ANKARA (A.A) - 02.06.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on June 2, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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SISTER CITY OPPORTUNISTS
Sister city implementation became an excuse for mayors who want to watch World Cup matches without paying any money for tickets. Istanbul Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna arrived in South Korean capital Seul in order to declare Pusan as the sister city of Istanbul. A five-people delegation has been accompanying Gurtuna. Izmit Mayor Sefa Sirmen will pay a visit to Pusan, the sister city of Izmit. Meanwhile, the governor of Bursa and a three-member accompanying delegation will visit their Korean sister city Tegu.
BAHCELI: ''WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) who is currently in the People's Republic of China on an official visit, said, ''we will continue to support Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit till he decides to withdraw from his post. As you know, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has been suffering from health problems for a while. He has been receiving the necessary medical treatment. However, he has been maintaining his duty of providing coordination among ministers. It is not correct to take advantage from his health problems for political purposes. It is not fair to call on him to withdraw as he did not attend a meeting.''
ALPMAN APPOINTED AS AMBASSADOR 24 HOURS AFTER HIS DEMISE
Onder Alpman, the Turkish Consul General in Brussels, was appointed as Turkish Ambassador to Mongolia 24 hours after his demise. 55-year-old Alpman died of an heart attack. The decision about his appointment to Mongolia was issued in the Official Gazette 24 hours after his demise.
MIRZAOGLU LEAVES FOR GREECE
State Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu left for Greece to attend ''Posidonia 2002 International Maritime Fair''. Holding a press conference prior to his departure, Mirzaoglu said, ''as you know, this fair is being organized once in two years. During my visit to Greece, I will attend inauguration of stands of Directorate General of Coast Security and Vessel Rescue, Maritime Undersecretariat and private sector. Also, I will hold talks with Greek minister of merchant marine.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''NO PROXY''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), put an end to arguments over proxy. Bahceli who is currently in the People's Republic of China on an official visit, said, ''we will continue to support Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit till he decides to withdraw from his post. If he withdraws from the prime ministry, a new government will be formed.''
''DO NOT COMPARE ME WITH INONU''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received deputies of the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''do not engulf in panic. Such campaigns are launched in such situations. However, I am deeply sorry about comparing me with former President Ismet Inonu.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DOCTORS WANT 24-HOUR CARE FOR PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit insisted on being discharged from hospital. Doctors wrote a document, and advised Prime Minister Ecevit that he should be kept under 24-hour house for at least a month. However, Rahsan Ecevit tore the document. Prime Ministry Undersecretariat sent the document back to Prime Minister Ecevit's residence. But Rahsan Ecevit did not respond it.
EREZ CAPTURED IN SOFIA
International drug trafficker Ozcan Erez fled after committing a homicide in eastern province of Van in 1997. He was captured in Istanbul in 2001, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, he managed to flee to abroad once again with a false passport. In a joint operation between Turkish and Bulgarian police, Erez was captured in Sofia.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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''I AM AT MY POST''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who could not restart his work at the Prime Ministry since May 4 reacted to the news which said that governmental works were hampered so he should withdraw. He said, ''my condition is good and I am not in pain. I am at my post.'' However, this statement contradicted with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's statement who had said, ''doctors are worried about his pain in his backbone.'' Menawhile, the Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) denied the news stories which had defended that GATA had started to observe the Ecevit's health report.
MODERATE MESSAGES FROM PAPANDREOU TO TURKEY
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that his relations with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem were criticized unjustly. He said, ''they criticize us as we always smile. Positive steps were taken in relations between Turkey and Greece as a result of those smiles.'' Papandreou said he believed the Cyprus question would enter the solution path. Meanwhile, Cem said that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) wanted a peace which could be accepted by everybody, stressing, ''however, nobody should assume that we were obliged to reach a compromise.'' Cem added that Turkey and the TRNC had proved that they were the countries which had said ''no'' when necessary.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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THESE CLAIMS ARE EXTREMELY SERIOUS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit who has not gone out from his house for the last six days, sent a handwriting statement to journalists. In his statement, Prime Minister Ecevit said, ''my condition is good. I am not in pain.'' It was claimed that the statement was written by Rahsan Ecevit. Because, the handwriting in the statement looks like exactly same with Rahsan Ecevit's handwriting.
''NSC TAKES RECOMMENDATORY DECISIONS''
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said that his views about the European Union (EU) did not change. He said, ''the National Security Council (NSC) takes recommendatory decisions, and all political parties assess developments in their own point of view.''
GENERAL STAFF DENIES NEWS STORIES
The General Staff denied news stories claiming that Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) had been examining the reports about Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's health. Releasing a statement, the General Staff said, ''some mass media organs gave place to news stories on June 1, 2002 claiming that GATA had been examining the reports about Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's health. These news stories are totally baseless and do not reflect the facts.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TENSION ESCALATED
Democratic Left Party (DYP) deputies held a news conference after meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his wife Rahsan Ecevit and accused those who say, ''the Premier should withdraw'' of ''being tactless''. DSP deputy leader Tayfun Icli said they would respond to anger with anger, criticizing that press bosses who could not even manage their newspapers wanted to govern the country. Following this news onference, Prime Minister Ecevit issued a statement saying, ''my condition is good. I am not in pain. I am continuing to rest as the doctors advised, but I am continuing to work as my position requires. I am at my post.'' Meanwhile, retired general Muhittin Fisunoglu who served as the commander of the Land Forces said, ''nobody lives forever. Everybody who cannot serve his or her mission should quit.''
''I CORRECT WITHIN 1.5 YEARS''
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller announced her party's programmes for overcoming the economic crisis. Noting that they had prepared an 18-month programme, Ciller said, ''we achieve an eight percent growth just in one year. But before this, freedoms should be granted.
''THIS POWER HAS COME TO AN END''
Criticizing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) leader Ali M. Bayar said, ''if he went to China to make several statements, this proves that the power has come to an end.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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SECURITY FORCESS IMPOUND 61 KG OF MORPHINE IN VAN
Security forces impounded 61 kg of morphine in an operation in eastern province of Van. Acting on a tip-off, security forces stopped and searched an automobile. They confiscated 61 kg of morphine hidden in secret parts of the vehicle. Six people were taken into custody in the operation. The market value of the drug is about 2 trillion Turkish liras.