ECEVIT ATTENDS DSP GROUP MEETING
Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit yesterday attended his party’s Parliament group meeting for the first time in two months. After ascending to the podium to the applause of the DSP deputies, Ecevit said that he wasn’t in favor of early elections. He also commented that most of the figures calling for early elections were not sincere in their wishes and that they really couldn’t dare to participate in early elections. Also at the DSP meeting, he asked deputies to spend Parliament’s summer recess keeping in contact with citizens throughout the country as well as working together with other party representatives to put together a formula for the EU harmonization laws. Regarding the recent disputes between coalition partners concerning certain European Union harmonization laws, the prime minister said, “I regret those disputes and the tension they have caused. Up to now, the coalition government has exhibited a harmony not seen in any other country in the world. The continuation of this is vital for Turkey. I request that my friends both from the Motherland Party [ANAP] and the Nationalist Action Party [MHP] reestablish the harmony among us.” Ecevit also added that his health was improving, but he needed two or three more weeks of recuperation for a complete recovery upon the recommendation of his doctors. Following his speech at the DSP group meeting, Ecevit proceeded to the Cankaya Presidential Palace and met with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for half an hour. Then Ecevit received Pakistani head of state Pervez Musharraf’s representative Wasim Sajjand at his working office in Oran. Sajjand reportedly delivered a letter from Musharraf to Ecevit. /All Papers/
PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS FOR THREE-MONTH SUMMER RECESS
The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) yesterday began its recess for summer. If it is not called back to Ankara for an extraordinary session, Parliament will resume its work this Oct. 1. /Turkiye/
MGK TO DISCUSS BORDER TRADE
The National Security Council (MGK) is to discuss a number of sensitive issues during its June meeting such as border trade and energy policy. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will not be able to attend the gathering. The council is to convene under the chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and with the attendance of Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz, and Husamettin Ozkan along with the foreign minister, interior minister and defense minister. Other issues to be discussed at the MGK meeting are the Cyprus issue and Turkish-EU relations. /Cumhuriyet/
EU’S IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO TURKEY
The European Union has conveyed important messages to the Turkish government, which is currently discussing the steps which need to be taken in the country’s bid for full EU membership. Speaking to Turkish daily Cumhuriyet yesterday, a high-level European Union Commission official remarked that Turkey’s accession negotiation process could not begin before the Turkish government succeeded in fulfilling all of the Copenhagen criteria. Stating that the EU was satisfied with recent discussions on a number of sensitive issues in Turkey, the anonymous EU official added that the Union was placing a high premium on the continuation of reforms, decreasing the role of military in politics, abolishing the death penalty, allowing education in mother tongues and advancing the freedom of thought and expression. The EU official also stated that the main document for Turkey’s bid for EU membership was the Accession Partnership Document (KOB), which explains all the necessary criteria Turkey needs to fulfill. He added that there were no additional criteria for Turkey other than the ones set out in the KOB. /Cumhuriyet/
INCOMING EU TERM PRESIDENT DENMARK’S ENCOURAGING WORDS
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the prime minister of incoming EU Term President Denmark, yesterday gave important and positive signals concerning Turkey’s EU membership bid. Speaking to the Turkish and European press in Copenhagen, Rasmussen said, “We can give a date to Turkey at December’s Copenhagen summit to begin negotiations, but it depends on their carrying out the Copenhagen criteria.” He added, “Turkey can start negotiations as soon as possible when it implements its homework.” The Cyprus issue is among the priorities of Denmark’s term presidency and Rasmussen remarked that to find a solution for the island would be advantageous but wasn’t a precondition for Turkey’s membership, adding, “We are in favor of the membership of the whole island.” Rasmussen stressed that the EU was treating Turkey like all the other candidates and wasn’t discriminating among them. Denmark will take over the EU term presidency from Spain next week. /Milliyet/
OSKANYAN: “TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS SHOULD BE NORMALIZED”
In a speech at a conference organized by the Turkish Foundation of Economic and Social Studies (TESEV), Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan stated that Armenia was closely following recent political discussions in Turkey, stressing that despite a number of disputes Turkey and Armenia had much in common in terms of their history and culture. Stating that Armenia was ready to improve its diplomatic relations with Turkey without putting forward any preconditions, Oskanyan said that Turkey and Armenia were the two countries which could greatly contribute to peace and stability in their region. Asked how he evaluated his recent meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Oskanyan said that their dialogue had been very positive and constructive during all of their three meetings. “By taking further positive steps, I believe that Turkey and Armenia can find solutions to all common problems such as Azerbaijan and Upper Karabakh,” said Oskanyan. “However, Turkey and Armenia should first normalize their diplomatic relations.” /Cumhuriyet/
ATHENS CLAIMS “VICTORY” AT SEVILLE ON ESDP ISSUE
Greek Defense Minister Yanos Papaandoniou stated yesterday that Greece’s national interests concerning the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) had been completely ensured under the latest decisions made at last weekend’s European Union Seville summit. Papaandoniou also said that during its EU term presidency early next year, it would deal with the ESDP issue. “We won a victory at the Seville summit,” Papaandoniou remarked. Echoing this view, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated that Greece had completely turned the situation on the ESDP issue inside out during the Seville summit. “The 15 members of the EU determined the general framework of the ESDP through their decisions unanimously accepted,” Simitis added. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Diriöz said he could not confirm what the Greek officials were claiming, but added that their statements amounted to unnecessary polemics. Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said the Turkish government hadn’t obtained any official information on the establishment of European army. “We would not accept an planned EU intervention force being used against Turkey, and our meetings on this issue will continue,” Cakmakoglu added. /Cumhuriyet/
KIVRIKOGLU RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev yesterday visited Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu in order to present him the medal of honor of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Speaking after the ceremony, Aliyev said that Kivrikoglu was one of the most important generals fulfilling the legacy of Ataturk. Aliyev also said that with the support of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the Azerbaijani Army had become strong. /Sabah/
FOGG PAYS FAREWELL VISIT TO DTP LEADER BAYAR
European Union Commission’s Turkey Representative Karen Fogg is continuing her round of farewell visits before leaving her post in Turkey. Yesterday, she visited Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) leader Mehmet Ali Bayar at his office. Stating that Fogg had served during an important, pivotal period of Turkish-EU relations, Bayar said, “These relations have history of 40 years. Full EU membership is Turkey’s national goal.” Criticizing Parliament’s action in taking a recess for the summer, Bayar remarked that work to deal with many of the most important topics on Turkey’s agenda was being postponed. “When Parliament resumes its work in October, there will be little time before the EU summit in Copenhagen. This recess is unfortunate,” Bayar added. /Turkiye/
TURKISH DATA PROCESSING COMPANY TO PARTNER WITH GREEK CONCERN
Leading Turkish data processing company Meteksan Systems yesterday signed a preliminary agreement to work with Intracom, a large European concern backed by Greek capital, and with Gantek Technologies, a joint Intracom-Turkish capital venture. Under the deal, Intracom is to invest $20 million in Meteksan, making the deal the largest injection of foreign capital in the history of the Turkish data processing sector. The deal also represents the second Turkish-Greek data processing partnership, after the partnership of Index and Greece’s Pouliadis. Meteksan Systems CEO Alper Kostem said that the meetings between the companies since the beginning of this year had been very fruitful, as proved by the signing of the preliminary agreement, and that the companies’ partnership efforts would be completed by the end of October. /Hurriyet/
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE MINISTER TANRIKULU SPEAKS ON IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER RIGHTS
Industry and Commerce Minister Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu said yesterday that a consumer could be considered conscious and aware if he uses his legal rights and protects his economic rights and Turkey’s economic health. Speaking at the Fifth Traditional Consumer Awards meeting, Tanrikulu said that the ministry was acting determinedly in imposing punitive fines on businesses that violate its regulations, and that it had handed out fines totaling 19 trillion TL over the last seven years. He stated that the consumer awards had two basic messages: firstly, encouraging companies to fulfill their legal responsibilities and take consumers’ requests and preferences into consideration; secondly, developing awareness among consumers and encouraging them to exercise their legal rights. /Aksam/
CILLER: “IT’S TIME FOR ECEVIT TO RESIGN”
Speaking at her party’s parliamentary group meeting yesterday, main opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller said that it was time for Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to resign. Ciller stated that Ecevit’s political life was at an end and that tripartite coalition government was unable to carry out its duties as a whole. / Star/
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REJECTS DEPUTIES’ CHALLENGE OF RTUK LAW
The Constitutional Court yesterday rejected an appeal by 119 deputies to annul 12 articles of the recently passed RTUK law. The court said that annulling the article would be superfluous since it already was effectively cancelled. The court has yet to rule on President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s challenge of the RTUK law. /Star/
NEW DAYS TO HONOR GALLIPOLI VICTORY, ATATURK
Parliament yesterday passed a resolution designating March 18, the date of Turkey’s 1915 victory at Gallipoli, as “Martyrs’ Day.” In addition, Parliament decided that September 19, the day Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk achieved the rank of “Marshal,” will be heretofore celebrated as “Veterans’ Day.” /Star/
TSK BEACH RECEIVES “BLUE FLAG” CLEAN BEACH AWARD
The Turkish Armed Forces’ (TSK) Karpuzkaldiran Special Training Central Commanding beach in Antalya yesterday received the international “Blue Flag” clean beach award. During the award ceremony held at Karpuzkaldiran’s military facilities, Muratpasa Mayor Suleyman Evcilmen gave the Blue Flag to Karpuzkaldiran Special Training Central Commander Engineer Col. Recep Kilic. Stating that the award was an international honor, Evcilmen said, “The Blue Flag prize has a great importance for protecting and raising awareness of the environment, and it is an international award. It’s difficult to deserve this award in the first place, but keeping the award is more difficult. In addition, it pleases us greatly that a military facility has received the Blue Flag.” Col. Kilic also spoke, saying that the beach had met all the criteria necessary for the Blue Flag. Following the ceremony, the flag was hoisted over the beach. The Blue Flag is an eco-label handed out by the international nonprofit Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) to beaches worldwide for having high environmental standards and safety facilities. Turkey has 127 Blue Flag-designated beaches. /Aksam/
WINNERS OF AYDIN DOGAN CARTOON AWARDS ANNOUNCED
The 19th Aydin Dogan International Cartoon Competition, which this year had the theme of “terrorism” to commemorate last September’s terrorist attacks, ended yesterday with the participation of 3,157 cartoons by 1,360 artists from 90 countries. The competition’s Preliminary Council presented 386 cartoons by 330 artists to the jury. The jury, chaired by Czech artist Miroslav Bartak in Antalya, then made its evaluation and announced the results. The jury rewarded first prize to Turkish artist Mehmet Ates Gulcugil, second prize to Icelandic artist Eythor Stefansson, and third prize to Cuban artist Alberto Morales Ajubel. A selection of winning and distinguished cartoons will be exhibited at Antalya’s Falez Hotel through July 5. The winning artists will be officially given their awards at a ceremony to be held at the Ankara State Painting and Sculpture Museum on November 5. /Hurriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION