PARLIAMENT SPEAKER ARINC: "ANYBODY WHO FULFILLS THE REQUIREMENTS CAN RUN FOR PRESIDENT"
At a press conference marking the close of Parliament's legislative term, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc yesterday answered reporters' questions about next year's presidential election and if he would run. Stating that there's nearly a year until the next presidential election, he said some of the debates over the issue were politically motivated. Arinc said that he didn't think it right to produce domestic policy through the presidency and that he was uneasy about certain conditions being presented as presidential criteria although there are absent from the Constitution. When asked directly whether he harbors any presidential ambitions, Arinc neither confirmed nor closed the door on the possibility, saying, "You'll have to wait for April 2007 for that. I can't say anything definite now." /Cumhuriyet/
AT ASO MEETING, ERDOGAN COMMENTS ON MARKET FLUCTUATIONS
Speaking at the Ankara Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on recent fluctuations in the markets, saying that the government wasn't only watching global fluctuations. "These developments concern us greatly," he said. "The government and the Central Bank are doing their best. Fortunately our ship is at a safe port." Erdogan stated that Turkish industrialists contributed to employment in the country, adding that they were presenting their products to world markets. Stressing the importance of taxes, Erdogan said that everyone should pay their fair share. Also addressing the gathering, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that the business world was uncomfortable about the unregistered economy because the private sector suffered great damage from unfair competition. "We hope that work on social security reform will be completed as soon as possible," he added. For his part, ASO Chairman Zafer Caglayan criticized recent predictions of a possible crisis, calling them needless. He further said that the banking sector was acting opportunistically due to recent interest rate hikes. /Milliyet/
ELBARADEI LENDS SUPPORT TO TURKEY'S EFFORTS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF IRAN NUCLEAR ISSUE
United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Mohamed ElBaradei, who is currently paying a visit to Turkey, yesterday said that Turkey's plans to build nuclear power plants to meet its increasing energy needs were logical. After having talks with Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, ElBaradei met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Following their meeting, ElBaradei told reporters that they had exchanged views on Turkey's intent to build nuclear energy plants. He stressed that his agency would lend support to Turkish officials on the matter. Commenting on the Iranian nuclear program issue, ElBaradei said that the Mideast could not bear any more problems, and that they desired a resolution to the problem through diplomatic means. Pointing out that Turkey could play a key role, he said he appreciated Turkish officials' intense efforts towards that aim. /Turkiye/
ERDOGAN: "LET'S ASK CITIZENS WHETHER HEADSCARVES ARE A PROBLEM FOR THE PRESIDENCY"
Speaking to Reuters this week, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there should be no obstacles for a man of strong faith running for president. "We should ask the Turkish people whether the nation is ready for a president whose wife wears a headscarf," said the premier. Stressing that his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had the majority in Parliament which enables them to elect the president of their choice, Erdogan said the candidate should be approved by the party members and embrace all people without any discrimination. He stated that they had swept the votes in the fall 2002 elections with their wives wearing headscarves. Turkey's citizens voted for us knowing everything about us, underlined Erdogan. Commenting on the Cyprus issue, the premier reiterated that they would not make any initiatives to open Turkey's ports to Greek Cypriots before the international isolation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is ended. /Turkiye/
DETAILED SCREENING ON CONSUMER PROTECTION STARTS
Officials from Turkey and the European Union Commission started talks yesterday for the detailed screening on consumer and health protection, one of the 35 policy chapters on which Turkey and the EU will hold accession talks. The session in Brussels will end today. The EU acquis in the field of consumer and health protection covers the safety of consumer goods as well as the protection of the economic interests of consumers in a number of specific sectors. Turkey's screening process will continue with an exploratory session on the external relations chapter scheduled for Monday. /Turkish Daily News/
GULER: "TURKEY HAS SUFFICIENT ELECTRICITY"
Commenting yesterday on last weekend's blackouts, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said that there was no shortfall of electricity in the nation's system. "There was disagreement only over rates between the private and public sector," he said, adding that they were trying to solve the problem by looking at the entire public and private sector. /Milliyet/
US' FRIED: "WE'RE PLEASED WITH ANKARA'S INITIATIVES TO HELP SOLVE THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT"
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried said yesterday that Washington was pleased with Ankara's diplomatic initiatives to help solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Commenting on possible direct talks of Turkish officials with Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal, Fried said that this wouldn't be proper. /Milliyet/
TRNC'S TALAT: "RADICAL NATIONALISM IS ON THE RISE IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS"
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mehmet Ali Talat yesterday said, "Although the Turkish Cypriots live under an embargo, the TRNC exists and its democratic institutions are working in a way that could constitute an example for many other countries." He added that attempts to lift the embargo are being obstructed by the Greek Cypriots and said that fanaticism and radical nationalism are on the rise in southern Cyprus. Talat yesterday met with United Nations Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari. Afterwards Talat said that they had conveyed their will to find an immediate solution, and Gambari said that they had discussed many issues. /Star/
TURKISH SUPPORT FOR EU MEMBERSHIP FALLS SHARPLY
A new Eurobarameter poll showed on Wednesday that Turkish support for European Union membership has fallen sharply from 60% in last winter's survey to 43% now. The survey also showed that the Turkish people's trust in the EU and its policies has also dropped significantly. According to the poll, trust fell from 50% last fall to 35% this spring. The poll surveyed over 1,000 people in Turkey in April. /The New Anatolian/
IMF'S AHMED: "OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS TURKEY'S 2ND AND 3RD REVIEW AT THE END OF THIS MONTH"
International Monetary Fund International Relations Director Masood Ahmed said yesterday that the IMF Executive Board is expected to convene at the end of this month to discuss Turkey's second and third review. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Ahmed commented on economic developments in Turkey, saying that the Central Bank had taken strong steps necessitated by the developments. "We believe that the CB will continue to take necessary measures," he added. The Fund is expected to release a credit tranche of $1.7 billion after the reviews are completed. /Sabah/