ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 4, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
GOVERNMENT DELAYED BROADCAST IN KURDISH
Broadcast in Kurdish, which had been planned to start in state-run television TRT in January, was delayed as the government wanted the 6th Adjustment Package to be waited.
TRT completed all its preparations for broadcast in Kurdish which could not be implemented so far although it had taken place in the 4th Adjustment Package issued by the previous government. Former TRT Director General said the problem stemmed from regulations issued by Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK). He said, ''there was authority disagreement between us and RTUK regarded with inspection of the broadcast. We decided to bring the issue to Council of State. We asked permission from the government, yet the government said the 6th Adjustment Package would be brought onto the agenda, and that they would grant right of broadcast in mother tongue in private televisions.
PEARSON: ''MANY THINGS ARE LEFT IN THE PAST''
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson said that many things were left in the past, adding that Turkey and the United States should continue working together.
Turkish-American Businessmen's Association hosted a luncheon in honor of Pearson whose term in office in Turkey came to an end.
Speaking at the luncheon, Pearson said that he had worked to improve and develop friendship and bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States for the last three years.
Noting that many things were left in the past, Pearson said that Turkey and the United States should continue working together.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
GUL: ''THERE IS NOT ANY MILITARY REQUEST FROM POLAND''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that there was not any official request made by Poland to Turkey for soldier, adding that Poland's taking role in stability force in Iraq became definite. Gul, who participated in NATO Foreign Ministers Spring Term Meetings, talked to journalists prior to NATO-EU Foreign Ministers Meeting. When asked if there was any request for soldiers during his conversation with Polish Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz while coming to Madrid, Gul said there was not any request which officially sent to Turkey in this respect.
BAYKAL: ''STATE DOES NOT TEACH LANGUAGE''
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that all ethnic groups had right to have education in their mother tongue in Turkey as in all democratic countries thanks to the Constitutional amendment and stated that but ethnic groups' learning their mother tongue should not turn into a public duty. Addressing his party's group meeting, Baykal noted that everybody should use this right by his/her own initiative and added that it was a democratic right. Baykal stated that a critical point was reached in Turkey's relations with the European Union (EU), adding that Turkey should make good use of this opportunity.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
PAIN OF INTEREST RATE
The Central Bank's insistence on high interest rates has brought export and tourism sectors to the threshold of bankruptcy. Decreasing price of one U.S. dollars against Turkish lira has caused problems in Turkish economy. As a result, exporters cannot sell their products. Experts noted that these developments stemming from the Central Bank's interest rate policy had been threatening the balance of payments.
EARLY EXPLOSION PREVENT CALAMITY
A remote-control bomb was exploded on the route of a minibus carrying judges and prosecutors of the Istanbul State Security Court (DGM). Experts said that early explosion of the bomb prevented a calamity. Seven people including two prosecutors were slightly injured in the attack. Five vehicles and the minibus were damaged.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
CONDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM UNITED STATES
A draft resolution was submitted to the U.S. Congress about economic relations with the Middle East. The draft says that if Turkey and 17 other countries reached international standards in human rights and democracy and support private enterprises, they would be provided with economic opportunities. One of the conditions in the draft says that these countries should not launch initiatives to damage national security and foreign policy of the United States. Countries meeting all these conditions, will be granted selling products to the United States without customs.
PEARSON: ''WE SHOULD CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER''
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson said that many things were left in the past, adding that Turkey and the United States should continue working together. Turkish-American Businessmen's Association hosted a luncheon in honor of Pearson whose term in office in Turkey came to an end. Speaking at the luncheon, Pearson said that he had worked to improve and develop friendship and bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States for the last three years. Noting that many things were left in the past, Pearson said that Turkey and the United States should continue working together.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
ERDOGAN: ''WE SHOULD ACT RAPIDLY ABOUT EU MEMBERSHIP''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who also acts as leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), said, ''Turkey should act rapidly about the European Union (EU) membership issue. We should not forget that initiatives aiming at preventing our steps for Turkey's EU membership will damage future of our children.'' Speaking at the group meeting of the AK Party, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the sixth adjustment package with the EU would be submitted to the parliament after the National Program.
TRILATERAL MEETING IN ROMANIA
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, President Ion Iliescu of Romania and President Georgi Purnakov of Bulgaria came together in Constanta, Romania at the Sixth Trilateral Summit Meeting. Speaking at the meeting, President Sezer said that the summit meetings had made important contributions to development of cooperation and settlement of stability in the region.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
BOMB ATTACK ON DGM PROSECUTORS
Unidentified assailants attacked a minibus on Tuesday carrying judges and prosecutors of Istanbul State Security Court (DGM). The bomb, which was planted on Kennedy Street exploded as the minibus was passing on the street. Five people, including a prosecutor, two policemen and two citizens were injured slightly at the explosion.
ERDOGAN: ''I MAY VISIT UNITED STATES''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met with the Turkish-American Association member businessmen, pointed out that, ''facilities provided by Turkey to the United States during Iraq war are not known by the American people. There is difficulty because of this. I may visit the United States aiming to overcome those difficulties.''
Erdogan said he would discuss the issue with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal after his visit to the United States on June 15. Erdogan said either he or foreign Minister Abdullah Gul would visit this country.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
-------------------
NATURAL GAS FOUND IN ADANA PROMISING
Natural gas which was found by National Oil and Natural Gas Company of Turkey (TPAO) in southern province of Adana 10 days ago is promising. Experts continue working on reserve of gas. Works which were launched under the supervision of TPAO's Adiyaman branch 20 days ago yielded positive results and natural gas was found 490 meter depth from the surface. Officials said that natural gas which was found in Adana was at a very promising level.
WHOLESALE PRICES DECREASE 0.6 PERCENT
The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced that wholesale prices decreased by 0.6 percent while consumer prices increased by 1.6 percent in May of 2003 compared to prices of the previous month. Annual inflation rate in May was 33.7 percent in wholesale prices and 30.7 percent in consumer prices. DIE said that five-month inflation rate was 13.7 percent in wholesale prices and 12.2 percent in consumer prices. Meanwhile, according to 12-month averages as of May 2003, annual inflation rate was 36.7 percent in wholesale prices and 32.7 percent in consumer prices. Price increase in the private sector of manufacturing industry which is called core inflation rate became 0.3 percent in May.
(UK-EÖ-AY) 04.06.2003