ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on July 08, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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FIRST STEP FOR EARLY ELECTIONS IN TRNC
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) unanimously accepted to debate urgently a proposal by the ruling Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to hold early elections on September 26, 2004. As a result, the first step was taken officially for early elections in TRNC. Meanwhile, the National Unity Party (UBP), the main opposition party at the TRNC parliament, tabled a censure motion to unseat CTP and Democrat Party (DP) coalition government. Under the TRNC Constitution, debates on the censure motion will be held after two sessions.
NEW ERA IN TURK TELEKOM
Turk Telekom, the Turkish telephone company, announced its new telephone tariffs to be valid as of August 1, 2004 and offering substantial discounts to customers. Holding a press conference, Turk Telekom Director General Mehmet Ekinalan said that their new fixed-line service would provide its customers with reductions ranging from 29 to 80 percent in prices for local, long distance and overseas services. ''A 50 percent discount will be applied to local and internet connections between 08.00 p.m. and 08.00 a.m., Monday to Saturday, and 24 hrs on Sundays,'' he said. Ekinalan noted, ''we have initiated a totally new era for the Turk Telekom. We have been making a rapid progress in changing the Turk Telekom into a more dynamic company.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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OTTOMAN CRITERIA
Patrick Besson, one of the columnists of French Le Point Magazine, said that Turks were more European than any other of European nations. In an article, Besson said that the Turks ruled an important part of Europe for centuries during the Ottoman Empire era. Comparing the Turkish parliament in 1909 with today's European Parliament, Besson recalled that there were 147 Turkish, 60 Arab, 27 Albanian, 26 Greek, 14 Armenian, 10 Slav and 4 Jewish delegates at the parliament.
EU TO ALLOCATE 259 MILLION EUROS TO TRNC
The European Union (EU) Commission approved a comprehensive package of aid and trade measures which aim to put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community. These measures will facilitate trade from the northern part of the island and strengthen its economic integration through a financial assistance of 259 million euros. If the package is ratified by the EU Council without any change, TRNC will be able to export its products to EU markets.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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BIGGEST FACTORY IN BULGARIA TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY TURKEY
Turkish Sisecam Company will construct the biggest glass factory in Bulgaria. A foundation-laying ceremony took place in Targovishte city of Bulgaria with the participation of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha of Bulgaria. Speaking at the ceremony, Erdogan said, ''investments of Turkish entrepreneurs in Bulgaria reached to 300 million U.S. dollars. Today, we gathered here to mark a significant development. This investment of Turkish Sisecam Company worth of 160 million U.S. dollars, will provide employment for 700 people. The factory will export 85 percent of its products to the other countries. It will make a valuable contribution to the Bulgarian economy, and further strengthen our friendly relations with Bulgaria.''
TURKEY TO WARN IRAN AGAINST TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a state visit to Iran on July 28 and 29, 2004. During the visit, Prime Minister Erdogan will call on Iran to include the terrorist organization of PKK/Kongra-Gel in its list of terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Ali Asger Ahmedi will inform Turkish officials on recent clashes between Iranian security forces and members of the PKK/Kongra-Gel. Ahmedi will lead the Iranian delegation during the scheduled meeting of Turkey-Iran Joint Security Commission in Ankara prior to Prime Minister Erdogan's visit.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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COURT TO HEAR APPEAL OF FORMER DEP DEPUTIES
The Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal Department no: 9 will hear the appeal case of Leyla Zana, Hatip Dicle, Selim Sadak and Orhan Dogan, the former deputies of the outlawed Democracy Party (DEP). The court is expected to annul the imprisonment terms given to the former DEP deputies. If the court ratifies the sentences, Zana and her friends will return to prison to complete their imprisonment terms.
TURKEY-IRAN JOINT SECURITY COMMISSION TO CONVENE IN ANKARA
Security issues will be discussed in detail during meeting of Turkey-Iran Joint Security Commission in Ankara prior to the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iran. The Iranian side is expected to inform Turkey on measures it has taken against the terrorist organization of PKK/Kongra-Gel.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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LIMITED SUPPORT FROM EU TO TRNC
The package of proposals, which was approved by the European Union (EU) Commission yesterday, does not fully lift isolation of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). However, the most important step was taken to put an end to economic isolation. The package envisaging a financial assistance of 259 million euros, will enable TRNC to export its products to the EU-member countries. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen said that the package aimed to support economic development of Turkish Cypriot community.
REFORM PROCESS IN TSK
General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok sent an order to whole units of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) including principles of modernization process. In the process, training and education of military personnel will be given priority. Authoritarian leadership will be replaced with persuasive leadership. Principles of transparency and national interests will be protected in military tenders.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TRIUMPH OF TRNC
Turkish Cypriot people, who approved United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan in the referenda in Cyprus on April 24, 2004, has begun receiving positive responses of the international community. The European Union (EU) Commission ratified a package of proposals including a financial assistance of 259 million euros. The package should be approved by the EU Council before being put into practice. Under the package, trade between TRNC and the EU will be facilitated. The package also includes a formula to prevent the Greek Cypriot side from obstructing economic developments in TRNC.
TURKEY'S SENSITIVITY ABOUT KIRKUK
Statements of Kurdish leaders in northern part of Iraq and failure in determining the final status of Kirkuk after hand over of administration have given rise to concerns in Turkey. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Namik Tan said at the weekly news conference that there should not be any attempt to change demographic structure of Kirkuk. Recalling that ethnical groups in had been living together in peace and safety in Kirkuk for years, Tan added that those principles should be the basis of the city's future status.
ANKARA TO HOST TWO IMPORTANT GUESTS
Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri of Syria and Israeli Industry and Trade Minister Ehud Olmert will come to Ankara on July 13 to hold a series of meetings with Turkish high-level officials.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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LEYLA ZANA GETS READY TO FORM A NEW POLITICAL PARTY
Leyla Zana and the other deputies of the outlawed Democracy Party (DEP) have begun getting ready to form a new political party. Zana and her friends visited southeastern provinces and met European diplomats after being released from prison last month. Zana and her friends are now waiting for decision of the court. They think that they would be acquitted, and political ban over them would be lifted in the new re-trial process.
(UK-AY) 08.07.2004