RESIGNATIONS FROM DSP CONTINUE
A series of resignations from within the DSP which began on Monday with Husamettin Ozkan stepping down continued yesterday. The number of DSP deputies who have resigned from their party has reached 33, including six Cabinet ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, Culture Minister Istemihan Talay, State Ministers Mustafa Yilmaz, Recep Onal and Hasan Gemici, and Education Minister Metin Bostancioglu. With these defections, the number of DSP deputies in Parliament has fallen to 95. Further resignations are reportedly being expected. /All Papers/
NEW APPOINTMENTS MADE FOR VACANT MINISTER POSITIONS
Following the resignations of a number of ministers from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and their respective positions, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday made new appointments to fill the vacant positions. Under a decree signed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Sukru Sina Gurel has been appointed state minister and deputy prime minister while Tayfun Icli and Zeki Sezer moved up to be state ministers and Suat Caglayan became culture minister. No names have yet been specified for the vacant positions of another state minister and education minister. /Turkiye/
CABINET MINISTERS TO CONVENE
The Cabinet ministers chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will convene today at 11:00 a.m. with the attendance of several newly appointed ministers. During the meeting, recent political and economic developments are expected to be discussed. /All Papers/
BAHCELI: “WE WILL GATHER PARLIAMENT IN SEPTEMBER”
Government coalition partner the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) held a meeting yesterday headed by its leader Devlet Bahceli to evaluate recent political developments. Following a series of resignations from senior coalition partner the Democratic Left Party (DSP) on Monday and Tuesday, the MHP currently holds the most seats in Parliament among the three government parties. After an hour-long meeting Bahceli said, “Our party has decided to call Parliament back on Sept. 1 to work out the early elections to be held on Oct. 3.” /Star/
NINE DSP DEPUTIES CALL FOR EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
A group of nine Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputies, led by Uluc Gurkan and called the “Nine,” yesterday declared that they had no intention of resigning from their party. At a press conference, the deputies stated that an extraordinary DSP congress led by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit should be held as soon as possible in order to prepare the party for a future without Ecevit. “For years, we have been presented to the public as an ‘opposition movement’ in the party,” a group statement said. “However, for the time being this group remains in the party, whereas others, those thought of as loyalists, have left the DSP.” /Turkiye/
DERVIS MEETS WITH OZKAN, CEM
State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis yesterday met with former Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, who resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) on Monday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dervis said that he would not step down from his post. Dervis also stated that he had discussed with Ozkan recent political developments. “He explained to me everything from his point of view and I listened, and we discussed Turkey’s problems, especially those concerning the economy,” Dervis added. Dervis also met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. Dervis told reporters after the meeting that he agreed with Cem that the European Union process is important both for Turkey’s economy and its people. /Hurriyet/
CILLER MEETS WITH ECEVIT
True Path (DYP) Party Leader Tansu Ciller yesterday met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to discuss recent political developments in Turkey. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ciller said that her party would support all measures designed to dispel the country’s political uncertainty. Ciller also said that DYP would give full support to early elections and European Union adaptation laws. “If Parliament doesn’t reconvene, the EU train would be missed,” Ciller added. Ciller also stated that Political Parties and Election Law should be changed prior to elections. Ciller reiterated that the 10% election threshold should not be lowered but that a two-round election system should be implemented. /Hurriyet/
BAYKAL: “ELECTIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”
Appearing on CNN Turk yesterday, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Leader Deniz Baykal said that elections should be held as soon as possible with the current government. Baykal also said that a power vacuum persists in Turkey. “There is no need to wait until November for elections,” he stated. “In this case our road to the European Union could be closed, so elections should take place in the short term.” /Hurriyet/
WORLD PRESS ON DSP RESIGNATIONS
A series of resignations from within the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the ensuing uncertainty received coverage in the world press yesterday, and a sampling of that coverage follows. British daily The Financial Times wrote that the developments in Turkey would ultimately be constructive, not destructive. The newspaper also wrote that State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis might become active in politics and have a role in a future new government. In the US press, the Wall Street Journal wrote that the political confusion was affecting the International Monetary Fund’s program vis-a-vis Turkey. “A change of government seems inevitable, and early elections will probably come soon,” the paper added. “Those who favor Turkey’s European Union membership suggest establishing a government without the Nationalist Action Party [MHP]. However, Deputy Prime Minister and MHP leader Devlet Bahceli won’t give in because with the DSP resignations, his party became the largest party in Parliament.” In the Greek press, daily Kathimerini wrote that if this crisis leads to early elections, then domestic EU reforms would come to a halt. Stating that many sectors of Turkish society and government, including the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), were opposed to early elections, the Italian Il Sole 24 Ore wrote, “Moving from the Ecevit government without holding elections will be on the agenda. Another formation, led by newly resigned Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan together with the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party [DYP], will emerge.” The newspaper added that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Kemal Dervis would join this formation as well. French daily Le Monde wrote, “The Ecevit government is undergoing a complete crisis. The three-party government is on the brink of being dissolved, and the early elections are inevitable. Husamettin Ozkan used to be considered the heir apparent to Prime Minister Ecevit, but his resignation caused a storm in the DSP. Those who resigned from the DSP might establish a new party. Voters want Kemal Dervis to become active in politics.” In addition, Iranian daily Irna wrote, “A great many government ministers and deputies are awaiting Foreign Minister Ismail Cem’s decision. Cem is the most prominent candidate in line to replace Ecevit.” /Sabah/
