ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 1, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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LET'S ACT TOGETHER FOR EU
Deputies of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Republican People's Party (CHP), who are representing Turkey at the European Convention, released a joint statement and announced that they would act together for Turkey's European Union (EU) membership. In their statement, deputies said, ''deputies of ruling and opposition parties have been cooperating with each other because Turkey does not have more patience left for any delay in its EU membership process. Our parliament has been adopting all institutional changes to fulfill Copenhagen criteria. Turkey has been recording significant progress on the path leading to the EU membership.''
LINN: ''I AM PLEASED WITH TURKEY'S KEEPING ITS ECONOMIC RECOVERY''
World Bank Vice-President Johannes Linn for Europe and Central Asia Region expressed his satisfaction over the continuation of economic recovery. Holding a press conference at the World Bank Office in Ankara, Linn said that the issues of Turkey's economic program and the World Bank's country assistance strategy were taken up during his contacts in Turkey. Pointing out that Turkey had recorded a significant progress in its disinflation efforts, Linn underlined that Turkey should continue implementing a prudent fiscal policy and sustained implementation of structural reforms by taking into consideration its high level of debt.
PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ARINC LEAVES FOR JAPAN
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc left for Japan as the official guest of Japanese Upper Chamber (or House of Representatives) Chairman Hiroyuki Kurata. Arinc will present a Turkish traditional musical instrument to Kurata as a gift.
A PEACE MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED OUT OF RESPECT TO SPANISH SOLDIERS
A ''Peace Monument'' will be erected on Pilav Mountain in northern province of Trabzon out of respect to Spanish soldiers who lost their lives when the Ukrainian plane crashed in the province last Monday.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ARGUMENT OVER INTEREST RATES
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reacted harshly to Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, who said earlier that interest rates could not be reduced upon directives. Prime Minister Erdogan called on Serdengecti to fulfill his responsibilities to reduce interest rates. Erdogan said that the Central Bank could not decrease interest rates by collecting currency.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND ONLY THESE IN ISTANBUL?
Pina Bausch, one of the most important choreographers in the world, paid a three-week visit to Istanbul. At the end of her visit, she staged a dance theater about Istanbul. There are women in the theatre, who kneel down in front of their husbands. Women taking bath in traditional public baths, also take place in the theater. Noises of traffic and automobile horns are used to promote Istanbul.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CONTACT OF TWO LEADERS
Prime Minister and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal came together at the 58th General Assembly Meeting of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB). Prime Minister Erdogan shook hands with Baykal and told him that he had to leave earlier due to his intense program.
WORLD BANK PURCHASES HOTEL IN KEMER
Kiris World Hotel in Kemer town of southern province of Antalya was sold to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary organ of the World Bank, due to its debt. IFC paid 45 trillion 500 billion Turkish liras to the hotel having a capacity of 863 beds.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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BALKANS POLITICAL CLUB CONVENES IN ISTANBUL
Politicians, who attended the Fourth International Conference of the Balkans Political Club in Istanbul, stressed that the culture of diversity should be protected. Former President Suleyman Demirel noted that Turkey targeted peace and cooperation in the Balkans. He said, ''solution of the crisis in the Balkans depends on settlement of culture of tolerance and compromise besides mentality of co-existence.'' Meanwhile, President Ion Iliescu of Romania stressed, ''we have learnt to combine cultural diversity with a common and rich inheritance. This is the union of states in our region. The origin of Europe came from this geographical region. Our common inheritance and our tradition of dialogue with other cultures are the biggest advantages of us. We can set up understanding and cooperation among our nations by using these advantages.''
TOBB WARNS
The 58th general assembly meeting of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) was held in Ankara yesterday. Speaking at the meeting, TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said, ''we should remember that when price of one U.S. dollar decreases and interest rates increase, it results in a new economic crisis.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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THREE PEOPLE DIE IN FLOOD
Flood waters triggered by torrential rains claimed three lives in eastern province of Hakkari and southern province of Osmaniye. Torrential rains caused flood in Uzumcu village in Hakkari. Ali Dayan, 29 and his six-year-old son Bilal Dayan were carried by flood waters. Their bodies could not be found yet. Meanwhile, Mustafa Gulmez, 32, drowned in flood waters.
GONUL: ''OUR WAY IS CLEAR''
National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said that the government way about the European Union (EU) membership was clear, and the government had been following it. Speaking at the 58th general assembly meeting of the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Gonul said that the Ministry of Justice had still been working on the sixth adjustment package with the EU and the package was not brought onto agenda of the government yet.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BRAVO! YOUNG MEN
Men's Basketball Team of the Cinar High School in Bursa proved what we can achieve if we are given the opportunity. Although these young men were the champions of Turkey, they had to struggle hard to go to Brazil for World Championship. Because, they were facing the risk of not going to Brazil due to the Public Procurement Law. A tender was opened for expenses of the team one month ago but only one company submitted a bid so the tender was cancelled. At that moment, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairman Celik rushed for help of the team. Celik informed the Prime Minister on the developments and the Prime Minister said expenses of the team would be met by the state. And the team members promised that they would return from Brazil with medal. And they kept their promise: they beat Spain 78-77 in the final and they became World Champions.
''WE ARE IN YOUR SERVICE''
Addressing businessmen at the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''stability is being re-settled rapidly in Turkey. Don't be pessimistic. We will support your every step on employment because we are not the boss of the state but only your representatives. We are at your command.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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BUSINESSMEN COMPLAIN ABOUT DECREASE IN USD CURRENCY, MAKE WARNING ABOUT 'CRISIS'
Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that a crisis had always erupted after periods during which foreign currency rates were low and interest rates were high. ''Low foreign currency rates have always caused problems in this country. It should not be forgotten that an economic crisis erupted after periods during which there were low foreign currency rates and high interest rates. So both the government and bureaucracy should take measures before it is too late,'' he said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''this problem is not solved by only collecting foreign currency banknotes. Also the interest rates should decrease.''
TURKEY NOT INVITED TO ENLARGED G-8
It was interesting that France which is getting ready to host G-8 summit that will bring world leaders together who are at loggerheads with each other due to Iraq war, did not invited Turkey to enlarged dialogue session that will be held under the summit. It invited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Algeria, Malaysia, India, Greece, Switzerland and China. France's attitude towards Turkey weakened the thesis that 'Ankara is getting closer to French-German line as a result of its position toward Iraq issue'. Diplomatic sources defended that Turkey had not been invited because it was a European country. Meanwhile, European country Switzerland will attend the meeting.
(UK-MS) 01.06.2003