ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 11, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CROSS HAND SHAKING
The longest night on Cyprus which will affect Turkey's destiny was experienced in New York. Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders sat at a table after ''cross hand shaking'' with United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan. There is not any outcome in the first round of Cyprus summit in New York. The second round at the table will be held tonight. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos met at the same table in talks which were initiated by Annan to solve Cyprus issue. At the end of the first round which lasted about one and a half hours, Annan gave 21 hours of time to the sides for a final evaluation. What was feared did not happen in the talks which started yesterday and sides remained at the table. When it was after midnight in Turkey, a decision that ''TRNC was not leaving the table'' came out of talks in New York. Annan shook hands with Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders with both hands before the meeting. Thus, everybody saw a ''cross hand shaking'' scene prior to the meeting. Sides will meet again at 11.00 p.m. today. De Soto defined the talks as constructive.
SNOW HOLIDAY FOR SCHOOLS IN ISTANBUL
Heavy snowfall alarm was raised to the highest level in Istanbul. Istanbul Governor's Office has taken measures to prevent any chaos and decided to close schools on Thursday and Friday. Public workers will be on leave on Thursday afternoon.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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TOUGH BARGAINING
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos met at a Cyprus summit meeting in New York late on Tuesday. The meeting which became a scene of hard bargaining lasted two hours. Leaders will come together again today. Annan invited Denktas and Papadopoulos to New York with the aim of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue by resuming the talks on basis of his Cyprus plan and he met with them at the U.N. headquarters at 11.33 p.m. Turkish local time. Following the meeting that lasted two hours, the sides did not make a statement on the content of the meeting. After the meeting, Denktas said, ''we will meet again. We are not returning to Turkey.'' while Papadopoulos said, ''at this point, we could not reach any result, we will continue.'' Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto said, ''it was a constructive discussion. The Secretary-General has asked them to stay on and to take the morning off for reflection, and we will be meeting again tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. (11 p.m. Turkish local time). After a night and a day, we hope that we would be close to an agreement. We need time.'' Expectations about continuation of talks in Cyprus inspired as the talks in New York were adjourned until Wednesday. Prior to the tripartite meeting, Annan firstly met with Papadopoulos and later with Denktas. Sources said that those bilateral meetings were held as Denktas said he would not attend the tripartite meeting if such bilateral meetings were not held.
DENKTAS: ''WE HAVE THE HOPE TO ROUSE AND RECOVER THE PATIENT IN COMA''
Following the meeting, TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas said, ''we have the hope to rouse and recover the patient in coma. We will continue studies.'' ''Negotiations started when we arrived in here. There is no imposition. The sides conveyed their opinions to the Secretary General. Mr. Annan has decided on continuation of these positive talks,'' he said.
''THE COST IS PAID''
While flying home from South Korea, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that TRNC President Rauf Denktas's withdrawing from the Cyprus talks was out of question. ''Think about the things that will happen after the Greek Cypriot administration joins the European Union. What Turkey and the TRNC will earn and lose, this should be asked. We gave a road map to Mr. Denktas. The TRNC will pay the cost if he is not loyal to it,'' he said. Erdogan's message had an important role in Denktas's attitude.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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CYPRUS SUMMIT HELD
Contrary to negative expectations, Cyprus summit which took place in New York was held in a positive atmosphere. The summit will also continue today.
The meeting started at 23.40 Turkish local time yesterday. The sides decided to meet also today. TRNC Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas noted that the negotiation process started. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan who met with the sides separately first, later brought two leaders together. Meanwhile the call of Prime Minister Erdogan to Denktas requesting him to stay at the negotiation table had a great influence on the Turkish side prior to the summit. Denktas decided not to submit his letter of objections to Annan.
THE BIGGEST CURRENCY TO BE 100 TL
When six zeros would be erased from Turkish Lira, the biggest currency in circulation will be 100 new Turkish Lira, while the smallest one will be one kurus (piaster). After few years, the word 'new' will be taken from the Turkish Lira and in the first term the old and new currencies will be used together.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN'S PRESSURE ON DENKTAS
The government which was afraid of TRNC President Rauf Denktas's withdrawal from Cyprus summit in New York, monitored the meetings in New York very carefully. Erdogan said that they had given TRNC President Denktas a road map before he went to New York and added if he was not going to abide by that, Turkish Cypriot side would pay the cost of it. Stressing that his only expectation was solution in Cyprus, Erdogan said that ''you can't sort out the issue if you always say 'me'.''
CHP'S WARNING FOR CENSURE MOTION
Opposition leader Deniz Baykal said that his party Republican People's Party (CHP) could also submit a censure motion if necessary for Cyprus issue to be discussed in the parliament. CHP leader Baykal said that the government was on a very dangerous road that could cause many problems for Turkey, adding that the government pursued a very different foreign policy today than the one pursued since Lausanne Treaty.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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FULL FIELD PRESS ON DENKTAS
Turkish delegation was on alert till the last moment against the possibility that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas might not sit at the negotiation table in New York. Ankara made suggestions during whole day. United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan brought together Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot sides in New York for a solution in Cyprus within the framework of the solution plan named after him. Two sides had intensive consultations before the meeting which started at 11.35 p.m. Turkish local time. Turkish Foreign Ministry delegation started consultations with TRNC delegation early on Tuesday. Turkish delegation exerted many efforts till the last moment to convince Denktas ''not to cause any problems.'' Turkey wanted Denktas to accept Annan's method and keep his criticisms till negotiation table. The Greek Cypriots' stance was ''wait and see.'' Following the meeting, Denktas and Papadopoulos said that they would continue talks on Wednesday.
ERDOGAN: ''KEEP TO THE PLAN''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, en route from South Korea to Turkey, announced that Turkey gave a road map for the negotiation process to TRNC President Rauf Denktas. Erdogan said, ''Denktas' withdrawal from talks is out of question. If he doesn't keep up with the plan, TRNC will pay the price.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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FIRST STEP FROM ANNAN
There was also surprise on the first day of Cyprus talks. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan who has said so far regarding the Cyprus plan which the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides do not accept, ''you don't have any other choice except accepting the plan'' made clear statements for the first time implying that he could take a ''backward step''. Before meeting with TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos, Annan said that he was ready to revise the points on which the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides reached a compromise and he would undoubtedly accept the common demands of both leaders.
''THERE CAN'T BE SOLUTION ONLY WITH ME''
Asked what he expected from Cyprus talks while flying home from South Korea, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''we are trying to do what the TRNC's interests require. However, you cannot finish this job if you say 'its only me'. A solution is possible by also taking the other side's interests into consideration.''
''WE DON'T WANT BLOODSHED IN IRAQ''
Evaluating efforts to found a Kurdish state, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''it is a worrying attempt. We don't want bloodshed, fire and tears in Iraq again.''
COUNTDOWN FOR KURUS
Turkey is returning to days of ''kurus'' beginning on January 1, 2005. The biggest banknote in circulation in Turkey will be 100 Turkish liras after six zeros are removed from the banknotes.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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''OMITTING ZEROES FROM TL WILL STABILIZE FOREIGN EXCHANGE''
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti said that omission of zeroes from Turkish lira (TL) would cause rises in prices of goods due to the move to round the prices in the first months of that practice. Serdengecti held a press conference on New Turkish Lira which will be valid as of the beginning of 2005. Serdengecti underlined that rise in prices due to the move to round the prices would not be continuous. Serdengecti expressed thought that the decision to omit zeroes from TL would contribute to stability of rate of exchange.
HE IS WELCOMED WITH FLOWERS, HE GREETS IN JAPANESE
Turkish striker Ilhan Mansiz, who was transferred to Vissel Kobe team, was welcomed with Turkish flags and flowers by many Japanese people in this country. Striker Mansiz greeted reporters and his fans saying ''Konniciva'', hello in Japanese.
(Öª-MS-BRC-AÖ) 11.02.2004