ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 26, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN SHOCKS ISRAELI MINISTER
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received National Infrastructure Minister Joseph Paritzky of Israel, visiting Ankara to sign agreements in energy field. Erdogan criticized harshly Israeli government's violence policies against Palestinians and said that governments did not have policy of assassination. Paritzky asked Erdogan to contribute to peace process and act as mediator as a result of historical ties between Turkey and Palestine. Erdogan who said violence could not be overcome with violence and terrorism could not be overcome with terrorism, stressed that there were other ways of coping with terrorism.
YASED SAYS PROMISES SHOULD BE KEPT
Foreign Investors Association (YASED) chairman Saban Erdikler said that people should keep promises that were made to international Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) who came to Turkey for Investment Consultation Council. Erdikler said that Turkey had to get share from the market of capital activities which decreased in the world and stated that but, there was no sufficient study on this issue. Stating that 70 days passed from Investment Consultation Council which was held on March 15 and there was nothing yet on this issue. Erdikler said that Prime Minister listed things that should be done under 13 titles and it meant an order to bureaucracy and stated that but bureaucracy did not fulfill this order. Erdikler added that everyone should work in cooperation for foreign capital to enter the country as direct investment.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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TURKISH DELEGATION UPSETS TRNC
The proposal of Greek Cypriots suggesting Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to be represented under Cyprus Republic was accepted at Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe (COE) when Turkish delegation abstained. For the first time in voting on Cyprus issue in Europe, a Turkish delegation did not object representation of TRNC under ''Cyprus Republic'' which represents Greek Cypriots in international platform.
TURKISH EMBASSY TO PALESTINE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies that Turkish representation status in Palestine would be increased to embassy level. He said that Motherland Party (ANAP) former minister Vehbi Dincerler would be appointed as special representative to Palestine. Recent developments in the Middle East were discussed at AK Party group meeting. Noting that they did not approve what Israel did, Erdogan said, ''we are working on opening embassy in Palestine.'' Erdogan said that also a special representative would be appointed to Palestine for Turkey's following a more active attitude against Israeli attacks, adding that this representative would be Dincerler.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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YELLOW CARD TO ISRAEL
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is not content with condemning Israeli attacks on Palestine and prepares to take diplomatic attitude against Israel for the first time since it increased relations to embassy level at 1991. Thus, Turkish ambassador in Tel Aviv will be called back. A diplomat on ambassador level will be appointed to Jerusalem Turkish Consulate General in Palestine. Vehbi Dincerler will be the coordinator of Palestine affairs.
MILITARY VEHICLE ROLLS DOWN
A bus, carrying soldiers, rolled down in eastern Erzurum province. Two soldiers died and 25 of them were injured. The driver of the bus, who was talking on cellular phone, caused the accident.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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REACTION TO NEWS STORIES ON NATO
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized harshly news stories on security during NATO Summit which will be held in Istanbul in June. Erdogan said that news stories might give an image that Turkey was not a safe country and stated that Turkey was shown as if it had weaknesses with absurd and made-up news stories.
CHP LEADER BAYKAL: ''SHIP HIT ROCK''
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that Turkey was at a fragile point due to its debts and stated that foreign trade deficit amounting to 25 billion U.S. dollars was giving bad signals. Baykal addressed his group party meeting and said that they had concerns over developments in economy.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN: SHARON BLOCKS PEACE
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Infrastructure Minister Joseph Paritzky of Israel. Erdogan described operations in Gaza as 'assassination' and blamed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon harshly. Erdogan said that Sharon blocked the whole peace process.
EU ADJUSTMENT ACQUITTAL
Four convicts, who were tried at Diyarbakir State Security Court, were acquitted when their speeches were evaluated under freedom of expression and thought. The convicts were acquitted as their speeches during a demonstration in Diyarbakir were not considered as crime under the Constitution and the tenth article of European Convention on Human Rights.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GUL: ''U.N. SHOULD UNDERTAKE MORE EFFECTIVE ROLE IN IRAQ''
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said that they condemned incidents in Iraq and Palestine and stated that the United Nations (U.N.) should undertake a more effective role in Iraq. Parliamentary General Assembly discussed abuse of Iraqi prisoners and Turkey's Iraq policy and recent developments in Palestine. Gul said that Iraq and Palestine needed peace efforts now more than ever before. Stating that the only way out for breaking the vicious circle was to advance the political process, and noted that, ''this process can not be conducted on a basis that deepens the differences. Thus, all sections should come together with their representation in temporary structures. The process should be settled on a basis that targets formation of national harmonization. Role of the United Nations should be the most important thing at this point. Turkey also attributes great importance to this role of the United Nations. We expect the United Nations to undertake a more effective role in Iraq in the coming period.''
KARACA: ''TRT TO START BROADCAST IN KURDISH''
The Radio and Television Higher Board (RTUK) Chairman Fatih Karaca informed reporters about the latest developments on broadcasting in different languages and dialects in a meeting held by the Foundation of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen. Karaca said that they expected state-run Turkish Radio and Television Agency (TRT) to first broadcast in different languages and dialects and stated that there was not an obstacle for national tv channels to broadcast in different languages and dialects with the final law. Karaca stressed that there was no need for a new legal arrangement.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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TURKEY TO OPEN EMBASSY IN PALESTINE
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Israeli attacks as ''state terror'' and announced that Turkey would open embassy in Palestine. Turkey has a consulate general in Jerusalem. Erdogan delivered a speech at the group meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and stated that Sharon government was responsible for what happened in Palestine and that's why Israel people should not be targeted. Erdogan said that they wanted to further improve diplomatic relations with Palestine. Erdogan noted that they thought of opening an embassy in Palestine and added that they have been working on this issue.
MUSIAD: ''TURKISH ECONOMY HAS TO BE RESTRUCTURED''
Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) Chairman Omer Bolat said that they believed that Turkish economy should be restructured. Bolat announced ''2004 Turkish Economy Report'' which was prepared by referring to views of more than 2 thousand representatives of real sector. Bolat said that they considered that economy policy which has been carried out was not sufficient to meet expectations.
(EÖ-GC-AÖ) 26.05.2004