ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on September 26, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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CEM SAYS POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS IS AGAINST TURKEY'S INTERESTS
New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said that majority of deputies want the elections to be postponed, adding that ''this is to the advantage of my party, but against the interests of the country.'' In an interview, Ismail Cem told the paper that it was not possible for him to go and join the Republican People's Party (CHP) and do politics with Deniz Baykal, the leader of CHP. Cem and Baykal had worked together in the same party in the past.
SUPPORT TO RESENTFUL DEPUTIES FROM SP
The first party level support to the resentful deputies who want to postpone the early elections came from the Felicity Party (SP). Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said in his part that postponing the elections would bring ethical problems. SP Chairmanhip Council decided to support the resenful deputies following its 2,5-hour meeting. SP deputy leader Mehmet Bekaroglu claimed that the elections would not be held on suitable conditions. He said SP would support efforts aiming to correct the Election Laws and Political Parties Act. Meanwhile Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the initiatives to postpone the elections would not be ethical.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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MILLIYET IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Kurds in Northern Iraq say that ''we are not an independent state.'' But there is a serious development process in the region. Policemen, instead of armed militia forces ensure the order. There are two GSM companies and roads, bridges, five-star hotels are being constructed in the region. Even they have a constitution. The central bank which was also founded controls the banks. The Kurdish leader Barzani received the Milliyet journalist, told him that they would not found an independent state and he invited Turkish officials to Northern Iraq.
BAD NEWS TO MHP
The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) which wants to stop the enforcement of certain articles of the EU adjustment laws, received bad news. The rapporteur of the Constitutional Court who examined the request of MHP, prepared a report and noted that the laws and their enforcement didn't give any harm to the country.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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RESENTFUL DEPUTIES WANT ECEVIT TO SUPPORT THEM
When the resenful deputies who want to postpone the elections could not get any support from the True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller, they decided to get the support of Prime Minister and Democratic Left Party (DSP) leader Bulent Ecevit. A message was conveyed to Ecevit from the deputies telling that ''we can extend support to a government headed by Ecevit. Ecevit can also found a minority government. In return to that, DSP should not object postponing the elections to April, 2003.''
IMF EXPECTS INFLATION RATE TO BE 47.1 PERCENT IN TURKEY
According to the ''World's Economic Report'' announced by IMF yesterday, the inflation rate in Turkey as of the end of the year will be 47.1 percent and it will be 28.6 percent next year.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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ECEVIT SAYS TURKEY CAN'T STAY INDIFFERENT TO NORTHERN IRAQ
Patriotic Union for Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) agreeded on the draft constitution of namely ''Iraqi Federal Republic.'' Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that ''even if they say they are opposed to the creation of a Kurdish state, in practice such a state is being formed. If this becomes official, there will be serious problems. If very negative developments occur, we will take precautions. We won't stand with our hands and arms tied.''
NEW DOCUMENT PRESENTED TO GREEK CYPRIOTS
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) proposed to set up the new partnership state on ''there level sovereignty'' basis. According to this proposal, Turkish and Greek Cypriot founding states will transfer their authorities on certain issues to the partnership state and they will continue to have authority on other issues within the scope of their own sovereignty. A total of ten ministries will be transferred to the partnership state. The two states have to recognize each other first before setting up the partnership state, which will be above the two states.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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LEADERS TO MEET WITH PEOPLE
Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi did not approve the motion which was signed by 121 deputies and which called on the parliament for an extraordinary session to discuss the postponement of the elections before October 1. Following this development, the leaders of the political parties have decided to address people in public meetings. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli will go to Nevsehir on Saturday, True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller will go to Sanliurfa the same day and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz will visit Istanbul and Ipsala to hold public meetings.
NEW TACTICS IN TUSIAD
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) has changed its tactic on its election studies. TUSIAD Executive Board President Tuncay Ozilhan and Higher Consultative Council (YIK) Chairman Muharrem Kayhan took up the agenda of Turkey which is on the path toe agenda of Turkey which is on the path toward elections. Ozilhan said, ''Turkey's problems have become urgent and turned into national issues whichever political party comes into power. To this end, we made some changes this year. The issues under European Union, Turkey's competitive power, investment atmosphere, reforms in public sector and active administration have been included into a report and it will be sent to the political parties this weekend.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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YILMAZ: ''ELECTIONS CAN BE POSTPONED FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME''
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz has said that the laws related to the European Union (EU) should be put into practice and the Election Law should be amended. Yilmaz, who attended a programme broadcast in CNBC-E television channel, defended that ANAP was the political party which assumed the clearest attitude towards an election date. Yilmaz said, ''amending the election laws is the number one issue on the agenda. We have certain proposals. The amendments that will be made in the election laws should aim at preventing the eruption of a legitimacy problem in Turkey after the elections. Secondly, Turkey has to implement the laws it adopted and increase the lobbying activities on the way that goes to EU Copenhagen summit. If the elections are postponed for a certain period of time, this will enable us to record some progress in these two fields. No body can expect the Motherland Party (ANAP) to cause political instability in the country.''
TAX PACKAGE DESTROYS MORALE
Employers, employees and the economy administration react to the new tax package which is found in the commitments that were given to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and which has to be sent to the parliament in the beginning of October. Tax regulations which are foreseen to become official till October 31 and go into effect on January 1, 2003 will be sent to the parliament in the beginning of October.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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EXPENSIVE ELECTRICITY TO BE INVESTIGATED
Energy Higher Board will re-examine the high cost Electricity Purchasing Agreements. The electricity in Turkey is three times more expensive than the electricity in the countries of the European Union (EU). Expensive electricity will be investigated due to the reaction of the industrialists. Energy Market Regulatory Board (EPDK) has announced that it would examine whether the energy agreements which were made in past increased the cost of the electricity or not. Turkey produces the most expensive electricity like Japan when compared to the prices of the electricity in the world.