ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 4, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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THE LOWEST INFLATION FIGURE OF THE LAST 27 YEARS
Inflation rates increased by 1.7 percent in wholesale prices and 1.6 percent in consumer prices in November. Decrease in annual inflation continued also in November. The annual inflation decreased below the targeted level and became 19.3 percent in consumer prices and 16.2 percent in wholesale prices.
The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced that wholesale prices increased by 1.7 percent and consumer prices rose by 1.6 percent in November of 2003 compared to prices of the previous month.
TURKISH ARMED FORCES IS IN TRNC AS REQUIREMENT OF AGREEMENT
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul harshly reacted against statements of EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen.
Stressing that statements of Verheugen regarding Turkish Armed Forces were unacceptable, Gul said Turkish Armed Forces carried out its assignments in the very best way in line with policies of the state.
Replying to questions of reporters prior to his departure for Brussels to participate in NATO foreign ministers meeting, Gul said, ''Turkish Armed Forces does not have different views regarding Cyprus and the EU. Presence of Turkish Armed Forces in Cyprus stems from international agreements. Statements of Verheugen, particularly about Turkish Armed Forces, are unfortunate.''
Speaking about the criticism toward TRNC President Denktas, Gul said, ''negotiator is Denktas at the moment.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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RINGS OF EVIL
It was found out that terrorist organization which staged latest suicide bombings in Turkey is comprised of five rings. The top of rings includes four people who are called as ''imams'' and they have the control in the terrorist organization al-Qaida. Terrorist organization which staged attacks on synagogues, Britain's Consulate General and HSBC headquarters in Istanbul is comprised of five rings. Four people are brains of terrorist organization in Turkey.
GUL: NSC WAS LIKE A SECOND GOVERNMENT IN PAST
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that National Security Council (NSC) was like a second government in the past, adding that a new structure was brought to NSC with reforms. He added that it has become a consultative board. Evaluating one year of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in rule, Gul said that four of seven reform packages were adopted during AK Party period, Gul said that they made the most important reforms in the history of Republic on basic rights and freedoms. Stating that their priority was to join the European Union (EU), he said that they took very important steps regarding this issue.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CYPRUS PINCERS GETS NARROW
Tension escalates as there is 10 days for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) elections. Greece and Greek Cypriot side criticize TRNC President Rauf Denktas, and Denktas criticizes EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen. European Union says Turkey will pay the cost of insolubility.
EU: It is difficult for Turkey to get a date to start full membership negotiations in case solution could not be reached.
Panel discussion, where Cyprus issue was discussed, had two guests. One was U.S. State Department's Cyprus Special Coordinator Thomas Weston and the other was EU Commission member John Davidson.
Weston said U.S. could not intervene in domestic affairs of a country or a region, yet that many Turkish Cypriots supported Annan Plan. Weston said he was sure that a majority of people would express a will supporting the plan.
Davidson in his part continued attitude of the EU that Turkey would pay the cost. He said it was difficult for Turkey to get a date in December 2004 to start full membership negotiations before solution in Cyprus.
Davidson said solution of Cyprus question was not a precondition in technical sense, but that they wanted Turkey to intensify its efforts on the way to solution.
STEP FOR 8.5 BILLION U.S. DOLLARS
Ankara started to take initiatives to thaw north of Iraq condition which U.S. put for 8.5 billion U.S. dollars loan. Ankara launched an intense diplomatic initiative to change the expression, which was in loan agreement, that ''Ankara would not intervene in north of Iraq unilaterally''.
Upon a message coming from Washington that said, ''Congress decision determined the loan conditions. It is impossible to issue a new Congress decision. Moreover, we make our 2004 budget. You should also act rapidly,'' government started to search for a formula.
The government focuses on the formula of sending the agreement to the Parliament to overcome the hesitation caused by the loan that has political condition. Thus, the loan agreement would be settled on a legal basis in cover of ''international agreement''.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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HISTORICAL MISTAKE FROM ANKARA
Turkish Judge of European Court of Human Rights Riza Turmen said statement of Turkey that this case would not set a precedent to other Greek Cypriot applications would not bind ECHR.
Guney Dinc, the lawyer, who took place in many trials in ECHR, said, ''the understanding that ECHR considered Turkey as an occupier in Cyprus lies in the core of the agreement. The compensation stemmed from this understanding. Turkey, by paying the compensation, accepted this position.''
Jurists said payment of the compensation put Turkey to the position of an occupier stating that the approaches that the decision would not set a precedent was a trick.
