ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 5, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CYPRUS TRICK AT THE LAST MOMENT
Cyprus condition was added to Turkey's Progress Report which the European Union (EU) Commission will announce today. The strategy document, which included results and proposals pertaining to the report, said, ''insolubility in Cyprus may constitute a serious obstacle in Turkey's EU process''. Cyprus issue, which did not take place among Copenhagen criteria, for the first time was mentioned as an ''obstacle''.
EU Commission went out of its official statements which it made so far.
The Progress Report stressed that Annan plan was still on negotiation table on Cyprus issue, and demanded Turkey to exert efforts to find a solution till May 2004.
Pointing out that Greek Cypriot side would be a member of the EU on May 1, 2004, the Commission said some balances would change in solution of the problem after this date.
MOLOTOV COCKTAIL THROWN TO TURKEY'S EMBASSY IN THE HAGUE
A molotov cocktail was thrown to Turkey's Embassy in the Hague on Tuesday.
The assailant managed to flee, but Prosecutor's Office in the Hague said one person was taken under custody, and that his interrogation was underway.
It was reported that the attack did not have political dimensions.
The unidentified assailant, reported to be speaking in Dutch, fired the explosive device which he brought with his bag.
Levent Turker, an official assigned in the embassy, was poisoned from the smoke, and was hospitalized.
Trade Consultant Seniha Bakir was injured after falling from the stairs. A guard and two citizens were also injured slightly.
Dutch Foreign Minister Jaap De Hoopscheffer called Turkish Ambassador in the Hague Tacan Ildem and expressed sorrow over the incident.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ONLY EMERGENCY ROOMS OF HOSPITALS OPEN TODAY
Doctors will go on a strike today. Health Ministry noted that sanctions would be imposed on the personnel who would give up working. Turkish Doctors Union announced that they expected the participation of an overwhelming majority of the 94,000 doctors in the strike today. Turkish Doctors Union Central Council member Eris Bilaloglu said that the Public Administration Basic draft law foresaw regression in the concept of social state. ''The patients will be considered as customers. The half of the population which are not customers will be left without health aid. Who will be responsible of that?'' he added.
IS DISCHARGE OF THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY REFORM IN PUBLIC?
What does the Public Administration draft law bring to the state order? Will the central authority of the state be lifted? Will municipalities undertake the role of the central authority? Will the ban on religious head scarf be lifted? These are many questions that need to be answered. The draft law also brought in the discussion on the law's being against the Constitution. Some circles believe that the draft law which will be adopted in the parliament without changing the constitution, will be returned back to the parliament by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and the Constitutional Court. Some experts say that the draft law redefines public sphere and that wearing head scarf could become free in many spheres particularly in universities and the Presidential Palace.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CYPRUS CONDITION TENSES ANKARA
Ankara became tense after the condition ''solve Cyprus question'' was added to the EU Progress Report. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul called European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen and wanted the condition to be removed immediately.
Addition of the statement that, ''insolubility in Cyprus may constitute a serious obstacle to Turkey's EU expectations'' caused reaction in Ankara.
Gul called Verheugen and said EU would contradict with itself in case such an expression takes place in the report about Cyprus. Gul wanted this expression to be excluded from the report.
Gul reminded Verheugen the decisions of the EU that there was not any connection between Cyprus and Turkey's membership process to the EU.
Gul said Cyprus was not a criteria for Turkey's EU membership, stressing that, ''you can not show Cyprus as criteria. EU will contradict with itself in case such an expression takes place in the report. Turkey exerts necessary efforts for a solution on Cyprus.''
Upon the reaction of Gul, Verheugen said he would be in an effort to exclude the expression during the meeting of commissioners that would take place before announcement of the report. Verheugen promised that the expression would be softened even if it would not be excluded.
NEW GESTURE FOR WESTERN THRACE
According to the decision of Simitis government, Turkish will be taught as the second language in secondary and high schools. A quota would be allocated in universities for Moslem minority. Turkish Teachers Academy will be bettered.
