ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 10, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MOLLA BRAUN CAPTURED
A fundamentalist terrorist using the code name of ''Molla Braun'' has been captured by Dutch police at the Amsterdam Airport. He had a ticket of no return from Amsterdam to Istanbul. His ticket was arranged in the name of Aziz Hasan B. The terrorist, 32, is believed to have been one of leading names of the Ansar al-Islam which has been known with its activities of raising suicide bombers in fundamentalist terrorist camps. Security forces have begun investigating any likely connection between the terrorist and the quadruple suicide attacks in Istanbul in which 57 people were killed and 712 others were wounded.
PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED AGAINST YILMAZ
Parliamentary General Assembly has decided to form three separate inquiry commission against former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and five ministers of the coalition government of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Both ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and opposing Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies cast their votes in favor of the motions envisaging parliamentary investigation against Yilmaz and five ministers.
''TURKEY IS NOT AN EMIRATE''
U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman paid a visit to Turkey under his tour to the allied countries. During his meetings with Turkish officials, Grossman asked the government to lift the condition of parliamentary approval about their request for use of the Incirlik Air Base in southern province of Adana. He was told by Turkish authorities, ''Turkey is not an emirate, but a state of law.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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AK PARTY STEPS BACK ON REGULATION CONCERNING KORAN COURSES
The government stepped back on regulation which paves the way for Koran courses to be open for 365 days upon reactions from President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Republican People's Party (CHP), military, nongovernmental organizations and public opinion. Religious Affairs Directorate Koran Courses and Dormitory and Pensions Regulation was discussed in the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that arrangements were not explained well to public opinion and stated that he was unpleased with reactions to the government due to regulation. Erdogan met again with State Minister Mehmet Aydin for religious affairs following the Cabinet meeting. Aydin had talks with Religious Affairs Head Ali Bardakoglu and asked for rearrangement of regulation.
BESIKTAS SHOCKS TURKEY
Besiktas could not use its advantage against Chelsea and was beaten by Chelsea due to simple mistakes. Besiktas was beaten 0-2 by Chelsea in European Champions League Group G match. Besiktas has been eliminated from the Champions League.
DENKTAS SAYS TURKEY HAS RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN ELECTIONS IN TRNC
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that Turkey did not interfere in elections which would be held in TRNC on December 14, adding that but it had right to interfere in elections. Denktas received State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener and reacted to the opposition who claimed that Sener's visit to TRNC was an interference in elections to be held on December 14. Denktas stated that they were sad about the issue that those who said that Turkey should not interfere in elections in TRNC remained silent against those who really interfered in elections.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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GUL'S PRESSURE YIELDS RESULT
As a result of initiatives launched by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, the European Union (EU) has changed its threat, ''Turkey cannot join the EU before finding a solution to the Cyprus question'' into an encouragement, ''Turkey can join the EU easily after finding a solution to the Cyprus question''. Heads of state and government of EU-member countries will convene in Brussels on Friday. The draft final statement of the EU Summit has been changed in line with Turkey's request. The threatening expression in November's Progress Report has been turned into an encouraging sentence in the draft.
''TURKEY'S TARGET OF THE EU SHOULD ALSO BE TARGET OF THE EU''
Speaking at the parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, ''European Union (EU) membership has been taking place on agenda of meetings of the Council of Ministers for a long time. All institutions of our country should support our determination. Last week, I came together with ambassadors of the EU-member countries at a luncheon. We will attend the EU Summit in Brussels on Friday. Turkey's target of the EU should also be the target of the EU. In parallel with our efforts, the EU should take some new and clear steps for its own future. I believe that the coming days will bring forth this clarification.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TURKEY TO BE CENTER AGAINST TERRORISM
U.S. State Department Undersecretary Marc Grossman for Political Affairs conveyed the United States' new views on military structure to NATO on Monday and Turkey on Tuesday. Turkey will play the role of ''central country'' in the United States's fight against global terrorism. The United States which reviewed its military structure in the world against international terrorism and threats of mass destruction weapons aims to increase the role of Turkey and Incirlik Base. Grossman who had talks in Ankara met with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal and General Staff Deputy Chief General Ilker Basbug. Grossman told reporters that Cold War ended and new period brought new threats and new possibilities to NATO and its allies. Grossman stated that NATO member countries were face to face with new threats like global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and noted that they wanted to make use of new technologies and fight against threats more efficiently with their NATO allies.
