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Turkish Press Review, 08-10-22
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
22.10.2008
FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS
CONTENTS
[01] MGK REITERATES DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
[02] TOPTAN MEETS WITH KAZAKH LEADERS IN ASTANA
[03] OPPOSITION CRITICIZES GOVT MEETINGS WITH N.IRAQI ADMINISTRATION
[04] BABACAN PLEDGES "QUIET DIPLOMACY" WITH N.IRAQI ADMINISTRATION
[05] DTP GATHERS IN DIYARBAKIR
[06] TURKISH EMBASSY IN FINLAND DAMAGED IN ARSON ATTACK
[07] IMF PREDICTS GRADUAL FALL IN INFLATION IN TURKEY
[08] ISTANBUL TO HOST ECONOMIC FORUM
[09] THE MHP AND CHP SHOULD WOO EASTERN VOTERS
[01] MGK REITERATES DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
The 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 ASTANA
On 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 ADMINISTRATION
Speaking 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 ADMINISTRATION
Turkey 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 DIYARBAKIR
Following 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 ATTACK
The 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 TURKEY
Inflation 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 FORUM
The 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 VOTERS
BY 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."
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