankara’s quick reaction against this. Things heated up after Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey wouldn’t accept ‘the formation of such a Kurdish state,’ adding, ‘We don’t favor a war, but developments seem to be heading that way.’ These statements brought speculation in political circles to a near-boil. Would Turkey carry out a ‘pre-emptive’ operation right now due to ‘hidden intentions,’ ones left unsaid in the draft put together by groups led by Barzani and Talabani? Our conversations with various officials and analysts give the impression that carrying out an operation against Iraq before the US or preparing a pre-emptive operation any time soon is out of the question. Perhaps the heated election atmosphere is creating an environment ripe for such speculation, but the official statements actually look much more like a kind of stern warning. As a matter of fact Ankara, which has been suspicious about the two Kurdish leaders’ long-term aims, is finding it advantageous to clearly declare its position right now. Ankara’s recent statements and declarations are clear messages not only to these leaders, but also to all the concerned countries, particularly the US. Of course this doesn’t mean that Turkey will carry out a pre-emptive operation against Iraq immediately. The issue is multifaceted and rife with risks. Frankly, there is no situation at this stage that can be given as a cause for war. The Kurdish leaders are certainly saying that they aren’t seeking independence. They instead state that they will discuss a constitutional model envisaging a federal system with the administration in Baghdad -- in other words, a post-Saddam administration -- and other elements in the country, including the Turkmens. Speaking at a symposium in Istanbul this weekend, Iraqi Kurdistan Democrat Party’s (IKDP) Representative to Ankara Safeen Dizayee said that the Kurds in northern Iraq were ready to concede some of their advantages gained in recent years so that a federal system can be established within Iraq’s territorial integrity. Of course if a regime based on a consensus between Baghdad and the Kurds is established -- to use the words of Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies (ASAM) Dr. Umit Ozdag -- ‘Turkey would have little to say. However, such a consensus is impossible.’ In such a situation, what would the Kurdish leaders do? Would they attempt to establish the federal status that they have been dreaming of, or put a ‘confederal’ status into practice with a view to set up an independent state in the future? Frankly, Ankara is worried about this, and as this concern is very serious and widespread, Ankara is objecting vociferously in order to send a crystal- clear message. Developments on this issue are closely related to the US’ short and long- term plans concerning Iraq. What sort of a regime is the Bush administration planning to establish in Baghdad, and what sort of a future status does it see for northern Iraq? In tomorrow’s column I’ll give my answers to these questions, but for now I’ll just say that a possible US operation might spur a Turkish gambit to establish control in Iraq.” [19] THE EU AND ALTERNATIVES... BY ZEYNEP GURCANLI (STAR)Columnist Zeynep Gurcanli comments on Turkish-EU relations and yesterday’s Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit in Istanbul. A summary of her column is as follows:“Whenever Turkey finds itself at odds with the EU, it immediately starts casting about for alternatives that would be possible substitutes for the Union. Whenever Turkey is disappointed by the EU, the same tune is sung in unison: ‘The EU will never let in predominantly Muslim Turkey.’ And eventually Turkey turns its eyes once again to Central Asia, with which we share a common tongue, and to the Middle East, with which we share a common faith. Yet, does Turkey have really an alternative besides to the EU which could truly achieve economic and political integration? Yesterday’s Seventh Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit gathered at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace gave the best answer to this question. The ECO was established in 1985 under Turkey’s initiative, and it currently has 10 members; the six Central Asian republics, the sister states of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Turkey’s tough neighbor Iran, and Turkey itself. The ECO stretches over a wide geography and is rich in terms of natural resources such as oil, natural gas and water. However, it largely lacks one very important element, one which can, in no way, be compensated for by the natural resources listed above: democracy. The regimes of the ECO member countries stand in a stark contrast to each other. Among them, the most ‘stable democracy’, in spite of all its shortcomings, is that of Turkey. Iran has a quasi-Islamic rule, and the Central Asian Turkic Republics all have some kind of dictatorship. In Pakistan there is this general, Pervez Musharraf, who took the reins of the country with a coup. And, the regime in Afghanistan is there thanks to international aid. Although these 10 countries have a great deal in common in terms of values, religion and culture, their vast differences in political outlook cannot help but be manifested when they try to ‘cooperate.’ Speaking at the summit yesterday, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer complained that in spite of its half-decade- plus history, the ECO had at yet been unable to take any significant steps. Similar sentiments slipped out of the mouths of leaders from other countries. And the one-day gathering ended with nothing concrete to show for it, but rather with all good wishes for the next summit. The ECO summit in Istanbul alone clearly proved one thing: If Turkey sincerely wants to make further progress in terms of both democracy and secularism, it has no other alternative, politically and economically, besides the EU. The European countries also display a diverse picture in terms of their languages, cultures and even religion. However, they have one strong glue holding them together, namely democracy. Thanks to this cement, the EU has been able to achieve a common currency and economy.” 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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