ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 30, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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NEITHER WAR NOR BOMBS
Despite the war in neighboring Iraq and the quadruple suicide attacks in Istanbul, Turkey has broken records in production, consumption, number of tourists, exports, imports and use of credit in 2003. A total of 175 thousand automobiles were sold and 191 thousand of automobiles were exported in the January-November period of the year. More than 10 million TVs were produced in the same period. Exports from Turkey exceeded 46 billion U.S. dollars.
TALAT DESIGNATED TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT OF TRNC
President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has designated Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat to form the new government following the parliamentary elections on December 14, 2003. President Denktas said, ''we envisage a broad-based government to be formed by all four political parties having seats at the parliament. Turkey has also proposed it. I hope the political parties will succeed in forming such a government.''
GENERAL OZKOK CONVEYS HIS CONCERNS TO PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN
General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok paid a surprising visit to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. During the meeting, General Ozkok conveyed his concerns about the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan for Cyprus. Prior to General Ozkok's visit, General Staff Deputy Chief General Ilker Basbug met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. The Cyprus question topped the agenda of the meeting. Meanwhile, Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek told reporters following the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers that Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul would brief Prime Minister Erdogan on recent developments in Cyprus later today.
ERBAKAN'S REQUEST REJECTED
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office rejected the request of Felicity Party (SP) leader Necmettin Erbakan who was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison in the case known by the public opinion as ''lost trillion'', for correction of the decision. The Chief Prosecutor's Office sent a document to the SP in which it asked exclusion of Erbakan from party membership and end of his role as party leader within 30 days. The Office ruled that the Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department no: 11, which upheld the imprisonment sentence against Erbakan, had fulfilled all points claimed in Erbakan's request for correction of the decision, and there was not any uncertain points left.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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QUARTET SUMMIT PROBLEM
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok held an extraordinary meeting at Prime Ministry yesterday. It was claimed that the meeting was held as the commanders of forces were uneasy because Cyprus issue would be taken up in a quartet summit and they request to hold an extraordinary meeting in National Security Council (NSC). Upon questions, Erdogan said that they discussed Cyprus issue with Gen. Ozkok.
AIRPORT INVITATION FROM IRAQ TO TURKISH FIRMS
Iraqi Transportation Minister Bahnam Ziya Bulus said that they considered to open their airports to international air traffic and they needed experience of Turkish firms in enlargement projects of those airports and wanted Turkish firms to concern with Kirkuk and Mosul airports projects. Bulus who visited Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim said that they needed Turkish firms in all fields during reconstruction of Iraq.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ANNAN GOVERNMENT
President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) designated Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who won 19 seats at the parliament following the parliamentary elections on December 14, 2003, to form the new government. Talat said after undertaking the mission that they aimed to form a government which could take vote of confidence rapidly.
MINIMUM WAGE NET 300 MILLION TL
While Minimum Wage Fixing Commission is expected to determine the amount of minimum wage for 2004 in its final meeting today, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the last direction in Council of Ministers meeting. Erdogan emphasized the living conditions and expectations of people and budget balances. He said regarding the minimum wage that the condition of people and budget balances were obvious and those should be taken into consideration while fixing an amount. The minimum wage was considered as net 300 million Turkish Liras.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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MISSION IS TALAT'S
President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) designated Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who won 19 seats at the parliament following the parliamentary elections on December 14, 2003, to form the new government. Talat said that they would take the date May 2004 into consideration and they wanted a solution on the basis of Annan Plan.
GOVERNMENT INSISTED ON CYPRUS PLAN
The plan which was prepared by the government and Foreign Ministry for the solution of Cyprus question became the most important agenda item of Council of Ministers meeting. The plan which was prepared within the scope of Annan Plan and envisions decreasing the number of Turkish soldiers to 6 thousand in the island and leaving a large part of Guzelyurt to Greek Cypriots was discussed in the meeting. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul explained the plan to ministers during the meeting.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ANNAN PLAN GIVES RISE TO CONCERNS
The Cyprus Plan of the government prepared by taking up reference from the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has created problem among the high-level officials. The General Staff and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which have been working together to find a solution, could not compromise over presence of Turkish soldiers in the island, Turkey's guarantees and Turkish-Greek balance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the draft plan covered in the press was and old and misleading one. Noting that the plan would become certain after talks between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials said, ''those who know nothing about the plan, have leaked out the draft to the press.''
TURKEY SENDS AID TO IRAN
Turkey has mobilized to heal the wounds of neighboring Iran following last week's devastating quake disaster. The Turkish Red Crescent has sent six truckloads of humanitarian aid including medical equipment, foodstuff, body bags, 14 generators, blankets and tents. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing has sent a total of 800 containers to Iran by railway. Turkish health team in Iran has vaccinated nearly 5 thousand people against tetanus. An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Bam city of Iran at 5:28 a.m. Iranian time on December 26. Thousands of people lost their lives and about 30 thousand people were wounded since the quake hit the city when most of the people were in bed, raising fears that the death toll may go higher.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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FIRST MISSION IS TALAT'S
President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) designated Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who won 19 seats at the parliament following the parliamentary elections on December 14, 2003, to form the new government. Talat said after his meeting with Denktas that they aimed to form a government which had the target of the European Union and of finding a solution until May 1, 2004.
ERDOGAN TO GO TO IRAN FOR COMFORT
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan planned a surprise visit to Iran and he will give the message that Turkey was supporting Iran. Erdogan will hold meetings in Iran on December 31. Erdogan who will visit Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and wish rapid recovery, will be accompanied by a large delegation.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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JUDICIAL PROCESS ENDS, SP TO ATTEND LOCAL ELECTIONS WITHOUT ERBAKAN
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office rejected the request of Felicity Party (SP) leader Necmettin Erbakan who was sentenced to 2 years and 4 months in prison in the case known by the public opinion as ''lost trillion'', for correction of the decision. The Chief Prosecutor's Office sent a document to the SP in which it asked exclusion of Erbakan from party membership and end of his role as party leader within 30 days. If the SP fails to exclude Erbakan from membership within this period, a closure case will be filed against the SP.
(GC-UK-AÖ) 30.12.2003