ANKARA (AA) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on December 15th, 2004. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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TURKISH CAPTAIN PASSES THROUGH DEFENSE
With only two days remaining for the historical European Union summit in which Turkey's 40 year old struggle to join the EU will be discussed, diplomatic traffic is heavy at European capitals. The British Newspaper, The Guardian, has written that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is about to become successful in his country's efforts to join the EU. The Guardian noted that "the Turkish captain is close to passing through the defense.''
WE MAY SAY 'NO' IF NECESSARY
In a luncheon organized in honor of the European Union ambassadors in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that, in the event the EU offers a privileged partnership or conditions that Turkey can not accept, Turkey is ready to refuse to join the EU and will say 'no'. Answering a question from an ambassador on Cyprus, Erdogan told that Turkey will not recognize the Greek Cypriot administration of Cyprus prior to the December 17 summit.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN: ''SHOW TURKEY THAT THE EU IS NOT A CHRISTIAN CLUB''
Participating in a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party at the Turkish Parliament, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey should not be left out of the European ideals. ''Europe should not do something to hurt its structure. Europe has an obligation to prove that it is not a Christian club,'' said Erdogan. After 40 years of waiting to join the EU, Turkey deserves not to be disappointed on December 17.
STONE APOLOGIZES FOR HIS FILM ''MIDNIGHT EXPRESS''
The producer of the famous film ''Midnight Express'' Oliver Stone has made a formal apology to the Turkish people due to his racially insulting film. Prior to meeting the Turkish minister of Culture and Tourism Erkan Mumcu, Stone read aloud his apology to media members. ''My film, Midnight Express, has caused racial insults against the Turkish people. I am sorry for the negative publicity of the Turks that my film resulted in," said Stone.
TURKISH ENGINEER KIDNAPPED IN AFGHANISTAN
Muhammed Eyup, a Turkish engineer, has been kidnapped by terrorists in the eastern state of Kunar in Afghanistan yesterday. In an attack on Eyup's private car, the terrorists shot dead the guard. Eyup, his translator and driver were all kidnapped by terrorists. Afghan authorities said that the terrorists may have been members of the Taliban group. Rescue operations are underway around Kunar.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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MORTGAGE EXPERT BANK READY TO ENTER TURKISH MARKET One of Europe's top mortgage services provider Dutch Rabobank has signed a contract with Turkish Sekerbank in which majority of Sekerbank shares have been sold to Rabobank. Sekerbank will provide mortgage credits to customers in the agriculture and food sectors. Sekerbank's name will remain same. LAST MESSAGE TO EU In a luncheon organized in honor of European Union ambassadors in Ankara, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey expects entry talks with the EU to start in 2005. ''We do not wish to start entry talks after 2005. Please convey this message to your capitals,'' told Erdogan. ''Turkey has done its homework. We do not look at the EU as a source of financial resources. Rather, we view the EU as a tool in our struggle to become more modern and civilized,'' said Erdogan.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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OPPORTUNITY TO DEMOLISH THE WALL
European press said the leaders would give green light even if reluctantly.
Swedish newspaper Expressen stressed that EU would take one of the most important decisions of its history, stating that Turkey would present Europe the opportunity to break the wall of the 21st century between the West and Islam.
''Europe is ready to open its doors to Turkey,'' Le Monde said, stating that it was understood that negotiations would start in the second half of the 2005 despite France.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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OK WITH IMF, NOW ITS TURN OF EU
New stand-by agreement will be signed after reforms on tax, social security and banking are sent to the Parliament. IMF President said Turkey would not need financial support after the program is completed.
Turkey got ''stand-by'' guaranty from the IMF prior to December 17th when it waits for a date to start full membership negotiations.
State Minister Ali Babacan who announced the agreement said with the agreement, 10 billion U.S. dollars fresh loan would be provided for Turkey.
FIRE PANIC IN HORROR FILM GALA
Fire broke out at a movie theatre in G-MALL Culture and Shopping Center in Dolmabahce district of Istanbul.
The fire erupted at an opening gala to mark the release of a new Turkish horror movie ''Spell (Buyu)''.
A number of people were affected from the smoke, and a few were injured.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ERDOGAN: DATE SHOULD BE CLEAR
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prior to his visit to Brussels, sent message to European Union (EU) leaders and wanted negotiation date to be put on the table without condition. Erdogan said, ''in any case, our expectation is that actual starting of negotiations should not be left beyond 2005. We can preserve our eagerness for progress in EU only this way. Leaders have to take this into consideration on December 17th.''
GUL: WE CAN NOT RECOGNIZE GREEK CYPRIOTS
Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''we will bargain till the last minute. Greek Cypriots are one of them, and Turkey's recognition them is impossible unless a solution is found.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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LAST MESSAGE TO EU CAPITALS
As there are hours for the historical summit of the European Union (EU), EU countries have different approaches. Turkey clarified its expectations.
Ankara who sent a letter to the European foreign ministers at the weekend conveyed its red lines. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted lunch for the ambassadors of EU member countries, listed demands for the summit.
Ambassadors of 21 countries attended the lunch.
The messages are:
-We want a clear, concrete, and unconditional date.
-Even the slightest question mark will lose our eagerness.
-We will not sit at the table if conditions which we don't want are put in front of us.
BAYKAL: WE CAN NEVER ACCEPT OPEN ENDED NEGOTIATIONS
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal made a warning to the European Union (EU) and said ''Turkey can not accept open ended decision about negotiation process.''
Baykal said the expression open-ended has not been used for any member country before, stating that, ''we can not accept uncertainty of the target.''
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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GUL: ''THERE IS A POINT WHEN WE MAY SAY 'NO, THANK YOU'''
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has stated that Turkey will strongly reject the possibility of privileged partnership with the European Union. ''We expect a positive decision from the EU on December 17. We have informed our counterparts on Turkish reservations. We will not accept any condition or any result other than ultimate full membership,'' said Gul.
THIEVES OPEN A HOLE ON OIL PIPELINE IN BATMAN
Turkey Petroleum Partnership authorities have reported that a large hole has been opened on one of their oil pipeline by thieves in south-east city of Batman. Officials in Batman have begun investigation relating the theft of oil. The quantity of oil stolen could not be determined yet.
2004-12-15