FIRST ROUND STARTS IN SUPREME COURT
Reports of Parliamentary Commission Investigating Corruption in the past 10 years was started to be debated. The report wants 25 ministers to be sent to Supreme Court to be judged.
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will propose investigation commission for nine of the ministers, and Republican People's Party (CHP) will propose commission to be set up for 19 ministers.
CHP will also give a motion for Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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PROCESS WITHOUT DENKTAS IS DIFFICULT
Ankara, prior to the elections that would take place in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on December 14, covers a very careful policy.
Ankara, which acts carefully not to influence elections, envisages that a coalition government may be set up after the elections, and that there may not be a change in chief negotiator status of TRNC President Rauf Denktas.
Ankara does not consider scenarios ''solution without Denktas''.
BESIKTAS RANKS THE SECOND OF THE GROUP
Besiktas soccer club of Turkey defeated Sparta Prague of Czech Republic 1-0 in the Champions League group stage, Group G match in Istanbul.
Ronaldo scored Besiktas' goal in the second half of the match in Inonu Stadium.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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EU'S CYPRUS CONDITION TO TURKEY
The Strategy Document which is the most important part of the EU Commission's Progress Report on Turkey noted that ''if Cyprus issue is not solved, it could constitute a serious obstacle for Turkey's EU expectations.'' European Commission, which will officially announce its report today directly connected the solution of Cyprus issue with Turkey's starting full membership negotiations with EU for the first time.
VERHEUGEN: EU WITH TURKEY MEANS PEACE
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen talked to Der Spiegel magazine saying that ''one of the most important problems of the century can be seen between Islam and western democracies particularly after the terrorist incidents of September 11. If European Union (EU) admits Turkey as a member, this will increase our chance for a peaceful solution.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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CIVIL SERVANTS PUT IN ORDER
The ban on civil servants to do a second job will be lifted. The Ak Party government adds another reform to its list of reforms. Following the Public Administration Reform, the government prepared the public personnel reform bill. The bill permits civil servants to work part-time and to have a second job. Besides, the performance of civil servants will be graded in five categories. Civil servants who don't get a good employment report for two times will be retired.
TURKEY IS READY FOR END OF 2004
Turkey responded to the EU Commission's progress report on Turkey which was leaked to the press, but which will be announced today. Turkey prepared a report stressing the reforms undertaken and the progress recorded on the EU membership process, and it gave the message to Brussels that Turkey was ready to start negotiations at the end of 2004.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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FAVORITISM PERIOD TO END IN PUBLIC
Government started to take initiatives for elimination of people who are assigned abroad with high salaries although they did not have necessary experience and knowledge.
A total of 3,300 personnel are employed in foreign representations of various ministries. It was revealed that most of those people, who have titles like attache or experts, were appointed to their positions through favoritism.
Foreign Ministry is in an effort to give service abroad with 4,200 people.
LOGOGLU REACTS HARSHLY TOWARD U.S.: DON'T FAVOR KURDS, BE FAIR
Turkey's Ambassador in Washington D.C. Faruk Logoglu Tuesday called on United States not to protect Iraqi Kurds in determination of Iraq's future. He said, ''in case it is said 'north of Iraq belongs to Kurds' this will be a disaster.''
Replying to questions of reporters at a meeting in Washington, Logoglu criticized Washington and U.S. administration in Baghdad in failing to exert necessary efforts to convince Iraqi Interim Governing Council on dispatch of Turkish soldiers to Iraq.
Stating that Turkey was concerned that U.S. gave more strength to Kurdish groups within Iraqi Interim Governing Council, Logoglu said, ''favoritism shown towards several groups was reflected in Governing Council and interim council of ministers. If they say north of Iraq belongs to Kurds while determining future of Iraq, this will be a disaster. Kurds were protected more regarding the future of the country. We don't have any problems with the Kurds. We had protected them for more than 10 yeas. We want the best for them, but everything should be done under equality basis.''
(ÖŞ-AY-AÖ) 05.11.2003