ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 11, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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GUL: ''TAKE OVER THE POST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE''
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul did not accept Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal to continue to be the prime minister until the budget was passed. Gul said, ''you should be the prime minister as soon as possible in line with the democratic culture. Therefore, you should take over the post as soon as possible.''
PROTOCOL THAT OPENS DOORS
We are announcing the memorandum within the framework of the renovation motion allowing shipping which irritated Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc since he did not know about it. Details of the first ''memorandum of understanding'' within the scope of ''renovation motion' allowing U.S. military activities in Turkey have become clear. The memorandum foresees establishment of nine separate U.S. land bases in Gaziantep, Mardin, Dicle (Diyarbakir), Oyali (Sirnak), Nusaybin (Mardin), Oguzeli (Gaziantep), Sanliurfa (military base), Birecik and Viransehir. Under the protocol, Turkey can ask U.S. soldiers to leave the country without showing any reason. The U.S. Customs Undersecretariat has to send equipment under the circular no 91-99 dated May 2. Pre-permit declarations will be sent to the Office of General Staff seven days beforehand. The U.S. personnel will behave in line with the administrative regulations in Turkish facilities and respect to Turkish laws. The United States will pay all the costs stemming from their activities. The U.S. soldiers will carry identity cards outside the bases. The U.S. soldiers will wear their uniforms only when they are on mission.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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CHANGE OF MOTION ON AGENDA
The 58th government held its last meeting. Prime Minister Abdullah Gul who will hold a press conference on Tuesday will evaluate what has been done last three months. Gul who will hand over prime ministry to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan will possibly stay in the Cabinet. The most important issue currently is when the 59th government will submit the motion to the parliament. Erdogan said that there was not a definite time and decision regarding the issue. But, it is known that the motion will be the first topic of agenda of the new government. Difficulty still continues in the motion which was earlier rejected by the parliament. AK Party group has still hesitation in the motion. It is difficult to pass the motion without any change from the parliament.
UNITED STATES TO ESTABLISH NEW NINE BASES
The United States will establish new nine bases in southeastern provinces of Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Mardin and Diyarbakir in line with memorandum of understanding reached under the motion regarding renovation of bases and ports. The United States will continue carrying out military preliminary studies in southeastern region unless the second motion which will be submitted to the parliament changes. According to the memorandum of understanding on the motion regarding modernization, the United States will deploy its troops in new nine bases which will be established in southeastern region of the country.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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BUSH PHONES BUT CAN'T GET PROMISE
U.S. President George W. Bush, who spoke to Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan by phone and congratulated him on being elected as deputy, was not satisfied with the issue of motion. Bush asked Erdogan when the second motion would be submitted to parliament. When he was expecting a positive response, Erdogan listed Turkey's reservations. Erdogan wanted participation of Turkmens in the leadership council and increase of economic package.
NEW PERIOD IN ''LABOR''
The law no 4773 which is known as Labor Security Law and which has created big discussions in the business world will enter into force five days later. When the law is put into force, the labor life will be ''Europeanized.'' Because, those who are dismissed from work without any reason and unjustly can search for their rights by taking this law as a ground.
PRIME MINISTER JETS TOWARDS HIS POST
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be recorded in history as the prime minister who is elected and who takes over the post in three days. Erdogan, who was elected as deputy the previous day and who got deputyship record yesterday, will take an oath at the parliament today. Immediately after the oath taking ceremony, Prime Minister Abdullah Gul will visit President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and present the resignation of the 58th government. Sezer will accept the resignation and designate Erdogan to form the new government. As Gul said ''if there is not any unfavorable incident'', Erdogan will be the prime minister today.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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TENSE WAIT FOR GOVERNMENT
There is a tense wait for the new government which will be formed. Sensitive balance between teams of Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and Prime Minister Abdullah Gul in the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) group will have a shape through new steps which will be taken and formation of the new government. Formation of the cabinet of the 59th government will be a significant indicator for path which AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan will follow in the government. Erdogan said that there would be some changes among ministers. Erdogan stressed that Erdogan and Gul would determine the cabinet.
ACTIVITY CONTINUES IN BASES AND PORTS
Activity continues in bases and Iskenderun port which will play an important role for northern front in a possible U.S. military operation against Iraq. Major Ruhi Caliskan who confiscated weapons of U.S. soldiers who tried to leave the port without permission was assigned to another department in the port. A total of 46 vehicles went to Mardin, Gaziantep and Silopi. There is also activity in Incirlik Base. A total of 15 buses carrying U.S. soldiers went from Incirlik Base to Gaziantep.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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TODAY OATH TAKING, FRIDAY CABINET
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take an oath at the parliament today. If nothing unfavorable occurs, Erdogan will form the 59th government on Friday.
DISPATCH ACCELERATED
The United States accelerated dispatch of equipment from Iskenderun port and Incirlik base to the border. Dispatch has been made to Gaziantep airport, which has been turned into a center of logistic support, for the first time.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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TURKMEN CONDITION FROM ERDOGAN
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who discussed motion with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson the previous day, said that the Chairmanship Council formed with the efforts of Barzani and Talabani to administer Northern Iraq was unacceptable in its current shape. Erdogan reminded the Turkmen existence and said, ''Turkmens should also take place in this formation.'' Upon this condition of Erdogan, Pearson phoned Washington. As Bush accepted the condition, his adviser for Northern Iraq, Khalilzad contacted with the Turkmens and asked for names of three persons who would represent the Turkmens in the Council.
CHHIBBER DOESN'T APPROVE
World Bank representative to Turkey Ajay Chhibber said that the 2003 year budget imposed more burden on people with low income and added that loan to be released for Turkey was endangered. Chhibber announced that the World Bank would not support the 2003 year budget. Noting that the budget had to be changed, Chhibber said that 1 billion 375 million U.S. dollars of World Bank loan would be on danger if necessary changes were not made. Chhibber criticized the 2003 year budget. He defined the budget as a budget against the people with low income, which cut direct income support of farmers, which harmed the middle class people, which backed those who did not pay taxes, and which was negative for the growth.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ANNAN PRESENTS NEW TIMETABLE FOR CYPRUS
United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan proposed a new timetable to parties in Cyprus when he could not make the two leaders say ''yes'' to a referendum for the U.N. plan. When the talks were so ''challenging'', the tripartite summit among Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas, Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos and Annan in The Hague lasted late in the evening. The new timetable presented by Annan last night has given 20 days of extra time to the sides for an agreement. Accordingly, a new compromise will be put forth at the end of March with the consent of guarantor states Turkey, Greece and Britain after the sides continue their talks for some more time. A referendum will be held on the agreement in TRNC and Greek Cypriot side on April 6.
DEBTS TO AFFECT TURKEY FOR THREE YEARS
Turkey will be affected by repayment of not only domestic, but also external debts. The state will repay 39 billion U.S. dollars of external debt in three years.
(EÖ-BRC-AÖ) 11.03.2003