BAHCELI CHANGES HIS RHETORIC BY OKTAY EKSI (SABAH)
Appearing live on CNN International yesterday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit answered questions on the recent situation in Turkey. Ecevit stated that the coalition government had worked in great harmony for the last three years, but that, after such a long term in office, people might be attracted to different political views. "I am afraid we will have some turbulence for some time," Ecevit said. "But it won't cause any real harm to Turkey, because democracy has settled down and our economy has started improving after a long period of crisis." Regarding State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis, who withdrew his resignation last week, Ecevit said, "I would rather that he continue serving in the government. However, he has a close relationship with a 'new formation' which is causing troubles in the government." Ecevit expressed that he preferred the government complete its full five years in power "so we can accomplish the reforms program effectively" and that elections be held in April 2004, as scheduled. He also added that Turkey's international relations would not be hurt by the recent political crisis and he hoped Turkey would soon overcome this turbulent period.
All Papers
Charging that the European Union had been interfering in the Cyprus issue in recent years and further complicating the situation, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said yesterday, "Therefore a solution for the Cyprus issue which could satisfy both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots has resisted being found. The main condition for finding such a solution is to leave the Cypriots alone." Ecevit made the remarks to a delegation chaired by Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ambassador in Ankara, Ahmet Zeki Bulunc, at a ceremony marking the 28th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation. Speaking at a reception for the delegation at the Prime Ministry's official house, Ecevit said, "In spite of all this interference from foreign quarters since the Cyprus Peace Operation, Turkish Cypriots have achieved a great deal of success and solved all their difficulties. The Cyprus issue is still considered a problem in the world. However, I think that only a handful of governments directly concern Cyprus. Except for Turkey's, Greece's, the Turkish Cypriots', the Greek Cypriots' and Britain's, no government has any business dealing with Cyprus. But unfortunately the EU has frequently interfered in this issue in recent years and made the problem only more complicated." Ecevit also expressed the gratitude of the Turkish government to TRNC President Rauf Denktas and said, "It's certain that we will experience some pressure concerning the island's situation. We have to face up to this. But we cannot make concessions from the TRNC to any other country."
Cumhuriyet
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday met with Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu. Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel also attended the meeting. Ecevit said that their meeting was about a possible US attack on Iraq. "This meeting was held as a result of the current visit to Ankara of US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Deputy Secretary of State Mark Grossman," he added. At the meeting, it was discussed how Turkey would support the US in a possible attack and it once more reiterated Turkey's policy that the US not use Turkey's land in a possible attack and also that it preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq. The possibility that such an operation might coincide with early elections in October or November was also discussed.Milliyet
Resignations from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) continued yesterday when seven more deputies left the party. Including these defections, the party has become the fourth largest in Parliament, with 75 deputies. Meanwhile, the number of deputies in the coalition parties' government has fallen to 281. Under the Constitution, if five more deputies resign this will trigger the government facing a vote of confidence. In addition, Istanbul's Sisli District Mayor Mustafa Sarigul accompanied by 23 member of the Mayoral Assembly declared yesterday his resignation from the DSP in favor of joining a "new formation" led by former Foreign Minister Ismail
Cem. Turkiye
Deputies who resigned from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) yesterday held their first meeting in Parliament to begin the process of forming a new party. A total of 36 deputies participated in the meeting headed by Ismail Cem, the former foreign minister and leader of the party which is to be formed in the near future. Cem spoke in praise of former Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan, whose alliance with Cem last week laid the initial groundwork for the party. Cem also said, "We are planning to form our new party by next Monday, July 22, and after that we will start to be organized without losing time." He added, "I will hold meetings in Kayseri, Istanbul and Izmir."
Star
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said that his party wanted to go to elections under the current government. Bahceli also backed down from criticism of State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis and stated, "The position of Dervis is at the prime minister's disposal and under his authority." Bahceli also said that the opposition would need to master the required 276 votes if they wanted to bring down the government. Bahceli stressed that withdrawal from the government was at the prime minister's discretion.
Hurriyet
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said that his party had not contributed to the onset of the current crisis in Turkey. "ANAP never wanted to end the coalition government," Yilmaz added. Yilmaz also said that his party was ready to support reforms aimed at completing Turkey's European Union membership bid. Yilmaz stated that his party would do whatever was necessary to recall the Parliament before the end of this month in order to discuss the EU accession laws and if possible to take steps on the Political Parties and Election Law. The current government is looking more like an election government, said Yilmaz. Yilmaz remarked that arrangements for Turkey's EU accession laws could be made by a new government, but that he hoped they could be made under the current government. Yilmaz also said that State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis had joined this government last year at its own invitation and that Dervis still had an important role in the economic program. ANAP has no objection to Dervis staying in the government, he remarked.
Hurriyet
Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi yesterday called on political parties in Parliament to convene on Sept. 1 upon a proposal submitted to him by Nationalist Action Party (MHP) deputies last week. The statement sent to the parties said that Parliament was being called back for an extraordinary session on Sept. 1 to debate a proposal given by the required number of deputies regarding parliamentary elections to be held this Nov. 3. If another proposal signed by a required number of deputies is not given to the Bureau of Parliament before that date, the deputies will convene on Sept. 1 to decide on the MHP's proposal for elections.
Turkiye
Recently appointed Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sukru Sina Gürel told reporters yesterday that Turkey's membership in the European Union was a traditional objective for Turkish foreign policy. "It doesn't matter who the foreign minister is," he added. "There are policies that do not change from one minister to the other. The only thing that might change is the details." Gurel declared that his first official visit would be to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on July 19 to mark the 28th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace operation. He also added that he would be going to Northern Cyprus to explain to the world Turkey's views on the Cyprus issue.
