ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on April 29th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CALM PHONE TALK, HARSH STATEMENT
It was reported that Premier Erdogan and General Staff Chief Gen. Yasar Buyukanit had a beneficial and productive phone talk prior to the government`s reply to General Staff`s statement.
Erdogan held a series of talks with some officials yesterday. National Intelligence Agency (MIT) Undersecretary Emre Taner attended the meeting at PM residence as well. While the talks were going on, Erdogan had a private phone conversation with Buyukanit.
"I wish the points mentioned in the statement were expressed to me first," Erdogan told Buyukanit, according to sources.
"GENERAL STAFF IS AT GOVERNMENT`S SERVICE", CICEK
Government`s declaration, which describes general staff`s statement "quite wrong" and the timing of it "significant", was announced by government spokesman Cemil Cicek.
"It is unthinkable for general staff, which is an institution that is subordinate to the prime ministry, to declare views against the government in a democratic state of law," Cicek said, adding that chief of general staff was responsible to the prime minister.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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HARSH REPLY FROM THE GOVERNMENT
Government spokesman Cemil Cicek replied to the statement released by the general staff: "This statement is perceived as a stance against the government. Such way of thinking is rather disturbing in a democratic environment".
"It is unthinkable for general staff, an institution that is subordinate to the prime ministry, to express views against the government in a democratic state of law," Cicek noted.
Cicek also indicated that the timing of the statement was significant.
TOWARDS EARLY ELECTION
Turkey has entered into an "early election" road as a result of the crisis emerged with the recent statement by Turkish general staff and the government`s reply to it. Chairmen of the opposition parties had a busy phone traffic yesterday.
While Premier Erdogan said Turkey should be prepared for an early election soon, Republican People`s Party (CHP) chairman Deniz Baykal underscored that crises were overcome through politics in democracies.
Moreover, Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) chairman Erkan Mumcu called for an early election as well, while True Path Party (DYP) chairman Mehmet Agar said, "election is always the basic solution".
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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NO TO COUP D`ETAT
The midnight declaration of general staff created a big debate. Even the opposition that criticizes the government stated that democracy is the only solution.
Deniz Baykal (Republican People`s Party chairman): Republic and democracy are Turkey`s power. If the democratic regime degenerates, this also harms Turkey`s unity and solidarity.
Mehmet Agar (True Path Party chairman): Our aim is that Turkey should continue its way as a country that finds solutions to its problems in a democratic process and within civilian politics.
Erkan Mumcu (Motherland Party chairman): Democratic regime cannot be protected by non-democratic methods.
LETS PREVENT SUCH EFFORTS
Government spokesman Cemil Cicek made a call to prevent the efforts aiming to bring the government and general staff up against each other.
Cemil Cicek said: "General staff is an institution that is subordinate to the prime ministry. The statement is made at a time when the discussions revolve around the decision of the constitutional court. This would be perceived as an attempt to influence the jurisdiction."
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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"YOU ARE AT MY SERVICE"
The government replied in a similar manner 15 hours after the release of General Staff`s midnight declaration, which warns against fundamentalism and secularism.
The statement that is prepared by the PM Erdogan and 10 ministers in 3 hours, stresses that General Staff is at the service of the government and is subordinate to Prime Ministry. "It is unthinkable for General Staff to express views against the government in a democratic state of law," said the statement.
GUL DOES NOT WITHDRAW, THE DECISION OF THE COURT WILL BE WAITED
Erdogan and his staff came together at the PM HQ yesterday and determined their policy for the coming days.
According to the road map of Justice and Development Party (AKP), Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will not withdraw from candidacy. The decision of the Constitutional Court will be waited. If the decision is negative, then the parliament will convene and will decide for an early election.
On the other hand, prior to the election, the government, with the support of the Motherland Party, will make an amendment in the Constitution allowing the people to elect the president. FM Gul will remain as the candidate of AKP.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TENSION IN ANKARA
While General Staff`s recent statement distressed the government, opposition parties called for an election.
