ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 5, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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RED LINE IN IRAQ LOOSENS
Taking into consideration the changing conditions in the region following the Iraq war, Turkey plans to change its policy about northern Iraq. Turkey will develop a policy concentrating on the whole Iraq instead of northern Iraq. As a result, Turkey will prove that its Iraq policy was not shaped with its security concerns about northern Iraq.
''THERE IS NO NEED FOR PERMISSION''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who held a press conference in Spanish capital Madrid where he attended the spring term meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers, responded to a question about the sixth adjustment package with the European Union (EU), ''generally, such packages are submitted to the parliament with a decision of the Council of Ministers. There is not any condition to wait for monthly meetings of the National Security Council (NSC).''
CENTRAL BANK DECREASES INTEREST RATES
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti responded criticisms against himself by decreasing short-term interests rates by three points. Releasing a statement, the Central Bank warned the government to accelerate structural reforms.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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OUR STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE DECREASES
U.S. administration which prepares to set up bases in Bulgaria and Romania, will intervene in the crises that can erupt in the Middle East and Central Asia by using its troops in these countries. The Turkish-American relations which were negatively affected by the motion on deployment of foreign soldiers in Turkey by the Turkish parliament served the interests of Turkey's neighbours Romania and Bulgaria.
THEY DISCUSS 'EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION'
EU Term President Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that Greece found positive the sixth adjustment package which was in the Council of Ministers, adding that the implementation of the package carried great importance. Foreign Minister Gul stated after his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou that they discussed Turkey's EU membership process, bilateral issues and also new European constitution with Papandreou. When reminded about the problem of airspace between the two countries, Gul stated that ''there can be problems from time to time. We believe that we can sort it out by mutual confidence.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PAIN OF NATURAL GAS
Turkey will pay 233 billion U.S. dollars in the next two decades for natural gas. As a result of unreasonable agreements made in the past to purchase natural gas, Turkey buys more natural gas than its need. According to a report prepared by Turkish Young Businessmen's Association, Turkey will purchase an average of 68 billion cubic meters of natural gas every year in the next two decades. In fact, Turkey's annual natural gas consumption is only 17 billion cubic meters. Turkey has committed to purchase 1 percent of the world natural gas reserves in these agreements.
OZPETEK TAKES ANOTHER AWARD
Famous Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek's film ''The Window Opposite'' was presented with four awards by Ciak Movie Magazine of Italy. The film was chosen as the best film, Andrea Guerra was presented with the best music award, Giovanna Mezzogiorno was presented with the best female performance award and Serra Yilmaz was presented with best supporting actress award. The film is expected to win more awards in the ''Silver Ribbon Awards'' of Italy.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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CENTRAL BANK DECREASES INTEREST RATES
The Central Bank decreasing short-term interest rates valid in Interbanks Monetary Market, Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) and Repo-Reverse Repo Market 3 points as of June 4, 2003. Releasing a statement, the Central Bank said that overnight borrowing interest rate was decreased from 41 percent to 38 percent and overnight lending interest rate was reduced from 48 percent to 45 percent. One week borrowing interest rate was reduced from 41 percent to 38 percent.
TARLEV COMES TO TURKEY
Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev of Moldova arrived in Ankara on an official visit as the guest of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. An official welcoming ceremony took place in the Prime Ministry Office in honor of Prime Minister Tarlev. Following the meetings, Prime Minister Erdogan said that they exchanged views with Prime Minister Tarlev about problems of Gagauz people, who constituted an important place in the relations between the two countries.
EU DIPLOMATS TO VISIT EASTERN AND SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES
Diplomats from embassies of member countries to the European Union (EU) in Turkey will visit eastern and southeastern provinces in the coming days.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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SCHILY: ''KAPLAN SHOULD BE DEPORTED''
German Interior Minister Otto Schily said that Metin Kaplan, the leader of the Islamic Community-Denominational Vision, should be deported as soon as possible. In an interview with a TV channel, Schily said, ''Turkey has assured us that Kaplan was not under threat of capital punishment or torture. He should be deported as soon as possible.''
TWO MORE STEPS FOR EU MEMBERSHIP
The parliament has approved international conventions on 'civil and political rights' and 'economic, social and cultural rights'. As a result, Turkey has taken two more steps in its European Union (EU) full membership process.
VERHEUGEN: ''TURKEY SHOULD ACCELERATE ITS REFORM PROCESS''
European Union (EU) Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for enlargement said that Turkey should accelerate its reform process. Verheugen warned Europe to clarify its attitude towards Turkey. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who attended spring term meetings of NATO Foreign Ministers in Spanish capital Madrid, said that they targeted to fulfill EU criteria before parliamentary recess.
TURKIYE
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CALL TO ALIYEV:''RECOGNIZE TRNC''
Gendarme General Commander General Sener Eruygur asked support from Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev for recognition of TRNC in the international platforms. General Eruygur, the Gendarme General Commander who was currently in Baku as the guest of Azerbaijani Internal Troops Command, met with Azerbaijani President Aliyev. Gen. Eruygur stated that intensive initiatives were taken to urge Turkey to accept Kofi Annan's plan to solve Cyprus problem, adding that TRNC came to the stage of recognition. General Eruygur stated that Turkey needed the support of friendly Azerbaijan regarding this issue.
FINALLY CENTRAL BANK TAKES ACTION
Following the announcement of the inflation figures, Central Bank reduced the interest rates by three points in order to ensure price stability. Central Bank stated that the main target of the Bank was to ensure price stability and in that respect the number-one priority was to reach the inflation target that was determined together with the government. Bank stressed that the decisions taken by the Central Bank about its short-term interest rates were not directed at affecting the variables other than inflation.
ZAMAN
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FAST TRAIN IS DELAYED, MAYBE IT NEVER COMES
The government prepares to modernize the existing railway between Ankara and Istanbul. Experts said on the other hand that the modernization project was not an alternative to the 28-year Fast Train Project, adding that ''rather than dressing, permanent steps have to be taken.'' The modernization work between Ankara and Istanbul will start on June 8. Ministry of Transportation says that the distance between the two cities will be reduced from 6,5-7 hours to 3.5 hours.
TURKS REGARD U.S. AS MILITARY THREAT
Turks who opposed the Iraqi war by 83 percent, also come the top among the nations which consider the U.S. as a threat to their national interests. According to a survey carried out by Pew research institute, 71 percent of the Turkish nation belives that the U.S. constituted a military threat against Turkey.
THREE-YEAR MARRIAGE NECESSARY FOR TURKISH CITIZENSHIP
The parliament adopted a bill that necessitated a foreign woman or man who is married to a Turkish citizen to be married for at least three years in order to get Turkish citizenship. The bill which foresees amendment in Turkish Citizenship Law, brings certain conditions to getting Turkish citizenship through marriage. The new regulation also overcomes the inequality between men and women. Under the law, those who marry a Turk, won't get Turkish citizenship directly. Foreign women and men have to be married for at least three years and they must live together to get citizenship.
(UK-Öª) 05.06.2003