Greek Cypriot media said Turkey recognized the occupation.
MARZANO: WE WILL NOT GIVE PREMIUM TO TERRORISM
Italian Minister of Productive Activities Antonio Marzano, who spoke at second Industry Congress, said terrorist attacks stemmed from Turkey's secular and tolerant characteristics in its region.
He said this makes Turkey's EU bid and its expectations for full membership legal.
Stressing that some citizens were afraid of terrorist attacks and showed reaction, Marzano said, ''some citizens, particularly in tourism sector, cancel their visits. But a minister will never. He can not change his visits because if we cancel the visit, we will give premium to terrorism.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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LITTLE TIME LEFT TO ELECTIONS IN CYPRUS
The government and the opposition reacted to (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen's statements on Cyprus and Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul who criticized statements of Verheugen said that those statements could not be accepted. Gul said that TSK and the government did not have any disagreements on Cyprus and the EU. Stating that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas was the official negotiator, Gul said that if anyone had doubts on elections which would be held in TRNC, he/she could go to TRNC and watch election process. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the fact of ''two states-two societies'' must be recognized in Cyprus.
DENKTAS ANGERS WITH VERHEUGEN
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said that European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen caused destruction in agreement basis in Cyprus, stating that, ''Verheugen caused destruction again like an elephant that entered a porcelain shop.'' Denktas staged a news conference and harshly responded to the statement of Verheugen on Cyprus issue. Denktas said Verheugen again created the suspicion whether or not he wanted a solution in Cyprus. Stating that recent statement of Verheugen was made to give Turkish Cypriot voters the message that, ''support the opposition, which accepted Annan plan, during the elections''. Denktas said Turkish Cypriot people did not like interference and that result would be taken in election would be just the opposite of this message.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ANKARA CRITERIA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave clear messages on the European Union (EU) and Cyprus. Erdogan said that the EU's not accepting Turkey as a full member did not mean an end for the country and stated that if the Union did not accept Turkey as a full member, then they would make Copenhagen criteria Ankara criteria. Stating that all circles had to accept the concept of ''two states, two nations'' on Cyprus issue, he said that otherwise everyone would go on his/her way and Turkey would go on its way as well.
INFLATION FIGURES SHOW TURKISH ECONOMY ON RIGHT TRACK
Inflation figures which were announced by the State Institute of Statistics (DIE) showed that Turkish economy was on the right track. DIE said that wholesale prices increased by 1.7 percent and consumer prices rose by 1.6 percent in November of 2003 compared to prices of the previous month. Annual inflation rate in November was 16.2 percent in wholesale prices and 19.3 percent in consumer prices. DIE said that eleven-month inflation rate was 13.2 percent in wholesale prices and 17.3 percent in consumer prices. Meanwhile, according to 12-month averages as of November 2003, annual inflation rate was 27.1 percent in wholesale prices and 26.3 percent in consumer prices. Price increase in the private sector of manufacturing industry which is called core inflation rate became 0.9 percent in November.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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GREECE DID NOT WANT US TO AGREE WITH LOIZIDOU Turkey's paying 1 billion 120 Euro compensation to Greek Cypriot woman Titina Loizidou led to different reactions.
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said with the two decisions taken by Council of Europe Delegates Committee regarding Loizidou case, Greece and Greek Cypriot side were pushed to isolation.
Gul said Greece and Greek Cypriot side till to the last minute tried to prevent reaching an agreement on Loizidou case.
Stressing that they hoped to reach a lasting solution on Cyprus question, Gul said other issues would be solved after solution.
Turmen said statement of Turkey that this case would not set a precedent to other Greek Cypriot applications would not bind ECHR in legal and practical means, stressing that, ''ECHR is free in its decisions. Nobody can intervene in court decision in practical and legal means.''
ANKARA AND LEFKOSA REACT TO VERHEUGEN
Ankara and Lefkosa harshly reacted to the statements of European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen about Cyprus.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said every kind of sacrifices was expected from Turkey on Cyprus issue, saying that, ''they should accept presence of two states in Cyprus. They can insist on having their own way if they don't accept, we will also insist on our own way.''
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said statements of Verheugen about Turkish Armed Forces were ''unacceptable''.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said Verheugen damaged agreement basis in Cyprus, stating that, ''Verheugen caused destruction again like an elephant that entered a porcelain shop.''
(EÖ-AY-AÖ) 04.12.2003