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Turkish Press Review, 08-10-22Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning22.10.2008FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNSCONTENTS
[01] MGK REITERATES DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISMThe National Security Council (MGK), chaired by President Abdullah Gul, yesterday convened at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, along with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Deputy Prime Ministers Cemil Cicek and Hayati Yazici, and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. Attending the MGK for the first time in their new posts were Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug, Land Forces Commander Gen. Isık Kosaner and Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Atila Isik. According to an official statement, the meeting focused on such issues as the fight against the terrorist PKK at home and abroad, recent talks with the northern Iraqi regional administration, Turkey's recent election to a temporary seat on the UN Security Council, and Ankara's role in promoting peace and stability in the Caucasus. In the statement, the MGK reaffirmed its determination to maintain measures against the terrorist PKK and its supporters, who try to harm public order, unity, solidarity, peace and confidence. "In light of recent developments in Iraq, the gathering also discussed measures to counter and prevent terrorist PKK attacks, stressing the importance of Iraqi territory not being used by terrorist groups," the council said. The statement underlined that the PKK's goals will be frustrated and that the Turkish people will maintain their common sense. "Fighting terrorism will continue with determination through effective cooperation between all state institutions, and the MGK also backed the government's decision to form a new body to strengthen coordination in the fight against terrorism," it added. The council called for everyone to act responsibly, arguing that unfair accusations against the security forces, which have been fighting terrorism with great success, serve nothing but the aims of the terrorist PKK and its supporters. /Aksam- Star/[02] TOPTAN MEETS WITH KAZAKH LEADERS IN ASTANAOn an official visit to Kazakhstan, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan yesterday met with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim Masimov in the capital Astana. During his meeting with Nazarbayev at the Presidential Palace, Toptan praised recent remarkable economic and social advancements in Kazakhstan. Stating that the good ties between Turkey and Kazakhstan deserve further improvement, he also thanked Nazarbayev for supporting Turkey's successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. "We feel at home in Kazakhstan," he added. For his part, Nazarbayev said that since his country gained its independence, the two countries have enjoyed good political and economic relations. He also called on Turkish businessmen to invest more in Kazakhstan, adding that the trade volume between the two countries is over $2 billion. Nazarbayev also said that the Kazakh people would never forget that Turkey was the first country to recognize their independence. /Sabah/[03] OPPOSITION CRITICIZES GOVT MEETINGS WITH N.IRAQI ADMINISTRATIONSpeaking at his party's group meeting, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli yesterday Bahceli criticized recent government meetings with the administration in northern Iraq, saying, "The consequences of taking new steps in the absence of progress for Turkey will be grave." He branded the government approach a "concession" and "retreat," and claimed it could lead to the release of convicted PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan. In related news, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that the current Ergenekon trial is putting Turkish law and justice to the test. Speaking at his party's group meeting, Baykal also criticized government policy on terrorism and the meetings with the northern Iraqi administration, saying they flew in the face of past National Security Council (MGK) decisions. /Star/[04] BABACAN PLEDGES "QUIET DIPLOMACY" WITH N.IRAQI ADMINISTRATIONTurkey will conduct an "extensive but quiet" diplomacy with the regional administration in northern Iraq, said Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday. Now that Turkey is holding direct dialogue with leaders in northern Iraq, he added, "There will be meetings at all levels. The course of relations depends on what they do." In an interview with news channel NTV, Babacan also spoke about Turkey winning its bid for a non-permanent seat on the 15-member UN Security Council last Friday, adding, "For the next month-and-a-half, we'll pursue such issues as security and global warming. Our membership starts in January. This will give Turkey a personal stake in global issues." /Cumhuriyet/[05] DTP GATHERS IN DIYARBAKIRFollowing Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Diyarbakir earlier this week, the Democratic Society Party (DTP) yesterday held its group meeting in the southeastern city, rather than the usual venue, Parliament. Taking DTP critics to task later, DTP leader Ahmet Turk told reporters that the 1980 military coup had resulted in genocide against both Kurds and Turkey itself and that the PKK had first emerged in this era. He also claimed that any move against Abdullah Ocalan, the convicted terrorist PKK head, is a move against the Kurdish people. He also demanded access for a DTP delegation to Imrali prison, where Ocalan is serving out a life sentence, alluding to claims of mistreatment. /Hurriyet/[06] TURKISH EMBASSY IN FINLAND DAMAGED IN ARSON ATTACKThe Turkish Embassy in Helsinki faced an arson attack on Monday night. Officials said that the front door of the embassy was burned in the attack, and one embassy worker was treated for smoke inhalation. Four men were detained in connection with the attack. Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb condemned the attack, saying that his government places great important on the safety of foreign missions and their staff serving in his country. /Hurriyet/[07] IMF PREDICTS GRADUAL FALL IN INFLATION IN TURKEYInflation in Turkey will gradually fall, according to a new International Monetary Fund report. In its just-released Regional Economic Outlook Report for Europe, the Fund said inflation would drop in Turkey parallel with falling commodity prices, adding that the country's policy of maintaining fiscal discipline would help this trend. In related news, addressing a conference in London on the Turkish banking system, State Minister for the Economy Mehmet Simsek said yesterday, "Turkey is not immune to the global economic crisis but it is also much more resistant to global shocks and fluctuations than it used to be." He said the Turkish banking system is well-equipped to weather the crisis, adding that the government will supply liquidity to the markets if the need arises. Also speaking at the conference, World Bank Director for Turkey Ulrich Zachau echoed Simsek's remarks about Turkey's resilience. "Turkey is now a very different country than when the 2001 economic crisis hit. The country's economy has stronger foundations than seven years ago." But Zachau also warned that the global financial crisis could hurt Turkey, as it needs foreign investments at a time of deteriorating capital movements. He said that the Istanbul Stock Exchange had faced fallout from the crisis but that the impact had remained limited. /Turkiye/[08] ISTANBUL TO HOST ECONOMIC FORUMThe First World Economic Forum on Europe and Central Asia will be held on Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Istanbul. Representatives of official and business circles from European, Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries will attend the forum, which aims to explore recent economic challenges. /Turkish Daily News/FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS [09] THE MHP AND CHP SHOULD WOO EASTERN VOTERSBY MEHMET BARLAS (SABAH)Columnist Mehmet Barlas comments on the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Republican People's Party (CHP), arguing that they should try to win votes in eastern Turkey in local elections next March. A summary of his column is as follows: "The code of pluralist and liberal democracy which our constitutional order is based on says that people must coexist despite their differences. Supporters of different views, interests, regions, beliefs, ideologies and political parties might feel anger at those who disagree with them. This anger might even come from polarization. But in the final analysis, everybody and all sectors must come to terms with coexistence and tolerating those who are different. What's more, when their ideological opponents win in a free and open election, their legitimacy is indisputable. Such claims as 'only the elections that we win are legal' and 'the ignorant people won' have no place in liberal, pluralist democracies. After all, under democracy, political parties have to convince the people and win their votes in order to come to power. Listening to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli speaking at his party's group meeting yesterday, I thought about these matters, which are in democracy's DNA. Rising terrorism cannot but have a negative impact on many people. The fusion of politics and democracy is unacceptable for democracy. If there's a Kurdish reality in the southeastern Anatolia issue, doing what's needed about this has nothing to do with terrorism. Those who consider terrorism a tool of politics would sacrifice themselves to blood, fire and violence. But the politicians who condemn terrorism should shun violence and hatred. In addition, branding other democratic actors as traitors, collaborators, ignorant, etc. serves to ripen the atmosphere for terrorism. Anger aside, politicians are expected to present their solutions to the people. One of the biggest developments facing the southeast are the local elections set for next March. Only the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which won votes from all over Turkey and has a parliamentary group, has a continued presence in the southeast. On the other hand, the Democratic Turkey Party (DTP), which is widely supported by the people of the region, dominates the local government of southeastern cities, most notably Diyarbakir. Instead of just criticizing the ruling party's policies on the southeast and fighting terrorism, Bahceli and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal should show the political determination to win the votes of people living in the region. This would prove that there's a will for integrity across the entire country. As the people of the region voted for the AKP, they could also vote for the MHP or CHP, as long as the parties do the necessary work, find the best candidates and tell the people of the region that there's no difference between Turkey's east and west and that we all share the same future. Moreover, if a political party or ruling party looks for a solution to problem through political means and tries to keep the channels open for dialogue, nobody should condemn it or accuse it of being ignorant. This is a necessity of democratic politics. It's easy to condemn DTP and CHP deputies in Parliament for having lunch at the same table. But PKK members might condemn DTP deputies as well." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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