ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on November 5, 2002. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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''PRIME MINISTER SHOULD HAVE A SOUND CHARACTER''
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''the prime minister should have a sound character. If he fails, I will fail as well. First, I will hold consultations with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer before naming a candidate for the prime ministry. Later, AK Party's authorized boards will assess President Sezer's proposals and take a decision. The new prime minister should have the talent to lead Turkey to the European Union (EU) and to solve all economic and social problems of Turkey. The most important thing for me is competence and performance of the prime minister.''
TWO MORE LEADERS LEAVE
After Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli stated that he would withdraw from the leadership, Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz and True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller decided to leave their posts. Yilmaz said at a press conference, ''I have decided to withdraw both from ANAP leadership and active politics.'' Meanwhile, Ciller said, ''an earthquake occurred, and we were crushed. I will convene DYP general congress. I have decided not to be a candidate.''
TOTAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) coming into power on its own was welcomed in many fields. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, ''we are ready to work with the new government. AK Party's statements are pleasing.'' The European Union (EU) said that it was awaiting concrete steps of the new government. The EU added that it was not prejudiced about the AK Party. Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece called on AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the phone, and congratulated him. Simitis invited Erdogan to Greece. Meanwhile, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index increased by 6.1 percent while price of one U.S. dollar decreased to 1 million 670 thousand Turkish liras.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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THEY LEAVE
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz and True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller who have been struggling with each other to become the leader of central right, decided to withdraw the same day. Holding a press conference after the general elections, Yilmaz said, ''I have decided to withdraw from both ANAP leadership and active politics in order to pave the way for the reconstruction of ANAP and central right.'' Meanwhile, Ciller released a written statement, and said that she would convene DYP general congress till the new year, and would not be a candidate for DYP leadership.
AN INVITATION TO BAYKAL: ''LET'S WORK TOGETHER FOR EU MEMBERSHIP''
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan will invite Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal to his tour to the member countries to the European Union (EU). Erdogan plans to pay visits to several European capitals for Turkey's EU full membership. Erdogan told Prime Minister Costas Simitis of Greece that he wanted to begin his EU tour from Greece. Meanwhile, Italy responded Erdogan's desire to pay a visit to Rome in the affirmative.
BAYKAL: ''WE ARE READY''
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal will pay a visit to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan later in the day to congratulate him. During the meeting, the issue of Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU) will be brought onto agenda. Baykal said, ''I will leave for Poland on November 14 to hold talks with EU officials. We are ready to support the new government for Turkey's EU full membership.''
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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DOUBLE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
After the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) won the general elections, interest rates decreased to 62.5 percent and the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National-100 Index increased by 6.1 percent. Price of one U.S. dollar decreased to 1 million 678 thousand Turkish liras. Markets considered AK Party's coming into power on its own as stability. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) said that it was ready to cooperate with the new government. The EU Commission noted that it was awaiting concrete steps of the new government.
ECEVIT SUBMITS HIS RESIGNATION TO PRESIDENT SEZER
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit paid a visit to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and submitted resignation of the government. President Sezer asked Prime Minister Ecevit to remain in the office till the new government is formed. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Ecevit told reporters, ''President Sezer has some concerns. I share them.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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SEARCH FOR PRIME MINISTER
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who refused a change in regulation, targets to go to Presidential Palace with several names. It was stated that Erdogan will call for an appointment from President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. According to the information leaked to Ankara lobbies, ''Yalcinbayir'' formula comes forth.
AK Party got the tip offs that President Sezer, who favors ''harmonized works of state organs'' may assign AK Party Secretary General Ertugrul Yalcinbayir, as a ''reasonable'' name.
LEADERS PAID THE BILL
Following the election defeat, Tansu Ciller, who had became the leader of the True Path Party (DYP) in 1993, said she would have a party convention and would not run candidacy during this convention. DYP deputy chairman Ekinci said lesson should be taken from the anger of people to the parliament.
Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said he would quit from the leadership. Initiatives are underway to make him give up this idea.
Mesut Yilmaz, the leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), following a meeting with the members of the Chairmanship Council, stated that he withdrew from active politics. Yilmaz said he would be a member of civilian society from now on.
Ufuk Uras, the leader of Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), also decided to withdraw from administration. ODP deputy chairman Alper Tas said, ''there is nothing like withdrawing from politics. However, our authorized organs will evaluate every issue.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN WAITS FOR SIGNAL FROM PRESIDENT TO GO TO PALACE
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), will get full authority from the Central Executive Board of his party on Tuesday to determine the prime minister nominee. Erdogan intents to provide compromise with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer by going to Presidential Palace and by presenting alternative names.
Excitement grows in AK Party for the prime ministry and ministries. According to the lobbies, Erdogan will present appropriate names in line with the sensitivities of the state to foreign ministry, justice ministry, interior ministry, national defense and national education ministry, and will leave the issue to the appreciation of President Sezer.
WORLD OPTIMISTIC, EU WAITS
Officials of the European Union (EU), said not Islamism, but implementation was important. The EU Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen, who resembled AK Party to Christian Democrats, listed their expectations: The new government, as a signal of their idea to implement the EU reforms, should release those who were convicted of their views, including Leyla Zana. Torture should be prevented, and those who are responsible for torture should be punished.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GLADNESS FOR STABILITY
Coming of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to ruling with a great majority got positive reaction from everybody as Turkey, which had been ruled by coalition governments for a long time, gained the stability which it needed the most.
Statements of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of AK Party, overcame the hesitations totally within and outside the country. A great relaxation has been observed in the markets.
NUMBER OF MINISTERS TO DECREASE 25
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy chairman Abdullatif Sener gave the first messages of their ruling. Sener said they would decrease the number of members of the cabinet to 25, which is currently 36. He said they would unite the ministries apart from those which have performance.
ECEVIT PRESENTS HIS RESIGNATION TO SEZER
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit presented resignation of the government to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, but President Sezer wanted him to continue his mission till the new government is established.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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AK PARTY GETS FIRST VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FROM THE MARKETS
Coming of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to ruling on its own created a spring atmosphere in the markets. The stock exchange increased 6.1 percent, and the U.S. dollar, which started the day from 1 million 737 thousand Turkish lira, later decreased to 1 million 678 thousand lira. The U.S. dollar decreased in the markets following the positive statements of AK Party giving assurances to the markets.
24 WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS ENTER PARLIAMENT
A total of 24 women achieved to enter the parliament at the end of the November 3 elections.
The number of women parliamentarians in the 21st legislative term was 23 while this number increased to 24 in the 22nd legislative term.
A total of 13 women from Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and 11 from Republican People's Party (CHP) were chosen as deputies. Thus, women are being represented with 4.3 percent at the parliament comprised of 550 deputies. This rate was 4.1 percent in the previous legislative term.