ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 23, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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APRIL 23 POSITION
The uneasiness that started with the Denominational Vision circular in Ankara climbed to the climax yesterday. Senior state officials and opposition decided to boycott the reception to be hosted by Parliament Speaker Bulent on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. The attempt to include the Denominational Vision and some foundations in the state protocol under a circular issued by the Foreign Ministry caused uneasiness in the Republican People's Party (CHP) and among the senior state officials. It was seen that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer did not include Arinc's invitation into his program. Soldiers decided not to attend the reception during a summit in the General Staff.
AND, DENKTAS DEMOLISHES THE WALL
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas' move to demolish the taboos and free the daily passages between Turkish and Greek sides caused an earthquake in Cyprus. The Greek Cypriot Council of Ministers which had an extraordinary session stated that ''the free movement was in fact obstructed by the north'' and declared the decision illegal. But, it took a decision not to obstruct the passages. The passage is expected to start today. However, the Greek Cypriots who signed an accord for European Union (EU) membership were preparing a package of economic and social openings in order to attract the Turkish Cypriots and to make TRNC face a difficult situation. The Greek Cypriots were bewildered with the early move of TRNC. When evaluating the decision, Denktas said, ''it is a step showing the power and determination of the state. We start good neighborly relations with the Greek Cypriots'' and noted that the implementation would help formation of a new partnership on the island.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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TODAY IS APRIL 23
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic, had always attributed great importance to the parliament. Ataturk founded the parliament on April 23, 1920 and he didn't close the parliament even on the days when the enemy forces were so close to Ankara. Ataturk also dedicated the national sovereignty day to children. Today we celebrate 83rd anniversary of this great festival.
IMF TO COME TO TURKEY IN MAY
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that the fifth review of loan program of Turkey would start in the second half of May. IMF Foreign Affairs Director Tom Dawson who held a press conference said that as he knew, the fund would start the fifth review of program of Turkey in the second half of May.
IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASE
Turkey's imports of consumer goods increased 54.4 percent between January-February 2003 when compared to the same period of last year. State Institute of Statistics (SIS) said that imports of capital goods also increased 16.2 percent between January-February when compared to the same period last year.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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NOW, IT'S SSK PEACE'S TERM
The Finance Ministry obtained 6.7 quadrillion Turkish liras (TL) from the tax peace plan. Now, a formula is being searched for the 3.5 quadrillion TL of premium debts. Two million tax-payers have benefited from the tax peace plan, the period of which expired the previous day. The Finance Ministry raised an income of 6.7 quadrillion TL from the implementation. The government decided to carry out a similar program for the Social Security Agency (SSK) debts for restructuring of credit debts of companies which don't pay the SSK premium debts.
''TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS ARE IMPORTANT THAN ARMENIAN MONUMENT''
When Ankara was expected to protest the monument symbolizing the so-called Armenian genocide which would be opened in France on April 24, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul gave a message of cooperation agreeing on the view that the bilateral relations were more important than the monument. Villepin, who came to Ankara yesterday, met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul. Iraq and European Union (EU) were the main issues taken up during Villepin's contacts.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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STATE WARNS AK PARTY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and the Republican People's Party (CHP) will not participate in the reception which will be hosted on the occasion of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day by Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc. President Sezer and CHP will not attend the reception which will be hosted by Arinc as a reaction to the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government which put headscarf into the state policy, which issued the Denominational Vision circular and which plans to amend the Constitution and change structure of the state. Sezer will only attend the ''special session'' in the Parliamentary General Assembly.
FOREIGN MINISTER GUL TO VISIT SYRIA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will visit Syria next week. Gul who delayed his earlier scheduled visit to Syria due to message which came from the United States will pay a visit to Damascus next week. Foreign Ministry started to get prepared due to Gul's visit.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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BLANK CHECK FOR IRAQ
The government gave a blank check to the United States for every kind of support to participation in the ''Stability Force'' and reconstruction of Iraq. The General Staff is also positive.
STAMP TAX ON CREDIT CARD
The Finance Ministry is imposing a new tax burden on the consumers over the credit card transactions. An account expert determined that the stamp tax on commercial credits also covered credit card transactions and some banks have not paid it. According to tax regulation, 0.075 percent tax should be cut from the amount of debt in commercial credit transactions. The Ministry is carrying out an investigation to take 0.075 percent tax from the credit card contracts.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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APRIL 23 JOY
Today is April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Today is the 83rd day of sovereignty which had been given to the nation unconditionally. April 23 will be celebrated in Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Wednesday. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the parliament on April 23, 1920 and he didn't close the parliament even on the days when the enemy forces were so close to Ankara. Ataturk also dedicated the national sovereignty day to children.
SENER: ''THERE WILL BE DECREASE IN INTEREST RATES''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said that there would be a significant decrease in rate of interests when markets relieved. Sener said hesitation that debt stock carried a risk of growth determined the balances in markets. Sener said the government earlier announced the primary surplus as 6.5 percent, stating that serious importance was attributed to this. Stressing that there was increase in rate of interests after the war in Iraq, Sener said, ''it has entered into falling tendency now. We think real interests in treasury tenders in 2003 would be under 20 percent.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKISH SOLDIERS TO ENSURE TRANQUILITY AND CONFIDENCE IN BAGHDAD
Turkey, which is preparing a response to the demands of the United States for reconstruction of Iraq, stated that the demand for soldiers was considered appropriate for ensuring the stability in that country. Turkey also verbally conveyed the U.S. Embassy in Ankara that it could contribute to restructuring of health, construction and irrigation fields in Iraq.
BILL ON COMPULSORY SAVINGS TO BE BROUGHT TO PARLIAMENT TOMORROW
The bill foreseeing repayment of the money collected under compulsory savings of public personnel was adopted by the Parliamentary Planning and Budget Commission. State Minister Ali Babacan said that the Treasury Undersecretariat should make necessary preparations for the principal money to be paid in April. The bill is expected to be discussed at the Parliament General Assembly on Thursday.
(EÖ-BRC-AÖ) 23.04.2003