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Turkish Press Review, 99-09-03Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>03.09.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS.....FROM THE COLUMNS.....FROM THE COLUMNS.....[02] ISRAELI AID FOR VICTIMSThe Israeli Channel I TV station held a five-hour programme yesterday evening in order to collect aid for the construction of new residences in the disaster region of Turkey. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, participated in the programme from Ankara and Jerusalem via Satellite. Ecevit expressed his thanks for Israel's interest in the victims. Ecevit stated that Israel had sent field-hospitals, doctors, sanitation equipment and food in the aftermath of the earthquake and said: "The Israeli nation has been very generous towards us and this is an important indication which shows the developing friendship between our two countries".Barak expressed his condolences to those who lost their relatives during the earthquake and pointed out that Israeli search and rescue teams and doctors had been very happy to help the Turkish nation during these hard times. Meanwhile, the Turkish Ambassador to Tel Aviv Ahmet Uzumcu and the Greek Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anastadias Nitsiadis, also appeared on the programme. Uzumcu said that Greek aid extended to Turkey folowing the earthquake had not surprised the Turkish nation because the Turkish nation would do the same on such an occasion. Nitsiadis stated that the solidarity between the two countries was an indication of better mutual relations, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [03] 775 BILLION TL IN AID COLLECTEDThe Anatolia News Agency reported that in bank accounts opened to aid the victims of the earthquake by the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara and in foreign countries via the representative offices, more than 775 billion TL has ben collected. The Foreign Ministry said that $944,658 and 467,860 DM was also collected in these accounts. It added that this amount was transferred to the related account of the Ziraat Bank.Meanwhile, two more aircraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrying humanitarian aid are expected to arrive in Turkey in the coming days. Prior to their arrival, the Director of the Red Crescent in the UAE, Tarik Ali Galib, and the member of the Executive Board of the UAE Red Crescent, Muhammed Habrus El Rumayti, will come to Turkey today, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [04] CROATIAN TRADE DELEGATION IN IZMIRThe head of a delegation from the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Lizia Anusic, stated that meetings which began between Turkish and Croatian enterpreneurs in April had been very beneficial. A 20-person delegation from Croatia which arrived in Izmir to attend the 68th Izmir International Fair visited the Izmir Chamber of Trade (ICT) yesterday. The General Secretary of the ICT, Cengiz Pinar, said that trade volume between Turkey and Croatia was $33.6 million as of 1998, and this figure increased by 45 % during the first month of this year. Pinar stated that Croatian firms were also interested in the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) and some other energy projects. He added: "Trade among Balkan countries should be further developed". Anusic said for his part that a Turkish delegation would visit Croatia on September 15, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[05] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UPCentral Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $3.374 billion during the eight months of this year. According to Central Bank data, foreign exchange reserves which were $19.721 billion at the end of last year rose to $23.095 billion on August 27. Meanwhile, Turkey's international reserves increased by $331 million during one week according to data dated August 13. Gold reserves were $1.012 billion while foreign exchange reserves in commercial banks stood at $10.703 billion on August 13, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Meanwhile, Turkey paid off more than $1 billion in foreign debts in August. The total of the foreign debts paid by Turkey since the beginning of this year reached $6.9 billion.