EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: “IF TURKEY IMPLEMENTS COPENHAGEN CRITERIA, IT COULD START NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EU”
The European Parliament (EP) indicated yesterday that Turkey could start membership negotiations with the European Union like other candidate countries provided that it implements the Copenhagen criteria. The EP approved a report evaluating the situation of 12 countries currently in negotiations with the EU. The report remarked that it had been encouraged to see Turkey begin carry out reforms last year. The report also urged Turkey to continue its reforms and support negotiations on Cyprus. /Milliyet/
ANNAN: “RECOGNITION OF NORTHERN CYPRUS IS A STICKING POINT”
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke with daily Hurriyet yesterday about the status of negotiations over the future of Cyprus. Annan said that recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) had emerged as a sticking point, adding, “The recognition issue is already being negotiated, but I don’t know how it will turn out.” The UN chief also said that he had put forth proposals for other issues which had been received positively. Finally he said that TRNC President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides were seeking to reach solutions by the end of this month. /Hurriyet/
UN EXTENDS CYPRUS PEACEKEEPING FORCE MANDATE THROUGH DECEMBER
The United Nations Security Council yesterday passed unanimously a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for six months through this December 15. The bill also decided that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would prepare a report concerning the latest developments on the island on December 1 and present it to the council. The text of the council’s decision referred to the Greek Cypriot administrations as the “Government of Cyprus,” which caused consternation within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The decision also reaffirmed several previously passed council resolutions which the TRNC had rejected. Among these is resolution 1251 from 1999, which stipulated a single sovereignty and single citizenship on the island, ignoring the existence of the TRNC. The council also called on the Turkish Cypriots and Turkish forces on the island to rescind their decision dated June 30, 2000 restricting the UNFICYP’s freedom of movement as well as to restore the military status quo in Akyar (Strovilia), a small hamlet on the island. Security Council Chairman Mikhail Vehbi said that he had met with the concerned parties before the vote and they had told him they hadn’t changed their positions. /Cumhuriyet/
MHP: “NO SUPPORT FOR TERRORISM AMNESTY”
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Deputy Group Chairman Ismail Kose said yesterday that the MHP would not support any arrangement whereby terrorists could benefit from a government amnesty, and he accused proposals to lift the death penalty as doing just that. “This proposal of the Democratic Left Party [DSP] foresees abolishing the death penalty, which would save terrorist Abdullah Ocalan and his cohorts from execution,” Kose added. Kose also said that it was impossible for the MHP to support such an attempt. /Turkiye/
FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: “THE ARAB WORLD SHOULD FOLLOW TURKEY’S LEAD”
Speaking to Hurriyet daily yesterday, former CIA Director James Woolsey said that the Arab world was being held back by oppressive and autocratic regimes and added, “The Arab world should follow Turkey’s lead in embracing the possibilities of a great leader like Ataturk. Our common goal with Turkey is to create a Middle East which is able to attain democracy in peace and harmony and nations where people can express themselves freely. This process must begin by changing the regime in Iraq.” Woolsey remarked, “Israel is the only country in the Middle East where an Arab woman can cast her vote freely. Saddam Hussein’s regime can be overthrown with an air operation utilizing smart weapons, an air force of 200,000 and by bringing dissident groups to our side, and thus a federal-democratic Iraq with its territorial integrity intact can be established.” Woolsey stated that after Saddam’s regime is overthrown and a democratic Iraq is established, then Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and Iranian leader Ali Khatami would begin to worry about their own futures. /Hurriyet/
KILINC: “WE WILL INTERVENE IF A KURDISH STATE IS ESTABLISHED IN IRAQ”
Speaking to Lebanese daily An-Nahar, National Security Council (MGK) General Secretary Gen. Tuncer Kilinc yesterday said that establishing a Kurdish state in Iraq would constitute a reason for Turkey to intervene. Kilinc also said that it would be impossible for Turkey to stand by and allow a Kurdish state to be established in Iraq. “Turkey will not participate in any military operation against Iraq,” Kilinc added. Kilinc stated that Turkey’s strategic position vis-a-vis Iraq depends on its future territorial integrity. /Hurriyet/
CEM AWARDS BUSINESSMEN
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday participated in a Turkish- American Businessmen’s Association (TABA) ceremony to award the most successful businessman in terms of improving Turkish-US relations. US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson spoke to the participants via remote hookup, telling them that Turkey and the United States had enjoyed political and strategic cooperation for many years. “The US government truly appreciates Turkey’s support,” Pearson added. /Turkiye/
TUSIAD TO PUSH TURKEY’S EU BID AT PRE-SEVILLE MEETING
The Turkish Businessmen’s and Industrialists’ Association (TUSIAD) plans to make a push for Turkey’s European Union membership bid at a European business leaders’ meeting in the runup to next week’s EU Seville summit. At tomorrow’s European Private Sector Chairmen’s (UNICE) meeting, TUSIAD Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan is scheduled to give a speech. He is reportedly planning to tell the attendees that a majority of Turks favor the nation’s EU membership, but that the EU needs also to be more encouraging and constructive. He will also address the death penalty abolition issue. Moreover, he will reiterate that Turkey’s membership is a turning point for both Turkey and the EU, and that UNICE’s support will be crucial. He finally plans to present a report supporting Turkey’s EU bid. /Milliyet/
DERVIS: “WE ARE ENTERING A GOLDEN AGE”
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Foreign Investors’ Association, State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said that bringing down Turkey’s inflation was an important factor for foreign investment. “Turkey can attract $5 or $6 billion foreign direct investment with a lukewarm performance and if our performance is high, this number can be increased to $8 or $9 billion,” Dervis added. Dervis also said that according to economists Turkey is entering a “golden age,” adding that demographic factors are important in the long term. /Turkiye/
REPORT: TURKEY IS NO. 4 WORLD WEAPONS IMPORTER
Over the last four years Turkey was the world’s fourth-largest weapons importer, a new study says. According to a report prepared by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Turkey spent more than $5 billion on weapons imports from 1997 to 2001, trailing only Taiwan, China and Saudi Arabia. The report also said that over the same period the United States had retained its position as number one weapons exporter, with sales totaling $44.82 billion. /Aksam/
FRENCH COMPANY TO PARTICIPATE IN BAKU-CEYHAN-TBILISI PIPELINE
The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry announced yesterday that negotiations between French company Totalfinaelf and BTC Sponsor Group concerning the company’s participation in the Baku-Ceyhan-Tbilisi (BTC) crude petroleum pipeline project had been concluded successfully, with a decision reached that the French concern would participate in the project with a 5% share. /Cumhuriyet/
ENVIRONMENT FILMS FESTIVAL HANDS OUT AWARDS
The sixth International Environment Films Festival sponsored by the TURSAK foundation ended yesterday with an awards ceremony at Istanbul’s Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall. The festival was held in order to spread environmental awareness and explore environmental problem on a cultural stage. /Cumhuriyet/
HISTORIC 3-0 VICTORY SENDS NATIONAL TEAM TO SECOND ROUND
The Turkish National Football Team yesterday beat China 3-0, thus advancing to the second round of the World Cup competition for the first time ever. Thousands of joyous fans poured into the streets of towns and cities throughout Turkey to celebrate this historic victory. /All Papers/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION