ERDOGAN TRAVELS TO TUNISIA
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accompanied by a delegation of ministers, deputies, bureaucrats and businessmen last evening traveled to Tunisia, the first stop of his four-day tour of North Africa including Morocco. Before his departure, Erdogan told reporters at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport that his visit, in particular, aimed at developing Turkey’s economic ties with African countries. /Turkiye/
GUL: “WE’VE RECEIVED THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL OF THE ANKARA AGREEMENT”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Rafael Biesla, Argentina’s minister of foreign relations, international trade & worship, who is currently in Ankara on an official visit, yesterday signed agreements envisaging cooperation between the two countries in cultural exchange, protection of plants and veterinary medicine. At a joint news conference, Gul said that Turkey was determined to further improve its bilateral relations with Argentina. Stating that the Cyprus issue had also been discussed at the meeting, Bielsa characterized Turkey’s thesis about Cyprus as correct, stressing that Argentina would do everything in its power to spur the United Nations Security Council to take action. Gul said that Ankara had received the text of an additional European Union Customs protocol over the weekend. “We will fulfill the requirements of international law,” added Gul. “Turkey’s signing the protocol will not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot side.” Gul said that such recognition was completely out of the question before a lasting solution is reached for the island and that all legal measures have been taken to this end. /Star/
CICEK. “THE NEW TCK WILL NOT BE POSTPONED”
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that any postponement of the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) was out of the question. Commenting on rumors that application of the new TCK might be put off for six months, with new arrangements to be done in that period, Cicek said, “We can discuss certain articles, but the law will be put into effect on time.” He added that no one should expect the new TCK to suddenly end all social problems. /Turkiye/
ONE AKP, FIVE CHP DEPUTIES RESIGN FROM THEIR PARTIES
Parliament yesterday saw several deputies’ resignations from their parties. The first such resignation was ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Malatya Deputy Mirac Akdogan. Then came the resignations of Ersoy Bulut, Ahmet Guryuz Ketenci, Mustafa Sayar, Zubeyir Amber and Hakki Akalin, all opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) supporters of Mustafa Sarigul, who challenged party leader Deniz Baykal at a recent party congress. The deputies claimed that the CHP Executive Board had been turned into a company headed by Baykal. Afterwards, the five deputies joined the Social Democrat People’s Party (SHP) at a ceremony held at party headquarters. On the other hand, Akdogan is expected to join the ranks of the Motherland Party (ANAP) today. Meanwhile, following the joining of several former AKP deputies – Erkan Mumcu, Muharrem Saribas, Mehmet Erdemir and Said Armagan – yesterday former CHP Mardin Deputy Muharrem Dogan also joined ANAP, which is trying to renew itself under prospective leader Mumcu. The SHP has become the latest parliamentary party represented with five seats. After the membership switches, the SHP and ANAP are both expected to benefit from state aid as they have the necessary deputies in Parliament. /Turkiye/
AGAR: “THE NEW TCK AIMS AT MUZZLING THE PRESS”
Speaking at a meeting of his party in Diyarbakir yesterday, True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar criticized the domestic, foreign and economic policies of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Further criticizing the new Turkish Penal Code, which is due to take effect this Friday, Agar charged that with the code the government wanted to muzzle the press. Also present at the meeting were representatives from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and chambers of trade and industry. Agar further stressed that the presence of the Kurdish people boosted the power of the Turkish Republic. /Cumhuriyet/
YASAR TOPCU’S TRIAL AT SUPREME COURT CONTINUES
The trial of Former Public Works and Housing Minister Yasar Topcu yesterday continued at the Supreme Court. In testimony to the court, Topcu asserted his innocence, adding that Turkey had become a “haven for baseless allegations.” Chief Justice Mustafa Bumin decided to listen to testimony from 10 witnesses and scheduled the next hearing for April 21. /Cumhuriyet/
NEW TCK COULD DERAIL TRIALS OF FORMER MINISTERS
The current trials of former ministers at the Supreme Court could be jeopardized by the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) set to come into force this Friday. The new TCK’s omission of articles addressing construction tenders could derail the trials of former Public Works and Housing Ministers Koray Aydin and Yasar Topcu and former Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer. A corrective regulation concerning the issue could soon be discussed by Parliament. /Cumhuriyet/
EU LEGAL ADVISOR: “SIGNING THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL DOESN’T MEAN RECOGNIZING GREEK CYPRUS”
Dr. Frank Hoffmeister, an advisor to the European Union Commission’s Legal Affairs Department, said yesterday that Turkey signing the Ankara agreement additional protocol would not mean recognition of Greek Cyprus. Addressing a conference at Ankara’s TOBB University, Hoffmeister stated that the additional protocol was a technical matter whose signing was required for EU membership. “While signing the protocol, Turkey can declare that it doesn’t recognize Greek Cyprus,” he said, adding that the two were separate issues. /Turkiye/
GREEK CYPRIOTS THREATEN TO VETO TURKEY’S EU BID
Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou yesterday said that if Ankara signed the additional Customs Union protocol, which is designed to cover the 10 new members of the European Union, but did not implement it, his administration would exercise its veto over Turkey’s EU bid. “If Turkey continues to make a show of saying that it would sign the Customs Protocol but would not implement it, Ankara will face southern Cyprus’ veto,” Iacovou warned. /Sabah/
PRESS COUNCIL: “ERRORS IN THE TCK SHOULD BE RECTIFIED”
Press Council President Oktay Eksi at a press conference yesterday stated that errors in the new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which will come into force this Friday, should be rectified. Eksi said that the Press Council had asked for an appointment with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but had not received a response. Press groups are to discuss the new TCK with Justice Minister Cemil Cicek. /Hurriyet/
STRAITS PILOTING SHIPS NOT TO BE PRIVATIZED
The Prime Ministry’s High Inspection Committee (YDK) stated yesterday that pilot ship services for foreign ships in the Turkish Straits and the Straits trafficking system would not be included in the privatization program of Turkish Maritime Enterprises. Meanwhile, Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said that the oil tanker traffic in the Straits had doubled over the last three years. Warning of the potential threat that Istanbul faces, Guler underlined the need for new routes for oil trafficking. /Hurriyet,Sabah/