TURKEY READY TO FACE RIVAL BRAZIL AND ADVANCE TO WORLD CUP FINAL
The Turkish National Soccer Team is set today to face Brazil’s team in the World Cup semifinals. Though its South American rival managed to defeat Turkey in first round competition, the entire team under Senol Gunes is confident it will emerge victorious in today’s match. All of Turkey is holding its breath in anticipation of this historic competition, and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has even given state workers the afternoon off. Whatever today’s result, the nation is justifiably proud of its team going to the World Cup for the first time in nearly a half-century and advancing this far. /All Papers/
SEZER HOSTS BSEC SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s (BSEC) heads of states and governments summit began yesterday in Istanbul with the attendance of eight presidents of the group’s 11 member states. The opening speech of the summit was made by host President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who said that it was time for the BSEC to reach its full potential and borders. Sezer stated that he was very happy to see the heads of states and government in Istanbul for the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the BSEC. Sezer also said that he particularly welcomed cooperation in the area of fighting terrorism, adding that Turkey gives its full support to the fight against terrorism as a country which has suffered a great deal from this menace. “Terrorism prevents the establishment of international peace and security as well as economic and social progress,” Sezer added. Sezer also remarked that the BSEC should have more links with the European Union, on the basis of concrete projects based on international energy, finance and trade. The leaders later signed a summit declaration and had a family photograph marking the end of the one-day meeting. /All Papers/
CEM MEETS WITH OSKANYAN TO DISCUSS UPPER KARABAKH ISSUE
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday met with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanyan on the sidelines of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation’s (BSEC) summit to discuss the Upper Karabakh issue. During the meeting, the Armenian side asked Turkey to withdraw its condition that the Armenians end their occupation of upper Karabakh, which is Azerbaijani territory, in order to improve relations. The response of the Turkish side was that first the Karabakh issue should be solved, then relations can be improved, adding that this was the basic state policy. The two ministers also decided to continue talks behind closed doors. /Hurriyet/
BAHCELI: “THE EU’S STANCE ON TURKEY IS HYPOCRITICAL”
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli charged yesterday that the European Union’s stance on Turkey was hypocritical. Addressing his party’s Parliament group meeting, Bahceli spoke on the ongoing EU membership bid discussions in the public. Stressing that certain circles were acting as propagandists for the EU while ceaselessly criticizing the MHP’s stance on it, he said, “Same circles never even consider criticizing the EU’s policies on Turkey and Cyprus.” Bahceli claimed that EU officials were showing disrespectful, insincere behaviour to Turkey. “The European Parliament’s decisions are the most concrete examples of this,” he added. Stating that the EU’s mind was not clear about Turkey, Bahceli said, “Up to now, the EU has not been able to develop a friendly and honest policy for Turkey.” Recalling EU officials’ pressure for a dialogue with the terrorist organization PKK, Bahceli said that neither the Turkish people nor the MHP could accept such an idea. Regarding the Turkish National Football team’s success in the World Cup, Bahceli said that it was an example of what Turks could do when they acted with faith and determination. /Turkiye/
YILMAZ: “CURRENT DEBATES DO NOT REFLECT ALL THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA”
Speaking at a conference on “Turkey’s Development Through European Union Membership” organized by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) in Brussels yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said that issues of the death penalty and teaching and broadcasting in mother tongues were only part of the Copenhagen criteria. Yilmaz added, “There are certain reasons for discussing these issues. The EU hasn’t singled out Turkey among nations in insisting that it comply with the Copenhagen criteria. Unfortunately, it’s painful for us to accept this fact. The traces and scars of terrorism, under which we suffered for many years, are still very much there. We understand the sensitivities of the state about the EU. However, the state’s role is not to display sensitivities. The state’s role is to protect and develop the country’s best interests and the freedoms of its citizens using the yardstick of science and modern civilization.” Yilmaz added that the Copenhagen criteria weren’t limited to these much-discussed three conditions but that there many things remained to do to achieve this goal. /Milliyet/
BUSH THANKS ECEVIT FOR TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
United States President George W. Bush sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit this week expressing the US’ appreciation for Turkey’s assuming command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Remarking that Turkey’s support for the US war against terrorism reinforced good bilateral relations between the two countries, Bush said that Turkey constituted a good example for the Muslim world, as a country which has successfully synthesized Islam and secular democracy. “The US will continue to cooperate with the Turkish government for the success of the ISAF under the command of Turkey,” said Bush. “I appreciate Turkey’s courageous decision to assume the ISAF command. Turkey’s leadership in our joint fight against terrorism is a good example for the rest of the Muslim world.” /Cumhuriyet/
AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR: “TURKEY MUST BE IN A UNITED EUROPE”
Austrian Ambassador to Turkey Marius Calligaris said yesterday that the European Union had officially declared Turkey’s membership with its decision made in December 1999 at the Helsinki summit. He said, “The construction of a united Europe without Turkey is not possible.” Pointing to advances in Turkish-EU relations, Calligaris stated that Turkey had taken important steps this year to implement the Copenhagen criteria which are needed to begin full membership negotiations. He stated that he hoped Turkey would succeed in fulfilling all the criteria soon. /Turkiye/
KIVRIKOGLU: “THE TSK PLACES IMPORTANCE ON EDUCATION”
Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu yesterday handed out awards to 132 members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to recognize their achievements in science and cultural competitions. In a ceremony at General Staff Headquarters, Kivrikoglu said that in an age of science and information, top-notch education was the key to accomplishment. “The TSK places great importance on the role of education in training its personnel to the highest standards,” he added. /Turkiye/
LEADERS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT
The International Energy Conference began yesterday in Istanbul with the attendence of the Turkish, Ukranian, Romanian, Georgian and Azeri presidents. Addressing the opening of the meeting, the leaders reiterated their support for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline project, stressing that it would not be a rival to either any country or any other project. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that Turkey would be a transit country through which European oil and gas needs would be met. Noting that the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline engineering studies had been completed, and that construction of it would begin in the near future, Sezer also proposed construction of a gas pipeline parallel to the Baku-Ceyhan. During their speeches, other leaders also pointed to importance of the implementation of projects in the East-West Energy Coridor ventures. /Turkiye/
GREEK SPOKESMAN: “THE ESDP IS A PROBLEM BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE EU”
Greek government spokesman Hritos Protopapas yesterday stated that Greece’s national interests concerning the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) had been completely ensured under the latest decisions made at latst weekend’s EU Seville summit. “The 15 members of the EU determined the general framework of the ESDP through their decisions unanimously accepted,” he said. “These decisions have proved that the ESDP is no longer a matter of dispute between Turkey and the EU, but rather an issue of Turkish-EU relations.” /Cumhuriyet/
NINE DSP DEPUTIES CALL ON PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT TO STEP DOWN
Nine dissident deputies from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) -- Ali Arabacý, Ahmet Arkan, Bayram Firat Dayanikli, Cengiz Gulec, Uluc Gurkan, Emin Karaa, Sadik Kirbas, Ertugrul Kumcuoglu and Tahir Kose -- issued a declaration yesterday calling on to their leader and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to step down. At a press conference in Parliament to announce their statement, the deputies said, “The DSP should be able to go on without Ecevit.” The declaration also remarked that ongoing political uncertainty was harming governmental harmony, stressing however that Ecevit’s health problems weren’t the only reason for the deterioration but that reasons also included conflicting views on the European Union membership process and “unrealistic” early election expectations. The deputies also stated that the DSP is the best and most effective party to overcome Turkey’s problems. Meanwhile Prime Minister Ecevit’s rest and recuperation period, which has lasted a month, is set to end tomorrow. After Ecevit has been examined by his doctors, it will be decided whether he will participate in the National Security Council (MGK) meeting on Friday. /Sabah/
TBB SIGNS AGREEMENT TO COORDINATE ISTANBUL APPROACH
The Turkish Banks Union (TBB) signed an agreement yesterday with the Turkish Industrial Development Bank committing itself to its duty of acting as coordinator of the Istanbul Approach, the popular name for the Financial Restructuring Framework Agreement. The TBB stated that the letters of application and commitment are to be signed by debtor firms had been completed and sent to banks and other debtor institutions which signed the framework agreement. /Star/
KURTALAN RECEIVES GOLD DESIGN AWARD
A gold jewelry ensemble designed by Turkish artist Meltem Kurtulan yesterday was named among the top 34 designs at the prestigious Gold Virtuosi 2002 Jewelry Design and Craftsmanship competition in Vicenza, Italy. The competition, organized by the World Gold Council (WGC), is considered the “Oscar” of gold jewelry design contests. Kurtalan’s design had previously bested 5,100 other contenders to take home first prize at Turkey’s Gold Trends 2002 competition. /Star/
TURKISH MOVIE “PHOTOGRAPH” RECEIVES SPECIAL JURY PRIZE IN SPAIN
The winners of Spain’s 17th Valencia International Young Cinema Festival were announced this week. “Photograph,” a movie by Turkish director Kazim Oz, received the festival’s Special Jury Prize. /Cumhuriyet/
PARLIAMENT REJECTS PROPOSALS FROM DYP, SP
A proposal to delay or cancel Parliament’s summer recess, due to officially begin July 1, submitted by the by the main opposition True Path Party (DYP) was rejected yesterday through the votes of government coalition partners. DYP group Deputy Chairman Nevzat Ercan told Parliament that Turkey’s European Union harmonisation reforms needed to be passed as soon as possible. The EU’s Copenhagen summit is coming up in December, he pointed out, and if Parliament recesses it won’t re-convene until October, leaving little chance of its passing the reforms expected at the summit. Meanwhile, a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Cabinet submiited by the Felicity Party (SP) was also rejected. /Aksam/
MGK TO CONVENE ON FRIDAY
The National Security Council (MGK) chaired by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is scheduled to hold its regularly scheduled meeting this Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. The domestic political situation, Turkey’s European Union accession process and economic developments will be the top issues to be discussed on the meeting’s agenda. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is scheduled for a checkup with his doctors before the meeting to determine whether he will be able to attend. /Aksam/
AZEBAIJANI PRESIDENT TO HONOR KIVRIKOGLU
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev is scheduled today to give a honor medal today to Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu during a visit to the General Staff Headquarters in Ankara. /Turkiye/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION