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Turkish Press Review, 99-09-07Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>07.09.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] COORDINATION IN THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF TURKEY[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[03] ADDITIONAL EXPORTS TO THE U.S.The U.S., which enforces quotas on imports of Turkish textiles and ready-to-wear products in a total of 32 categories, is preparing to increase the import quotas in certain categories. These are the categories in which some problems are being experienced in the export of textiles and ready-to-wear products from the Marmara Region which was seriously affected by the earthquake disaster. If an agreement is reached during official meetings to be held in Washington on September 20-21, Turkey's exports to the U.S. will increase by $300-500 million. /Hurriyet/[04] MIRAS: "DISASTER HAS POTENTIAL TO TURN INTO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT"The Head of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), Fuat Miras, said that the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region should be turned into an economic development through certain measures which need to be taken. Fuat Miras issued a written statement and stressed that the effects of the earthquake on the economy and outlined the measures to be taken. Miras proposed that an 'earthquake fund' should be established for the disaster region and all domestic and foreign aid should be collected in this fund. Miras pointed out the importance of a stand-by agreement which is yet to be signed with the IMF and said that it would provide long-term borrowing opportunities from international financial markets. Miras added that new settlement areas should be determined in the disaster region and construction projects and plans should be designed. /Hurriyet/[05] TUSIAD GIVES AN 'EARTHQUAKE BRIEFING' TO WORLD BANKThe Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) briefed a delegation from the World Bank yesterday. The World Bank delegation arrived in Turkey to conduct research into the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake in Turkey and visited TUSIAD yesterday. TUSIAD officials outlined their predictions of the damage to the Turkish economy and industry during the briefing. TUSIAD Chairman Erkut Yucaoglu said that they had expressed their views to the World Bank delegation, which is preparing an earthquake report, and added that the Turkish Government would not give up its year 2000 targets. Furthermore, an additional tax loss was out of the question. The World Bank delegation said that they regarded the views of TUSIAD, which represents Turkish industry, as very important. /Hurriyet/[06] TURKEY: "THIS WILL CERTAINLY BE THE DECISIVE SUMMIT"The State Minister responsible for the EU and Human Rights, Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, stated that the Helsinki Summit in December would be 'an examination of will' and said: "During this Summit, it will become clear whether the EU will go on with Turkey or without Turkey". Irtemcelik evaluated the unofficial meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Ivalo, Finland, last weekend, saying that the EU was looking to compensate for its mistake in Luxembourg. Irtemcelik remarked that there was nothing preventing Turkey from receiving candidate status and said that Turco-EU relations should immediately recover. He also expressed his pleasure over the optimistic atmosphere existing between Turkey and Greece. Irtemcelik added that the issue of whether the Greek spirit of brotherhood, which emerged in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Turkey would continue, would be understood during the Helsinki Summit. /Hurriyet/[07] GOOD MARK FROM THE U.S. FOR TURKEYA leading U.S. politico-economic risk analysis institution, PRS, (Political Risk Services), has given a good mark to the Turkish coalition government. The PRS stated that reforms in Turkey depended on unity within the Government and positive signs would prevail in the economy if their promises are kept. The PRS remarked that disputes should be avoided within the coalition and added that the Turkish Government should also decrease the public deficit, remove subsidies from agriculture and accelerate privatization. It added that the continuation of this Government stability would attract foreign investors to Turkey. /Hurriyet/[08] RED CRESCENT TO BE RE-ORGANIZEDThe Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Yasar Okuyan, declared that the Red Crescent should be structurally re-organized and modernized. Okuyan said that there were some issues that needed to be reviewed following the earthquake and added that some institutions, including Civil Defence and the Red