ECEVIT: “WE CANNOT IGNORE PROBLEMS THE AKP AND HADEP MIGHT CAUSE”
Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit said yesterday at the DSP’s group meeting that all the political parties were ignoring the prospect that the People’s Democracy Party (HADEP) and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) might gain power in upcoming early elections. “If we give a chance to these parties in early elections, it may cause some serious problems for our regime as well as the social structure and the economy,” he stated. Ecevit also said that he wouldn’t resign in order to postpone early elections. Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, Ecevit’s coalition partner, criticized the premier’s remarks, saying that they only served to strengthen the AKP and HADEP. /Cumhuriyet/
BAHCELI: “A DECISION ON EARLY ELECTIONS WILL BE TAKEN”
Speaking to reporters after attending Parliament’s extraordinary session yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that he expected an early elections decision to be taken in Parliament. The extraordinary session was convened to decide on election and European Union reforms. /Turkiye/
CEM: “EARLY ELECTIONS ARE THE ONLY WAY”
Speaking to his party’s group meeting yesterday, Former Foreign Minister and New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said that the YTP was giving full support to both early elections and enacting European Union harmonization laws. Cem also said that YTP sees early elections as the only way to end the current political uncertainty. The coalition government now in power is no longer able to govern the country, added Cem. /Hurriyet/
PARLIAMENT HOLDS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
Parliament held an extraordinary session yesterday at 2:00 p.m. with the participation of 451 deputies to debate early elections and European Union harmonization laws. Leaders of the political parties also took part in the session. Parliament’s Plenary Session decided to send a decision for early elections to its Constitutional Commission for approval. The commission is expected to discuss the matter today. Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Murat Sokmenoglu said, “Should the government dissolve, Parliament will be unable to debate draft draft laws but it will still be capable of approving an early elections date. Turkey is already in the midst of an early elections process.” /Cumhuriyet/
ANAP CHAIRMANSHIP BOARD URGES QUICK ACTION ON EU LAWS
The Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairmanship Board held a meeting yesterday headed by its leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. During the meeting, the board resolved that the European Union harmonization laws before Parliament were vital for Turkey’s future and should take priority. Yilmaz was also briefed by ANAP’s group deputy chairmen about the proceedings at Parliament’s extraordinary session. Deputy Chairman Bulent Akarcali briefed reporters after the meeting, saying, “The most urgent thing for Turkey is that Parliament passes the EU laws and enacts the required regulations.” /Cumhuriyet/
SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TOMORROW
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) will convene tomorrow under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. During the meeting, new appointments will be made to fill the posts of the retiring Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman, who are both due to step down on Aug. 30. During the council, the situation of personnel discharged from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) due to “lack of discipline” will be discussed. Decisions taken at the YAS will be released to the public after being presented for President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s approval. /Aksam/
GOREN RESIGNS FROM SP
Felicity Party (SP) Adana Deputy Ali Goren yesterday resigned from his party. Goren stated that he was leaving the party in order to contribute to a project that had priority and importance for his country and people, but did not specify what the project was. /Hurriyet/
SOYSAL ELECTED BCP LEADER
Mumtaz Soysal, one of the founding members of the just-established Independent Republic Party (BCP), yesterday was elected as the party’s chairman. In addition, Ilter Ertugrul was elected as the BCP’s secretary-general and Sina Aksin as its deputy chairman. /Star/
GUREL RECEIVES RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel yesterday received Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov, who is in the midst of a greater Mideast regional tour. Following the meeting at the foreign ministry, Saltanov said that he had discussed the Middle East and Iraq issues with Gurel. In addition, he stated that Russia and Turkey shared the same concerns and that both countries were worried about maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq. Warning that a possible armed operation against Iraq could upset regional and international balances, Saltanov said that the Arab countries were also concerned about this possibility. /Aksam/
ECONOMIC PROGRAM PROJECTS BALANCED BUDGET BY 2005
A report detailing Turkey’s “Economic Program Before Accession,” due to be sent to the European Union next month, predicts that a balanced budget is attainable for the nation by 2005. An earlier version of the State Planning Organization (DPT) document, meant to cover Turkey’s annual macroeconomic indicators in the years leading to its EU accession, was sent to the EU last October, but this move was criticized by State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis as the report did not include middle-term targets. The program will be sent to the EU after being approved by the Supreme Planning Council (YPK) and the Cabinet. According to the report, an annual growth rate of 5-6% is expected through 2005. /Milliyet/
TUSIAD: “THE POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO PASS EU LAWS”
The Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) issued a written statement yesterday urging Parliament to reach a broad and flexible agreement on Turkey’s European Union harmonization laws. The parties in Parliament could forge diverse alliances in order to reach the required majority, said TUSIAD. TUSIAD also stated that such an agreement would facilitate reaching the majority of votes needed to pass these laws. “Fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria is very important for starting our nation’s full membership negotiations with the EU,” the statement added. /Turkiye/
OZTRAK: “NO GREAT DEVIATION FROM ECONOMIC PROGRAM IS EXPECTED”
Appearing on television yesterday, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak said that there would be no great deviation from Turkey’s economic program. Oztrak also stated that the government’s budget targets would be attained and that thereby a 5.1% growth target could be reached. “The current political uncertainty could create some risky conditions, so the economic program should be applied without any compromise,” Oztrak added. /Sabah/
DEAL SIGNED ON HIGH-TECH BORDER CONTROL SYSTEM
A deal was signed yesterday on a high-tech border control system designed to control more quickly and effectively the transit of vehicles at Turkey’s frontier checkpoints. Transportation Minister Oktay Vural and International Transporters’ Association (UND) Chairman Cetin Nuhoglu signed the deal on the project, called Ulas-Net. Vural said that Ulas-Net’s database system, the Land Transportation Data Processing Center (KUBIS), would be able to monitor and control the passage of 560,000 Turkish and 170,000 foreign vehicles into and out of Turkey’s borders each year. Moreover, he added, the new system would do the job more speedily and using fewer personnel that are currently required. /Aksam/
SISECAM GLASS FACTORY IN RUSSIA BEGINS PRODUCTION
A new glass container factory in Vlademir, Russia run by Anadolu Glass, a division of the Sisecam Group, has begun production, the company announced yesterday. Even though the factory won’t officially open until September, the company added, it has already reached 80% of its production capacity. Turkish Sisecam workers make up the lion’s share of the factory’s employees. The company confidently stated that the facility’s success was ensured through the enthusiastic support of local and national Russian officials as well as $6.5 million in equity for the $26 million total investment. Pointing out that the new factory was the company’s second venture abroad after an investment in Georgia, Sisecam Glass Container Chairman Teoman Yenigun said, “Our experience in Russia is an example of growing Turkish-Russian relations and a peaceful prosperity which will benefit both our nations.” /Milliyet/
ANKARA TO HOST YOUTH PEACE EDUCATION
This weekend some 40 students from 20 countries will gather in Ankara to participate in a series of seminars on “The Value of Peace and Peace Education.” International educators such as Ozgehan Senyuva, Diana Popa from Moldova, Svetlena Papsoui from Belarus and Nihad Mecid from Bosnia-Herzegovina will be leading the seminars. In addition, former President Suleyman Demirel is scheduled to meet and talk with the students. Hakki Camur will preside over the six-day event, which is sponsored by the Anatolian Scouts Association, the Turkish Association of Youth Union, the Association of European Approach (from Greece), the Pangea Student Association (Italy) and the Youth Culture Association (Jordan), and supported by the European Commission, the Peace Sailors’ Group and Peace Path Project. /Aksam/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION