ANKARA (A.A) - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on January 8, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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79-YEAR ACCOUNT
British Secretary of State Geoffrey Hoon for Defense and Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the head of the General Staff of Defense of Britain, came to Ankara late on Tuesday. During their contacts in Ankara, Hoon and Admiral Boyce will ask Turkey to allow British troops and planes to use its territories in a possible military operation against Iraq including dispatch and deployment of British troops in Northern Iraq.
SURPRISING STATEMENT FROM KANADOGLU
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu said that those who did not have the adequacy of becoming a deputy in the general elections on November 3, 2002, could not run in the elections in southeastern province of Siirt, implying Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
TORO PLEDGES TO SUPPORT RED CRESCENT
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent President Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro pledged to support the Turkish Red Crescent in a possible military operation against Iraq. In his new year message to Red Crescent Director General Ertan Gonen, Toro said, "Turkish Red Crescent is one of the leading national associations in the International Federation. We will cooperate with Turkish Red Crescent in a possible military operation against Iraq."
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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SUCH A SHAME
Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan who was elected as deputy as he was tried on charges of tax evasion, has been preparing a comprehensive tax amnesty. He said, "I do not know whether or not the draft included me." When asked whether he would feel uneasy if the draft included him, Unakitan told reporters, "no. Why shall I feel uneasy?" Meanwhile, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal reacted to Unakitan saying, "Turkey has ever seen such a scandal. With this draft, Unakitan will acquit himself. We congratulate him. Here is political power of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party)."
ERDOGAN DENIES YAKIS
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said about statement of Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis about Mousul oil, "it is his own opinion." Stressing that Turkey would never turn a blind eye to foundation of an independent state in Northern Iraq, Erdogan said, "Turkey will assume the most appropriate and realistic attitude about the issue of Iraq." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul warned Foreign Minister Yakis not to talk much.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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"WE INTERVENE EVEN WITHOUT TURKEY"
The U.S. government is planning to lunch operation only from south not from two fronts against Saddam if Turkey does not allow deployment of troops. A high-level U.S. official told the newspaper, "we don't have much time to wait for Ankara's reply. We are making our plans without northern front". The increasing tension between Ankara and the United States caused review of war plans by Washington. In a meeting held on Monday among officials of several units of the U.S. government, it was decided to continue war plans without Turkey if necessary. The U.S. official said, "the United States can no more wait for the reply that Turkey is planning to give through end of January. We prefer to do this together with Turkey as it would be more rapid and easier. However, we can do it without Turkey if it is necessary. Time is running out. We don't have much time to wait for Ankara's reply. We decided to re-arrange our plans without the northern front." Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department and Pentagon sources said U.S. General Staff Chief General Richard Myers' visit to Turkey early next week would be the "last date" for getting Turkey's reply.
VISIT OF PERSUASION
British Secretary of State for Defense Geoff Hoon and Deputy Chief of General Staff Sir Antony Pigott came to Ankara last night to hold contacts on Iraq issue. British officials will have meetings today with Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok. Sources said that British guests would try to persuade Turkey for use of bases during a possible military operation against Iraq and that Hoon would request for use of territories in such an operation.
DON'T REJECT U.N. PLAN
Public polls prove that majority of Turkish Cypriots support the U.N. plan. Hundreds of thousands of them took to the streets last month and requested acceptance of the plan. Political leaders in Ankara who are the sources of Rauf Denktas' power, are putting pressure for a negotiation agreement. Unfortunately, Denktas rejects to get the message. At this point, there is a need for an intense diplomatic pressure from several capital cities including Washington. Glafcos Clerides considers the plan a basis of negotiation. However, Mr. Denktas still opposes to this. Annan's plan may be not perfect, but complete rejection may be a bad alternative for both communities on the island. Ankara's attitude is one of the most important factors here. Ruling party Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan harshly criticized Denktas last week.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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The newspaper interviewed with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz in Baghdad. Aziz said that only the United States, Britain, Israel and Kuwait wanted war, adding, "every honorable person in the world is against an operation". Stressing that the United states maintained its aggressive imperialism, Aziz said, "the United States was always like this in Vietnam, Panama...It wants to take the Gulf oil and sell it to Europe, Japan, world alone. The main reason is oil." Noting that Turkey, Iran and Arab world were against war, Aziz said, "however, it is an objection that is expressed with low voice." Stressing that they were not afraid of war, Aziz said that the only thing they were worried about was children who would suffer much from war. The Prime Minister of Iraq which has been implementing "psychological terrorism" for years, said, "The Washington administration doesn't take our call for dialogue into consideration and it insists on having its own way but don't worry. We resist against attacks."
"IMF DECISION IS NOT BINDING"
The Ankara Administrative Court no:6 decided that the letters of intent which were presented by governments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) do not "include binding commitments" and that if targets can't be reached, this wouldn't cause an "international responsibility".
VISIT OF PERSUASION
British Secretary of State for Defense Geoffrey Hoon and Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the head of the General Staff of Defense of Britain, came to Ankara. British officials will try to persuade Ankara which earlier stated that it did not want to see "any British soldiers" in Turkey or Northern Iraq.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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NEW POLICY TO CYPRUS
Ankara which is seeking a response for solution demands of the United Nations (U.N.) and the European Union (EU) is revising Cyprus policy which has been implemented since 1974. Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said that studies which has been made between Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) officials and Turkish military and civilian officials to form a new Cyprus view reached the final level. Stating that study aimed to form a view which was accepted by all sides including also Greek Cypriot side, Yakis said, "there are no disagreements which cannot be solved for us."
GUL TO GO TO SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will leave for Saudi Arabia on Saturday, a part of his Middle East tour that he started to contribute solution of Iraq problem in peaceful ways. Gul will depart from Ankara for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 11. He will be welcomed by Crown Prince Abdullah in Riyadh. Gul will attend a luncheon after meeting with Abdullah and then he will be received by King Fahd. Gul will proceed to Tehran in Iran on Sunday.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BUSY TRAFFIC IN ANKARA
Ankara has a busy diplomacy traffic in the first month of the new year. British Defense Minister Geoff Hoon and Chief of General Staff Sir Michael Boyce who seek support before a possible operation against Iraq came to Ankara late on Tuesday. The British delegation will meet with National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok. Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Massoud Barzani is also expected to come to Ankara on Wednesday. United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy to Cyprus Alvaro De Soto will be in Ankara on January 10. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara will hold contacts in Ankara between January 13 and 15.
EYES ON YSK
Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu said that it was not possible for people ineligible for candidacy in November 3 elections to nominate for deputyship in elections that would be held in southeastern Siirt province as well. Kanadoglu said that gaining right to be eligible for running deputyship by amendments in the Constitution and laws would not have legality with respect to the peculiarities of renewal, repetition and continuation of Siirt elections. Justice and Development Party (AK Party) officials reacted to statement of Kanadoglu, saying that Higher Election Board (YSK) would decide on candidacy of AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. YSK Chairman Tufan Algan said that the statement of Kanadoglu was his personal view.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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AK PARTY TO INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that net minimum wage which was determined as 223 million 749 thousand Turkish liras (TL) was not ideal for themselves. Addressing his party's group meeting, Erdogan said that minimum wage would be increased. When asked from where they would find source to increase minimum wage, Erdogan said that the government cancelled buying of about 3,000 automobiles and added that deputy lodgings would be sold. Touching on current issues, Erdogan said that they would continue to improve social balances without damaging macro economic indicators.