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Turkish Press Review, 02-07-12
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
12.07.2002
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ELECTIONS
BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)
A GAIN FOR POLITICS, BUT A LOSS FOR DIPLOMACY
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
THE EU MUST INCLUDE KADEK IN ITS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS’ LIST
BY ISMET GIRITLI (TURKIYE)
CONTENTS
[01] CEM RESIGNS FROM DSP
[02] DERVIS WITHDRAWS HIS RESIGNATION
[03] YILMAZ: “ANAP WILL DO ITS BEST DURING THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD”
[04] BAHCELI MEETS WITH SUPREME BOARD OF ELECTIONS CHAIRMAN
[05] POLITICAL TURMOIL FELT IN TURKEY’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
[06] KAHKONEN MEETS WITH DERVIS
[07] US UNDERSECRETARY TAYLOR: “TURKISH REFORMS ARE GOING WELL”
[08] US STATE DEPARTMENT: “WE ARE CLOSELY FOLLOWING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN TURKEY”
[09] OZILHAN: “ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD TO END POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY”
[10] TURKEY ENTERS INTO ADVANCED WARPLANE PROJECT WITH THE US
[11] INVESTMENT CONSULTATION COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED
[12] EUROPEAN TEXTILE GROUP ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU BID
[13] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[14] POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ELECTIONS
BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)
[15] A GAIN FOR POLITICS, BUT A LOSS FOR DIPLOMACY
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[16] THE EU MUST INCLUDE KADEK IN ITS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS’ LIST
BY ISMET GIRITLI (TURKIYE)
[01] CEM RESIGNS FROM DSP
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday resigned from the Democratic Left
Party (DSP) and his Cabinet post. Resignations from the senior coalition
partner DSP continued yesterday. With these defections, the number of DSP
deputies’ resignations from their party officially reached 41, including
seven ministers, and the number of the party deputies in Parliament fell to
87. /Hurriyet/
[02] DERVIS WITHDRAWS HIS RESIGNATION
State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis yesterday resigned from his
position on the Cabinet, but then, upon the request of President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer, withdrew his resignation. Dervis reportedly made his decision
to resign after a 20-minute meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
around noon yesterday upon the premier’s request. Following Foreign
Minister Cem’s handing in his resignation, Dervis sent a petition to Prime
Minister regarding his own resignation. However, when the president learnt
about the matter, Sezer called Dervis and requested that he withdraw his
resignation, saying that Turkey needs him in a critical period for the
economy. In a written statement issued last evening, Dervis said that he
had withdrawn his resignation. Meanwhile, Cem is expected to hold a press
conference this morning to tell his reasons for resigning and plans for the
future. /Turkiye/
[03] YILMAZ: “ANAP WILL DO ITS BEST DURING THIS DIFFICULT PERIOD”
Speaking to reporters yesterday before his departure to Brussels to attend
a meeting of the Convention for Europe’s Future, Deputy Prime Minister and
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz stated that Turkey was going
through a time of political crisis, but that ANAP was doing its best to
protect Turkey’s interests. Yilmaz also said that he would meet with the
leaders of political parties next month in order to recall the Parliament
for an extraordinary session to discuss laws concerning the European Union.
/Star/
[04] BAHCELI MEETS WITH SUPREME BOARD OF ELECTIONS CHAIRMAN
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday met with
Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) Chairman Tufan Algan. At the meeting,
Bahceli said that his party wanted early elections to be held in November
but Algan stated, “We need more time for the renewal of voter registrations,
and it would be difficult to be ready for elections by November.” Bahceli
stated that the YSK’s needs such as a budget of TL 35 billion and
infrastructure services for early elections would be provided. Algan said,
“Two months before the elections would not be enough time to get ready for
them.” /Milliyet/
[05] POLITICAL TURMOIL FELT IN TURKEY’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Due to the recent wave of resignations and defections from within one of
the senior coalition partners, the Democratic Left Party (DSP), Turkey has
lurched into further political turmoil which could hurt the country’s
foreign relations. After Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stepped down on
Thursday morning, State Economy Minister Kemal Dervis yesterday submitted
his resignation but later withdrew it upon the request of President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. European Union Commission
Chairman Romano Prodi has postponed his visit to Turkey scheduled for next
Thursday, fearful that the political gap opened by Cem’s resignation could
not be filled. Another senior figure in the EU, Commissioner for
Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, has also delayed a scheduled visit to the
country. According to a statement from the EU Commission, the determination
to put off the visits were made with the joint decision of both Turkey and
the EU, noting that new dates would be determined as soon as is possible.
“Prodi is closely watching the latest developments in Turkey,” said the
statement. “He has already conveyed his belief to Turkish officials that
despite the recent political uncertainty, the Turkish government would
continue its reforms without making any concessions from the country’s
targets regarding its relations with the EU.” In addition, United States
Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz is reportedly considering
delaying his three-day visit to Turkey scheduled to begin next Monday.