KAHKONEN: “IT’S TOO EARLY FOR EVALUATIONS”
International Monetary Fund Turkish Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen said yesterday that it was too early to evaluate recent developments in Turkey’s politics. Kahkonen came to Turkey yesterday for the IMF’s third review and started his work by visiting the Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD). Following the meeting, which was closed to the press, Kahkonen said, “It’s too early make any evaluations, but it was interesting to learn from TUSIAD the private sector’s take concerning these developments. We will continue our meetings with other institutions of the private sector and then with the government in Ankara.” Asked if the current crisis would affect relations between Turkey and the IMF, Kahkonen said that he would evaluate this issue after completing his meetings. /Aksam/
US CONGRESSMAN PRAISES TURKEY’S ISAF COMMAND
US Congressman Elton Gallegly, a Republican from California, yesterday spoke out in praise of Turkey for its taking over the command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Speaking before the House of Representatives, Gallegly said, “The leadership of Turkey, an overwhelmingly Muslim country, gives the clear message that the international war against terrorism is not a fight against Islam, and it also demonstrates that the US has Muslim allies in its struggle to combat this terrible menace.” Saying that Turkey taking the helm of the ISAF had underlined its importance in the Muslim world, Gallegly added, “Turkey’s assuming the duties of command shows the respect it has earned in the eyes of both the US and the West in general. Ankara’s government is praiseworthy in many ways for its willingness to take on this important role. We congratulate Turkey and wish the greatest success for its soldiers.” In related news, an official period of mourning was declared yesterday for late Afghan Vice President Haci Abdulkadir, who was assassinated last weekend. ISAF Commander Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu said that the force’s 5,000 soldiers were on a state of high alert to prevent any similar tragedy from occurring. /Cumhuriyet/
EUROPEAN UNION SPOKESMEN: “DON’T NEGLECT YOUR REFORMS”
As the stream of resignations and defections from within Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit’s Democratic Left Party (DSP) are continuing, a spokesman for the European Union Commission, Jean-Christophe Filori, yesterday stated that the EU was watching closely the recent developments on the political scene in Turkey. He remarked that the EU believed that Turkey’s political institutions were strong enough to maintain the political stability necessary to continue reforms for the country’s EU bid. Meanwhile, former European Parliament Turkey rapporteur Hannes Swoboda also voiced his concern about the recent developments in Turkey, underlining that Turkish politicians would probably neglect needed reforms in such an atmosphere of political instability. According to diplomatic sources, many other EU officials believe that Turkey will fail to continue its reforms under a hurly-burly atmosphere of elections. In addition, Jonathan Faull, another EU Commission spokesman, yesterday noted that the commission was in close contact with Turkish Foreign Ministry officials in order to stay up to date on the latest developments. Furthermore, EU Commission Chairman Roman Prodi is expected to visit Turkey on July 18 in order to discuss a number of “essential” and “urgent” issues with Turkish officials. /Cumhuriyet/
CLINTON: “DO YOUR UTMOST FOR EU MEMBERSHIP”
Former United States President Bill Clinton yesterday participated in a conference entitled “Turkish-American Relations on the Path Towards the European Union” organized by the Turkish-American Business Association (TABA) at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. Remarking that Turkey should do its utmost in order to join the European Union, Clinton stated that the Turkish nation should not allow the recent political instability to make it pessimistic. Underlining that there were a number of important problems before Turkey such as abolishing the death penalty, advancing human rights and granting minorities greater freedom, the former president said, “The EU needs Turkey, just as Turkey needs it. Turkey must also immediately address its problems. The world of the 21st century also needs a modern Turkey as one of the most important protectors of secularism and democratic values.” /Cumhuriyet/
KUTAN: “PARLIAMENT SHOULD GATHER ON AUG. 1 AT THE LATEST”
Speaking at the Chairmanship Board of his party yesterday, Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan said that the current government was effectively finished and added, “Parliament should be convened on Aug. 1 at the latest.” Kutan also said, “An election government should be formed as soon as possible and Parliament should take decisions on issues which have vital importance for Turkey such as elections, political parties and the European Union.” /Star/
AKP OFFICIALS MEET WITH IZGI
Opposition Justice and Development Party (AKP) Parliament Group Deputy Chairmen Huseyin Celik and Salih Kapusuz yesterday visited Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi and presented a proposal that Parliament consider holding early elections for October. The officials said that they wanted Izgi to reconvene the Parliament on July 23 to look at the proposal. /Star/
TUSIAD: “DESPITE POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY, THE PROGRAM IS WORKING”
Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan said yesterday after meeting with International Monetary Fund Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen that despite Turkey’s political uncertainty, its economic program is working. Ozilhan also said that he discussed with Kahkonen the implementation of the economic program and the importance of European Union membership. /Milliyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION