ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on December 31, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN: ''WEAKNESS ENDED, PATIENT RECOVERED AND STOOD UP ON IT FEET''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that even the most pessimistic circles in Turkey and in the world didn't speak badly about Turkey today. ''No body can call Turkey a sick man anymore, that weakness has ended, the patient recovered and stood up on its feet,'' said Erdogan. Prime Minister Erdogan addressed the nation from tv channels. Noting that Turkey overcame difficult periods of crises, Erdogan said that all the economic signs were good and Turkey with its economic performance became an admired country in 2003. ''In the last one year, we reached an atmosphere of trust and stability. We implemented our policies with resolution, we developed many projects for our country,'' Erdogan said. Erdogan stressed that Turkey overcame its inflation monster, adding that the inflation decreased to 20 percent. Erdogan noted that they expected to further reduce the inflation rate to 12 percent next year.
''WE WILL GROW WITHOUT INFLATION''
Yasar Holding Executive Board Chairman Hasan Denizkurdu said that the real change in economy was an economic growth without inflation and working for employment. Denizkurdu said that Turkish economy would enter a very different process in 2004. Stating that the European Union (EU) was a modernization project for Turkey, he said that Turkey's being accepted to the Union would not be easy. He added that Cyprus issue would be an obstacle in front of Turkey.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''PARLIAMENT GAVE THAT RANK''
Land Forces Commander Aytac Yalman harshly reacted to Husrev Kutlu of Justice and Development Party (AK Party), who was uneasy about the photograph of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic, wearing uniform of a marshal. Yalman said, ''I regret statements of Husrev Kutlu, who doesn't even endure photograph of Ataturk wearing uniform of a marshal under the roof of parliament which owes its existence to Ataturk. It is the parliament who decorated Ataturk with the rank of marshal.''
INVESTIGATION OF AK PARTY
Discipline process started about Husrev Kutlu of Justice and Development Party (AK Party), who criticized photograph of Ataturk and soldiers. AK Party is uneasy about Kutlu's criticism of Ataturk's photographs and statement that he felt himself in military barracks due to soldiers at parliament. AK Party deputy chairman Salih Kapusuz said, ''we have launched an investigation about this issue by basing on the news published in Milliyet daily. What is necessary will be done if he is regarded as guilty.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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RECORD RISE IN MINIMUM WAGE
Minimum Wage Fixing Commission increased minimum wage to be valid as of January 1, 2004 by 34.1 percent to net 303 million 79 thousand 500 Turkish liras (TL). Cost of minimum wage, which will be gross 423 million TL for workers above 16 years old, for employers is calculated as 560 million TL.
KALIMERA SERDAR
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas' son and Democrat Party (DP) leader Serdar Denktas paid a surprise visit to Greek Cypriot side and met with administrators of AKEL and DIKO parties, which are the ruling parties in the Greek Cypriot side. Denktas, who is a key name of coalition in TRNC, was welcomed warmly in the Greek Cypriot side. DP, a key candidate of ''coalition of solution in Cyprus issue'' which is expected to be formed by Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat, is trying to determine its attitude. DP leader Serdar Denktas went to the Greek Cypriot side after many years with this aim and took pulse of Greek Cypriot leaders. Efforts continue in TRNC, which closely concerns Turkey, Greece and the whole island, to form a government. After TRNC President Rauf Denktas designated CTP leader Mehmet Ali Talat to form the government, eyes are turned to leaders of four political parties which entered TRNC parliament comprised of 50 seats. One of these leaders is DP leader Serdar Denktas. Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas went to Greek Cypriot side yesterday with a surprise decision. Denktas announced the aim of the visit he paid after a 30-year of interval as ''learning the clear view of Greek Cypriot parties for solution of Cyprus issue.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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''NOT LEAVE DENKTAS ALONE''
Foreign Ministry bureaucrats briefed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Cyprus issue. Erdogan asked studies which are carried out by referring to Annan plan should be continued. It was foreseen that the plan would be discussed with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and then it would be made public. Military stressed that there was an impression that as if studies on solution of Cyprus issue were carried out only by Foreign Ministry and asked officials not to leave Denktas alone.
SHP NOT TO JOIN LOCAL ELECTIONS
The Higher Electoral Board (YSK) announced names of the political parties which will compete in upcoming local elections on March 28, 2004. YSK has ruled that the Social Democrat People's Party (SHP) and the Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) could not join the local elections since they had not fulfilled the criteria of general congress and organization.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: ''PRINCIPLE IS THE SAME, BUT METHODS ARE DIFFERENT IN CYPRUS''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met with Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok, said, ''the Foreign Ministry and army are in compromise. Cyprus is a national cause. But, there may sometimes be differences in methods, but there is not any difference in principle.'' Erdogan met with Ozkok while Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal met with Deputy Chief of General Staff Baser the previous day. Erdogan said yesterday, ''Cyprus is a national cause.'' Erdogan, who was firstly briefed by his advisers and by Foreign Ministry officials on Cyprus issue, said, ''the Foreign Ministry and General Staff work are in conformity. There may sometimes be differences in methods, but there is not any difference in principle.'' Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Mehmet Ali Talat will be invited to the summit planned to be held next week in order to reach a consensus of opinion.
SHP IN SHOCK OF ELECTION
Higher Election Board decided that Social Democrat People's Party (SHP) and Democrat Turkey Party (DTP) could not join local election to be held in March although the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office had stated that ''both parties were competent to join the elections.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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''WE AIM TO FIGHT AGAINST UNEMPLOYMENT IN 2004''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey overcame difficult and problematic crisis periods and stated that all economic indicators showed that Turkey would have a bright future. Erdogan addressed the nation on Tuesday and stated that all economic indicators were in favor of Turkish nation and Turkey. Stating that they caught stability in 2003, Erdogan said that they developed many projects for Turkey. Erdogan noted that they would reach one digit inflation figure soon and stated that they reached the target of 5 percent growth.
MINIMUM WAGE NET 303 MILLION
The Minimum Wage Fixing Commission announced the new minimum wage to be valid as of January 1, 2004 as net 303 million 79 thousand 500 Turkish liras (TL) for workers who are above 16 years of age. The decisions which were taken in the sixth meeting of the commission were announced by Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu. Basesgioglu informed reporters on the issue that the new gross minimum wage for workers older than 16 will be 423 million TL and net minimum wage for those workers will be 303 million 79 thousand 500 Turkish liras. The gross minimum wage for employees younger than 16 will be 360 million TL and net minimum wage for those workers will be 257 million 940 thousand TL.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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MINIMUM WAGE SET AS 303 MILLION TL, EYES TURNED TO SIX MONTHS LATER
Rise more than inflation rate came out of talks on minimum wage. Workers who raised their expectations with words of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that ''minimum wage should be 400 million Turkish liras (TL)'' are not pleased with 31.4 percent rise. Employers react to the decision of the Minimum Wage Fixing Commission which made 34.1 percent rise for six months and to high costs. The Commission increased net minimum wage to 303 million 79 thousand 500 TL in its yesterday's meeting. The minimum wage is expected to be increased to the rate voiced by President Erdogan with the rise to be made six months later.
EROGLU WHO RESIGNS FROM DSI RUNS HIS CANDIDACY FOR ISTANBUL MAYOR'S OFFICE
Civil servants awaited the last day to resign from their offices to run their candidacy for local election due in March. State Water Works (DSI) General Director Veysel Eroglu resigned from his office to run candidacy for mayor's office in local election. Eroglu, who also worked as Istanbul Water and Sewage Administration (ISKI) General Director when Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was Istanbul Mayor, announced both his resignation from DSI and candidacy for Istanbul mayor's office from Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in local election to be held on March 28.
(EÖ-BRC-AÖ) 31.12.2003