ERDOGAN TO BEGIN STATE VISITS TO MALAYSIA AND PAKISTAN TODAY
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to begin today a total of five days of official visits to Malaysia and Pakistan. He will be accompanied by a delegation numbering nearly 250, including government ministers and businessmen. This will be Erdogan’s longest foreign trip so far, since becoming prime minister in March. /Hurriyet/
ERDOGAN VISITS TUSIAD, TOUTS RECENT POSITIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
Speaking to the Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chief Advisory Board yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan touted Turkey’s recent positive economic developments, adding that he welcomed TUSIAD’s contributions to restoring stability and trust to the economy. Erdogan said that merely criticizing the government would do nothing to help the economy, adding that TUSIAD and similar institutions had to do their part by boosting production. “Just as we fought corruption in the past, now we have to battle our own pessimism,” said the premier. For his part, TUSIAD Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan said that he appreciated the government’s recent performance on the economy and other issues. Touching on Turkish-US relations, he said that he thought Washington favored renewed cooperation if Ankara takes a clear, determined stand in the Middle East region. “I think that from now on, in Turkish-US relations, the ball is in Ankara’s court,” said Ozilhan, who recently visited the US. “If Ankara’s stance is resolute, then the US will be happy to cooperate with us.” He cited the appreciation of the lira and falls in interest rates and inflation as positive economic developments adding, however, that it was too early to say that the economy was completely out of the woods. Later, touching on Turkey’s European Union membership bid, Ozilhan said that the sixth EU harmonization package and the National Program were both necessary steps for making progress on the nation’s EU bid. “We sincerely believe that Parliament will vote on the EU reform package in full knowledge that these reforms enjoy public support,” he said. “Improvement depends on structural reforms rather than short-time financial moves.” The TUSIAD chairman warned that any concessions from budget discipline in anticipation of local elections next spring might endanger the future of both Turkey and its AKP administration. /Aksam/
RESOLUTION ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INTRODUCED IN US SENATE
On the heels of a similar measure in the US House of Representative, a resolution was introduced to the US Senate yesterday that would effectively grant US recognition to the so-called Armenian genocide. Both the House and Senate measures are meant to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Genocide Convention, and urge that lessons be learned from the so-called genocide, incongruously placed among other historically supported events. The new measure was introduced by a Republican and a Democrat, John Ensign and Jon Corzine, plus 16 co-sponsors. Its matching House resolution last month passed the powerful Judiciary Committee, but has yet to face a full House vote. /Turkiye/
PAPANDREOU TELLS BRUSSELS OF ALLEGED AIRSPACE ALLEGATIONS
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday met with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen in Brussels. During their meeting, Papandreou complained to Verheugen about Ankara, claiming that Turkish fighter jets had harassed a Greek passenger plane en route from Istanbul to Athens on Monday. Papandreou later told reporters that he and Verheugen had agreed that Greece would summit monthly reports to the EU about alleged Aegean airspace violations. /Turkiye/
MAN SETS OFF EXPLOSIVE AT US CONSULATE IN ADANA, NO ONE HURT
A man set off an explosive device yesterday on the grounds of the US Consulate in the southern province of Adana. Cumali Kizilkoca threw two explosives – variously described as bombs, grenades or concussion bombs – while leaving the consulate, but only one of them went off. No injures were reported in the attack, though some of the consulate’s windows were shattered. An investigation is underway. /Turkiye/
UNIVERSITY SENATE: “UN COVENANTS POSE A GRAVE THREAT TO TURKEY’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY”
Istanbul University’s (IU) Senate yesterday issued a statement contending that the recently ratified United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights posed a grave threat to Turkey’s territorial integrity. These covenants were ratified last week by the Parliament and then sent to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for his approval. The IU Senate called passage of these covenants “a grievous error.” The first article of both agreements includes the following statements: “All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” The covenants also clearly state that signatory countries shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right in conformity with the provisions of the UN Charter. The senate called on President Sezer to veto these covenants on the grounds that they would violate Turkey’s principles of national unity and integrity. The senate and other circles are fearful that such efforts would encourage separatist movements within Turkey. Ankara had in fact expressed certain reservations on these covenants in line with its Constitution, stressing that the nation’s integrity must be protected. /Hurriyet/
WIN OVER MACEDONIA TAKES TURKEY TO TOP OF GROUP SEVEN
Turkey defeated Macedonia last night 3-2 during a Euro 2004 qualifying Group Seven match in Istanbul, thus moving the Turkish football team to 15 points in six games and to the top of the Group Seven. England ranks second with 13 points in the group. Other upcoming important matches for Turkey include Liechtenstein (Sept. 6) and England (Oct. 11). /All papers/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION