ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 31, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''WE ARE THE FAR EASTERN GATE OF THE EU''
Gurbulak Border Gate was renewed in accordance with standards of the European Union (EU). Together with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan opened the border gate. Speaking at the opening, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''the east and the west meet with each other right here. When we reach our target of the EU membership, Gurbulak will be the far eastern border gate of the EU.''
''YOU DECEIVED US''
Ayfer Kaya, the lover of terrorist organization PKK's head Abdullah Ocalan, accused directors of Greek Intelligence Agency at the court. On the third day of trial of Ocalan in his absentia on charges of entering Greece illegally, an argument erupted between Greek Intelligence Agency Chairman Stavrakakis and Kaya. Kaya claimed, ''we have discussed the issue for eight hours. You told us that we would leave for a European country. You did not talk about Kenya. You deceived us.''
PRICE OF 1 U.S. DOLLAR DECREASES TO 1 MILLION 420 THOUSAND TL
Price of 1 U.S. dollar decreased to 1 million 426 thousand Turkish lira (TL) at the Central Bank and to 1 million 420 thousand TL in the free market. Price of one U.S. dollars has been on the lowest level since May 20, 2002.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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BABACAN: ''WE HAVE NOT REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON LOAN YET''
State Minister Ali Babacan said that they had not reached any agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a loan of 4 billion U.S. dollars. Babacan said that they expected IMF Executive Board to have a meeting till the end of June and release a loan of 500 million U.S. dollars after that meeting.
''YOU SHOULD ACCELERATE''
Releasing a statement following the fifth review works under the Stand-by Agreement between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund, IMF Representative in Turkey Odd Per Brekk said that Turkey's short-term economic outlook had recorded progress. He said that if legal works were accelerated, the IMF Executive Board would convene in June and release a loan of 500 million U.S. dollars.
BARDAKOGLU BECOMES HEAD OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
Prof. Dr. Ali Bardakoglu was appointed as the new Head of Directorate General of Religious Affairs. Bardakoglu said following his appointment, ''the issue of religion should not be a source of tension and political argument in the society any longer.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PAIN OF ADJUSTMENT
The government has been seeking for a formula to reach international standards despite reservations of the National Security Council (NSC). The military wing of the NSC objects to the European Union adjustment package on five points. The most serious argument concentrates on three issues: new arrangement about places of worship, annulment of Anti-Terrorism Law and broadcasting in Kurdish language. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''responsibility of ruling the country belongs to the government. The adjustment package will not be delayed. We cannot exceed international standards. We cannot give up our target of the EU.''
BUYUKANIT: ''REAL COPENHAGEN CRITERIA IS TURKISH''
General Staff Deputy Chief General Yasar Buyukanit said, ''we could not teach our citizens in southeastern Anatolia Turkish language for years. This is the real shame. The most important thing is to teach our people the official language of Turkey under the Copenhagen Criteria.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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A LESSON OF ENLIGHTENMENT
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Higher Education Board (YOK) Chairman Prof. Kemal Guruz and Istanbul University Rector Kemal Alemdaroglu criticized the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) during ceremonies to mark the 550th anniversary of foundation of the Istanbul University. AK Party government did not send any ministers to the ceremonies due to secular and enlightening attitude of the Istanbul University. Speaking at the ceremonies, President Sezer referred to the draft law on YOK and said, ''initiatives which are not based on compromise, will cause new problems instead of solving the current ones. Meanwhile, compulsory education should continue without any interruption. It should be increased from 8 years to 12 years.''
IMF DELEGATION WARNS
The fifth review works under the stand-by agreement between Turkey and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) resulted in warning to the government. IMF Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen wrapped up his contacts in Turkey. IMF Turkey Representative in Turkey Odd Per Brekk said that there was a delay in structural reforms. He stressed that IMF's releasing the loan would depend on steps to be taken by Turkey.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GUL: ''WE SHOULD RELY ON OUR PEOPLE''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul expressed his satisfaction over discussions in the public opinion on the adjustment package with the European Union (EU) and the National Program. He confessed that the government delayed submission of these package to the EU. ''Arrangements in Turkey about human rights and democratization should not be depended only with the integration process with the EU. Turkey having a deep rooted history, should have fulfilled developments on these issues long time ago,'' he said.
ACCIDENT CLAIMS TWO LIVES IN CONVOY OF PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN
An accident, which occurred in the convoy of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, claimed two lives. Prime Minister Erdogan left eastern province Agri for Dogubeyazit town to attend opening of Gurbulak Border Gate with a convoy of 100 vehicles. One of these vehicles plunged into shoulder of the road. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) provincial directors in Agri Ali Haydar Ozyolcu and Abdulkadir Ozyolcu lost their lives in the accident while two other people in the vehicle were injured.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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SSK ROBBED IN THIS WAY
Now, corruption in purchases of medical equipment started to be investigated under the ''Operation Lancet'' which revealed that patients were used as test subjects at the Social Security Agency (SSK) hospitals. At the end of the primary studies, it was understood that a heart stand of which price is between 100-200 U.S. dollars today had been purchased for 1 thousand 700 U.S. dollars under a protocol ten years ago and a 50 million U.S. dollars robbery had been made.
TURKISH-IRANIAN SUMMIT AT BORDER GATE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who opened the renovated Gurbulak Border Gate on Iranian border together with Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also crossed to the Iranian side. Erdogan who was greeted with flowers invited Aref to the Turkish side, and they had their lunch together.
U.S.'S CONDITION OF KURDS
United States: ''if you recognize Kurdish privilege, our relations recover.'' While works are continuing secretly in both sides on recovery of relations between Turkey and the United States, the United States put forward an interesting condition. In a message given to Ankara, it was said, ''the Kurdish groups in northern Iraq have privilege for us. Recognize this structure. And also support us in Iran issue.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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NGOs LEAVE GOVERNMENT ALONE ON EU PATH
Non-governmental organizations which gave open support to previous governments about the European Union issue are withholding same support to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government. Representatives of Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Economic Development Foundation (IKV) say, ''we extend support if we get a signal.'' It draws attention that NGOs remain silent while debates on EU adjustment package continue. Debates focus mainly on the army's reservations. There is not an open support to the government from different circles of the society. Representatives of NGOs accept that they remain silent, and they accuse the government of ''working too slowly on acting together with the civil society''.
ERDOGAN OPENS GURBULAK AND THANKS IN PERSIAN
The Gurbulak Border Gate in Dogubeyazit town of eastern province of Agri and Bazargar Border Gate in Iranian side were opened by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref. Erdogan crossed to Iranian side, and there was a banner hung on the wall of the Bazargan Border Gate and read ''Welcome, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Accompanying Delegation'' in Turkish language. And Erdogan thanked in Persian language. Renovation of the border gate was made by the Association of International Transporters. Speaking at the opening, Erdogan said, ''global and regional integration, economic cooperation relations, free movement of goods in the world are directly related with protection of national interests on borders. We came here to open doors and windows.''
(UK-MS) 31.05.2003