SUPPORT FROM WASHINGTON
The U.S. administration which wanted Cyprus issue to be solved before May 1, 2004 promised that it would extend every kind of support on Cyprus issue to Turkey. Turkey foresees that this support can be pressure on Greek Cypriot side and the United States's continuing its suggestions on Turkey's European Union (EU) membership.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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POLITICAL FRAME IN TRNC TO TURN UPSIDE DOWN
According to a public survey carried out in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus between November 8 and 17, 2003, the era of the coalition between the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democrat Party (DP) will come to an end. The Republican Turkish Party seems to win the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, 54.8 percent of Turkish Cypriot people thinks that a solution on the basis of the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan is the most reasonable way. 54.6 percent is in favor of joining the European Union (EU) till May 1, 2004.
PRESIDENT DENKTAS: ''TURKEY HAS THE RIGHT TO INTERVENE IN ELECTIONS''
President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ''Turkey does not intervene in the elections in TRNC; however, it has the right to intervene in. President Denktas received State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener. Speaking at the meeting, Sener said that Turkey would continue supporting Turkish Cypriot people in their efforts to further develop their country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would not intervene in the upcoming elections, adding, ''we want the elections to be held in a democratic atmosphere.''
HISTORIANS TO CONVENE IN ISTANBUL
Members of the London-based International Society for Intellectual History (ISIH) will convene in Istanbul as of today. The main theme of the meeting to be held with the participation of nearly 70 historians and philosophers from the countries such as United States, Britain, France, South Africa and Czech Republic was earlier announced as ''Alterity and Experience of Limits''. The meetings will continue till December 13.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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CRITICAL WEEK
There is a very busy week which will affect the future of Turkey. Many important decisions concerning Turkey's European Union (EU) membership process will be taken. Elections will be held in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on December 14. EU Foreign Ministers who convened in Brussels prepared the draft final declaration that would be published at the end of the EU Summit to be held between 12-13 December. The part concerning Turkey of the draft said that the European Council welcomed the considerable and determined efforts by the Turkish government to accelerate the pace of reforms, many of which are significant in political and legal terms. Another important issue is elections in TRNC which will be held after EU summit. Results of elections which will be held on December 14 will bring significant duties to Turkey on its path of EU membership. The two sides have intensive diplomatic initiatives on the issue.
FIRST STEP TO HIGH TRIBUNAL
Parliamentary General Assembly approved investigation motions which were initiated against former prime minister Mesut Yilmaz, former ministers Gunes Taner, Husamettin Ozkan, Cumhur Ersumer, Recep Onal and Zeki Cakan. The motion prepared by Justice and Development Party (AK Party,) and Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies accuses Ersumer of not acting legally in natural gas purchase agreements, causing nation to suffer as a result of pursuing wrong energy policies and approving improper practices in Water State Works (DSI). The motion accuses Cakan of approving the improper practices in DSI and causing people to suffer as a result of pursuing improper energy policies. The investigation motion was accepted by 418 votes against 11 votes in the parliament.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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PARLIAMENT STARTS INVESTIGATION MARATHON
The motions envisaging parliamentary investigation against former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and former ministers Husamettin Ozkan, Recep Onal, Cumhur Ersumer, Zeki Cakan and Gunes Taner were accepted by the parliament. Three separate inquiry commissions will formed in the coming days to carry out the investigation.
IRAQI MARKET OFFICIALLY OPENED TO TURKEY
Close political dialogue between Turkey and the United States have begun yielding results. The Turkish and U.S. sides have reached compromise on many issues including economy. Turkey-the United States economy meetings including details of formation of the qualified industrial zones will be held in February of 2004. The sides have also reached a consensus about opening of the second border gate between Turkey and Iraq. The border gate is expected to established in Ovakoy. The U.S. government is positive about opening of the third and the fourth gates.
(UK-EÖ-AÖ) 10.12.2003