/Cumhuriyet/
[06] KAHKONEN MEETS WITH DERVIS
International Monetary Fund Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen yesterday met
with State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis and Treasury
Undersecretary Faik Oztrak. Kahkonen said that the current political
uncertainty was an internal Turkish problem and that the IMF would not
intervene in internal affairs. “The IMF will not deviate from the economic
program,” Kahkonen added. /Sabah/
[07] US UNDERSECRETARY TAYLOR: “TURKISH REFORMS ARE GOING WELL”
US Undersecretary for International Relations John Taylor said yesterday
that the Turkish economy was getting better thanks to the government’s
efforts for reforms. Stating that the nation’s real economy was recovering,
Taylor said that the reform implemented by State Minister for the Economy
Kemal Dervis with great political support were working well. “Turkish
finance markets are currently in a state of instability,” he added. “This
is due to worries that the crisis which began with Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit’s illness and continued with resignations from the Democratic Left
Party (DSP) could endanger Turkey’s $16 billion International Monetary Fund
[IMF] program. However, the reforms started by Dervis, who used to work for
the World Bank, are fundamentally sound policies. I cannot promise a soft
landing from this period, since one cannot discount the effects of
political instability. But you should remember that your reforms are good
policies, and that they are going well.” /Aksam/
[08] US STATE DEPARTMENT: “WE ARE CLOSELY FOLLOWING RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN
TURKEY”
United States State Department Spokesman Phil Reeker yesterday stated that
the US government was closely following recent political developments in
Turkey. “Turkey is one of the most important allies of the US as well as
the only Muslim country within NATO,” he said. “That’s why we place great
importance on Turkey’s domestic politics.” Remarking that the Turkish
government had enjoyed success in implementing its economic program, Reeker
added, “We expect Turkey to keep its commitment to the economic program.
The US will keep an eye on Turkey since we place a high premium on our
relations with Turkey.” /Cumhuriyet/
[09] OZILHAN: “ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD TO END POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY”
Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chairman
Tuncay Ozilhan yesterday met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Speaking to
reporters after their meeting, Ozilhan said that he had told Ecevit about
his worries on issues such as Turkey’s European Union accession process and
the current economic program. “Elections should be held to end the
political uncertainty,” he said. “If there is a need for early elections a
date should be decided as soon as possible, otherwise the economy will be
damaged.” He also stated that Ecevit hadn’t specified a date for elections.
/Milliyet/
[10] TURKEY ENTERS INTO ADVANCED WARPLANE PROJECT WITH THE US
A signing ceremony at the Pentagon yesterday marked the beginning of
Turkey’s official participation in the international Joint Strike Fighter
(JSP) project, under which the “warplane of the future” is to be developed.
Defense Industry Undersecretary Dursun Ali Ercan signed on the behalf of
Turkey, and Peter Aldridge, US deputy defense secretary, signed on behalf
of his government. Speaking at the ceremony, Aldridge said, “This is a
great day in terms of both Turkish-US relations and the JSF program. Today
Turkey begins its participation in the project’s stage of third-level
system development and demonstration.” Among the countries which are at the
same level of partnership as Turkey are Britain, Canada, the Netherlands,
Denmark, Norway and Italy. /Aksam/
[11] INVESTMENT CONSULTATION COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED
An investment Consultation Council Meeting which was scheduled to be held
in Istanbul next Thursday, one that carries great importance for foreign
investors in Turkey, has been cancelled due to recent domestic political
developments. The meeting was organized on the initiative of World Bank
President James D. Wolfensohn, while International Monetary Fund Executive
Board Director Horst Kohler and the heads of large international companies
were invited to attend. /Turkiye/
[12] EUROPEAN TEXTILE GROUP ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S EU BID
An important European clothing and textile group took a firm stand
yesterday in favor of Turkey’s European Union membership bid. Filiep
Libeert, chairman of the European Apparel and Textile Organization
(Euratex), announced the group’s support at a press conference in Istanbul.
