Turkey press scan
Güncelleme Tarihi:
These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on March 18th, 2005. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
ALL DIED
Today is the 90th anniversary of the Canakkale Victory won on March 18th, 1915. High-level state officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, will visit Gelibolu (Gallipoli) Peninsula today to mark the 90th anniversary of the victory and attend commemoration ceremonies.
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SOIL SWALLOWS
A disaster happened in Kelkit Valley in central city of Sivas. 21 houses and a mosque in Kuzulu area were trapped under tons of soil and rocks which fell from the mountains at 10.15 a.m. yesterday (Thursday). 16 people, including two children, are still missing.
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MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
SENSITIVE MESSAGE
As April 24th is approaching, the Armenian groups in the United States have increased their pressure on the Congress and the White House for official recognition of the ''genocide'' allegations. The United States has not officially recognized these allegations yet. But, a different message has come from the administration this year. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz did not assure Turkish parliamentarians who are currently in Washington that the Armenian demands will be rejected. Wolfowitz gave a message saying, ''Ankara should take new steps so that the Congress can support Turkey against Armenian theses.''
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''A CITY WILL BE DEMOLISHED''
Public Works & Housing Minister Zeki Ergezen said, ''a city will be demolished in a small earthquake. But, I can't tell which city it is.''
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SABAH (LIBERAL)
THEY WERE BURIED UNDER SOIL
15 people were trapped under the soil due to a landslide in Kuzulu area in central city of Sivas, while eight were pulled alive under the soil.
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EU REPRESENTATIVE: DON'T WORRY
Hansjoerg Kretschmer, the head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, said, ''the decision about Croatia has nothing to do with Turkey. Negotiations (with Turkey) will be launched on October 3rd.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
'WEST HASN'T KEPT ITS PROMISES''
Land Forces Commander Gen. Yasar Buyukanit, who visited Cyprus, said, ''there is a status quo there. And, there are promises that have not been kept by the west. The status quo is not how we want.''
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ANAP AT PARLIAMENT AGAIN
Independent parliamentarian Erkan Mumcu joined the Motherland Party (ANAP) together with four parliamentarians who resigned from the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP). ANAP deputy leader Ozsoy said that Mumcu would declare his candidacy for ANAP leadership on Saturday.
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RADIKAL (LEFT)
IT SEEMS 312 HASN'T CHANGED
The Supreme Court of Appeals Criminal General Board showed that the recent changes to Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) hasn't brought freedom to expression with its decision about author Mehmet Sevki Eygi. According to the board, Article 312 should also be valid for the Article 163 (on Shariah propaganda) which was abolished 14 years ago.
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GUL-SOLDIER ARGUMENT
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said, ''(Chief of General Staff Hilmi) Ozkok speaks on behalf of TSK (Turkish Armed Forces).'' On the other hand, Land Forces Commander Yasar Buyukanit said, ''Cyprus and fight against terrorism are within sphere of my duties.'' Responding to the statement of Buyukanit, who said, ''we don't have an Iraq policy'', Turkish Foreign Ministry said, ''of course, we have.'' During the Central Decision and Executive Board meeting of the ruling Justice & Development Party (AKP), Gul warned the members of AKP, saying, ''we are giving the necessary answers, so no one else should talk.''
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TURKIYE (RIGHT)
NO OBSTACLE BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS
Hansjoerg Kretschmer, the head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, said, ''negotiations (between Turkey and the EU) will be initiated on October 3rd as we have planned.'' Kretschmer denied the allegations that negotiations with Turkey could be suspended after the EU had suspended its negotiations with Croatia in the last minute. Kretschmer said, ''they are totally different. I don't see any reason blocking start of negotiations with Turkey on October 3rd.''
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ERDOGAN: CROATIA DOESN'T BIND US
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''what kind of a similarity there can be between us and the Croatians who protect a war criminal.'' Erdogan was angry as some circles tried to associate Turkey with Croatia, with which the EU has decided to suspend negotiations. Erdogan said, ''what does it mean to say 'Turkey should take a lesson from this'? We don't have any problems with the EU.''
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ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
MOTOROLA SUES TURKEY FOR TELSIM'S DEBT
The U.S. Motorola company applied to the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) to collect its receivables from the Turkish GSM operator Telsim. The company will request 4 billion U.S. dollars from Turkey, sources said. The lawsuit is expected to last a few years.
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SEZER APPROVES STUDENT PARDON THIS TIME
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer this time approved the law envisaging student pardon. He had vetoed it before saying that the law was not approved with 330 votes.
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YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
SOIL SWALLOWS 16 PEOPLE
21 houses were trapped under the soil and 16 people were reported missing after a landslide in Koyulhisar town of central city of Sivas.
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ERDOGAN: CROATIA DOESN'T BIND US
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that it would be wrong to derive a message for Turkey from the EU's decision to delay negotiations with Croatia to an uncertain date. Erdogan said, ''such a thing is not valid for us. We are advancing on our road with the same determination.''