ANKARA (A.A) - 02.05.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on May 2, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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HE WAS SENT AND HE BECAME KING THERE
Turkish coach Ergin Ataman, who made an Italian basketball team the European champion, cause excitement and happiness in whole Italy. The Italian newspapers defined Ataman, the coach of Montepaschi Siena team which won the European Saporta Cup, as ''the Turk who created a miracle.'' Ataman made the team win one of the three European cups.
PKK LANDMINE EXPLODES: 2 DEAD AND 7 INJURED
Two citizens died as landmines earlier planted by the terrorist organization exploded during the operations of the security forces in rural areas of southeastern Sirnak and Mardin provinces and eastern Van province. The Emergency Rule Regional Governorship said that two security forces and five citizens were injured in the explosion.
TERRORIST LIST BEING ANNOUNCED TODAY
The review process of the European Union (EU) list of terrorist networks which was prepared in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks is ending today. The EU had not included PKK and DHKP-C in this list by ignoring the sensitivities of Turkey. However, the EU added these two terrorist organizations to the list when it was reviewing it. Unless any changes occur, PKK and DHKP-C are expected to be announced as terrorist organizations by the EU this noon.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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COLORFUL MAY DAY
May Day was celebrated with enthusiasm apart from some trivial incidents in some provinces. People from Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Felicity Party (SP), and True Path Party (DYP) also attended the celebrations this year. However, they could not get rid of from being criticized by the workers.
DSP DIGESTED VETOED AMNESTY
The law which brings amnesty to Haluk Kirci and Mehmet Ali Agca, which Prime Minister could not digest, was accepted in Justice and Constitutional Commission with the votes of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The Constitutional Commission rejected veto of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer saying that ''it is not the Amnesty Law, it is law on conditional release.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SARLAK: I WAS THE ONE WHO FIRST SAW SIGN OF HIS DEATH
Prof. Omer Sarlak, the Commander of Gulhane Military Medicine School, said defunct President Turgut Ozal had called him on the phone prior to his visit to Turkish Republics, and said, ''my foot aches. Can you make a medical treatment?''
Sarlak went to Cankaya Palace and saw that Ozal's feet thumb was swollen.
Sarlak told Ozal that this was the sign of gout. He said this happens if acid uric increases, and that it gives damage to heart and kidney vessels. Sarlak told Ozal, ''let me and my friends to make consultation.'' However Ozal said, ''make the consultation after my return from Turkish Republics.''
Ozal was not in good health condition when he returned from the visit. He had eaten meals which would irritate his gout.
Sarlak said, ''I think heart attack caused his death. There was a smile on his face when he died. There was not the sign of poisoning.''
WE WILL NOT MAKE CONCESSION FOR GROWTH
Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti said Turkey's primary target is to fight against inflation.
Underlining that they got the signals of recovery in Turkish economy, Serdengecti said independence of Central Bank was tested when it did not make concession from price stability and employment for growth.
Serdengecti said, ''Turkey experienced chronical inflation for inflation. However, it did not meet hyperinflation.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ENTHUSIASM IN TURKEY
The international workers' day was celebrated in Turkey with enthusiasm. The most splendid May Day of recent years was experienced at Istanbul's Sisli Abide-i Hurriyet Square. International Monetary Fund (IMF) policies and Israeli attack on Palestine were protested in the demonstration entitled ''For Equality, Freedom, Development and Social Justice! A Different Turkey is Possible.'' There were members of the Felicity Party (SP), Justice and Development Party (AK Party), and True Path Party (DYP) among the new colours of May Day celebrations at Ankara's Tandogan Square.
PARLIAMENT INSISTED ON AMNESTY
The Parliamentary Constitution and Justice Commission adopted the amnesty law vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer with 330 votes in favour. Justice Commission decided unanimously that the law was ''a conditional release law and there was no need for 330 votes.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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THERE IS NO NEED FOR A NEW LAW ON AMNESTY
Higher judicial circles draw the attention to the view that the Constitutional Court had expressed when cancelling the first amnesty law that ''arrangement is a special amnesty and other arrangements do not change this situation' and think that ''veto has not created a vacuum.'' As the government insisted that ''they are passing conditional release law not a special amnesty'' in order to violate the rule that requires 330 votes in favour of the parliament, judicial circles, particularly the Constitutional Court, became uneasy. Judges who do not speak to prevent polemic do not draw the attention to reasons of the Constitutional Court for cancellation of the first amnesty law.
DERVIS: ''THERE IS NO COORDINATION''
Finance Minister Sumer Oral said that there was coordination while Dervis opposed to this. Dervis said that it was difficult to say that there was coordination in economy. As Oral said that they were working in coordination, Dervis said, ''we are getting well with Oral but, it is very difficult to say that the seven ministries are working in coordination.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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HARRAN PLAIN BECOMES DESERT BECAUSE OF IGNORANT IRRIGATION
A total of 20,000 hectares of land is about to die in Harran plain, which is one of the most important intersection points of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), because of ignorant irrigation.
As expectations were underway for the enlivening of land with the water coming from Ataturk Dam, the soil gets dry as necessary drainage was not made.
EXPORTATION INCREASES 8 PERCENT IN APRIL
Turkey's export in April increased 8 percent compared to April 2001.
Turkey Exporters' Board's (TIM) figures show that Turkey's revenues from export last month was 2.5 billion USD.
Export revenues in Jan-Apr., 2002 increased 5.8 percent from the same period of last year and became 10.3 billion USD.
Export of industrial products increased by 11 percent in April, 2002. Export in mining sector increased 34 percent while the increase was 13.1 percent in agricultural products. Export of ready-to-wear products increased 24 percent and the export increase of vehicles and bi-industry products was only 3.7 percent. Expor of electrical and electronic machinery increased 29.2 percent.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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BUSINESS CIRCLE GROUP WARNS FOR EU
Business Circle Group, formed by private sector representatives, issued a statement following its 8th meeting.
Tuncay Ozilhan, the Chairman of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD), said various economic, social and political issues were discussed including integration with the European Union (EU).
Ozilhan said the steps that would be taken toward initiation of full membership talks gain importance.
EU COMMISSION'S PRESIDENT PRODI TO COME TO TURKEY IN JULY
EU Commission's President Romano Prodi will pay an official visit to Turkey between 18-19 July.
Turkey's Permament Representation to EU said on Tuesday that Prodi will hold high ranking contacts and meetings and participate in certain activities in Ankara and Istanbul during his stay.
A president of EU Commission, the executive organ of EU will pay a visit to Turkey for the first time since the signing of Ankara Agreement between Turkey and EU in 1963.