ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on March 13, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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WE END UP OWING
Head terrorist Abdullah Ocalan who killed thirty thousand people without pity and cost Turkey fifteen years, was rid of execution, but it was not seen satisfactory. This time, Turkey is going to pay 180 billion Turkish liras in court costs for this man. In a case filed by his lawyers, the European Court of Human Rights reached a verdict that his trial had not been fair as he had been prevented from using his right to defend himself, and he had been kept in custody for a long time.
THEY APPEAR RELUCTANT TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan who was assigned to form the new government is not quick to name the new cabinet. Formation of the 59th government would be postponed to next week due to the atmosphere in the AK Party that ''it makes no difference because we are the ruling party''. Because of this reason, the parliamentary debate on the motion on stationing of U.S. troops in Turkey, on which the United States insists, can't be held.
NO NEW MOTION
Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said that any official request for use of Turkey's airspace had not been received from the United States. Yakis said, ''it is understood that such demands have been expressed in unofficial environment so far. We consider it when it is brought to us officially.'' The Foreign Minister also stated that there was not a decision on preparation of second motion. When asked whether writing of a new motion had started, Yakis said, ''first of all, there should be a decision whether or not there would be a new motion. At the moment, there is not a decision on a new motion.''
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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EU'S SECRET CYPRUS PLAN
The European Union (EU) which deployed a harsh position by saying that it would call Ankara 'invader' if Cyprus talks would not bring a result, and directly connected the Cyprus issue to Turkey's membership process, has started to form the framework of the policy it will follow. Under this policy, the EU will destroy the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) from within. The process which the EU plans to follow is as follows: ''The EU will annex a protocol to Accession Agreement that it is going to sign in Athens on April 16, accepting accession of southern Cyprus to the bloc on behalf of whole island. Under the light of this protocol, EU's rules will not be valid in the northern Cyprus although all Cyprus is considered an EU member, and the northern Cyprus can't make use of the EU's riches and opportunities. In another meaning, the EU acquis will be suspended for the northern Cyprus. In case of a solution, the suspension will be lifted. After signing of the Accession Agreement, the EU's initiatives over the TRNC will be gradually intensified until May 1, 2004. First of all, the EU will keep the TRNC officials under pressure by giving the message: 'Your contribution to solution is much more necessary than ever.' The EU will also encourage the Turkish Cypriots to migrate to the south, and it will use this as a factor of pressure on the TRNC administration. Under this policy, the 'pro-EU' and 'anti-Denktas' circles will be financially and politically supported by the EU. This 'full support' will also cover elections in the TRNC. Meanwhile, the EU will continue keeping Turkey under pressure. It will vary this pressure by keeping the issue on the agenda in international platforms.''
GIGGS SCARES SAS
Inter Milan of Italy offered 1.7 million euro to Galatasaray player Hasan Sas who wanted 2.3 million euro. When Inter Milan said, ''either you sign it or we will transfer Ryan Giggs'', they reached a 3-year deal.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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PEARSON: WE STAY IN IRAQ AT LEAST 25 YEARS
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson told to deputies who rejected the motion that they would intervene Iraq no matter what happened and added ''we are going to Iraq to stay at least 25 years.'' Pearson tried to convince the deputies who rejected the second motion and said in the dinner held for deputies ''Whether Saddam stays or not, we will intervene. We are coming to region to stay 20-25 years.'' Pearson met with the deputies who rejected the motion in Embassy residence in previous night. Pearson tried to convince the deputies, including Justice Minister Cemil Cicek, concerning the motion which was expected to be submitted again to Parliament and he gave information about Iraq policy of the United States. Emphasizing that no matter what the conditions were, his country was determined to launch operation against Iraq, Pearson said ''we will intervene whether Saddam stays or not and whether decision is taken in the United Nations or not.''
SEAT COMPETITION STARTS
Deputies are competing to be ministers and ministers are competing to reserve their positions. Some of them even asked for help of businessmen who were influential over Erdogan. The cabinet is expected to be announced on Friday. It is definite that Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be Prime Minister and Abdullah Gul will be Foreign Minister in the 59th government. Gul will also become deputy Prime Minister.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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HIDDEN SIDE OF MOTION
''Unexpected'' refusal of motion on deployment of foreign troops in Turkey caused a tense process. These are the developments regarding the motion since February 26:
''February 26:
Prime Minister Gul: Passing of motion from the parliament seems difficult. Let's postpone it after the National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
AK Party leader Erdogan: What can happen in the NSC?
