ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 10, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
WE WILL START FROM THE BEGINNING
Evaluating Turkish-U.S. relations, U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson said, ''we should start from the beginning from now on. Incidents which you don't know had been experienced, but everything has ended now. Sourness is experienced between the friends from time to time.''
Pearson, whose term in office in Turkey will end soon, toured on the roads of the Black Sea together with Greek Ambassador in Ankara Michael Chrisides who newly started term in office in Turkey.
When a journalist said he was acting as U.S. Ambassador when relations between Turkey and the United States became tense, Pearson said it would be appropriate to say that everything was left in the past. He said, ''let us lay a new foundation to relations and start at another point. Turkish-U.S. relations have been very positive for 50 years. We should start from the very beginning from now on. Such kind of problems are experienced between the friends from time to time. You should be open to United States and set up balance.''
30 TRILLION LIRA ARIA FINE TO TURKCELL AND TELSIM
The Competition Board decided on Monday to sentence Turkcell to pay 21 trillion 822 billion Turkish liras (TL) in fine and Telsim to pay 8 trillion 580 billion TL in fine upon an investigation in national circulation agreement in GSM.
Earlier, Is-Tim, the owner of Aria, applied to the Competition Board with accusation of ''Turkcell and Telsim misused their dominance since a national circulation agreement was not signed with Aria''.
The Competition Board assessed the application and stressed that it was charged and authorized also in market of telecommunication against actions preventing or restricting competition.
Competition Board Deputy Chairman Mustafa Parlak said, ''Turkcell Communication Services Corp. and Telsim Mobile Telecommunication Services Corp. are dominant in GSM telecommunication infrastructure services. Enterprises acting in GSM services market, have to benefit from these infrastructure at the level of entering the market.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
NSC TO DISCUSS ITSELF FOR FIRST TIME
The National Program which constitutes the road map of steps that Turkey will take on the European Union path will be discussed during the National Security Council (NSC) meeting on June 26. However, sources said critical issues like NSC's structure and place of soldiers within the state on which also the EU focuses, would be take up at the meeting. The NSC Secretariat General prepared a report on 'why the council is necessary' by showing examples in the world. The report says, ''institutions about national security differentiate according to their regime, threats and risks they face and or level of development.'' Below are the headlines of the report in question: ''national security institution of Canada, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Iran, South Korea, India, Algeria, Macedonia and Syria were determined under special laws that were adopted in line with the relevant articles of their constitution. National security institution does not take place in the constitution of the United States, Germany, Russia, Greece, Belgium and Japan but they were formed under laws and decrees that were adopted to meet several requirements. National security institutions of the above mentioned countries are independent institutions which are generally under direct control of the President/Head of State or Prime Minister. However, it is a committee within the government in Germany, a sub-committee of special council within the government in Canada and a sub-organ of the National Defense Ministry in Greece. Different members attend meetings of the national security institutions, and defense, interior, foreign and finance ministers, General Staff Chief and intelligence organization chairman can be referred as members in common of the institutions in question. Besides, relevant ministers and deputy ministers, army commanders can attend meetings of those institutions in line with the issues to be discussed in all countries. Decisions taken at those meetings in most of these countries do not have binding characteristic but they are recommendatory decisions/proposals to the government.''
INCIRLIK TO BECOME A THING OF THE PAST
The United States is planning to change place, capacity and status of its military bases in the world in a way of 'acting more rapidly against any terrorist target or hostile state if it is necessary'. This plan includes withdrawal or significant decrease in U.S. military existence in bases in Saudi Arabia, Germany, South Korea and Turkey (Incirlik). These bases which played important role in U.S. defense strategy during the Cold War will be replaced by a kind of small-scale 'outpost network' which can be used easily and more comfortably and will have more flexible rules under fight against terrorism. The plan is prepared by the U.S. Defense Department (Pentagon). The Washington Post newspaper reported yesterday that Pentagon officials were planning to withdraw U.S. military existence in traditional bases like Saudi Arabia, Germany, South Korea and Turkey to a number of new bases in southern Europe, Middle East and Asia.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
ERDOGAN: WE WILL HOST PEACE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pleased over his telephone conversations he had with prime ministers of Israel and Palestine. Erdogan thinks that his proposal to host peace in the Middle East would be fulfilled.
Erdogan said the issue reached a specific point during his telephone conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.
Erdogan stated that during his talks with both sides, he proposed that, ''if you think of a peace conference, Turkey may host it.''
Erdogan said Sharon told him that he was also thinking of such a thing, noting that, ''he was positive towards the proposal''.
Prime Minister Erdogan pointed out that Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas also told him that they would consider such a proposal as positive.
Erdogan said this proposal would be officially conveyed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul during his visits to Israel and Palestine.
DOG FIGHTING WITH PASSENGER PLANE
Allegation that two Turkish F-16 planes harassed a passenger plane belonging to Greek Olympic Airlines, confused the neighbor. Greek sources claimed that the Turkish army, with such provocations, bottlenecked the road to the European Union (EU).
As Turkey was on the eve of an important stage to adjust relations with Greece and the EU, it met a complaint of violation on the Aegean skies. Greece complained that two F-16 type Turkish warplanes harassed the passenger plane on its way from Athens to Istanbul.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
FREEDOM TO THOUGHT EXISTS ONLY IN WORDS
Two students who opposed IMF program and privatization during ''Suppression of Poverty Through Microloans'' of which opening remarks were made by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday, were interrogated for one hour at toilet and later they were released. While the Prime Minister was delivering his speech, one of those students protested the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) by saying, ''we trust Turkey but we don't trust you''. Erdogan who always mentions democratization for adjustment with the European Union, did not avoid using the expression of 'bad reputation' for the student who was interrogated as she expressed her thought. Noting that IMF was bagging to lend loan to Turkey, Erdogan said IMF program and privatization would continue. He said, ''unfortunately, there are remains of communist world in Turkey. They want to start from the beginning again. It is impossible for Turkey to return to that point.''
''ADJUSTMENT AT PARLIAMENT TODAY''
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul announced that the package of adjustment with the European Union would be sent to the parliament today following his meeting with General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok. It drew attention when Gul said, ''the General Staff sent its opinions to us in a written document.'' It was mentioned that the package might be revised during today's Council of Ministers meeting.
''ANNAN'S PLAN IS SOLE OPTION''
EU's Ambassador to Cyprus Adrian Van Der Meer defended that Annan's plan was the ''best plan'' for Turkish Cypriots. He said, ''the plan is based on the principle of equality of the sides. We support united Cyprus proposal. Two-state structure is against the laws.''
ISTANBUL GOING TO RELEGATE
Like Afghanistan, Honduras, Cambodia and Uganda, Turkey is going to be one of the countries which 'treat cultural assets in a hostile manner' as the Istanbul Municipality has failed to transfer the city's historical works inventory to the settlement plans since 1995. While hundreds of countries are waiting to be included in the ''UNESCO World Heritage List'', Turkey can't even protect its cultural heritage. If necessary measures are not taken in six months, Turkey will be taken out of the list in which it has been taking place since 1985.
'STONING TO DEATH' SHAME IN MARDIN
35-year-old woman Semse Allak who was stoned for adultery in southeastern province of Mardin could not come out of coma, and she died in the hospital. Members of her tribe attempted to execute her by stoning as she committed adultery and became pregnant.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
FM GUL: ALL THE HOMEWORK SHOULD BE COMPLETED TILL SEPTEMBER
The government is intended to send the 6th adjustment package to Parliament today. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is also hopeful. He said, ''relations with the European Union (EU) are positive. Package can be issued till June.'' Gul said the homework should be completed before September before Progress Report is issued.
FIVE SEPARATE ALTERNATIVES FROM MILITARY
Military proposed five alternatives in December 2002 and warned: ''Relations should not be disrupted''.
U.S. was disappointed during Bush-Erdogan summit at the end of 2002. In a second summit which had taken place in Ankara on December 23, military proposed five alternatives to the politicians extending from not expending support to expending full support.
Although the military did not openly say ''expend support'', they warned, ''our strategical relations would be damaged if we fail to expend support.''
The government, which had been under leadership of Abdullah Gul, could not take a decision and decided to discuss the issue in National Security Council (NSC) meeting on December 27.
During the NSC meeting, the military gave two messages to the government: '''We can neither prevent the war, nor we can remain outside of it.''
TURKIYE
--------
FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY STARTS
Speaking to the newspaper, Mohammad Yunus of Bangladesh, the initiator of fight against poverty, said, ''we will have the banks brought to poor people. We say that also the poor are reliable people. As a result of women, each house will become a workshop. Thus, we will send poverty to museum in 2015 year. This means that our grandchildren can see poverty only in museums. With this system, we achieved success in many countries in the world, including the United States. We said that also the poor can be successful if they are given opportunity. Hundred percent of loans we gave to the poor have returned. I mean to say that they are quite loyal to their debts. We will give the start for this initiative in Turkey with southeastern province of Diyarbakir and spread it to whole country in a short time.''
ERDOGAN VOWS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''my political existence's sole target is justice and development and fight against poverty. It is my duty to make my people have a prosperous life.''
INVESTIGATION INTO SHAME
The Finance Ministry took action when many businessmen who have high income submitted low income statement, and it launched 'Operation Yoke'. Investigations into income tax statements of many tax payers especially lawyers, doctors, jewelers, private hospitals, restaurants, entertainment places and automobile showrooms will be launched.
LABOR LAW PASSES FROM PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
The Labor Law which has been discussed among the government, workers' unions and employers' unions for a long time was approved. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the Labor Law last night and sent it to the Prime Ministry.
PETKIM GOING TO BE SOLD CHEAPLY
The Privatization Administration Board put Petro Chemistry Holding Corp (Petkim) out for sale several days ago. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he found the 605 million U.S. dollars bid to Petkim low. He said, ''the bid has not been assessed yet. It is clear that the bid is below Petkim's real value. With this respect, a decision will be made after its assessment.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.1 SHAKES BANDIRMA
An earthquake, measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, shook Bandirma township in Balikesir province and caused panic in the Marmara region. Citizens rushed to streets in panic in Balikesir, Istanbul and Tekirdag.
Telephone lines of Bandirma were locked. Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Seismology Institute Director Prof. Gulay Barbarosoglu said the quake was independent, and this relieved people particularly in Istanbul.
The Seismology Institute said the quake occurred at 20.44 local time, stating that the epicenter of the quake was Bandirma. The quake was also felt in surrounding provinces. There was no reported casualties and financial damage.
Two aftershocks were recorded following the main quake.
SEZER APPROVES LABOR LAW
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved Labor Law, which had caused discussions between the employer and the employee. The Law had been criticized on charges that several articles were against working section.
Workers' confederations expected veto for the Labor Law. The Labor Law had been accepted by the Parliament on May 23, and sent to the Presidential Palace on May 26. President Sezer approved the law on May 9.
(MS-AY-AÖ) 10.06.2003