[06] TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIPMembers of the Aegean Chamber of Industry who laid a wreath in front of the Greek Consulate in Izmir saying 'Towards a Lasting Friendship' visited the Greek Consul, Andreas Fryganas. The Head of the Chamber Kani Aydogdu expressed his thanks to Fryganas for Greek aid to help the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. /Aksam/[07] TURKISH BATTERIESThe batteries for Cougar helicopters, a French-German production, and for Block 40_50, a new version of F-16 aircraft, will be produced by the Turkish company, Aspilsan. An agreement has been signed with the French firm for the production of the batteries by Aspilsan. Production will be at facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) in Ankara. /Aksam/[08] 85 TRILLION TL FOR THE RESIDENCESFifty thousand homes to be constructed to house the victims of the earthquake in the Marmara Region will cost nearly 80-85 trillion TL. According to a statement issued by the Prime Ministry Crisis Centre, infrastructure for the temporary residence areas will be realized by the General Directorate of the Iller Bank. /Aksam/[09] DEMIREL RECEIVES ATO CHAIRMANPresident Suleyman Demirel received the Chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Trade (ATO), Sinan Aygun, and members of the ATO Executive Board at the Presidential Palace yesterday. Demirel said during the meeting that some criticisms made by victims of the earthquake were right and added that administrative and political reforms should be carried out in the State. /Aksam/[10] TURKEY TO LOBBY FROM NOW ONIt is reported that an agreement to be signed with a lobbying institution will go into effect at the beginning of next year. The Turkish Government has given its approval concerning a lobbying institution with which the Turkish Embassy in Washington is having contacts. An agreement will be signed with this institution in the coming months. An agreement is also expected to be reached with a public relations company to promote Turkey in US public opinion. /Aksam/[11] BRAVO TO CHAMPIONSGreek sportsmen who have become World, Olympics and European Champions have brought an emergency package to heal the wounds of the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. The Head of the World Sport Writers' Union, Togay Bayatli, welcomed the Greek champions and expressed his thanks for their help. World Sailing Champion, Tasos Buduris, said that they were sharing the pain of the Turkish nation. /Aksam/[12] MEETING ON EARTHQUAKEA meeting concerning problems following the earthquake in the Marmara Region will be held in Ankara today. According to a statement issued by the Public Works and Housing Ministry, during the meeting, information and experience will be exchanged to develop work carried out, and to be carried out, in the aftermath of the earthquake. /Turkiye/[13] EU PROPOSALEU members have extended their positive views concerning EU financial assistance to Turkey following the earthquake. After the Greek Minister responsible for EU Affairs, Yannis Kranidiotis, approves the EU proposal for Turkey, the EU will give nearly 800 million Euro to Turkey. The 'Aid Plan for Turkey' will be presented by the EU Commission during a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers to be held in Finland. Meanwhile, the Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department, Phil Reeker, recalled that the EU had committed a great deal of fund transfer to Turkey in line with the Customs Union Accord signed at the end of 1995 between Turkey and the EU. Reeker said: "The release of these funds is a decision to be made by the EU. The US is supporting the release of these funds". /Turkiye/[14] CILLER THANKS DEMIRELThe Leader of the True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller, thanked President Suleyman Demirel for sending the Amnesty Law back to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) to be discussed once again. A written statement issued by the DYP said that the Amnesty Law created uneasiness in public conscience. /Turkiye/[15] $10 MILLION FROM PAKISTANPakistani Prime Minister Muhammed Navaz Shariff stated, following his visit to Turkey, that he would offer $10 million to Turkey to help the victims of the earthquake on behalf of the Pakistani people. Meanwhile, it is reported that aid extended by the US Government, private sectors and citizens to help the victims exceeded $20 million. /Turkiye/[16] DENKTAS IN THE U.S.The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, will visit Washington and New York next week. Denktas will deliver a speech at the International Strategic Studies Centre in Washington on September 6. Denktas will later meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on September 9 in New York. He will also deliver a speech at the Foreign Relations Council. Meanwhile, new US coordinator to Cyprus, Thomas G.Weston, will visit the Island this weekend. /Milliyet/[17] 'A DIFFERENT TURKEY SHOULD EMERGE''Time' magazine, published in the US, said that the Turkish nation and leaders are all in consensus that a different Turkey should emerge in the aftermath of the earthquake. Time magazine which devoted its cover to the earthquake disaster in its previous issue gave four pages to the earthquake in this issue. The magazine quoted the words of State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel who said: "I believe that this tragedy will have positive effects in the long run". State Minister Gurel who made a statement to the daily 'Cumhuriyet' newspaper also said that the EU had not changed its basic policy based on discrimination. Gurel stated that they were pleased with the Greek aid following the earthquake and added that however Greece had not changed its policy towards Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/[18] CALL TO THE EUThe European Unions' Confederation based in Brussels made a call to the EU and said that an agreement should be reached as soon as possible concerning the financial assistance towards Turkey. A declaration issued by the Confederation called upon member organizations of the Confederation to participate in the solidarity campaign for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/[19] TPIC GOES INTO OPERATIONFacilities set up by the Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPIC), affiliated to the Turkish Petroleum Board (TPAO), to control the transportation of the crude oil brought from Iraq by trucks has gone into operation. Officials said that an annual 200 trillion TL in tax income would be achieved and unfair competition would be prevented. /Star/[20] TUSIAD WANTS AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION FOR THE EARTHQUAKEThe Head of the Turkish Industrialists' and Buisnessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Erkut Yucaoglu, proposed an establishment of an autonomous Gulf Earthquake Administration for the reconstruction of the regions affected by the earthquake. TUSIAD has sent a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit for this purpose. /Hurriyet/[21] SCHROEDER: "LET'S SUPPORT TURKEY"German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder said that aid supposed to be extended to Turkey by the EU in line with the Customs Union Accord should be released as soon as possible. Schroeder stated that Germany would continue with its support for Turkey in order to take her place with other candidate countries. /Hurriyet/[22] DEMIREL APPROVES AMNESTY FOR JOURNALISTS AND CIVIL SERVANTSA day after vetoing a general amnesty bill, President Suleyman Demirel yesterday approved a bill that offers conditional pardon for journalists and writers who have been jailed for expressing their views. The President also approved another law that pardons civil servants who have violated the discipline codes. The President sent the sent the amnesty bill back to Parliament on Wednesday, asking legislators to make amendments that would render it compatible with 'justice, rules of equality and public conscience'. /All papers/[23] CEM CRITICIZES EUROPEForeign Minister Ismail Cem said Turkey will try only one more time to get accepted as a formal candidate for membership in the EU before abandoning the attempt, even as it welcomed Greece's recent move to unblock EU aid to Ankara. Cem said that the issue of Turkey's candidacy had to be settled at this December's EU summit in Helsinki.In an interview with 'The Financial Times', which was published in yesterday's edition of the prestigious paper, the Turkish Foreign Minister also stressed that while he welcomed the Greek decision to unblock aid, it would merely bring the EU in line with its legal obligations. The Financial Times wrote that while clearly hoping now for a positive result at Helsinki, Cem was careful to draw a distinction between the humanitarian and political dimensions of Europe's reaction to the earthquake and not to exaggerate the political consequences. Cem met his British counterpart Robin Cook yesterday. Cook said that a fresh start should be made in Turco-EU relations and a new approach towards Turkey was essential. Cook added: "Because, Turkey is a very important country from the strategic standpoint. We will evaluate Turkey's expectations in the best way during the meeting to be held this weekend". /Aksam/ [24] ECEVIT MAKES AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE USDuring his official visit to the U.S., Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will stay in Blair House, where the most exalted foreign guests have been accomodated, and will receive a high-level welcome from President Bill Clinton, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Ecevit will be accompanied on his official visit by his wife Rahsan Ecevit.[25] AID FROM THE USThe US Government stated that following the earthquake in Turkey, aid given by the Government, private sector and citizens was over $20 million. $10.7 million was spent for rescue and aid work directed by the US government (the expenses of American warships assigned to Turkey were not included in this figure).American Charity organizations led by the Red Cross have raised $4.8 million in various campaigns to help earthquake victims. Aid campaigns launched by the Turkish Embassy in Washington and Turkish consulates in the US have collected $571,000 and Turkish Associations in the US have raised $1,276,000. With the initiative led by the Turkish-American Council the funds raised from the American companies reached a total of $3.3 million. The Turkish- American Council has also called on large American companies