ANKARA (AA) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on December 4th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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RUSSIANS: PUTIN COMES AS A GUEST
Russian Ambassador in Turkey Stegniy and Russian Presidency Acting Spokesman Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will visit Ankara on Sunday evening, will come as a friend.
Meanwhile, 14 Chechen and 3 Chechen origin Turks were taken into custody in Istanbul prior to this critical visit. One weapon and false passports were seized with those people.
INFLATION AGAIN DROPS
The State Institute of Statistics (DIE) announced that monthly inflation rose by 0.75 percent in wholesale prices and increased by 1.54 percent in consumer prices in November of 2004.
As of November 2004, annual inflation became 14.40 percent in wholesale prices and 9.79 percent in consumer prices.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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NO RECOGNITION BEFORE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS SOLVED
Participants of the Cyprus summit held in Turkish capital of Ankara decided not to recognize the Greek Cypriot administration before a comprehensive solution was reached in the island. At the summit, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials said that the problem should be solved priorly. Turkish side will send a message to the European Union (EU) that, ''the Greek Cypriots should adopt the Annan plan, and we will recognize a united Cyprus.''
CRITERIA HAVE ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED
European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles said, ''Turkey has already fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria.'' Noting that negotiations would last long and be challenging, Borrell Fontelles said, ''you can even negotiate tomato exports for three years.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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INFLATION DOESN'T SURPRISE US
The inflation rate in November of 2004 was recorded as 1.54 percent in consumer prices and 0.75 percent in wholesale prices. The core inflation was announced as 0.4 percent in November. On the other hand, the annual inflation was recorded as 9.79 percent in consumer prices.
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS UNIQUE IN HISTORY
European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles said that Turkey had made many reforms very rapidly, which was a unique effort in history. Touching on recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration, Borrell Fontelles said, ''negotiations with the EU means recognizing the other side. And, this means recognition of Greek Cypriots.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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LET'S JOIN EU PROUDLY
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that Europe would undergo a test when it faced just demands of Turkey. Sezer stated that they were not expecting a negative result from the European Union (EU) summit due on December 17th, and said that Turkey should preserve its national pride and progress on the road to EU with determination. Noting that Turkey had fulfilled its responsibilities regarding Cyprus problem, Sezer stressed that it would be unjust to ask Turkey to do more.
CHECHEN FILE ON TABLE
Fight against terrorism and Chechnya are among matters Russian President Vladimir Putin will debate during his visit to Turkish capital of Ankara. Kremlin's spokesman Peskov said that Russia expected Ankara to establish a closer cooperation with Russia against Chechen ''insurgents'' in order to include PKK/Kongra-Gel in its list of terrorist organizations. He said, ''it takes two to tango.'' Noting that some Chechens had received training in Turkey, Peskov said that they wanted Ankara to take ''efficient'' measures regarding this matter.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TURKISH PM SPEAKS TO RADIKAL
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''we have been told that we will be given a negotiation date on December 17th from the outset. We can't accept any other conditions. Therefore, Turkey should be set a negotiation date on December 17th. We may say ''no, thank you'' according to the result to come out of the European Council on December 17th.'' On the other hand, Erdogan said, ''Turkish side has fulfilled its responsibilities regarding Cyprus problem. But, our European friends, who told us that isolation of TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) will end, haven't taken any steps yet. First, you keep your promise, and then we will again work for a solution.'' Regarding developments in Iraq, Erdogan said, ''about 70 citizens died in Iraq. We asked the United States what it will do regarding this matter, but necessary steps have not been taken yet. We have not been extended the support we expect regarding PKK.''
UNITED STATES: OPEN SEMINARY
The United States said, ''opening of the seminary (in Heybeliada) will facilitate Turkey's EU process. We noted down the ecumenical protest.'' On the other hand, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''every society has its own sensitivities. The United States is wrong.'' European Parliament (EP) comments on the same issue saying, ''its timing is wrong.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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FROM CYPRUS SUMMIT TO EU: THERE WILL BE NO RECOGNITION BEFORE SOLUTION
A clear message was given to the European Union (EU) and Greek Cypriot side from the Cyprus Summit held in Ankara. In the summit, it was reported that Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities and that Greek Cypriot side would not be recognized before a comprehensive solution.
ERDOGAN: NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD TARGET AT FULL MEMBERSHIP
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who met European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles, stated that they expected the negotiations to start in the first six months of 2005, and noted that, ''negotiations process, which will end with full membership, should start.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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CYPRUS CONDITION SPLITS EUROPEAN UNION
Another approach is added to the controversial approaches regarding Turkey's membership. EU, which has discussions to start full membership negotiations with Turkey over ''full membership or ''privileged partnership'', also was split in Cyprus issue.
European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrel Fontelles, who had meetings in Ankara yesterday, defended that Ankara should recognize Greek Cypriot administration.
Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht, who was speaking at the same hours in Ankara, stated that recognition of Greek Cypriots was not a precondition for negotiations.
ISTANBUL TO BECOME CENTER OF AVIATION
International Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Modification Center (HABOM), which the Turkish Airlines planned to set up in Sabiha Gokcen Airport, will be put into force. The project is expected to cost 360 million U.S. dollars. The project will put into service in 2007.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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OIL SHIPS NEED TO PASS THROUGH OUR STRAITS
Transportation of oil through Istanbul and Canakkale straits is also a matter to be discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey. The Environment Ministry says that oil tankers will pass through our straits for 365 days in 2010 if alternative routes can't be found. Tankers threaten not only environmental health but also security.
CYPRUS IS NOT A PRECONDITION FOR EU
Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht denied European Parliament (EP) President Josep Borrell Fontelles as saying, ''Cyprus is not a precondition for setting a negotiation date for Turkey.''
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