Cumhuriyet
A series of meetings will be held in Ankara today to discuss the part Turkey could play in a US operation in Iraq likely to be launched this fall. One of the most dedicated supporters of such an operation, US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, along with Deputy Secretary of State Marc Grossman and NATO Commander of Allied Forces Gen. Joseph Ralston, will be holding talks with Turkish officials on the issue. Even though Ankara does not want an operation in Iraq, if the US is determined to carry it out, it will agree to negotiate the use of Turkish airspace as well as Incirlik Airbase. However, Turkey will make it clear that it will under no circumstances allow the use of Turkish soil in such an operation. Also, Turkey will reiterate its opposition to any operation which might create a power vacuum in northern Iraq, which might in turn lead to the establishment of a so-called Kurdish state.
Hurriyet
While an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation chaired by Turkey Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen is continuing its review work in Turkey, IMF European Region Executive Director Willy Kiekens arrived in Ankara yesterday. Kiekens' last visit was to Turkey to attend a conference in March, when he played an active role in putting together the standby agreement implemented earlier this year, and in providing Turkey with IMF resources following the economic crises which have taken place in Turkey in recent years. Generally Kiekens attends meetings in Ankara when the economic agenda and meetings between Turkey and the IMF grow intensive. In addition, Kiekens works as a mediator between Turkey and the IMF when Turkey doesn't fulfill the steps laid out in its Letter of Intent fully or in a timely manner or when it requests that the IMF be flexible in its timetable for implementing requirements. Meanwhile, the IMF delegation met with Public Banks Executive Board Chairman Safa Ocak and Finance Minister Sumer Oral yesterday. Following the meeting, Oral said, "Today, the economic situation of Turkey is in line with its economic targets. Even if the political instability continues for a long period of time, its effect on the budget will still be minimal." This meeting was also attended by Kiekens.
Aksam
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) Deputy Chairman Halim Mete, who is currently in Spain, said yesterday that the TOBB would do its best to accelerate Turkey's European Union membership bid. He added that the TOBB's aim was to marshal Turkey's social forces to work for its EU membership and to itself lobby for this membership bid.
Cumhuriyet
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on a possible US military attack on Iraq and the US' expectations from Turkey in this regard. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Turkey's political and military leadership are hoping to be briefed about the US' plans to bring down Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq from US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz during his contacts today in Ankara. Similarly, Wolfowitz hopes to learn what the Turkish government thinks about this issue. It is obvious that President Bush, without a doubt, wants a regime change in Iraq. Washington has not decided on any specific plan or tactic yet. However, it is known that various plans have been vigorously debated over the last few days. In his speech at a conference last Sunday, Wolfowitz illuminated some basic parameters of the US' Iraq policy: Firstly, the US thinks that the Iraq's territorial integrity should be preserved and that a democratic regime should be restored. Secondly, Washington -- also taking into account Turkey's sensitivities -- considers any Kurdish state in northern Iraq unacceptable. Thirdly, the Bush administration accepts Turkey's 'legitimate interests' in the region and demands that the rights of the Turkmen population in Iraq be recognized. These three points are of vital importance to Turkey. What are, in turn, the US' expectations? Certainly, in the first instance the US would like to see Turkey agreeing with its views about Iraq. However, the heart of the question is in what way the change in Iraq is going to be achieved. US authorities know that they are not in full agreement with the Turkish leaders. Nevertheless, they are expecting Ankara to take part in and support possible actions. One alternate way to bring down Saddam's administration now being discussed, with the active support of Britain, is to undermine it from the inside. But Washington has deep suspicions that this option will not work out. Thus, a military attack becomes more of a probability. As a matter of fact, more reports on various attack scenarios are being aired in the British and US press these days. Accordingly, the US may want to use Turkey's air bases in an airborne assault. Moreover, the US may initiate a land operation from the north of Iraq -- that is, from Turkey. Yesterday's Financial Times wrote that it was an unfortunate coincidence for the US that its campaign against Saddam Hussein had accelerated at a time when Turkey is experiencing a political crisis. Actually, is it less unfortunate for Turkey?"
Columnist Oktay Eksi writes on the remarks Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli made at a press conference yesterday. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli yesterday switched to a new rhetorical course at a press conference, slightly changing his well-known attitude concerning Turkish-European Union relations. Political circles were expecting that Bahceli would reiterate his concerns on the disputes between the coalition partners regarding relations between Turkey and the EU by focusing on certain sensitive matters such as the EU's Copenhagen criteria. The same circles also believed that Bahceli would announce his party was quitting from the government coalition. However, Bahceli did not make the expected remarks yesterday. Contrary to expectations, he underlined that the MHP did not want the current government to be changed. He also suggested that the MHP would not oppose any of the reforms to be made in order to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria, upon which the other coalition partners, the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and the Motherland Party (ANAP), might reach an agreement with opposition parties. He critisized ANAP for hiding its real intentions, claiming that ANAP Chairman Mesut Yilmaz was not in favor of holding early elections this fall. Bahceli argued that ANAP wanted to postpone the elections. He insisted that the elections must be held on Nov. 3. It is clear from Bahceli's remarks that he felt he needed to make some changes to his rhetoric as elections are looming on the horizon and public opinion in favor of joining the EU is growing more evident."
