ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on October 31, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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LAND FORCES COMMANDER GEN. FIRTINA PAYS SURPRISE VISIT TO ISRAEL
Land Forces Commander Gen. Ibrahim Firtina paid a surprise visit to Israel 10 days ago. Gen. Firtina, upon invitation of his Israeli counterpart Gen. Dan Halutz, had gone to Israel for a one-day visit with an F-4 plane which was modernized by Israel.
Israeli Air Forces described the visit as a ''warm gesture''.
Gen. Firtina went to Israel on October 20 and returned to Turkey after staying in this country for one day.
Gen. Firtina and Gen. Halutz exchanged views on military cooperation between the two countries. Military exercises that would be hold jointly by the two countries were also discussed.
KRUEGER: EVERYTHING PROGRESSES POSITIVELY IN TURKEY
International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Anne Krueger said everything progressed positively in Turkish economy, noting that IMF Executive Board could convene in second half of November. IMF Executive Directors is also expected to discussed release of 500 million U.S. dollars loan to Turkey.
When asked when Executive Board meeting could take place, Krueger said, ''I hope the Executive Directors to convene in the second half of November, yet no specific decision is made yet.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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EU REPORT CONTRADICTION OF ERDOGAN AND GUL
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan evaluated the expressions in the European Union (EU) Progress Report, which said Turkey was slow and not determined in practice, as unconvincing excuses. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that the report was objective.
FOREIGN MINISTRY GETS FULL GRADE
The European Union (EU) Commission which found practices in Turkey on fulfilling Copenhagen criteria insufficient gave full grade to foreign policy. The Progress Report which will be announced on November 5, said Turkey had a constructive role in joint foreign policy and security and emphasized that Turkey's shedding green light had an important contribution in practicing European Security and defense policy successfully. The report said that Turkey was an important actor in development of stability and security in Balkans, Caucasia, Mediterranean and Middle East and it undertook many initiatives within this role.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ACCOUNTS OF CANKAYA BECOME TRANSPARENT
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer published expenses of Cankaya Presidential Palace on internet site. The accounts of the Palace were announced for the first time with this implementation of Sezer. According to data which were published on internet site under the title ''Financial Information'', the Presidential Palace spent 13.5 trillion Turkish Liras in the last ten months. The budget of Palace is 23 trillion 680 billion TL and 13 trillion 653 billion TL of it were spent in the first ten months of 2003. Palace has still a budget more than 10 trillion TL to spend. The highest expense was for personnel expenses with 10 trillion 496 billion TL. Palace spent 184 billion TL for representations and hosting.
OBSTACLES BEFORE KURDISH BROADCAST BEING LIFTED
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul who met with Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) Chairman Fatih Karaca said that regulation on broadcast in different languages was about be adopted. Gul said that RTUK regulation on broadcast in different languages and dialects which was envisioned to be adopted within the European Union (EU) adjustment package was about to be accepted. The regulation will lift obstacles before making broadcast in different languages and dialects especially in Kurdish.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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EU PROGRESS REPORT SAYS CORRUPTION CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN TURKEY
European Union (EU) Commission's 2003 Progress Report said a significant progress was made in fight against corruption, but that corruption still continued to be a serious problem in Turkey. Media, administrative organization, public works, and health sectors were shown as the sectors that have tendency for corruption.
Stressing that injustice in distribution of income continued, the report said rate of unemployment increased.
The report said government had promised to have zero tolerance to torture and maltreatment, stressing that despite this torture continued.
A total of 2,614 cases were opened in European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Turkey since October 2002. Only in one case out of 92 cases, ECHR admitted that Turkey was right.
SEARCH FOR POLICY IN IRAQ
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said in case government decides to use 8.5 billion U.S. dollars loan, this issue would be debated in the parliament, and gave the message that the attitude covered since September 22 would change.
It was reported that the agreement, having north of Iraq condition, would be rejected with a great possibility if it is voted in the Parliament. It was also reported that this rejection would be a ''strong message'' to the United States.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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WOLFOWITZ: TURKEY TOOK RISK
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz said that there were many questions on the issue of dispatching of Turkish soldiers to Iraq. He added that Turkey's showing its will to take risk with generous suggestion was important.
REACTION TO EU REPORT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan evaluated the expressions in the European Union (EU) Progress Report, which said Turkey was slow and not determined in practicing reforms during membership process to EU, as unconvincing excuses.
A PATH IS SEARCHED ON IRAQ ISSUE
Turkey, which had tense dialogues with the United States from time to time during the process of sending soldiers to Iraq, decided to take up Iraq policy upon contradicting statements of the United States. Turkey, which will bring together its all ambassadors in the regional countries today in Ankara, will try to take a final decision on dispatch of soldiers according to views of ambassadors.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ISLAM SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN EU CONSTITUTION
German Interior Minister Otto Schily, currently in Rome to participate in conference on interreligious dialogue, said in case Christian roots are openly stressed in the EU Constitution, references should be made to Islam in the same way.
Otto Schily, in a brief statement to journalists, made a different proposal for the discussion regarding stressing of Europe's Christian identity in the EU Constitution. Schily defended that in case there would be a religious reference to the introduction of the EU Constitution, this should also include Islam.
RTUK CHAIRMAN KARACA MEETS WITH GUL FOR BROADCAST IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN TURKISH
Supreme Radio and Television Board (RTUK) Chairman Fatih Karaca met with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.
Speaking after the meeting, Karaca said a law took effect on July 15 within 6th Adjustment Package facilitating broadcast in traditional languages and dialects in private radio and televisions, stating that under the constitution, necessary regulation had to be issued within four months. He said this time would expire on November 15, 2003.
Karaca said RTUK continued to work on the regulation, stressing that they got the views of related organizations and institutions, adding he gave information to Gul about this.
Karaca said, ''there should not be the smallest hesitation in the regulation regarding inseparable integrity of our country. This is why we are so sensitive on the issue.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SIX ZEROS TO BE OMITTED FROM TL ON JANUARY 1, 2005
State Minister Ali Babacan said that six zeros would be erased from Turkish Lira on January 1, 2005. He added that new and old TL would be used together for one year. Holding a press conference, Babacan said that draft law on omitting six zeros from TL in January 1, 2005 was ready and he added that he was examining the draft prepared by Central Bank and the draft would be sent to Council of Minister and then to Parliament after some changes were made on it. He said that they envisioned a transition period of one year and the new and old TL would be used together during this transition period and he added that moneys would be renewed until the end of 2005.
PARLIAMENT SENDS DELEGATION FOR PROBLEMS OF TURKISH CITIZENS ABROAD
Ten deputies from Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Republican People's Party (CHP) will visit nine European countries in three separate groups to examine the problems of Turkish citizens who have been living abroad. Parliamentary Investigation Commission Chairman Mustafa Bas held a press conference and gave information about the tour which would start today and end on November 7. The delegation which will be headed by AK Party member Avni Dogan will hold meetings in Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, while another delegation to be headed by AK Party member Mustafa Bas will visit Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna and Zurich. The third delegation which will be headed by AK party member Mustafa Said Yazicioglu will go to London, Rotterdam, Brussels, Paris and Lyon.
(GC-AY-AÖ) 31.10.2003