Gul: A sentence which stresses importance of motion and national interests will be sufficient.
Erdogan: Then let's leave it after the NSC.
February 28:
Gul: There will be a vote tomorrow. The NSC's point of view can broaden the horizon.
Soldiers: There is no need for a supplementary evaluation.
Gul: We have to persuade the MPs that this is a matter of state.
President Sezer: We were helpful for the road that the government should follow in the previous NSC meeting.
March 2:
General Staff Chief General Ozkok: We made all our plans on the expectation of passing of motion from the parliament.
Gul: Our deputies who visited their constituencies received reaction from their electors.
Ozkok: We can't remain silent toward the developments in northern Iraq.
Gul: So help us.
March 3:
Ozkok: Adoption of first motion paved the way for us.
Sezer: It had a specific framework. There was a need for a second motion for its continuation.
Ozkok: Maybe we should share the Turkish Armed Forces' opinions with the public opinion.
Sezer: It won't be appropriate. It may cause different evaluations.
March 5:
Gul: General Ozkok's speech was beneficial to the government, of course. He always considered me an interim prime minister. However, it would have been more beneficial if he had made this statement last week.
Sezer: The statement was not appropriate. If he was going to make such a statement, he should have gotten my opinion.''
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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ERDOGAN'S MOTION FEAR
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan who delays the announcement of new cabinet due to motion pressure is inclined to leave the acceptance of motion after voting of confidence. Parliament will be open against any possibility. When asked why he delayed the submitting of the list of new ministers to Presidential Palace, Erdogan who was assigned to form the new government said that the government was being restructured. However, the real concern could not be hidden: to gain time in motion issue.
CYPRUS BILL: EU
European Union (EU) Commissioner for Enlargement Guenter Verheugen repeated his view that if a solution could not be found in Cyprus, Turkey's EU process would be affected negatively. Verheugen who said that there was no other advantageous solution for Turkish Cypriots, imputed the responsibility to Turkish army. Turkey which does not want to damage relations with EU is expecting Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas to turn to 'direct talks'. Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that Turkey had difficulties due to Iraq issue, adding ''It is necessary to give time.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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ALTERNATIVE LIST IS READY
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to submit new list of cabinet to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Saturday. Erdogan will bring alternative names while submitting the list. Taking into consideration that Sezer can object some names, Erdogan will go to Presidential Palace with an alternative list. Erdogan is inclined to carry on his studies on the list of Council of Ministers until weekend. He said, ''This government is also our government. I will make a detailed study on the structure of Council of Ministers.'' Erdogan can submit the list of new cabinet to President on Saturday at the latest and on Friday earliest.
PEARSON: WAR CAN START AT ANY MOMENT
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Robert Pearson released important statements regarding the developments about Iraq in a dinner held for some deputies in previous day. Noting that the motion on deployment of U.S. soldiers in Turkey was delayed, Pearson said that they could start the operation even if the motion was not accepted. He added, ''No country can say 'we will start war this day', but this war can start at any moment. We do not dispense with northern front even if Turkey does not support.'' While giving information about his meeting with Erdogan, Pearson said ''Erdogan has some concerns especially in economic issues. He would like to restart negotiations on economic issues but it is not possible.''
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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''TWO SEATS'' TO BE LEFT VACANT IN NEW CABINET
AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan will form the frame of the 59th government according to 22+1 formula. Erdogan who is planning to shrink the cabinet by combining culture with tourism, and environment with forestry ministries, will follow a two-stage strategy to this end. Erdogan who saw that amendment to ''Organization Law'' which is necessary to combine these ministries can't finish until formation of the new government, will present a list of cabinet with ''two vacant state minister seats'' to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Later, the two ministers who will be taken out of the cabinet after combining of these ministries, will take these two vacant seats under necessary amendment to the law.
(GC-MS-AÖ) 13.03.2003