ANKARA (AA) - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on June 1st, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN: ''WILL THERE BE AN EU AFTER 10 YEARS?''
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan has remarked that the French referendum that took place last week will not cause any problems in Turkey's European Union membership process. ''If the number of 'no' sayers to the EU Constitution increase, the EU may be divided. Turkey's entry negotiations will continue 10-15 years. Will there be an EU after 10 years? This is our concern,'' said Erdogan.
GREEK GESTURE PRIOR TO GENERAL BUYUKANIT'S VISIT
Greece made a gesture to Turkey by finding the individual responsible for desecrating the Turkish flag on April 12th at the Athens War Academy. Turkish Land Forces Commander General Yasar Buyukanit will be the first Turkish Land Forces Commander to visit Greece. Buyukanit will be in Athens on June 22nd.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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FRIEND OF TURKEY
French President Jacques Chirac lost his prestige when EU Constitution was rejected in the referendums in his country. Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin paid the bill of this result. Chirac accepted resignation of Raffarin and assigned Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin to form the new government. Villepin is positive towards Turkey's EU membership.
DIRECT FLIGHTS TO GREEK ISLANDS
Turkish Atlas Jet will start direct flights to Greek islands Santorini and Mikonos as of June 15th. The flights will continue until September. Price of return ticket is 150 Euro during week and 250 Euro in weekends.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN: HOW CAN I SOLVE UNEMPLOYMENT?
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reservations about solution to unemployment. He said, ''the United States and Europe cannot solve unemployment. How can I solve it?'' Speaking at Justice & Development Party (AKP) group meeting, Erdogan said that there is a decrease in unemployment rate, adding, ''we do not have a claim to eliminate unemployment completely. We cannot have.''
WHITFIELD: WE WANTED TO MAKE A GESTURE FOR TURKISH CYPRIOTS
Ed Whitfield, the chairman of Turkey Caucus at the U.S. House of Representatives, and accompanying delegation arrived in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) via Ercan Airport and met TRNC Premier Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Foreign Minister Serdar Denktas yesterday. Soyer said, ''this visit is a kiss of life for efforts to solve Cyprus issue and unite the island.'' Whitfield called Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos to take steps to lift isolations over Turkish Cypriots.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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VEGETABLE EXPORTS TO RUSSIA STOPPED
Russian authorities have stopped importing vegetables and fruits after a year of warning Turkish officials about the quality and packing of the vegetables and fruits sent from Turkey. According to Antalya Fruit & Vegetables Exporters Union Chairman Mustafa Satici, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trade attaches have been informed about Russia's concerns. ''However, we could not resolve the matter,'' said Satici. Turkey sells vegetables and fruits worth over 200 million USD annually. ''With Russia stopping imports, our tomato, grape and peach exports will receive a big blow,'' told Satici.
ARINC GETS WARM WELCOME IN THE UNITED STATES
Turkish parliament speaker Bulent Arinc has visited the United States as the parliament speaker for the first time. There were rumors that Arinc would not receive a warm welcome, 15 days before the arrivals of Turkish premier Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul in the United States. Realizing the key role Arinc plays in Turkish politics, the U.S. administration welcomed Arinc at the highest level possible.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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GOVERNMENT READY TO SIGN THE ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has indicated that the additional protocol, which would place the Greek Cypriot administration under the terms of the Customs Union, will get signed within a few weeks. Gul remarked that the additional protocol came to a satisfactory point after negotiations.
1 OUT OF EVERY 4 TURKS SMOKE CIGARETTES
Turkish health sources indicated that 1 out of every 4 Turks smoke cigarettes. Accordingly, about 17 million Turks are cigarette addicts. Almost 100,000 Turks die annually due to smoking cigarettes.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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YOU ARE LESS FREE NOW
In spite of criticisms, the government did not change the articles of new Turkish Penal Code (TCK) which prevent freedom of press. Gang and corruption incidents will not be published as news any more.
ERDOGAN: NO NEED FOR CONCERN
Turkish Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the rejection of EU Constitution in referendum in France will not affect Turkey's EU membership. He noted, ''we will start entry talks with the EU on October 3rd. The process which was set on December 17th will continue without any problem. Nobody should worry about this.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TURKISH FRIENDLY PREMIER TO FRANCE
French Premier Jean Pierre Raffarin resigned yesterday after French people rejected EU Constitution in referendum. President Jacques Chirac appointed Dominique de Villepin instead of Raffarin. Villepin supports Turkey's EU membership. Ankara stated that it is pleased with this appointment.
IMPORTANT VISIT TO GREECE
Tension which emerged between military officials of Turkey and Greece due to flag crisis will be removed. Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit will visit Athens on June 22nd. He will deliver a speech at Greek Military School where Turkish flag was insulted earlier.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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OIC GETS RENEWED
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is preparing for new reforms. After receiving criticisms for being unable to find solutions to problems in the Islamic World, the OIC is getting ready to make reforms. OIC is expected to change its name. Furthermore, the OIC will work on improving Islam's image in the west. The OIC will work on dialogue with other religions. An ''Islamic security council'' will be established.
ROMANIA MAY STOP IMPORTS OF TURKISH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
After Russia stopped importing fresh vegetables and fruits from Turkey, Romania may follow the Russians and put a stop on imports of vegetables and fruits from Turkey. ''In fact, not only Romania, but the Ukraine republic may also stop purchasing Turkish vegetables and fruits,'' said a Turkish source.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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MOST EXPENSIVE ENERGY IN TURKEY
According to figures of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Turkey ranks the first with 20 percent in ratio of increase in energy prices. The United States ranks the second with 17.1 percent.
NEW TCK IN FORCE
79 year-old Turkish Penal Code (TCK) is leaving its place to new TCK today. New TCK envisages punishment to many new crimes. A new period will start in criminal law with new TCK.
2005-06-01