ANKARA (A.A) - 02.08.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 2, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''LET'S OPEN THE DOORS FOR TURKS''
Parliamentary General Assembly's decision to hold the early elections on November 3, 2002, and steps taken to approve European Union (EU) adjustment bill changed view of Europe. The Independent Newspaper said that Turkey had been expending great efforts to make the necessary reforms, and succeeding in it. The newspaper noted that Europe could not ignore Turkey's efforts, and it should open the doors for Turkey.
U.S. DEFENSE ACADEMY DELEGATION VISIT FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY
A delegation of high-ranking officers from the U.S. Defense Academy met with Foreign Affairs Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan within the scope of their contacts in Ankara. Tuygan briefed the U.S. officers on developments in Turkey. The U.S. delegation came to Ankara on Wednesday within the framework of their regional tour to allied countries. After wrapping up their contacts at Incirlik Base in southern province of Adana, the delegation held contacts at the General Staff, Land and Air Forces commands, Defense Cooperation Bureau and Foreign Affairs Ministry.
''LET'S FORM AN ALLIANCE AMONG DSP, CHP AND YTP''
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit held a tete-a-tete meeting with State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy. During the meeting, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit invited Dervis to join the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Dervis told Prime Minister Ecevit, ''let's form an alliance among DSP, Republican People's Party (CHP) and New Turkey Party (YTP).'' However, Bulent Ecevit was negative about the proposal.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED AGAINST AK PARTY
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on charges of becoming a focal point of actions aiming at destroying secular order of the state.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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''IF THERE IS NOT AN ALLIANCE, I CAN GIVE UP POLITICS''
State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy met with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday. During the meeting, Dervis told Prime Minister Ecevit, ''I am searching for an alliance among the leftist political parties. If we fail to reach such an alliance, I can give up politics and return to my academic career.''
HOPES RISE FOR EU MEMBERSHIP
Historical session at the Parliamentary General Assembly has given rise to hopes for Turkey's European Union (EU) full membership. All political parties except for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have united for the EU adjustment bill. The Parliamentary General Assembly decided to start voting the provisions of the bill. A total of 437 deputies cast votes to start voting the provisions of the bill. 323 of them cast votes in favor while 112 of them cast against it and two deputies abstained from voting.
EXPORTS INCREASES 29.3 PERCENT TO USD 3.1 BILLION IN JULY
Exports from Turkey increased 29.3 percent to 3 billion 155 million U.S. dollars in July of 2002 compared to figures of the same period last year.
Releasing a statement, Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TIM) said that exports increased 9.1 percent to 19 billion 287 million 740 thousand U.S. dollars in the first seven months of the year. As of end-July, annual exports increased 11.7 percent to 32 billion 659 million 906 thousand U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, exports of industrial products increased by 35.9 percent in July of 2002.
Exports of textile products and raw materials increased by 17.4 percent, leather products rose by 30.6 percent, carpets climbed by 21.6 percent, and chemicals rose by 47.6 percent.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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STRIKING EXAMPLE
State Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz responded to criticisms of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Yilmaz said, ''in the past, we came to the threshold of war with Bulgaria for rights of our kinsmen. Even countries which adopted communist regime in the past, have accepted the risk of an important change process in order to become full member of the European Union (EU). Bulgaria and Romania granted broad freedoms to our kinsmen. Were they separated?''
ENIGMA OF DERVIS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit invited State Minister Kemal Dervis for Economy to join the Democratic Left Party (DSP). Dervis rejected politely Prime Minister Ecevit's invitation saying, ''I am searching for a broad-base political formation.'' Dervis will come together with New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Cem Yilmaz and Husamettin Ozkan today.
MURDERER OF TURKISH DIPLOMATS CAPTURED
Sotiris Kondilis, a member of terrorist organization of November 17 who assassinated Turkish diplomats Cetin Gorgu and Haluk Sipahioglu, was captured in operations in Greece against November 17.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TURKEY LAUNCHES A NEW INITIATIVE
Upon increasing pressure of the United States, Ankara has launched a new initiative. Turkey will try to convince Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to abide by the United Nations' rules. Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gurel will pay a visit to Jordan next week.
VERDICT ABOUT BEZMEN TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
Trial of Turkish businessman Halil Bezmen who has been wanted by Turkey on charges of historical works of art smuggling and fraud ended. The judge of the court in Hartford city of Connecticut state is expected to release his written verdict within a week. Officials said Bezmen would be kept under detention in Hartford until judge Michael Straus releases his written verdict. Bezmen was taken into custody as his U.S. visa had expired.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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HISTORICAL DAYS AT PARLIAMENT
General Council is working continuously for the reforms which will speed up the European Union (EU) process. The parliament which has been working since the beginning of the week started to debate the adjustment package to the EU at General Council. Political parties which have the groups at the parliament are doing their best to keep their members at hall for political fight on the historical package.
RECORD MONTH IN EXPORT
Turkey Exporters Assembly (TIM) Chairman Oguz Satici said that the export in July was very important and added that monthly export reached 3 billion U.S. dollars for the first time in Turkish history. According to data of TIM, the export increased 9.1 percent to 19 billion 287 thousand 740 thousand U.S. dollars in the first seven months of 2002. Yearly export as of the end of July rose 11.7 percent to 32 billion 659 million 906 thousand U.S. dollars. The export of industrial products increased 35.9 percent in July when compared to the same month of 2001.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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WAY TO EU OPENNING
The Parliament convened on Thursday to pass the European Union (EU) adjustment laws package after it decided to hold early election on Nov. 3, 2002. All political parties supported the EU adjustment package except Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) which said that it would not support the package. The first article on the death penalty caused disputes at the parliament. New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said that Turkey would not enter the EU with the bill which would be voted and added that but it would take an important step with this bill.
PEOPLE ENGAGED IN TOURISM PLEASED WITH EARLY ELECTION
Tourism sector representatives welcomed the early election decision which the parliament took on Wednesday. Kayi Tour Executive Board Chairman Talha Gorgulu said that Turkey's passing to a new atmosphere with the early election would affect tourism sector positively. He added that early election was a rightful decision with respect to crisis which Turkey had.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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DERVIS NOT TO JOIN ANY POLITICAL PARTY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and State Minister Kemal Dervis had a meeting on Thursday. Ecevit said that Dervis did not take a decision to join any political party. Dervis said that he would try to form a structure which would put social democracy to a broader base.
SOME CIRCLES WANT UNITED STATES TO HIT IRAQ EARLY TO POSTPONE ELECTION
Sources said that U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson told some deputies that some Turkish officials were more impetuous than U.S. ones on United States' possible operation against Iraq. Pearson met with some deputies the previous day. Those deputies said that Pearson claimed at the meeting that some people from Turkish government wanted the possible military operation against Iraq to be launched earlier for the early elections which would be held on Nov. 3 to be delayed.