Wednesday, 1 July 2009
These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on July 1, 2009. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET
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COLONEL DURSUN CICEK ARRESTED
Prosecutors conducting investigation under the "Ergenekon" probe have
arrested Colonel Dursun Cicek. A Turkish newspaper recently published a news article that Colonel Cicek was involved in the preparation of a document to end the "Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Fethullah Gulen Congregation".
The Military Prosecutor's Office earlier released a statement that the said
document was fake and that there was no need to press charges against Colonel Cicek.
VOICE OF COMMON SENSE
The news about the arrest of Colonel Dursun Cicek caused shock and tension during Tuesday's meeting of the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) in Ankara. The MGK discussed various issues, primarily the document believed to have been prepared to end the "Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Fethullah Gulen Congregation" as well as the legal arrangment that makes the trial of military personnel by civilian courts possible. Tuesday's MGK meeting lasted close to eight hours. "The MGK has expressed views and reactions to recent publications and remarks aiming to harm our state institutions, and reaffirmed
that such acts will be no use to our country," a statement released at the end of the meeting said.
MILLIYET
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BIGGEST IMPACT OF CRISIS
Turkey's economy shrank 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009, breaking a record for the second time in its history. Turkey had broken its first record with 15.3 percent in 1945.
With such figure, Turkey displayed the worst performance among OECD member states that were shaken by the global economic crisis. Russia shrank by 9.5 percent, Germany by 6.9 percent and Brazil by 1.8 percent during 2009's first quarter, while Indian and Chinese economies grew by 6.8 and 6.1 percent respectively within the same period.
COLONEL CICEK UNDER ARREST
After the Prosecutor's Office of the General Staff decided that there was no need to launch an investigation regarding Colonel Dursun Cicek who allegedly signed the "Action Plan with Reactionary Movements", Cicek was detained upon the demand of the prosecutors working on the Ergenekon case.
SABAH
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57 P.C. OF TURKS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ERDOGAN
In a survey conducted, the American World Public Opinion company found out that 57 percent of all Turks have confidence in Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to the same survey, 38 percent of Turks do not have confidence in Erdogan. The Turkish people do not trust any leader but Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in the region, said the company based on the survey.
TURKISH ECONOMY SHRINKS IN FIRST QUARTER
The Turkish economy shrank 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009. Based on quarterly figures, this was the biggest shrinkage of the Turkish economy in history. The Turkish economy had shrunk 15.3 percent in 1945.
VATAN
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LET GUL BE ARBITER
The alleged anti-government plot document was on the agenda of yesterday's National Security Council (MGK) meeting which lasted almost 8 hours. According to sources, Turkish General Staff Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug expressed his objection to the "midnight law" (on trial of military personnel by civilian courts) both at the Prime Ministry HQ after his meeting with Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and at Cankaya Presidential Palace following the MGK meeting.
During the talks he held with Erdogan, Basbug said that the recently adopted law would harm the hierarchical relations within Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).
Meanwhile,Erdogan said that Basbug's objections were "worth assessing". Parties agreed that the discretionary authority regarding the law sent to Cankaya Palace for approval, should be left to President Abdullah Gul.
COLONEL CICEK DETAINED
Colonel Dursun Cicek, who signed the alleged anti-government plot document, is accused of being a member of "Ergenekon terrorist organization". Together with 8 colonels, Cicek was questioned for 8 hours by the prosecutors working on Ergenekon case. After bearing testimony, Cicek was arrested at midnight by a high criminal court on duty.
CUMHURIYET
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LONG DAY IN ANKARA
Representatives of TSK said during yesterday's MGK meeting that the attacks against the military have turned into a problem concerning the survival of the country and they requested the "asymmetric psychological operation carried out by the media" to be stopped.
"MGK has expressed views and reactions to recent publications and remarks aiming to harm our state institutions," a statement released at the end of the meeting said.
While ministers and force commanders left Cankaya Presidential Palace after the MGK meeting that lasted almost 8 hours, President Gul, Premier Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Basbug, Deputy Premier Cemil Cicek and Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin held another meeting.
SHRINKING RECORD
Turkish economy had its highest shrinking rate since 1945. Economy shrank 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009, leaving behind the economic crises of 1994 and 2000. Turkey, which displayed negative growth during the last two quarters, has entered into a recession period.
RADIKAL
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SMALL SUMMIT AT CANKAYA FOR VETO
The Turkish National Security Council (MGK) meeting took place in Ankara on Tuesday and lasted close to eight hours. The climate at the MGK was tense as the participants discussed a document believed to have been prepared by military personnel with the goal to "end the Justice and Development (AK) Party and the Fethullah Gulen Congregation" as well as a legal arrangement making it possible for civilian courts to try military officials. Following the MGK meeting, President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug held a small summit at the Cankaya Presidential Palace and discussed the arrangment which makes the trial of military personnel by civilian courts possible. Gen. Basbug requested from President Gul to veto the legislation that paves the way for the trial of military authorities by civilian courts.
HEYBELIADA SEMINARY MAY BE OPENED, TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent its view on the
Heybeliada Seminary to the Turkish Prime Ministry. According to the MFA, the re-opening of the seminary is not against the interests of Turkey.
TURKIYE
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EU IS ONLY TARGET
Addressing the nation, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would not accept any other alternative than full membership to EU. Expressing his objection to French President Nicolas Sarkozy's "Union for Mediterranean" proposal, Erdogan said, "Our only expectation is full membership. Attempts to change Turkey's status while the negotiations are going on, do not conform to the principle of pacta sunt servanda".
MGK: INSTITUTIONS SHOULD NOT BE HARMED
A statement released after the 8-hour National Security Council (MGK)
meeting said that "actions aiming to harm the state institutions would not yield to any positive results for Turkey".
"Views and reactions to recent publications and remarks aiming to harm state institutions have been expressed during the meeting," the statement said.
ZAMAN
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"SEASON OF TURKEY" BEGINS IN FRANCE
The "Season of Turkey" began in France on Tuesday to promote Turkey. The "Season of Turkey" program will last for nine months. Around 400 events will take place in various French cities on Turkey. The program is designed to facilitate better understanding of Turkey by the French.
BANKING SECTOR GROWS DESPITE SHRINKAGE IN ECONOMY
Due to the ongoing global financial crisis, the Turkish economy shrank 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009. Most shrinking took place in the production industry of Turkey. Despite the shrinkage in the overall economy, the Turkish banking sector continued to grow in 2009.
YENI SAFAK
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TURKEY IS A SUPER POWER AND NO ONE CAN PUT PRESSURE ON THEM, U.S. DIPLOMAT BRYZA
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Matthew J. Bryza, said Tuesday Turkey was a super power and no one can put pressure on them. Bryza's comments came after certain Greek Cypriot officials wanted Bryza to place pressure on Turkey.
A NEW LOVE PROCESS BEGINS WITH FRANCE, GUNAY
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay said that Turkey began a new love process with France. Gunay's comments came on Tuesday, the day that marked the beginning of the "Season of Turkey" in France. Events to promote Turkey will continue in various French cities for a period of nine months.
"Activities on Turkey will end all pre-conceived notions," Gunay stressed.
