ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on February 16, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''WE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the phone, and congratulated him after Cyprus talks in New York, the United States, resulted in compromise. Prime Minister Erdogan eulogized the attitude of President Denktas, saying, ''we will never leave you alone. We have seized a historic opportunity for the first time to settle lasting peace in the island. A very important step has been taken. If we maintain our good-will and determination, we can come to a conclusion that will make the Eastern Mediterranean a basin of peace. We are ready to do our utmost to this end. Both Turkey and the TRNC have the necessary political will.''
DENKTAS GIVES MESSAGE THAT HE WILL WORK WITH GOOD-WILL
After a decision was taken in Cyprus talks in New York, the United States, to resume the negotiation process in Lefkosa on February 19, President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has returned to Turkey and given the message that he would work with good-will. Meanwhile, some circles in Washington D.C. claimed that President Denktas would withdraw from the negotiation process. The same circles said that President Denktas who has been against the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, would remain in the negotiation process till March 22. According to the compromise reached in New York, the sides will try to reach a solution till March 22 in the negotiation process. If they fail to reach a solution, Ankara and Athens will be involved in the process. This process will continue till March 29. Then, United Nations Secretary General Annan will fill the blanks.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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YALMAN NOT TO GO TO CYPRUS
Land Forces Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman did not go to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as it could be considered as a political message and cause speculations. Military did not make any statement after talks on Cyprus issue in New York. Military showed this sensitivity as Cyprus issue is a national cause of Turkey. Yalman was earlier scheduled to make a regular inspection in TRNC Peace Force comprised of 40 thousand soldiers on February 16, but he decided to delay his visit to TRNC. Sources said that Yalman delayed his visit to TRNC as it could be considered as a political message and it might cause speculations. Yalman had gone to TRNC for inspection during the last negotiation process and met with TRNC President Denktas.
SCHOOLS RECESS TODAY
Primary and secondary schools in Istanbul recessed on Monday. Istanbul governor's office and provincial education directorate which took into consideration bad weather conditions in the city decided that schools should recess for one day.
''REASON FOR UNITING IS NOT LONGING FOR PEOPLE AT THE OTHER SIDE''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat said that two peoples in Cyprus did not want very much to be united. Talat said that Turkish Cypriot people wanted to be united with Greek Cypriot people to rescue from isolation and have better economic conditions. Talat stated that Greek Cypriot people wanted to be united to return their real properties and travel freely in TRNC.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DENKTAS: PLAN WAS NOT THE COMMAND OF GOD
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said a result could be obtained if both sides work in good will.
Denktas, accompanied by TRNC Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas, held a news conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.
Denktas said they sat at the negotiation table on condition that amendments were made in Annan Plan, stating that they said, ''you put this plan in front of us as command of God. We will submit this plan to our people after softening it. We think that this formula will not offend us.''
Recalling that during the talks in The Hague he had wanted changes on Annan Plan and proposed to hold referendum in case an agreement could be reached, yet that this was not accepted, Denktas said, ''now that a door has been opened for change. I hope Greek Cypriots will give up acting like the owner of Cyprus and considering us as minority.''
11 COUNTRIES WILL CERTAINLY SUPPORT TURKEY'S EU BID
Cyprus wind in European Union (EU): Among the 15 EU members, only Denmark and Austria are against Turkey's full membership to the EU. Sweden and Netherlands are undecided.
Ankara entered speedily to 2004 which has vital importance. Turkey's determination to find a solution to Cyprus question affected Europe. France was included among the five big EU member countries Germany, Britain, Spain and Italy supporting Turkey's EU membership.
French Foreign Minister de Villepin, who made a statement to International Policy magazine, officially announced the support of his country to Turkey's EU full membership by saying that it would be a mistake to oppose Turkey's membership with identity and regional reasons.
Greece, Belgium, Ireland, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg think that there was not any more obstacle, but the Copenhagen Criteria. Netherlands will clarify its attitude in June when it becomes the term President.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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''ANNAN PLAN WAS NOT A SUCCESS AT ALL''
Reminding that Turkey had earlier consider the plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan unbalanced and advocated that serious changes should be made in the plan, opposing Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has said, ''now, the government describes results of Cyprus talks in New York, the United States, as a success. It contradicts with reason and common-sense. Some circles have been trying to create concerns by claiming that a solution should be reached till May 1. It must be a fair process.''
YILDIRIM: ''TELSIM CAN BE SOLD''
Transportation and Communications Minister Binali Yildirim has said that Telsim GSM operator, which was sequestrated by Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (SDIF), could be handed over to its first owner, or sold to the third persons. Yildirim added that a decision would taken soon.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TALAT: ''PRESIDENT DENKTAS HAS MADE A REVOLUTION''
Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ''when we put forward our three-stage proposal during the Cyprus talks in New York, the United States, the Greek Cypriot side shocked and could not tell anything. They requested time to assess the proposal. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan considered our proposal very productive. The Greek Cypriot side insisted on inclusion of the European Union (EU) in the process. We did not accept it. During the talks, President Denktas and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made a revolution. We should refrain from actions that could disturb them. Now, there is a very difficult negotiation process ahead of us.''
ANKARA TO HOST TWO IMPORTANT GERMAN GUESTS
After German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer's visit last month, Ankara will host German Christian Democrat Union Party (CDU) leader Angela Merkel and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in the coming days. Germany has a key role in the European Union's (EU) setting a date for opening of accession talks with Turkey. Merkel, who is opposed to Turkey's membership to the EU, will propose ''privileged partnership'' which she described as a third way, while German Chancellor Shroeder is expected to eulogize the reform process in Turkey and express their support to Turkey in its EU membership process. Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson will come to Ankara on an official visit tomorrow.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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DENKTAS: ''WE WILL WORK WITH GOOD WILL''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) delegation returned from New York to Istanbul on Sunday. TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas attended talks on Cyprus issue under the auspices of the United Nations (U.N.) in New York. Denktas held a press conference and informed reporters about their meetings in New York. Denktas said, ''as you know, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will take a decision about the points over which we cannot reach a compromise. He will fill the blanks. We raised an objection to it. During our talks in New York, we made a proposal. As a result, Turkey and Greece will be involved in the process.'' Denktas said, ''a new process has started. There is little time for negotiations. If both sides work with good will, a result can be reached.''
SNOW AND STORM GO TO EASTERN REGIONS OF TURKEY
Cold weather and snowfall will leave Istanbul as of Wednesday and go to eastern parts of the country. Temperatures will increase by 7-10 Celsius degrees in western regions of Turkey within a few days.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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NO PLACE FOR HEROISM IN NEW CYPRUS NATIONAL ANTHEM
Preparations of the Turkish side continue for the joint flag and national anthem of the united Cyprus state as Cyprus question entered the solution process after New York talks.
According to the plan which Turkey worked on regional and national approaches would not be given place in symbols like the flag and national anthem of the new state that would be founded. It is among the alternatives that some part of the national anthem and joint flag would be Turkish and some of them in Greek.
TURKEY PREPARES FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR MANAVGAT
Turkey and Israel determine a date for signing of the framework agreement for sale of Manavgat water. Israel accepted the draft agreement text which Turkey prepared for the sale. Efforts are underway to set a date for signing of the agreement. Technical issues, including price of the water and its transportation would be clarified after bargaining.
(UK-EÖ-AY-AÖ) 16.02.2004