ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 27, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
A CALL FROM NSC TO EU
The National Security Council (NSC) held a meeting yesterday under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, which lasted for five and a half hours. During the meeting, European Union (EU) adjustment efforts and the National Program were taken up in detail. The statement which was released at the end of the meeting said that Turkey expected the EU to open accession talks with Turkey as soon as possible. The statement stressed, ''Turkey is determined to fulfill the necessary commitments to start accession talks with the EU and take place in the EU's enlargement process in line with main characteristics of the Republic.''
GUL: ''SEVENTH PACKAGE ARRANGES CIVILIAN-MILITARY RELATIONS''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who met with members of the Parliamentary Adjustment Commission, said, ''the seventh European Union (EU) adjustment package will arrange civilian-military relations. I hope the seventh package will be the last one. After approval of the package, we will announce that we are ready to start accession talks with the EU.''
TROY JOY
Together with a 63-member accompanying delegation, Prince Tomohito Mikasa of Japan and his daughter Akiko Mikasa visited the ancient city of Troy in northwestern province of Canakkale. Previously, Prince Mikasa visited the Cappadocia region in central province of Nevsehir and the ancient city of Ephesus in western province of Izmir. He was very joyful during his visits.
TURKISH AND ARMENIAN WOMEN TO MEET IN YEREVAN
Turkish and Armenian women will hold a summit meeting in Armenian capital Yerevan. During the summit, joint problems will be discussed in detail.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
------------------
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Turkey has succeeded in postponement of the 'inspection' report of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (COEPA) from September of 2003 to April of 2004. As a result, Turkey will have an important extra period to put into practice the European Union (EU) adjustment laws.
OBJECTION FROM PRESIDENT SEZER
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer objected to decision of the government to open airports and ports to the United States and the coalition countries under the rebuilding process in Iraq and humanitarian aid to Iraqi people. As a result of the objection, the limitation of one year was added in the decision. President Sezer said, ''Turkey is a sovereign country. Turkey has taken this decision to open its airports and ports to countries which want to send humanitarian aid to Iraq with its own will. There must me time limitation in this decision. If it is necessary, this period can be extended.''
ARINC IN HUNGARY
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, who is currently in Hungary on an official visit, was received by President Ferenc Madl of Hungary. Speaking at the meeting, President Madl thanked Turkey for its support to Hungary's membership to NATO. Meanwhile, Arinc said, ''Turkey supported Hungary in its NATO membership process. Now, we expect Hungary to support us in our European Union (EU) membership process.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
---------------
PATRIARCH MESROB II: ''WE WANT 45 CLERGYMEN''
While arguments have been continuing to appoint 15 thousand new imams, Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II said, ''we have only 18 clergymen. There are 43 Armenian churches in Turkey. However, many of these churches were closed due to lack of clergymen.'' Patriarch Mesrob II also stressed that Christian Theology Department should be opened in any universities in Istanbul.
REPROACH OF SOLDIERS
During the monthly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) were taken up in detail. During the meeting which lasted for about five and a half hours, the military members of the NSC expressed their concerns about some arrangements in the sixth EU adjustment package and criticized the government on four issues:
-We should cooperate more in Turkey's EU membership process.
-Turkey's special conditions should not be ignored.
-Annulment of the Article 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Law will encourage terrorists.
-Broadcast in mother tongue by private radio and TV channels can incite separatism.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
-----------------
SUSURLUK ACQUITTAL
At the hearing at the Istanbul High Criminal Court no:2 yesterday, Prosecutor Orhan Erbay announced his ten-page opinion on merits of the case which was filed after a traffic accident in Susurluk that revealed dark relations among mafia, police and politicians. Prosecutor Erbay said that Sedat Bucak had started to work with intelligence and security units upon instructions of former President Suleyman Demirel. Noting that Bucak had been acquainted with other suspects of the case during fight against terrorism and developed his relations, the prosecutor said that suspects were claimed to have organized several attacks, but targets of those attacks had not been determined. Defending that Bucak had served in the parliament and factor of ''continuity'' which was necessary for formation of gang crime had not occurred as he had dealt with husbandry in Siverek, the prosecutor asked the court to acquit Bucak as there was no sufficient evidence by taking into consideration that he had served as a parliamentarian for eleven years.