Libeert, who is in Turkey as a guest of domestic professional groups, said
that the Turkish textile and ready-wear clothes industries were important
for Euratex and the 15 EU members, all of which are represented in the
group. A letter this month from Euratex to the EU Commission asked that
Turkey’s EU bid be expedited, he said. “Everybody within Euratex stands
fully behind Turkey on this issue,” Libeert added. “We favor Turkey’s EU
membership in the shortest time possible. We’re ready to do whatever we can
towards this end. We want you to join us.” /Aksam/
[13] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[14] POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ELECTIONS
BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)
Columnist Sedat Ergin writes about the causes of the political problems in
Turkey and discusses possible solutions. A summary of his column is as
follows:
“We can compare the unbelievable speed of political developments over the
last few days to an earthquake, and the event that triggered this political
earthquake was Prime Minister Ecevit’s decision to ask Husamettin Ozkan to
resign. This was followed by a proposal by MHP leader Devlet Bahceli to
hold early elections on Nov. 3. Then came Ozkan and his allies’ resignation
from the Democratic Left Party (DSP). The latest shock was the decision
made by Ismail Cem and Kemal Dervis to resign and work with Ozkan. The only
way to put an end to these earthquakes is to hold early elections. If we
want things to settle then we have to accept that elections are now a must
that can no longer be postponed. But the most important question is: Under
what government are the elections going to be held? Judging by the latest
events, it looks as if the current government is not going to stay in power
for very much longer. So one solution to this problem could be to form an
election government in which all parties are represented. In the short term
this political earthquake is bound to have negative effects. At first
glance it seems that it’s the prime minister’s health problems that started
all this, but behind this apparent cause lie years of corruption that have
dominated Turkish politics. So, we can safely say that the day of elections
is going to be a good day for Turkish politics.”
[15] A GAIN FOR POLITICS, BUT A LOSS FOR DIPLOMACY
BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the recent political developments in Turkey
concerning Foreign Minister Ismail Cem’s resignation and its possible
repercussions on Turkish foreign policy. A summary of his column is as
follows:
“Foreign Minister Ismal Cem’s resignation from the Democratic Left Party
(DSP) and his cabinet post may be a gain for Turkish political life, but
without doubt it is a loss for Turkish diplomacy. Throughout his five-year
term at the helm of Turkish foreign policy, Cem has racked up some major
achievements. The most important of these accomplishments was of course the
close relations between Athens and Ankara forged by Cem and his Greek
colleague George Papandreou. As the architect of our policy of integration
with the EU, Cem has put on a great performance in his direct talks with
leading European figures. And trailblazing a new perspective in Turkish
foreign policy, Cem worked to establish strong ties with a host of
countries in regions ranging from Asia to sub-Saharan Africa and Latin
America. Surely, Ismail Cem was Turkey’s most prominent foreign minister in
the recent decades. Unfortunately the timing of the political turmoil and
the subsequent resignations coincided with a critical period in which vital
decisions and strategic measures needed to be taken in foreign policy.
Cem’s resignation was the last straw. Now Turkey’s future positions on such
vital questions as Cyprus, a possible military attack on Iraq and relations
with the EU are not only question marks, but also major sources of unease
in the foreign quarters. The bulk of this distress is centered on the idea
that if the existing government headed by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
continues to serve in power, the expected ‘positive steps’ on the EU and
Cyprus issues lie in grave doubt.”
[16] THE EU MUST INCLUDE KADEK IN ITS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS’ LIST
BY ISMET GIRITLI (TURKIYE)
Columnist Ismet Giritli writes on the PKK terrorist organization’s change
of name into becoming KADEK. A summary of his column is as follows:
“We know that the EU Permanent Representatives Council (COREPER) included
the PKK and DHKP-C terrorist organizations in its new terrorist
organizations list and that this decision was entered in the records of the
EU and went into force. However, it is also widely known that the PKK
changed its name a short while ago to the ‘Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy
Congress’ (KADEK) and has annulled its old name. This means that as the PKK
has turned into KADEK, the members of this organization will freely travel
under the banner of KADEK in Europe and do whatever they like. In fact, it
can be recalled that as soon as it was declared that the PKK would be added
to the European Union’s terrorist organizations list, KADEK, the extension
of the old organization threatened the EU, the US and Turkey in a
declaration signed by Osman Ocalan, the brother of convicted terrorist
Abdullah Ocalan. In this declaration, KADEK said
that the EU, Turkey and US were playing a very dangerous game. They had to
stop it, he said, as it was forcing KADEK to a war. The world would regret
such a decision in the face of their determined reaction. In addition to
this declaration Osman Ocalan characterized the inclusion of KADEK
terrorists into the EU list as a declaration of war against Kurds. Taken
together, what all these expressions demonstrate is that the new PKK under
its new name KADEK is a terrorist organization threatening to use terrorism
not only against Turkey but also against the EU and the US. Therefore
Turkish diplomacy must continue its efforts to reach its goal of including
KADEK into the EU terrorist organizations list as they did the PKK. If
Turkey continues its efforts and energetic stand on the issue, it won’t be
hard to include KADEK into the list six months from now, if not
immediately. In fact, a spokesmen for the EU Commission Gumar Wiegand, has
said that if it is proven that KADEK is the continuance of and heir to the
PKK, it could also be taken into the terrorist organizations list by the
EU. The inclusion of KADEK into the list following the PKK may expedite the
process of accepting life imprisonment without parole for crimes of terrors
instead of capital punishment in Turkey.”
ARCHIVE
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