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Turkish Press Review, 05-12-07

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> e-mail : newspot@byegm.gov.tr <caption> <_caption> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

07.12.2005

CROATIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY ERDOGAN: “WE’RE OPPOSED TO SEPARATISM” FM GUL: “THE UN IS TAKING THE INITIATIVE ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE” SENER ADDRESSES AKP GROUP MEETING, HAILS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS SPEAKING TO THE NEW ANATOLIAN, GUL STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF IRAQ’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY POLITICAL PARTIES BEGIN PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE EARLY ELECTIONS BAYKAL CLAIMS GOVT TAX CUTS ARE MEANT FOR FOREIGN FIRMS GONUL: “RUMSFELD BRIEFED ME ON WASHINGTON’S STANCE AGAINST TERRORIST PKK” FENER GREEK PATRIARCH GETS SUPPORT FROM WASHINGTON FBI DIRECTOR TO VISIT ANKARA FITCH RAISES TURKEY’S OUTLOOK TO POSITIVE FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS... RULING PARTY ON THE AGENDA ISMAIL KUCUKKAYA (AKSAM)

CONTENTS

  • [01] CROATIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY
  • [02] ERDOGAN: “WE’RE OPPOSED TO SEPARATISM”
  • [03] FM GUL: “THE UN IS TAKING THE INITIATIVE ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE”
  • [04] SENER ADDRESSES AKP GROUP MEETING, HAILS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
  • [05] SPEAKING TO THE NEW ANATOLIAN, GUL STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF IRAQ’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
  • [06] POLITICAL PARTIES BEGIN PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE EARLY ELECTIONS
  • [07] BAYKAL CLAIMS GOVT TAX CUTS ARE MEANT FOR FOREIGN FIRMS
  • [08] GONUL: “RUMSFELD BRIEFED ME ON WASHINGTON’S STANCE AGAINST TERRORIST PKK”
  • [09] FENER GREEK PATRIARCH GETS SUPPORT FROM WASHINGTON
  • [10] FBI DIRECTOR TO VISIT ANKARA
  • [11] FITCH RAISES TURKEY’S OUTLOOK TO POSITIVE
  • [12] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [13] RULING PARTY ON THE AGENDA ISMAIL KUCUKKAYA (AKSAM)

  • [01] CROATIAN PRESIDENT VISITS TURKEY

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday welcomed President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic, in Ankara for an official visit, at the Presidential Palace. After their meetings, a cooperative agreement was signed between the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Turk Eximbank (Turkey’s export credit bank). Afterwards, at a joint press conference, Sezer said, “We saw that our countries share the same vision on the issue of close cooperation toward the common goals of the unification of Europe, regional harmony, and strengthening cooperation.” For his part, Mesic said that they were happy to see Turkey starting accession talks with the European Union. /Star/

    [02] ERDOGAN: “WE’RE OPPOSED TO SEPARATISM”

    Speaking at a conference at New Zealand’s Canterbury University, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was a country comprised of some 30 ethnic groups who have lived in peace and harmony throughout history. Stressing that Kurds are represented in both Parliament and senior leadership posts without any discrimination, Erdogan stated that the PKK was a terrorist group which exploits citizens of Kurdish origin. “We’re opposed to separatism,” said the premier. Commenting on Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Erdogan said that Turkey was heading for the EU to take on a burden, not to be a burden to the Union. Expressing his hope that the Greek Cypriot administration would make efforts for a settlement on Cyprus, Erdogan vowed that the Turkish side would continue to do its best to reach a peaceful resolution on the island. After completing his contacts in New Zealand, Erdogan proceeded to Australia, the second stop of his official trip, last evening. /Turkiye/

    [03] FM GUL: “THE UN IS TAKING THE INITIATIVE ON THE KIRKUK ISSUE”

    Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul yesterday attended a foreign ministers’ meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in preparation for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit which officially starts today. Speaking to reporters, Gul said that UN-led efforts have been underway for clearing the names of non-residents from voter rolls in Kirkuk, Iraq. Asked about Iraqi Turkmens’ concerns regarding the situation in Kirkuk, Gul described the city as a “mini Iraq” and said that Turkey has been closely monitoring the situation there. The foreign minister also said that he recently sent a letter outlining Turkey’s concerns to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and added that everybody is against artificial changes to Kirkuk’s demographic makeup. Gul also said that the “OIC 10-Year Action Plan” covering problems facing the Islamic world, important events, and developments was the most important subject discussed at the meeting of foreign ministers. /Star/

    [04] SENER ADDRESSES AKP GROUP MEETING, HAILS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

    Addressing his party’s group meeting, standing in for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is abroad, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener yesterday said that thanks to the government’s efforts, the purchasing power of the nation was much higher than it was three years ago. Sener rebuffed suggestions that the government had a “secret agenda,” saying that its program and policies are transparent. “Improving the lot of our nation is our agenda,” said Sener. Briefing the deputies on Turkey’s macroeconomic indicators, Sener stated that Turkey had achieved its highest growth figures, and inflation was at its lowest level since 1970. Sener also hailed recent economic developments in the banking sector, adding that unemployment hadn’t increased in the last three years. /Turkiye/

    [05] SPEAKING TO THE NEW ANATOLIAN, GUL STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF IRAQ’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

    Speaking to English-language daily the New Anatolian, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said that Ankara wasn’t afraid of a possible division of Iraq, adding that no one could intimidate Ankara by using the Kurds. Gul also stressed the importance of Iraq’s territorial integrity and warned that the division of Iraq could sow chaos in the Middle East. “The region, which has been unable to solve the Palestinian-Israeli dispute for 50 years, can’t tolerate more chaos,” said Gul. “Northern Iraq is important for us, and Kurds and Turkmen are our kin.” /Sabah/

