ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 1, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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LEADERS SAY FINAL WORD: NOW, IT IS TIME FOR LEADERS TO SPEAK
Turkish side was the side which wanted to reach a settlement in the Cyprus negotiation table in Switzerland. Greek and Greek Cypriot sides could be convinced only in the last minute. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met with United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan said, ''I am satisfied.'' Delegations from Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said that ''they could sign the plan.'' But, the Greek Cypriot and Greek side, who defined the plan ''in favor of Turks'' played with time. Later, officials thought there was no need for signature of the plan by the parties. Cypriot people will say the final word in the ongoing process in the simultaneous referenda to be held in the island on April 24.
OUR NATIONAL INCOME IS 3,383 USD
Turkish economy grew 5.9 percent in 2003. This growth was more than the expected. And, thus national income per capita reached 3,383 U.S. dollars in 2003. This is a record in the history of Turkish Republic. Turkish economy grew by 7.2 percent in the last quarter of 2003.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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OUR STANCE TOWARD REFERENDUM IS ''YES''
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied to question of a Greek Cypriot journalist saying, ''we started this process with good will and we want to continue the same stance till the very end'' and gave the message that they would support efforts for ''affirmative'' votes on the referendum. U.N. Secretary General Annan presented his final plan to the parties yesterday. Erdogan said, ''Turkey is satisfied and we can sign it for referendum.'' But, the Greek Cypriots assumed an uncompromising attitude and plan was not signed at the end of the negotiations. Annan asked the two sides to well-explain the plan to their people since it was the last chance. Erdogan announced that they would continue to work for adoption of the plan from now on. Erdogan also announced that the plan would be submitted to Turkish parliament.
100 THOUSAND GREEK CYPRIOTS TO CHANGE THEIR PLACES
United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto said that the first map had not been changed and announced that 100 thousand Greek Cypriots would settle in the north. Turkey had wanted an agreement to be reached on the island to be voted by European Union (EU) members and become the primary law of the EU. And, it has gained what it wants.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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TURKEY PLEASED
United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties yesterday. Turkish side insisted that four parties should sign the plan while the Greek Cypriot opposed to it. And, thus, the plan was not signed by the four parties. Turkish side was the first party which told Annan that it would put the plan to referendum. Erdogan listed advantages gained by Turkish side by the plan as preserving bi-zonality, ensuring political equality, presence of Turkish soldiers in the island till eternity, strengthening security and guarantees, ensuring economic development of Turkish Cypriots, and protecting rights of people of Turkish origin.
DERVIS ATTEMPTS TO RESIGN
Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy leader Kemal Dervis resigned from his posts in the party, saying, ''we were unsuccessful in the local elections.'' But, CHP leader Deniz Baykal returned Dervis' resignation verbally saying that ''the situation was complicated.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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DENKTAS: ''VERHEUGEN IS LIKE A NAZI SERGEANT''
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas reacted to European Union (EU) Commissioner for enlargement Guenter Verheugen and said, ''he went to Switzerland on behalf of EU although he did not have any authority. And, he put unbelievable pressure on Turkish side. He tried to influence U.N. official. He shouted at our people like a Nazi officer.''
POLICE CONFISCATE 4.4 TONS OF BASE MORPHINE
Police seized 4.4 tons of base morphine claimed to belong to Urfi Cetinkaya. Officials stressed that the morphine had a market value of 22 trillion Turkish liras (TL) in Turkey and 60 trillion TL in Europe.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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NOW, TARGET IS REFERENDUM
United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan presented his final plan to the parties yesterday. This plan will be put to simultaneous referenda in Cyprus on April 24. Turkish side was very pleased when leaving the negotiation table while the Greek Cypriot side did not like the plan. Turkish side supported Annan's plan although it could not convince the European Union (EU) that an agreement to be reached on Cyprus should be the primary law of the Union. Annan met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis yesterday. Annan was pleased with stance of Erdogan, who announced that he would 'sign' a document saying that he would put the plan to referendum. However, the Greek Cypriot side said that it was not satisfied with Annan's proposals. Annan said, ''we have tried to accommodate the expressed concerns of both sides, so as to create a win-win situation. I believe that we have succeeded. The choice is not between this settlement plan and some other magical or mythical solution. In reality, at this stage, the choice is between this settlement and no settlement.'' Erdogan said, ''we would prefer all parties to sign this agreement.''
ELECTIONS OVER, BUT ITS POLLUTION CONTINUES
Although local elections ended, pollution caused by the materials used for campaigns continues. Trillions of Turkish liras (TL) was spent on placards, posters and flags before the local elections was held on March 28. Now, all these placards, posters and flags are collected and sent to garbage area. Cleaning works in Istanbul which are about to last one week will cost 250 billion TL. Officials of Istanbul Municipality said that the city was more polluted in this local elections when compared with the former elections.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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REAL FACE OF GREEK CYPRIOTS SEEN
Greek and Greek Cypriot sides who have deceived the world so far that ''Turks don't reconcile' ran away from negotiation table in Switzerland yesterday. The Greek Cypriots ''sabotaged'' the summit on the last day of Cyprus negotiations in Buergenstock resort of Switzerland. The Greek and Greek Cypriot side, who have showed Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as the ''uncompromising'' side in talks aiming at a settlement in Cyprus and complained about it, and deceived the world for years, showed their real face in Switzerland. Although the Turkish side said that it was ready to sign Annan plan, Greek Cypriot and Greek officials announced in the last minute that they did not accept the fourth version of Annan plan and therefore, would not sign it.
NSC TO CONVENE FOR CYPRUS
National Security Council (NSC) discussed Iraq issue yesterday. NSC will take up Cyprus issue in it second meeting to be held today which will also be attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who returned from Buergenstock, Switzerland where he joined the negotiations.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY ENDS PROCESS ONE STEP FORWARD
Reaching a compromise in Cyprus negotiations in Buergenstock resort of Switzerland was difficult as the Greek Cypriot and Greek sides continued their objections in the final day of the negotiations in which U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan was expected to present his final plan to parties. Turkey, which was cautiously optimistic about the final plan, launched intense diplomatic initiatives to preserve the current shape of the plan. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul told Annan that they were ready to sign the plan to pave the way for putting it to referendum if an agreement was reached. Annan thanked Erdogan and Gul for their sensitivities.
TURKISH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM RAISES HOPES: 2-2
Turkish national football team drew with Croatia 2-2 in a friendly match. Football players who played in the national team for the first time raised hopes for future of the team.
(BRC-AY) 01.04.2004