SEZER TO TRAVEL TO SPAIN FOR EU SUMMIT
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer accompanied by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will travel to Spain tomorrow for this weekend’s European Union summit in Seville. Sezer will try to convince the EU that Turkey is working hard to make reforms for its EU membership. Sezer is also to convey the message that Turkey has taken earnest steps to abolish the death penalty and allow education and broadcasting in mother tongues and that he expects the same earnestness from the EU. Sezer will also mention the importance that Turkey places on starting its full membership negotiations this year. /Hurriyet/
CEM: “TURKEY IS READY TO COOPERATE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION”
Turkey is currently working hard to dispel certain prejudices of European Union countries concerning its efforts to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking, two hot issues which leapt to the top of the EU’s agenda in the wake of last September’s terrorist attacks. The recent rise of xenophobia and the extreme right in Europe has led the EU to take urgent action against a tide of illegal immigrants from Africa and Asia threatening to flood the continent. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday sent a letter to EU Term President Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Picque conveying a message that Turkey was ready to cooperate in combating illegal immigration. Cem stressed in his letter that there was a incorrect assumption on the part of EU countries at large that Turkey was not doing enough to crack down on illegal immigrants. Stating that an increasing number of illegal immigrants were being caught by Turkish security forces every year, Cem noted that 92,365 such immigrants were intercepted in 2000 alone. /Cumhuriyet/
YILMAZ: “I AM PESSIMISTIC ON THE FULFILLMENT OF OUR EU COMMITMENTS”
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz yesterday told his party’s group meeting that he was getting pessimistic on the prospects of fulfillment of Turkey’s European Union membership commitments. Remarking that no country which joined the EU had later been split up, he told the closed meeting that he wasn’t hopeful that the regulations related to the country’s EU bid would be able to be made before Parliament went on summer recess. He also added that despite obstacles, he was determined to take steps towards Turkey’s full EU membership within the coalition government. /Aksam/
DERVIS MEETS AMBASSADORS OF EU COUNTRIES
State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis yesterday met with ambassadors from European Union member and candidate countries at Ankara’s British Embassy. Dervis requested that the ambassadors encourage businessmen from their respective countries to invest in Turkey. Stating that no early elections were expected in the near future, Dervis stressed that an exact date should be immediately determined for the beginning of Turkey’s EU accession negotiation process. For their part, the ambassadors remarked that Turkey should first fulfill the EU’s political criteria in order to begin its accession negotiation process. /Cumhuriyet/
DERVIS: “CRISIS IN BANKING SECTOR IS OVER”
State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said yesterday that Turkey’s crisis in its banking sector was now over. Following his visit to Deputy State Minister Devlet Bahceli, Dervis answered reporters’ questions regarding Pamukbank’s takeover by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK). Stressing that the banking sector was emerging from this period in better shape, Dervis pointed out that bank recapitalization was a prior condition which Turkey had completed for its International Monetary Fund program. Meanwhile, a new Letter of Intent (LOI), prepared by the Treasury Undersecretariat and showing the recent situation of the economy and Turkey’s commitments to be carried out in the coming months, has been sent to the IMF after being signed by Dervis and Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti. The IMF Executive Board is scheduled to meet on June 28 and following the meeting, a tranche of $1.1 billion is expected to be extended to Turkey. In addition, IMF officials expressed their approval regarding the BDDK’s action taking over Pamukbank. /All Papers/
TURKEY TAKING REINS OF ISAF
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) under Gen. Akin Zorlu are set today to take command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from Great Britain with a ceremony. Britain is expected to withdraw most of its forces from the country. Turkey’s command of the international peacekeeping force is scheduled to last six months. /Hurriyet/
GUREL: “TURKEY IS THE LINK BETWEEN EURASIA AND THE EU”
In a speech at a panel on Turkish-EU Relations yesterday in Ankara, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel stated that Turkey is a modern, dynamic country which will play an active role in improving relations between the EU and Eurasia. “Turkey is a country which enjoys close contacts with EU countries, contributes to the international community’s cooperation on peace, and also assumes a leading role in sustaining peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said Gurel, Turkey’s state minister for EU relations. “Turkey has placed itself at the center of relations in Eurasia. Our country has been successful in improving its relations with both Europe and Eurasia.” /Cumhuriyet/
PAMUKBANK TAKEN OVER BY BDDK
The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) announced yesterday that it was putting Pamukbank, Turkey’s fifth-largest private bank, into receivership. Pamukbank, which had previously announced plans to merge with Yapi Kredi Bank, was taken over as it hasn’t taken required measures, had become a danger for the confidence and stability of the financial system, and also had a capital deficit of $2 billion. Analysts said that the BDDK’s decision has shown its determination to withstand political pressure in cleaning up and restructuring the banking system. Pamukbank was originally established in 1955 in Adana to ensure finance for cotton producers in Cukurova. Meanwhile, Pamukbank Executive Board members Mehmet Emin Karamehmet and Osman Berkmen were both removed from their posts and barred from travelling abroad. Regarding the takeover, BDDK Chairman Engin Akcakoca told reporters that there was no need for uneasiness as the bank was continuing to do business. He said that Hasan Ulukanli had been appointed chairman of Pamukbank’s Executive Board, while Ahmet Ayaydin was named director general. He also emphasized that for the time being, there was no intent either to close any of Pamukbank’s branches or dismiss any of its personnel. /All Papers/
HISTORIC MILITARY AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA
The Turkish and Syrian chiefs of staff yesterday signed a historic military agreement, marking a significant stage in an ongoing rapprochement process between two countries which once were on the brink of war due to a disagreement over PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan. The agreement signed by Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and his Syrian counterpart Hassan Turmani will pave the way for joint military training as well as technical and scientific cooperation. Kivrikoglu stated that the two countries’ cooperation on security issues would contribute to peace and stability in the Middle East. /Aksam/
TUSIAD: “POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY IS JEOPARDIZING THE COUNTRY”
Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan yesterday warned the government about the consequences of political uncertainty hanging over the country. Speaking at TUSIAD’s Consultation Board meeting, Ozilhan said that the current political atmosphere in the country could lead to a serious impasse. “The prevailing political uncertainty is threatening the country with disaster,” Ozilhan added. Ozilhan also said that the collapse could come about at such a speed that even early elections would not be able to help, and that the economy couldn’t withstand another economic shock. /Star/
CILLER: “THE GOVERNMENT IS BLOCKING TURKEY ON EVERY ISSUE”
Opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller told her party’s group meeting yesterday that the coalition government was preventing not only Turkey’s full European Union membership but also its enjoying full democracy. The main opposition leader stated that she had asked for an appointment with Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi to ask him to open the EU membership issue to discussion in Parliament, and another appointment with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to ask him not to block Turkey’s path leading to full EU membership. Ciller also added that the political parties and elections laws should be amended and Turkey should call for early elections as soon as possible. /Aksam/
ERASLAN OZKAYA ELECTED NEW HEAD OF COURT OF CASSATION
Eraslan Ozkaya was yesterday elected the new chairman of Court of Cassation following Sami Selcuk’s exiting the post earlier this month due to his reaching the mandatory retirement age. The two days of elections at the court began with a field of six candidates. Eventually Ozkaya and Deputy Chairman Mater Kaban emerged as the top contenders, with Ozkaya ultimately prevailing by a vote of 144-85. /Milliyet/
BEKIR AKSOY RESIGNS FROM DYP, JOINS MHP
True Path Party (DYP) Corum Deputy Bekir Aksoy yesterday announced his resignation from the main opposition party led by Tansu Ciller. He also announced that he had decided to join the right-wing coalition partner Nationalist Action Party (MHP), and that he would join the MHP at its next parliamentary group meeting. The resignation of Aksoy reduced the number of parliamentary seats held by the DYP to 84. Meanwhile, Ankara Greater Municipality Mayor Melih Gokcek declared that he would become the leader of the center-right Democratic Party (DP), saying that he would join the party officially this Sunday. Gokcek added that former Izmir Mayor Burhan Ozfatura, Konya independent Deputy Huseyin Ari, and former Interior Ministry Undersecretary Teoman Unusan would also join the DP. /Aksam/
KAZAN: “IT WAS IMPROPER TO CLOSE THE WELFARE PARTY”
Sevket Kazan, a former executive at the banned Welfare Party (RP), yesterday spoke on behalf of the Islamist political group before the European Court of Human Rights. Kazan told the court hearing that the RP had never engaged in activities against Turkey’s principle of secularism and that the government had been wrong to shut down the party. The RP was closed by Turkey’s Constitutional Court in 1998, and it filed suit in protest at the ECHR soon thereafter. The court is to issue a decision after hearing testimony from both sides. /Milliyet/
SANDIR: “SEARCH FOR DEATH PENALTY CONSENSUS SHOULD BE CONCLUDED SOON”
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Group Deputy leader Mehmet Sandir requested yesterday that the search to find a consensus on lifting the death penalty outside the government should be concluded at Parliament as soon as possible. Stating that there was a consensus among the government partners as part of the National Programme during Turkey’s European Union bid, Sandir said, “The consensus being looked for in Parliament should be reached as soon as possible and its results should be put forward. If that consensus proves unattainable, an alternative way should be found. The Democratic Left Party [DSP] and the Motherland Party [ANAP] have responsibilities on this issue. There is a consensus as part of the National Programme on the part of the government. The uncertainty stemming from this search is causing fluctuation on the markets. Time must be used in the best way possible in the search for consensus concerning lifting the death penalty. A result must be achieved as soon as possible, no matter with which way they do this. This responsibility belongs first and foremost to the DSP and ANAP.” /Sabah/
TASAR WELCOMES CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS IN ISTANBUL
Olympia Explorer, one of the world’s fastest cruise ships, arrived in Istanbul yesterday. Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar participated in a ceremony held to commemorate the first port-of-call of the ship, which ferries its passengers to Turkish and Greek islands. Tasar attached a rosette to visitors from the ship, who were welcomed in the ceremony. He also toured the ship and gave a plate to its owner. The ship was made by the Royal Olympic Cruises Company in Germany, and it brought 780 tourists to Turkey’s largest city. /Sabah/
ERDOGAN PROPOSES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO LIFT DEATH PENALTY
Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday his party wouldn’t support the Democratic Left Party’s (DSP) bill concerning lifting the death penalty, but instead had its own proposal. Erdogan said that the AKP had prepared a constitutional amendment under which death sentences would be commuted to life in prison without parole and crimes of terrorism would be ineligible for pardon, and he said the amendment should be discussed simultaneously with the DSP’s bill. The AKP’s proposal also envisages ending the death penalty in situations of “terrorism, war and threat of imminent war.” /Sabah/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION