Turkish press yesterday

Turkish press yesterday:

The Turkish press covered the following news items: an international company's difficulty in finding qualified female employees to work on board cruise ships; verbal sparring between the prime minister and the main opposition leader at a convention; the Foreign Ministry's warning to the government over an imprisoned terrorist leader; concerns over restrictive provisions in the new penal code; the appointment of a religious affairs director; and discussion on who the next U.S. ambassador will be.

Women don't want to work on a cruise ship:

An international company preparing to organize multiple-day cruises on luxury ships in Turkey's waters has been unable to find female employees in Turkey despite offering a monthly salary of up to YTL 4,000, Hürriyet reported.

Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Lines will kick off the cruises in the summer and needs to employ 200 female personnel to work in the restaurants and pubs of 20 ships. Job requirements include the ability to speak English, an age range of 21-35 and relevant experience. Only about 100 women from Turkey applied for the jobs, and a majority of them did not meet the minimum requirements.

Vedat Uğurlu, the director-general of a company that handled the cruise line's advertising in Turkey, said those who were interviewed expressed concern. “They said they were worried about being subjected to harassment on board. … It's not easy for a Turkish woman to accept this type of work, based on Turkish traditions and expectations,” he said.

Verbal sparring over the sale of Erdemir:

A war of words between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and main opposition leader Deniz Baykal was sparked over the sale of the Ereğli Steel and Iron Company (Erdemir) on the occasion of the 60th convention of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB), Milliyet reported.

Erdoğan criticized Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and characterized him as an ideologue opposed to privatization.

“This mentality [referring to Baykal] previously objected to the establishment of Erdemir,” the premier said, while Baykal asked what logic lay behind the sale of a company that has been profitable for two years.

Cumhuriyet published statements made by Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, who was re-elected TOBB chairman at the convention. “We're warning those, for the last time, who attempt to divide the private sector for their own personal interests,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu, referring to the government.

Foreign Ministry warns gov't on terrorist leader:

“A notice to the government.” Radikal wrote. “The Foreign Ministry warns that the European Court of Human Rights will ask for a retrial of 90 convicts, including Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). If the government doesn't abide by the court decision, it will face pressure from certain circles in Europe and jeopardize European Union membership.”

The Foreign Ministry said the European court will ask Turkey to grant fair trials and the government should enact necessary legal amendments at once for the retrials.

Lingering concerns about penal code articles:

The new Turkish Penal Code (TCK), to come into effect in June, appears to be far from meeting the expectations of society, Zaman reported.

The paper said although some amendments were made in Parliament's Justice Commission, the existence of restrictions on freedom of the press, freedom of thought and the right to education raised concerns.

Reform in the Religious Affairs Directorate:

A bill that proposes appointing the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate through board elections will be submitted to the Cabinet for debate, Yeni Şafak said.

The formation of a 120-person election board consisting of 81 muftis and academics is being proposed.

Who will become US ambassador to Turkey?:

Sabah claimed a silent debate was taking place in the United States over the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador to Turkey to replace Eric Edelman.

“If the new U.S. ambassador is Jewish, will this increase anti-Americanism and anti-Semitism in Turkey?” The United States is currently dwelling on this question, Sabah said.

Claiming that the new ambassador would be named this week, the paper drew attention to current speculation on the appointment: “While criticizing U.S. policies on Iraq, anti-Semitic publications and groups also made Edelman their target. If the new ambassador is Jewish, he will face similar critics.”