ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 31, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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FIRST TURKISH MAP FROM GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE
Greek Cypriot side published a map of Cyprus in Turkish as a preparation due to the view that borders between the two sides can be lifted after a possible agreement. Greek Cypriot Interior Ministry's touristic map is being distributed free of charge at border gates, tourism offices and Greek Cypriot side information offices. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Information Ministry published another map of Cyprus in English in response to initiative of Greek Cypriot side.
PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN CALLS ON TURKS IN UNITED STATES TO JOIN POLITICS
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed opening remarks of the 24th Annual Convention of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) in Washington D.C. Erdogan said that Turkey and the United States shared the same point of view towards many issues. Relations and cooperation with the United States were one of cornerstones of Turkey's foreign policy, Erdogan noted. Erdogan said that Turkey and the United States had strategic partnership. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Turkish citizens living in the United States to join politics. Prime Minister Erdogan called on Turkish citizens living in the United States not to be assimilated but to integrate with the society they were living in.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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HAY APPOINTED AS NEW BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL IN ISTANBUL
Barbara Logan Hay has been appointed as the new British Consul General in Istanbul. The British Embassy in Ankara said that Hay would replace former British Consul General in Istanbul Roger Short, who lost his life in suicide attack on November 20, 2003. Hay who has been serving as the British Consul General in St. Petersburg, Russia, will start her term in office in Istanbul soon.
''WE WISH THAT A SOLUTION WILL BE REACHED IN CYPRUS TILL MAY 1, 2004''
Presidential Chief Advisor Sermet Atacanli for Foreign Affairs has said, ''we wish that a solution will be reached in Cyprus till May 1, 2004.'' Speaking at a press briefing at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, Atacanli said, ''Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have been expending great efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus question on the basis of the facts in the island. Recently, the Turkish side has taken a series of productive steps to resume negotiation process backed by the United Nations. The international community has welcomed these steps.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PETKIM TENDER CANCELLED
The Privatization Administration (PA) cancelled the tender for Petkim (Petro-Chemical Holding Inc.) since enough bid was not made. Releasing a written statement, PA said that the tender for the privatization of Petkim with the block sale of 88.86 percent of its shares which was started on August 26, 2003 was cancelled as enough bid was not made. Petkim's tender was also cancelled last year due to failure of Standart Kimya, which won the tender, in fulfilling the obligations in certain period of time. The Petkim (Petro-Chemical Holding Inc.) tender is expected to be opened again within this year.
SP SAYS THAT SIX PEOPLE INCLUDING ERBAKAN WITHDREW FROM MEMBERSHIP
The Felicity Party (SP) has notified the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office that six people including Necmettin Erbakan, who were sentenced to imprisonment terms in the case known by the public opinion as ''lost trillion'' had withdrawn from their memberships, therefore, there was no need to exclude them. Under the Political Parties Law, the SP should hold extraordinary congress within 45 days to elect its new leader. Earlier, Erbakan was sentenced to two years and four months in prison on charges of forgery in the case known as ''lost trillion''. The Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department no: 11 upheld the imprisonment sentence given to Erbakan. Erbakan's imprisonment sentence was postponed for a year in line with a report of the Ankara Numune Hospital saying that Erbakan's illnesses were vital.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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''SOLUTION INCLUDING FACTS IN CYPRUS''
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that he hoped that a solution on Cyprus issue including facts of the island would be reached as soon as possible. Sezer said that Turkish side assumed a constructive attitude and he expected return of this constructive attitude. Meanwhile, Presidential Chief Advisor Sermet Atacanli for Foreign Affairs has said, ''we wish that a solution will be reached in Cyprus till May 1, 2004. Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have been expending great efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus question on the basis of the facts in the island. Recently, the Turkish side has taken a series of productive steps to resume negotiation process backed by the United Nations. The international community has welcomed these steps.''
CYPRUS CHESS
Turkey's initiatives for U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to be involved in efforts to find a solution to Cyprus issue and for U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto to be replaced with someone else disturbed Annan. Powell phoned Annan to discuss the issue. Annan told Powell that he returned from Europe and he was very tired and stated that they should discuss Cyprus issue later. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul asked Powell whether or nor he talked to Annan. Powell told Gul that he could not discuss the issue with Annan and stated that he would later discuss it in detail with Annan.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: ''WE WILL ACCEPT CONDITIONS OF ANNAN''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently paying an official visit to the United States, has accepted four conditions of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to resume negotiation process in Cyprus. These conditions are listed as good-will, negotiation schedule, filling of gaps by United Nations Secretary General Annan and referendum. Prime Minister Erdogan added, ''we told both U.S. President George W. Bush and United Nations Secretary General Annan that we are ready to expend efforts to find a lasting and fair solution to the Cyprus issue. Now, no one can accuse us of being the side which prevents solution.''
ERBAKAN RESIGNS FROM SP MEMBERSHIP
Felicity Party (SP) leader Necmettin Erbakan, who was sentenced to imprisonment sentence and life-long political ban on charges of forgery in the case known as ''lost trillion'', has resigned from the SP membership. The 30-day period given by the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office to the SP to exclude Erbakan and five other members from their memberships and positions came to and end yesterday. The SP send a document to the Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office saying that since Erbakan and the other five members had withdrawn from their memberships, there was not need to exclude them. Under the Political Parties Law, the SP should hold extraordinary congress within 45 days to elect its new leader.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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''WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO KIRKUK''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. During the meeting, Gul said that Turkey was in favor of protection of territorial integrity of Iraq. He added that Turkey attributed great importance to Kirkuk and Turkmen people.
A WAR OF TACTICS
The Greek Cypriot side did not welcome Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal about appointment of an impartial and well-experienced mediator to resolve the Cyprus issue. During his meeting with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadoupulos said that they were pleased with efforts of Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro do Soto.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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EMBARGO IMPOSED ON TRNC TO BE LIFTED
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he took the message that embargo which was imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be lifted. Erdogan who assessed his meetings in the United States said that he had some concerns that a solution on Cyprus issue could delay due to elections which would be held in Greece. Erdogan noted that a solution was urgent as it should be found till May 1, 2004 and said that the U.S. administration had a positive tendency on Cyprus issue. Erdogan added that facilitator issue was not brought onto the agenda as a condition.
(EÖ-UK) 31.01.2004