ECEVIT MEETS WITH GEN.KIVRIKOGLU, US AMBASSADOR PEARSON VISITS ZIYAL
Yesterday saw a flurry of meetings at the highest level of Turkey’s civilian, military, and foreign policy leaders, both amongst themselves and with the top US diplomat in Turkey. The focus of the meetings was reportedly a possible US strike on Iraq. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit held two separate meetings with Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel also in attendance. Early in the day, US Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson also visited Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal. After seeing Pearson, Ziyal then met with Turkekul Kuttekin, the Foreign Ministry’s Middle East Department director, and then joined the first Ecevit-Kivrikoglu meeting, which was already in progress. During this meeting Ecevit reportedly received a letter from US President George W. Bush briefing him on plans for a military operation against Iraq. After this meeting, Ecevit, Gen.Kivrikoglu and Gurel visited President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to update him on their discussions. Ecevit later met with Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu in order to brief him on Bush’s letter. Near the evening, Ziyal met for a second time with Pearson. Pearson reportedly told Ziyal how the US Congress had approved $300 million promised to Turkey to support its command of the International Security and Assistance Force in Afghanistan. /All Papers/
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION APPROVES NOV. 3 DATE FOR EARLY ELECTIONS
Parliament’s Constitutional Commission yesterday approved Nov. 3 as an early elections date with a vote of 22-3, despite opposition from its Democratic Left Party (DSP) members. The decision now needs the approval of the full Parliament, which is due to discuss it today. Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk and State Minister Nejat Arseven also attended the Constitutional Commission meeting. Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) Chairman Tufan Algan said that quick action on the elections decision would make it possible for the YSK to conduct these elections. /Cumhuriyet/
YILMAZ CALLS FOR COOPERATION ON EU HARMONIZATION LAWS
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz has requested that all the political parties in Parliament act together in order to pass the European Union harmonization laws. “A month ago at the leaders’ summit the three parties in the government agreed to hold elections in April 2004,” Yilmaz reportedly told a group of parliamentarians yesterday. “However the developments of the past month, namely the call made by the Nationalist Action Party [MHP] to hold early elections and the resignations of half of the deputies from the Democratic Left Party [DSP], have led us to bring the date of elections forward to this Nov. 3. Due to the resignations from the DSP, the government has now lost its majority in the Parliament, so early elections have become inevitable. If the current government stays in power, this will only cause problems for the country. On the subject of the EU, I believe that Turkey should not miss this opportunity to pass the harmonization laws. It’s not possible for parties to pick and choose through the European Union Copenhagen criteria and say ‘yes’ to some and ‘no’ to others.” /Hurriyet/
SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE TODAY
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) will convene today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. During the meeting, new appointments will be made to fill the posts of retiring Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Gendarmerie General Commander Gen. Aytac Yalman. The YAS meeting will end on Aug. 4. /Sabah/
CEM: “I HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT KEMAL DERVIS JOINING OUR PARTY”
Answering reporters’ questions before a Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM) meeting yesterday, New Turkey Party (YT) leader Ismail Cem said that he had no doubt that Kemal Dervis would join the YT. “Kemal Dervis’s remarks both to our party and in public make it impossible to doubt his joining,” said Cem. “Turkey needs change, which the YTP represents, so it doesn’t depend on anyone but our nation’s young people. The young generation will lead our party rather than any of us.” Cem also said that his party was ready for early elections, adding that the YTP would be setting up regional organizations towards this end. /Milliyet/
DENKTAS: “TO ADDRESS TERRITORIAL ISSUES, SOUTHERN CYPRUS MUST RESPECT OUR SOVEREIGNTY”
Speaking to reporters yesterday before meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Clafcos Clerides, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas said that he would respond to the views of the Greek side on the island’s territorial issues. Denktas also said that these issues could be solved only if the Greek side accepts the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots. “If a new partnership is set to be established, this should proceed on the basis of a state,” added Denktas. /Turkiye/
STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED IN TUNCELI AND HAKKARI
The State of Emergency (OHAL) was officially lifted yesterday in the southeastern provinces of Tunceli and Hakkari. This marked a return to civilian legal order after 23 years. Martial Law was declared on 1979 in these two provinces and after eight years of rule under Martial Law, OHAL was declared in 1987 which lasted for the next 15 years. Even though the OHAL has been lifted, for the next four months security matters in Tunceli and Hakkari will be coordinated by the OHAL Governorship Region. While people living in these provinces are pleased about the return to civilian legal order, they also believe that development is essential for the region. /Hurriyet/
OZTRAK: “THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM”
Speaking on television yesterday, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak said that Turkey’s economic program was supported by every sector of society. “The program is able to roll over debts, so it is also supported by international institutions,” he added. Oztrak also stated that the economic program should continue to be carried out since there was no viable alternative to it. Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, appearing alongside Oztrak, echoed his colleague’s words, saying there was no way for Turkey to go forward but by implementing the program. /Milliyet/
TIM CHAIRMAN: “POLITICIANS SHOULD STOP FIGHTING AND INSTEAD EXPLAIN THEIR DIFFERENCES”
Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici yesterday called on politicians to cease fighting, saying that they should instead calmly lay out their differences, or else unite for the sake of the country. Satici made the remarks at TIM’s General Council meeting in Istanbul, where a number of political party leaders also spoke. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, appearing via a live satellite hookup, told TIM members that legal measures protecting exporters had been prepared by the government. Former Foreign Minister and New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem attended the gathering, and while entering the convention hall he was greeted by applause, the sole politician to be afforded that honor. Thereafter Satici’s speech began, an address harshly critical of Turkey’s politicians. Charging that it was difficult to tell apart the programs of the various parties, Satici said, “Turkey doesn’t need any more saviors, charismatic leaders, or miracles. When the parties’ programs are so similar, there are two choices: They can either explain their differences, or give up their personnel fights and unite.” Also speaking at the meeting, True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller criticized the government’s handling of the economy, saying that businessmen had supported post coalition governments. Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy leader Abdullah Gul said that Turkey needed to make a great leap to solve its problems. /Milliyet/
UN REPORT LAUDS TURKEY’S DYNAMIC ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE
A new United Nations report places Turkey in the top ranks of the world’s developing countries in terms of its economic infrastructure. The report, prepared by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), cites Turkey’s “dynamic performance” in production as landing it among the top 16 in its class, adding that Turkey was one of the few developing nations to enjoy such dynamism. The UNIDO report includes a scoreboard ranking 87 countries according to their level of industrial development performance and competitiveness. The report contends that foreign trade and investment are not enough for developing countries to benefit from globalization and recommends that these countries increase their competitiveness through a process of “renewal and learning.” Among the other countries listed as having dynamic production and export structures are Brazil, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa and Thailand. /Hurriyet/
KUTAN CALLS FOR ALLIANCE OF RIGHTIST PARTIES
Felicity Party (SP) leader Recai Kutan yesterday urged the leaders of rightist parties not represented in Parliament to form alliances for expected early elections. The SP itself is represented in Parliament. “The struggle in early elections will be between those who support the current economic program and those who support the real sector,” he said. /Cumhuriyet/
SHP LEADER: “LEFTIST PARTIES SHOULD UNITE FOR SUCCESS”
Social Democratic People’s Party (SHP) leader Murat Karayalcin yesterday visited the leaders of the leftist parties represented in Parliament, telling them that they should unite in order to triumph in early elections. The leftist parties should prepare a common program and put forward a leader, said Karayalcin, whose own party is not currently represented in Parliament. Karayalcin also stated that the SHP was waiting for regulations which would enable it to participate in early elections. /Cumhuriyet/
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION