ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 1, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''WE CAN GIVE LAND IF IT IS NECESSARY''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who paid an official visit to the United States, attended a conference at Boston's Harvard University on ''Democracy in the Middle East, Pluralism in Europe and Perspective of Turkey''. Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkish Cypriot people live in 36 percent of Cyprus. We can give a certain rate of land. As guarantor state, we can make a proposal, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) displays an attitude to this end. Finding a solution to the Cyprus issue is more important.''
''OPERATION AGAINST PKK WAS NOT A COINCIDENCE''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who has accompanied Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to the United States, returned to Turkey. Responding questions of journalists aboard the plane on his way back from the United States to Turkey, Gul said, ''our visit to the United States was very successful.'' When asked, ''your visit to the United States coincided with the raid against the Democratic Solution Party, one of sub-organizations of terrorist organization of PKK, in Mosul. What do you think?'' Gul said, ''it was not a coincidence. I believe that the United States will take necessary steps to protect its credibility. The raid was one of these steps.''
DISASTER IN BEYOGLU
Two buildings collapsed in Beyoglu district of Istanbul overnight killing six people and injuring one. Search and rescue teams rushed to the scene, but could not save anyone. They recovered six bodies from rubble of the buildings.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''EVEN IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT, EMBARGO WILL BE LIFTED''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that although Turkey accepted all pre-conditions of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan if a solution was not reached in Cyprus, embargo which was imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be lifted. Erdogan chatted with representatives of media in Washington D.C. Erdogan said that Turkey was not an obstacle in front of Cyprus issue due to steps that were taken, and stated the process from now on was about lifting embargo imposed on TRNC even if there was no agreement. He added that it was understood from approaches of the United States and EU Commission President Prodi.
PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN: ''I AM A CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he was a conservative democrat. Erdogan replied to questions of reporters before his conference at Boston's Harvard University. Upon a question, Erdogan stated that he thought that an ethnically based political structure in Iraq would be unhealthy for the country and noted that in the same way, a structure which was based on religious sects was not correct. He said that those issues should be taken into consideration for the future of Iraq. When asked how much military affected policy of his political party, Erdogan said that there was a civil government in power in Turkey and stressed that the mission of army was described in the Constitution.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PRESIDENT SEZER WARNS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who issued a message on the occasion of the Feast of Sacrifice said that people should trust in judiciary as justice was only guarantee of person who was seeking his/her rights. Sezer said that society was expecting all people and institutions to be treated by similar sensitive attitude regarding corruption. Stating that people could talk about negative developments, but they should also refrain from statements and actions which could harm people's confidence in judiciary, Sezer added that because justice was the only guarantee of person who was seeking his/her rights.
GUL: ''VISIT TO UNITED STATES WAS VERY GOOD''
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that his visit to the United States was very successful and noted that a new initiative should be added to relations between Turkey and the United States. Gul replied to questions of reporters on board en route from the United States to Turkey. Upon a question on relations with the United States, Gul said, ''we told the U.S. officials that strategic relations between the two countries have continued on military basis so far and we should bring a new dimension to it. Roles that we will play in spreading democracy and human rights in our region also have strategic importance. Thus, strategic relations are not only comprised of military relations. A new dimension should be added to relations. They also welcome this view.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: ''I AM A CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he was a conservative democrat. Speaking at a conference at Boston's Harvard University, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''according to my point of view, a political structure based on ethnicity will be unhealthy for Iraq.'' When asked how much military affected policy of his political party, Erdogan said that there was a civil government in power in Turkey and stressed that the mission of army was described in the Constitution.
POWELL TO FACILITATE NEGOTIATION PROCESS IN CYPRUS
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has taken action to convince United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to resume negotiation process in Cyprus on a narrowed plan. During his meeting with Powell, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''we want to negotiate the issues of bi-zonality, guarantees and maps. We are ready to resort to referendum.'' Meanwhile, Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadoupulos is expected to give a response to Turkish side's proposal tomorrow.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GUL RETURNS TO TURKEY
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul returned to Turkey after completing his visit to the United States. Responding questions of journalists, Gul said, ''our visit to the United States was very successful. Our strategic relations with the United States could not be reduced to only military dimension. We proposed U.S. officials to add human rights and democratization in these relations. They responded our proposal in the affirmative.'' Upon a question about role of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus issue, Gul said, ''I believe that Powell could overcome the deadlock in the island.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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MESSAGES OF LEADERS TO MARK FEAST OF SACRIFICE
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that they should work for peace. President Sezer issued a message to mark the Feast of Sacrifice, saying that all people should refrain from attitudes which could harm atmosphere of peace and tranquillity by being aware of their responsibilities for each other and society. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the year of 2003 was a turning point for Turkey and noted that Turkey left behind serious difficulties. Issuing a message for the Feast of Sacrifice, Erdogan said that Turkey recorded historic progress in the last five months.
''THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SOLUTION''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they were ready for a lasting peace in Cyprus. Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''Turkish Cypriot people live in 36 percent of Cyprus. We can give a certain rate of land. As guarantor state, we can make a proposal, and the TRNC displays an attitude to this end. Finding a solution to the Cyprus issue is more important.'' Prime Minister Erdogan attended a conference at Boston's Harvard University on ''Democracy in the Middle East, Pluralism in Europe and Perspective of Turkey''. Touching on fight against terrorism, Erdogan noted that they wanted to take action against terrorist organization which killed 40 thousand Turkish people.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ERDOGAN: ''TURKEY HAS A BRILLIANT FUTURE''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey had begun realizing its own dynamism and self-confidence again. Releasing a statement to mark the Feast of Sacrifice, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ''the whole world feels the power of Turkey. Turkey has deepened its sincere and realistic relations with neighboring countries. A brilliant future is waiting for us.''
(EÖ-UK) 01.02.2004