CHAIN OF SWINDLING
In a ''confidential'' report which was prepared by the Customs Supervision and Inspection Board inspectors on June 24, 2003, it was revealed that the state had been caused to suffer 57 million U.S. dollars loss with sale of 29.2 tons of cigarettes to free shops cheaply after it had been shown as if those cigarettes had been exported to foreign countries by the Turkish Monopoly of Tobacco and Alcoholic Drinks (TEKEL). However, it was determined that those export goods were ''toilet paper''.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
--------------
HERE IS 'RETURN TO HOME LAW'
The bill, which was prepared by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the General Staff for members of the terrorist organizations, is totally different from the previous laws in regard to its scope and target. The bill envisages reassociation of members of the terrorist organization except for leaders of these organizations. According to the reassociation bill, members of terrorist organizations who return to Turkey in a year, will benefit from the law.
RAPID ADJUSTMENT BEWILDERS EU
European Union (EU) Commissioner Guenter Verheugen for Enlargement said that Turkey's EU path should not be closed while Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy stressed that the Turkish government should be encouraged. Addressing foreign journalists in Berlin, Verheugen said that he was bewildered with Turkey's making reforms in a short period of time. He said, ''I did not expect the Turkish government to approve adjustment laws so rapidly.'' Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi noted that they would continue to support Turkey in its EU membership process.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
---------------
MERCEDES AND FIAT COMING! THEY CHOSE TURKEY AS PRODUCTION CENTER
Following the new law, foreign capital inflow has accelerated. After the law which allows foreign investors to open company in one day took effect, leading companies in the world have started to come to Turkey one by one. Mercedes-Benz Turkish Directors Board Chairman Dr. Till Becker announced that they would establish the most modern motor vehicles bodies in the Hosdere Bus Factory. ''There is life in Turkey. Everybody shows Turkey as a model country,'' Becker said. After Mercedes, another surprise came from Fiat. Fiat President Agnelli said that they would focus on Turkey after closing their twelve factories in Europe. Meanwhile, Fiat's CEO Giuseppe Morchio said they would be in Turkey, Poland and Russia.
BAD LUCK! TURKEY FAIL TO PASS FRANCE OBSTACLE
Turkey were defeated by France in semi-final of the Sixth Confederations Cup 2-3 last night. Through the end of the second half, Okan missed a penalty. Gokdeniz and Tuncay scored the goals. Turkey will play Colombia on Saturday for 3rd and 4th places.
Meanwhile, midfielder Foe of Cameroon died of a heart attack in 72nd minute oft he other semi-final match against Colombia.
BAYKAL: ''NSC IS NECESSARY''
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal warned the government about changes to be made. Baykal said that the government should not act with an insistent understanding regarding arrangements about the structure of the NSC. He said, ''we should not make matters worse while trying to do something.'' Meanwhile, the preparations of Turkey's Secretariat General for the EU about the National Program and the bill on return of several criminals to social life were discussed at yesterday's meeting of the NSC.
''THIS IS NOT AMNESTY''
Dengir Mir Mehmet Firat, a deputy of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) commented on the bill on return of several criminal to social life: ''The target of the law is to provide social peace.'' He said that perception of the law as an ''amnesty law'' was wrong, Firat said, ''people on the mountains should return to society for social peace. Thus, defense expenditures will decrease.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
--------------------
NSC: ''EU NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED''
The National Security Council (NSC) reiterated that Turkey was determined to fulfil its duties to start EU full membership talks as soon as possible and made a call for opening of EU accession talks as soon as possible. The regular monthly meeting of the NSC was held yesterday at the Presidential Palace under chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. A brief statement was made after the meeting that lasted five hours and fifteen minutes. The statement said that Turkey's Secretariat General for the EU had informed the NSC members on the National Program preparations and work on adjustment. It was mentioned that the council had also discussed ''Bill on Return of Several Criminals to Social Life'' which was prepared by the government and envisages reassociation of PKK terrorists on mountains to the society.
(MS-AÖ) 27.06.2003