Premier Erdogan held talks with Deputy PM & FM Abdullah Gul and several other ministers yesterday, during which he made an assessment regarding the recent developments.
Announcing government`s reply to the statement, government spokesman Cemil Cicek said that such warnings aimed to influence the adjudication process of the Constitutional Court.
On the other hand, Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that Turkish Armed Forces have expressed the sensitivity regarding secularism and described it as "quite natural".
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TO FLOW TO CAGLAYAN
The "Istanbul version" of the "Republic Demonstration" held in capital Ankara on April 14th, which aimed to prevent the domination of an "antisecular understanding" at the Presidential Palace, will be held in Caglayan district of Istanbul today.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GOVERNMENT MUCH HARSHER
The government reacted against General Staff`s warnings. Government`s reply was read by spokesman Cemil Cicek.
"The statement is perceived as a stance against the government," Cicek said, stressing that it was unthinkable for the General Staff which was an institution subordinate to the Prime Ministry, to emphasize views against the government.
Criticizing the timing of such a statement as well, Cicek said it would be perceived as an attempt to influence the jurisdiction.
OPPOSITION GETS CLOSE
Republican People`s Party (CHP) Chairman Deniz Baykal, Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) Chairman Erkan Mumcu and True Path Party (DYP) Chairman Mehmet Agar had phone conversations yesterday, aiming to constitute a common attitude regarding the latest developments.
While the 3 chairmen agreed to join forces, they criticized Justice and Development Party (AKP) and called for an early election as well.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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LET`S JOIN HANDS FOR OUR STATE
Cicek: everyone should join efforts to become more powerful.
Government spokesman Cemil Cicek who expressed government`s views following the statement from the General staff said, "government is the prime responsible for protecting fundamental values of the state."
"We should join forces in protecting our state`s fundamental characteristics. We should spend our energy to increase the welfare and happiness of our nation, and make it more stronger in the international competition rather than spending it in domestic conflicts," Cicek said.
DO NOT PITY, EMPLOY!
A common cry from the handicapped: a disabled person with a job is like a non-disabled person.
"When the disabled people become employed, their disabilities drop 50 percent. Their job becomes their hand, foot, eye and ear," said Yildiray Cinar, secretary general of Federation of Disabled People.
"MOSUL AND KIRKUK ARE TURKISH"
The Kirkuk demonstration that is organized by Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) was held at the Tandogan Square in Ankara yesterday. ITC`s Representative in Ankara Ahmet Muratli said, "we want special statue for Kirkuk, nothing else."
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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IT IS TIME FOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEMOCRACY
"There is no such thing in a democratic state of law."
Turkey has set its eyes in the midnight statement by the General Staff. The government perceived it as a stance against itself, and expressed its views through government spokesman Cemil Cicek, "it is unthinkable for General Staff to express views against the government in a democratic state of law."
On the other hand, European Union (EU) that is usually cautious in its approach to civilian-military relations made an exception, and released a harsh statement. EU commissioner Olli Rehn said soldiers should respect democracy. Joost Lagendijk said he is very disturbed by the statement of the General Staff saying "interference is totaly improper."
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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THE ONLY WAY IS DEMOCRACY
The surprising statement released by the General Staff aroused the reaction of political parties, NGOs and the public opinion.
Meanwhile, the government stated that "General Staff is subordinate to the Prime Ministry and it could not deliver remarks against the government".
"We are more a party to the secular, democratic and social state of law," the government expressed.
TENSION FRONT POINTS TO "NATIONAL WILL" AS WELL
Republican People`s Party (CHP) chairman Deniz Baykal who caused tension with his latest moves, as well as Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) chairman Erkan Mumcu and True Path Party (DYP) chairman Mehmet Agar who acted together with Baykal, could not be indifferent anymore to the reactions of "democracy" against General Staff`s recent statement.
While Baykal said the issue would be solved through politics, Agar stressed that a "civil solution" could be found. Mumcu said that "guardianship of the regime" was pointless.