ANKARA (A.A) - 07.08.2002 - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on August 7, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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TEN PERCENT WORRY
Two questionnaires carried out one after other yielded similar results. According to the questionnaires, two of the five central parties are at the critical ten percent threshold, while two of them are below it and one of them is very below the threshold. Meanwhile, Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yýlmaz speeded up his tour for forming election alliances with other parties. If the questionnaires come out to be true, then a significant part of the people supporting political parties in the centre won't be represented in the parliament.
ISRAEL SEEMS COMMITTED TO PURCHASE WATER FROM TURKEY
Israel which tended to give up its plan of purchasing water from Manavgat brook of Turkey a short time ago, reiterated its commitment to purchase water from Turkey as a result of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan's contacts in Israel. Cakan said in Jerusalem yesterday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon confirmed that Israel would purchase 50 million cubic meters of water from Turkey for a period of 20 years.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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DSP HAS GOOD LUCK
Although the Democratic Left Party (DSP) has been divided, and it is ranked the fourth party, it will get the highest share from the Treasury as election aid due to the laws. On the other hand New Turkey Party (YTP), which has 61 deputies and which could not finish getting organized in 41 provinces won't get any aid. DSP will get 19,2 trillion liras, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will get 15.5 trillion liras, Motherland Party (ANAP) will get 11.4 trillion liras, True Path Party (DYP) will get 10,4 trillion liras while the Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), Felicity Party (SP) and AK Party will get 7.5 trillion liras.
EU GIVES SUPPORT TO TURKEY
EU Term Presidency issued a written statement noting that the initiatives taken by Turkey in its full membership process to the EU is an important stage. Yet the Presidency also stressed that the implementation of the newly adopted EU adjustment laws should not be delayed. However, the Presidency also stressed that decisions and approaches about Turkey's membership issue will be determined in line with the developments that will take place during the period until Copenhagen summit.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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ECEVIT WANTS DERVIS TO LEAVE HIS POST
Prime Minister and leader of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Bulent Ecevit does not want State Minister Kemal Dervis who is in charge of economy to stay in his post anymore. Ecevit gave the message to Dervis that ''give your decision, either be in the government or in the New Turkey Party.'' State Minister Kemal Dervis responded to Ecevit saying that he had the will to stay in power till the end.
CIVILIZATION ALLIANCE
The alliance model that will carry Turkey to the EU started to become clear. According to the model, which is called ''civilization alliance'' by Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yýlmaz, there will be an alliance among ANAP, Democratic Turkey Party (DTP) and New Turkey Party (YTP). The alliance parties can show somebody other than these party leaders such as Kemal Dervis as their candidate of prime minister. The alliance will also invite True Path Party (DYP), Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Republican People's Party (CHP) to join the alliance.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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YILMAZ MEETS WITH ECEVIT
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz had a meeting with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit for his proposal of ''union of forces''. Ecevit who stated that however political parties whose ideological line had no importance could provide alliance said, ''we oppose to alliance.'' Yilmaz wanted Ecevit to review this proposal by considering the conditions of Turkey. Yilmaz said, ''I have presented a model on the parties which will form an election alliance to Ecevit. It is not true to say those parties before reaching an agreement.''
REPRESENTATIVES OF WORKERS UNIONS MARCH TO PARLIAMENT
Executives of Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (Turk-Is), Labor Confederation (Hak-Is), Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Union (DISK) marched to Parliament to make Parliament take labor security bill in its program and pass it as law. Turk-Is Chairman Bayram Meral, Hak-Is Chairman Salim Uslu and DISK Chairman Suleyman Celebi gathered in front of Turk-Is headquarters and marched to TISK headquarters on Mesrutiyet Avenue. Later the group members were allowed to enter Parliament. Meanwhile, some 6,000 workers employed at PETKIM and TUPRAS had a one hour strike in order to make Parliament pass labor security bill.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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DERVIS: ''I AM AT MY POST''
State Minister Kemal Dervis responded to Democratic Left Party's (DSP) calling that he should give decision by saying that he was at his post. Dervis who visited industry and trade institutions in Eskisehir said that there should be a powerful government with transparent and good administration and added, ''coalitions should be established not with interests but with unity of vision.'' He remarked that he worked with 40-50 countries and none of these countries had 36 ministries. ''We can easily do with 20 ministries and this way we can take important measures to cut down our spendings,'' he said.
NEW MINISTERS TAKE OATH AT PARLIAMENT
New Justice Minister Prof. Aysel Celikel, Interior Minister Muzaffer Ecemis and Transportation Minister Prof. Naci Kinacioglu took oath at Parliament. Celikel will attend National Security Council (NSC) meetings as the first woman justice minister. Deputy Parliament Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu who recalled that Parliament decided to hold election before its 21st term ended said that Justice, Interior and Transportation Ministers should leave their posts according to 114th article of the Constitution. Celiker, Ecemis and Kinacioglu who were newly appointed as Justice, Interior and Transportation Ministers took oath in accordance with 81st article of the Constitution.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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STUBBORNNESS IN GOVERNMENT
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit made important statements toward State Minister Kemal Dervis for economy. Ecevit said that when Dervis was in the government, he should not take part in some activities of another party and added that he should either go to New Turkey Party (YTP) or stay in the government. He said, ''may be some high level circles in Turkey deceived Dervis in political means. They have settled in him the idea that he could give a direction to Turkish politics. However, politics is not so easy. A person will appear, bring many parties together, and give a direction to the course of the country by himself, this is not possible in political life.''
TURKISH SOLDIER PARK TO AFGHAN CHILDREN
A child park which was constructed by Turkish soldiers in Afghan capital Kabul was opened at a ceremony which International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) Commander Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu and Afghan officials attended. Zorlu who spoke at the opening ceremony of ''Turkish-Afghan Friendship Park'' said that he believed that the children of the two countries would bring a new acceleration to Turkish-Afghan friendship.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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PROCESS RELATED TO CANDIDACY OF DEPUTIES BEGINS
The process related to the candidacy of the deputies began with the announcement of the election calendar. Political parties will give the list of their candidates until September 11 to Higher Election Board (YSK). The bureaucrats which will be the candidates should resign from their offices till August 8. The first bureaucrat who left his office became Health Ministry Undersecretary Sefer Aycan.
STRUGGLE FOR LABOR SECURITY
There is a struggle between employers and workers for Labor Security draft law in Ankara. Workers' representatives marched to Parliament under the leadership of the Confederation of the Turkish Labour Unions (Turk-Is) while employers representatives worked to prevent the draft law all day. New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem held series of contacts for the employers and workers to reach a consensus on draft law.