ANKARA (A.A) - 01.06.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 1, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MHP: ''WE WILL ABIDE BY DECISION OF THE STATE''
A high-level delegation from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said about the decision taken at the monthly meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on capital punishment and Kurdish language, ''under the light of these developments, we should re-assume our attitude. We will abide by the decision of the state.''
RAHSAN ECEVIT: ''WE WILL NOT WITHDRAW''
Rahsan Ecevit responded to pressures on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit for his withdrawal from his post saying, ''we will not withdraw''. The Ecevit family's friend Emrehan Halici said that Prime Minister Ecevit would maintain his works at the Prime Ministry and Rahsan Ecevit would continue to work at the Democratic Left Party (DSP).
ISTANBUL CHIEF PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE FILES SUIT AGAINST ERDOGAN AND GURTUNA
Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office filed a suit against Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna accusing them of acting fraudulently in business. The indictment requests imprisonment of Erdogan and Gurtuna under Article 205 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
VENIZELOS: ''GREECE NEEDS A EUROPEAN TURKEY''
Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said, ''we are ready to talk about full membership negotiations process between Turkey and the European Union (EU) in return for a final agreement in Cyprus. We accept a flexible federation in Cyprus. However, there should be a single sovereignty on the island. Greece needs a European Turkey.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ONE TRUTH, SEVEN SCENARIOS
It is a fact that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's health conditions prevent him from fulfilling his duties. What will happen under these conditions? There are seven scenarios:
If Prime Minister Ecevit withdraws,
1- The government will be overthrown in accordance with the Constitution. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will designate a deputy from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) to form the new government. If the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) increases number of its deputies by transferring another deputy from other political parties, President Sezer can designate MHP leader Devlet Bahceli to form the government. President Sezer can also choose another leader.
2- During this process, efforts can be expended to form a majority government that can get vote of confidence. A coalition including the True Path Party (DYP) can be brought onto agenda.
3- Rahsan Ecevit will take over leadership of the Democratic Left Party (DSP).
4- Husamettin Ozkan, Ismail Cem or Kemal Dervis will become leader of the DSP.
5- A surprising name like Nami Cagan will take over leadership of the DSP.
If Prime Minister Ecevit does not withdraw,
6- He will remain at the Prime Ministry Office till October. Government's works will be carried out in coordination with Husamettin Ozkan. Early elections will be held in early 2003.
7- If Prime Minister Ecevit's health conditions worsen, he will give proxy to Bahceli.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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SHAME BOTH UPON US AND UPON YOU
On behalf of Turkish people, we call on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to withdraw from his post. Otherwise, Turkey will be dragged into a lack of authority and uncertainty.
CEM: ''WE EXPEND FULL SUPPORT TO TRNC PRESIDENT DENKTAS''
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said that Turkey expended full support to President Rauf Denktas of the Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in direct talks, pointing out that they supported a solution formula, revealed by the TRNC, based on two states. When a reporter told Cem that the Greek Cypriot administration overreacted and mentioned about the possibility of a ''hot incident'' after the decision of TRNC which extended its territorial waters from 3 to 12 miles, Cem said that TRNC took a decision which was within the scope of its own authority. Cem said that TRNC's extending its territorial waters to 12 miles was a correct decision, adding that the things which others say concern them, not him.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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MHP STEPS BACK
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy leader Sefkat Cetin said that the time limit mentioned in the National Programme for death sentence and Kurdish was sufficient and that they should be discussed by the public and a ground of compromise should be created within this period. National Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said, ''we accept our people's speaking other languages freely.'' Meanwhile, the Motherland Party (ANAP) announced that it was meaningless to put Ocalan's head in front of the parliament.
EU EXTENDS SUPPORT
EU Commissioner for enlargement Verheugen's spokesman Filori said that they appreciated the National Security Council's recommendatory decisions and its approach towards specific issues. Filori said that they perceived especially lifting of Emergency Rule and NSC's approach towards Kurdish and death sentence as a very positive development and that those issues which were considered prior issues met ''some expectations''.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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FOUR WEEKS WITHOUT PRIME MINISTER
The Council of State could not convene since April 29 because of health conditions of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who could not attend the monthly meeting of National Security Council (NSC). Prime Minister Ecevit was taken to hospital on May, and could not attend any meeting except for the summit meeting among leaders of three political parties forming the coalition government.
CEM IN TRNC
As direct talks have been continuing to find a solution to the Cyprus question, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem went to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to receive honorary doctorate of the Girne American University.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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PRESSURE FOR WITHDRAWAL
While the uncertainty about Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's health continues, also the coalition partners called on him to ''withdraw'' in addition to the opposition parties. While such a pressure has increased especially after the information was spread that Ecevit suffers from Parkinson disease, the most serious call came from the Motherland Party (ANAP). ANAP's parliamentary group deputy chairman Nihat Gokbulut said, ''I don't want to make a political rudeness but it is very difficult for Ecevit to continue his mission. This can't continue like this. Ecevit should pave Turkey's way by withdrawing from his post.''
WE ARE NOT AFRAID
Turkish National Soccer Team's coach Senol Gunes said, ''we are not afraid of Brazil. Our target is to qualify for the quarter finals.'' Striker Hakan Sukur said, ''I am not afraid of either Brazil or any other team'' while midfielder Yildiray Basturk said, ''we concentrate on quarter finals. We will win the game by irritating Brazil.''
SHOCKING CASES AGAINST TWO LEADERS
Lawsuits were filed against Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna on charges of corruption in tender. Thirty years of imprisonment is sought for Erdogan while one hundred years of imprisonment is sought for Gurtuna.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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EU PLEASED WITH NSC'S DECISION
The European Union (EU) publicly announced that it was pleased with the decisions that the National Security Council (NSC) had taken the day before. During his regular news conference yesterday, EU Commissioner for enlargement Guenther Verheugen's spokesman Jean-Christophe Filori defined the developments as ''positive'' and added that they extended ''full support'' to the implementation process of reforms in question.