doing business with Turkey for their help. The Turkish Ambassador to Washington, Baki Ilkin, stated that the next step in healing the wounds suffered by the earthquake would be the construction of bungalows in the region before winter comes. He added that his embassy was in touch with the US Housing Department on the issue, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [26] 19 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DETAINED IN EDIRNEIn Edirne, 19 foreign citizens were detained who tried to cross the border illegally and enter Greece. The immigrants said in their statements that they intended to cross into Greece and then travel on to different countries of Europe. They were sent to the Edirne Department for Foreigners to be deported, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[27] FOREIGN AIDFollowing the earthquake disaster, the arrival of planes carrying humanitarian aid supplies from many foreign countries has continued. According to information given by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, up to the present time, a total of 317 cargo planes have arrived in Turkey. 302 of them have brought humanitarian aid and rescue teams, while 15 of them have brought fire-fighting teams, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[28] TUPRAS DEFICIT IS 247 TRILLION TLIt was reported that Tupras' deficit was 246.8 trillion TL due to manufacturing loss. The firm's officials reported that the manufacturing loss, that will occur as a result a break in manuracturing until the year 2000, will be 4 million 77 thousand tons. 423 thousand of tons of this loss will be covered by increasing the charges in the refineries in Izmir and 469 thousand tons of this loss will be covered by increasing the charge in the refineries in Kirikkale. It was also reported that the loss of 1.5 tons will be covered by imports and that the total deficit would be 1 million 685 million tons./Sabah/[29] ECEVIT: WE GET ALONG WITH IMF WELLThe critical messages about the future of the economy came out of the leaders' summit that was held by the Head of Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Fuat Miras and members of the Administration Council. Both the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and the Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz pointed out the importance of relations between Turkey and the IMF and said that they would not compromise the economic stability program that is being practised in spite of the eartquake. Both of the leaders stated that it was impossible to give up the earthquake tax.Ecevit said, "I will go to the U.S. at the end of this month. Our relations with the IMF is good. There are positive improvements and these relations will get better. In September, we will evaluate the additional tax that came onto the agenda because of the earthquake disaster. However, we must continue the program that we are practising today."/Sabah/ [30] THE CREATOR OF KOBE IS THE GUEST OF THE TUSIADThe Supreme Consultation Council's Meeting that will be held by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) on 10th September in Istanbul has an important guest: Choji Ashio. Ashio, who rebuilt Kobe City after the earthquake in Japan, will give information about the how to construct earthquake-resistent industrial plants and infrastructure. /Sabah/[31] THE AID WILL BE RECEIVED IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTHThe World Bank has named the aid package for Turkey following the eartqhake, "The Marmara Region Activation Programme". The package will have a twofold aim. The World Bank and the IMF will finance not only manufacturing loss in the economy, but also reconstruction of the city.The World Bank's Bureau in Turkey, diplomatic representatives of 30 countries and experts on Treasury and Planning held an "earthquake evaluation meeting" yesterday. The experts from the World Bank stated their interprations of the earthquake. It is understood that the loss from buildings, hospitals and schools that collapsed along with industrial plants had climed to a minimum of 4 billion dollars. /Sabah/ [32] THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THAT EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROLChairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz, has stated that Turkey is recovering from the effects of the earthquake rapidly, and that the most important problem of finding shelter for the homeless will be solved as soon as possible. Mesut Yilmaz toured Kocaeli, which is one of the earthquake-hit regions. Mesut Yilmaz was briefed by the Governor of Kocaeli Province, Memduh Oguz. Yilmaz said, "The most important thing is to clear the rubble and to provide shelter for the homeless. 29 tent-cities are active in Kocaeli. We are trying to change non-water proof tents with the better ones, after which pre-fabricated housing will be provided by the Ministry of Public Works."