    [06] POLITICAL PARTIES BEGIN PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE EARLY ELECTIONS

    In addition to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), other political parties including the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the True Path Party (DYP) and the Motherland Party (ANAVATAN), all of which have predicted elections next year, have begun preparations towards that end. The opposition parties’ leaders and parliament deputies both plan extensive visits throughout the country to promote their policies. Although ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the next general elections will be held as scheduled in 2007, the AKP administration has also called on 81 provincial heads to meet in Ankara on Saturday. The gathering is expected to focus on party strategy for the next general elections. /Aksam/

    [07] BAYKAL CLAIMS GOVT TAX CUTS ARE MEANT FOR FOREIGN FIRMS

    Speaking at his party’s group meeting yesterday, opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal criticized the government’s recent proposed tax cuts, claiming that they were intended for foreign firms which have gotten a piece of the country’s privatization. Also commenting on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “primary identity” argument, Baykal said that he didn’t know what Erdogan was aiming at. “If you say that there are two nations, then you have to know the consequences of this,” said Baykal. Also marking the 71st anniversary of Turkish women getting the right to vote and be elected, Baykal stated that Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had given a landmark right to women in 1934, while the world was fighting fascism. /Cumhuriyet/

    [08] GONUL: “RUMSFELD BRIEFED ME ON WASHINGTON’S STANCE AGAINST TERRORIST PKK”

    In the midst of a US visit, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said yesterday that US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had briefed him on Washington’s stance against the terrorist PKK during their recent meeting. “I told Rumsfeld that the Turkish nation is concerned about the PKK,” said Gonul, adding that he had stressed that Ankara places great importance on Iraq’s territorial integrity. /Sabah/

    [09] FENER GREEK PATRIARCH GETS SUPPORT FROM WASHINGTON

    The US administration on Monday said that it considers Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos to be an “ecumenical” leader, adding that it supports the reopening the Orthodox seminary on Heybeliada in Istanbul. In a State Department statement released in response to an earlier question, the department said, “The US considers Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos to be a religious leader of global standing. The US takes very seriously the issue of religious freedom in Turkey. Among these concerns are the status of the patriarch and reopening of the Orthodox seminary in Heybeliada. The US has consistently raised concerns regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate with Turkish authorities at the highest levels for many years. President George W. Bush urged the reopening of the seminary in his June meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.” /Milliyet/

    [10] FBI DIRECTOR TO VISIT ANKARA

    Robert S. Mueller, director of the FBI, one of the US’ most important security agencies, will visit Ankara tomorrow. Mueller, on a tour to see the operations of equivalent agencies abroad, will visit Ankara before returning to Washington. Mueller, after meeting with Gokhan Aydiner, director general of security, will have lunch with high-ranking security officials on Friday before departing Turkey. While security officials declined to comment on the visit, sources stated that recent al-Queda operations in Turkey would be discussed. /Milliyet/

    [11] FITCH RAISES TURKEY’S OUTLOOK TO POSITIVE

    Following Turkey’s recent accomplishments, including lower inflation, speedy reforms and both political and economic stability, global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings yesterday upgraded Turkey’s rating outlook to positive from stable. The long-term foreign currency and local currency ratings were affirmed at BB minus. The agency stated its belief that Turkey would continue its reform programs backed by the International Monetary Fund as well as the European Union. /Turkiye/

    [12] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [13] RULING PARTY ON THE AGENDA ISMAIL KUCUKKAYA (AKSAM)

    Columnist Ismail Kucukkaya comments on yesterday’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) group meeting. A summary of his column is as follows:

    “We’re governed by the parliamentary system, and right now just one party holds power in Turkey. However, the government is more important in the system in Turkey, in other words, the executive branch has a very large role in our democracy. So, how does the Justice and Development Party (AKP) group, consisting of 357 deputies, see the agenda? The answer to this question was discussed at the AKP’s parliamentary group meeting hall yesterday. As Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul are both abroad, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener spoke during the group meeting this week. The hall has always been full, but yesterday the number of empty seats was striking. As soon as I entered the hall, I noticed that Afyon Deputy Mahmut Kocak was the center of attention. Kocak previously did a survey which showed falling public support for the AKP. Balikesir Deputy Turan Comez also attracted attention for his criticism of the AKP. Comez was slated to make a speech on ‘The AKP Family and Importance of Positive Dialogue,’ but the speech was ruined, for Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan was also scheduled to speak on next year’s budget. At that time Sener was speaking at the podium too. I don’t think that was a coincidence. It must be the party leadership’s efforts to encourage solidarity.

    When Justice Minister Cemil Cicek was entering the hall, reporters flocked around to him. He answered their questions by saying that he would use his right to be silent for 10 days. Those who had great expectations about Sener’s speech were disappointed a little, because Sener read out the price lists of sugar, t-shirts, etc. like former President Suleyman Demirel. Then he read from the rules and regulations that the AKP wasn’t and wouldn’t be a party insisting on ideology. Unakitan was among those who applauded these words the most. Sener’s words indicating that the economic situation was good pleased Unakitan greatly. Sener tried to maintain balance in his speech, but before he has made interesting and striking remarks, particularly on the issue of alcoholic drinks. Terrorist PKK head Abdullah Ocalan’s remarks on sub- and primary identity were discussed in the hall as well. Some of the deputies said that this would contribute to reaching peace, but others claimed that this was certainly a provocation of Ocalan and that his aim was to harm the government. I can sum up the atmosphere of the group meeting this way.”

    ARCHIVE

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