/Sabah/[33] GALATASARAY AND PAOK HAND IN HANDThe flags of Galatasaray and PAOK were flown at half-mast inside and outside the stadium. "PAOK" was written in black and white on one side of a huge balloon and "Galatasaray" in yellow and red on the other side of it. Football players of the Galatasaray team appeared on the field with a placard on which was written "We thank the Greek people for sharing our sadness" in Greek./Sabah/[34] VOLLEYBALL TEAM IN PORTUGALThe volleyball allstar ladies national team, which will join the 6th World's allstar Ladies Volleyball Championship in Portugal between 4th and 12th September, went to Portugal, reported the Anatolian News Agency.In the national team group, which is chaired by Selcan Teoman, were also the Administrator Siyami Akay, coach Faik Karaev, his assisstants Adnan Kistak, Huseyin Doganyuz and masseur Vedat Yakit. The names of the players are as follows: Pelin, Esra, Elif (Vakifbankspor), Deniz (Eczacibasi), Neslihan, Pinar (Yesilyurt), Sinem (Karsıyaka), Ebru, Tulin, Seda, Yasemin, Gulhan (Gunes Sigorta). The Turkish national team will play the first match against the Japanese team on 4th September, after which our national volleyball team will play against Holland on 5th September and the People's Republic of China on 6th September. [35] FROM THE COLUMNS.....FROM THE COLUMNS.....FROM THE COLUMNS.....[36] THE MYSTERY OF THE VETO -BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the Greek veto. A summary of her column is as follows:"The answer to the question of the Greek veto is not clear and we should understand the facts behind the diplomatic words before acting with emotions. In an interview with the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Yannis Kranidiotis, in Athens, he did not say that they were going to lift the veto. He stated that they would wait for the formula put forward by the European Commission and would not oppose financial aid to Turkey with the condition that it would be used for healing the wounds of the earthquake disaster. In Brussels this view was clarified. He stated that they were going to lift the veto but it too had its limits. Mention of limits means to say that veto will be partially lifted. The formula presented by the European Commission was published in the pro-government newspaper Ethnos yesterday. According to this formula, 135 million Euro will be given by the European Development Fund and a single majority will be enough to pass it. Therefore a Greek veto is not in question. An additional 15 million Euro will be given for rapprochement strategies between Turkey and the EU. The Greek veto over this will be lifted. The European Investment Bank had foreseen the transfer of 750 million Euro to Turkey but it was blocked by the Greek veto. This was prepared in 1995, apart from the Customs Union Agreement for infrastructural investments. It is believed that Greek veto on this can also be lifted. Small sums in the MEDA and ECHO funds are also expected to be released. However, the Greek veto over 375 million Euro within the context of the Customs Union Agreement will stay. This means that the European Union which had not given the aid that was due to Turkey until now has grasped an opportunity with the earthquake to be generous. Greece is providing the EU with this opportunity by partially lifting its veto. However, by leaving the veto partially in place, shows that the politicial conditions before Turkey for the membership to the EU still prevail. Thus the Simitis Government is not taking any risks in the face of reaction from the oppoisition. It becomes clear that the bargaining between Athens and Brussels over the Greek veto is an internal matter of the EU." [37] THE PKK IS FINISHED -BY DOGAN HEPER (MILLIYET)Dogan Heper, a columnist in the daily 'Milliyet', comments on the recent developments concerning the PKK. A summary of his column is as follows:"Turkey is experiencing important events one after another. The capture of Ocalan erased all other problems before it, as the recent earthquake resulted in our forgetting Ocalan. Is the Ocalan affair over? It can be clearly stated that the PKK has experienced its most active period. It has decided to leave Turkey, the Penitence Law has been enacted, and most recently the PKK announced that it has ended armed conflict. If terrorist activities which have taken the lives of 30.000 people during the last 15 years, and has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars are over this can be clearly stated as an historical turning point. The Turkish Republic has shown its greatness, its desire for union and peace by trying Ocalan fairly and enacting the Penitence Law when its Security Forces were most successful. If those guiding the PKK implement their decision to disarm it will be to the benefit of the whole 65 million. Ankara should also keep the upper hand, and must do everything in its power to use this opportunity for the good of all." 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