Crescent, should be re-organized. /Hurriyet/[09] FRIENDLY MATCHA friendly match was played between the Turkish Kocaelispor football team and the Greek Skoda Xanthi football team in Xanthi yesterday. Kocaelispor beat Skoda Xanthi with a score of 3-2. The proceeds of the match will be given to the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. /Hurriyet/[10] MEDICAL CONGRESS POSTPONED TO THE YEAR 2000The 'First Medical Training Congress' to be jointly organized by Istanbul University and the American Yale University in Antalya on September 17-19 has been postponed to the year 2000 because of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The Congress, to be attended by 22 renowned scientists from around the world, will be held on April 28-30, 2000. /Hurriyet/[11] KEMER TO BE PROMOTEDThe Kemer district of Antalya will be promoted at eight fairs. Kemer Mayor Hasan Seker said that advertising leaflets and catalogues would be distributed at the fairs. He added that information on the infrastructure, water sources, transport system and municipality can be found in these catalogues. /Cumhuriyet/[12] TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP FORUMMembers of the Turco-Greek Friendship Forum (Russi) visited Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday. In a statement following the meeting, the Co-Chairman of the Friendship Forum, Ilter Turkmen, said that they aimed to develop bilateral relations between the two countries and they would mobilize non-governmental organizations for this purpose. /Cumhuriyet/[13] TURKEY SUPPORTS KYRGYZSTANForeign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli said yesterday that Turkey condemns every kind of terrorism and added that Turkey supports every measure taken by Kyrgyzstan to safeguard its secular and democratic order. /Cumhuriyet/[14] ILO INFORMATION CENTREA protocol to establish an ILO Information Centre in Turkey was signed between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Turkish Labour and Social Welfare Ministry yesterday. The Regional Director of ILO Asia and Europe, Heribert Sharrenbroich, said in a speech during the signing ceremony that they would establish a 'Centre for children who do not work', for those who lost their relatives during the earthquake disaster or are experiencing economic conditions. He also congratulated Labour and Social Welfare Minister Yasar Oukyan for his success in the completion of the 'Social Security Law'. /Cumhuriyet/[15] METU INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CONGRESSThe third International Economic Congress organized by the Economic Research Centre of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara will begin tomorrow. Nearly 100 research scientists from 26 countries are expected to attend the Congress to be held between September 8 and 11. /Cumhuriyet/[16] ISRAELI DELEGATION IN TURKEYAn Israeli delegation which has arrived in Turkey to discuss the sale of water from Turkey to Israel visited the Turkish Foreign Ministry yesterday. According to information received from the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, the Israeli delegation had arrived in Turkey to discuss the proposal made by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel in July to sell water to Israel. The Israeli delegation will exchange their views with Turkish officials. /Cumhuriyet/[17] ANKARA NOT SATISFIEDThe EU stated that Turkey should initially abide by the Copenhagen criteria and continues to discriminate against Turkey. While Turkey has been pleased with the efforts of Germany, France and Spain within the EU, it underlined that the important issue was the certain decision to be taken by the 15 member countries. Even though Greece has stated that it will offer every aid to Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake, it has not removed its veto on 1.075 billion Euros stemming from the Customs Union Agreement signed between Turkey and the EU. /Cumhuriyet/[18] GREEK PRESS: HISTORIC GESTUREGreek newspapers stated that Greece had made an historic gesture to Turkey. The newspapers remarked that the statements made by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu revealed that the EU doors were open for Turkey. What is more, Papandreu had declared that only under certain conditions could Turkey's membership be approved. The newspapers stressed the 'road map' to be given to Turkey and the timetable for this process. /Cumhuriyet/[19] IMKB INDEX RISESThe Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) National Index increased by 8.6 % yesterday and reached 5,823 points. Foreign aid in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Turkey and financial assistance to be released by the IMF and the World Bank have freed up the monetary and capital markets. /Cumhuriyet/[20] MILITARY OPERATIONS WILL CONTINUEThe Deputy Governor of the Emergency Rule Region, Nafiz Kayali, evaluated the recent developments concerning the PKK terrorist organization and said that military operations in the region were on-going. He added: "The decision to withdraw PKK terrorists from Turkey is being closely observed by intelligence units".Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of Security, Turhan Genc, said that there was no unity within the PKK terrorist organization. Genc remarked that if the PKK is sincere in its decision, then they can take advantage of the Repentance Law. /Cumhuriyet/ [21] DEMIRBANK TO RECEIVE FOREIGN LOANSDemirbank will receive foreign loans, having launched a syndication worth $50 million. The loan will be for a one-year term organized by the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, American Express, the Bank of New York, Bayerische Hypo-und, Vereinsbank and Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank. /Sabah/[22] TURKEY'S HONOURAn anti-cancer drug developed by a Turkish scientist has been approved by the US Food and Medicine Department. The drug developed by Dr.Rifat Pamukcu prevents cancer of the intestine without causing any side effects. /Sabah/[23] LETTER OF THANKS FROM CLINTON TO SIMITISThe US President Bill Clinton has sent a letter to Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and congratulated him on his attitude towards Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster. Greek Government Spokesman Dimitri Reppas held a press conference yesterday and stated that Clinton had congratulated Simitis on the Greek humanitarian aid and the solidarity between the Turkish and Greek nations following the earthquake. Reppas pointed out that Clinton also stressed his hopes for the recovery of Turco-Greek relations. /Sabah/[24] VITRA IN IRELANDVitra, an institution affiliated to the Eczacibasi Conglomerate which produces ceramic floor tiles in Turkey, will open its Vitra Tiles Factory in Dublin, Ireland, on September 16. Vitra Tiles Ireland Ltd., operating in Dublin, actually began its production run in the second half of August. /Milliyet/[25] CHP TO MEET GREEK MINISTERSThe Deputy Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Inal Batu, stated that they would meet Greek Defence Minister Cohacopulos and Deputy Foreign Minister Kranidiotis in Brussels next week. Batu said that the CHP would exert every effort to persuade those Scandinavian countries which object to Turkey's EU membership. /Milliyet/[26] TURCO-GREEK IMPROVEMENTThe earthquake of August 17 inflicted significant material and human damage on the Naval Forces' units in Golcuk, Karamursel and Derince, but it had no adverse impact on the Turkish Navy's capability and training activities, Naval Forces Commander Adm.Ilhami Erdil said yesterday. Adm.Erdil held a press conference before a ceremony organized to mark Turkey's take-over of the command of NATO's permanent naval forces in the Mediterranean (SATANAVFORMED). The NATO forces, which have carried out significant missions during international crises such as those in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, comprise Turkish, US, Spanish, Italian, British, German, Greek and Dutch troops.Adm.Erdil stressed that the handing-over ceremony marked the arrival of a Greek warship in Turkish territorial waters for the first time in 25 years. Referring to the recent atmsophere of soliadarity between Turkey and Greece, Adm.Erdil said: "I hope that the visit of the frigate, Traki, will contribute to the friendly atmsophere between the two countries' naval forces". /All papers/ [27] HARMONIZATION LAWS FOR ARBITRATIONHarmonization laws concerning the implementation of the International Arbitration Law which will greatly affect the future of many energy and transport ventures are being prepared. Following the enactment of the harmonization laws which will be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) by the Government during the new legislative term and will be initially discussed, the foreign capital influx is expected to accelerate. /Turkiye/[28] IKDP: NO PLACE FOR PKK IN NORTHERN IRAQThe Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (IKDP) stated that PKK members who left Turkey would not be welcomed in Northern Iraq. A statement issued by the IKDP said: "Bad experiences dating back many years have taught us that we cannot trust their promises, especially those concerning cease-fires". /Turkiye/[29] DENKTAS IN THE U.S.The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, made a statement in New York and said that Turkish and Greek-Cypriots were under the guarantee of their homelands and stated that the Cyprus problem could be solved among the representatives of the two nations on the Island, without any foreign pressure. /Turkiye/[30] MACEDONIAN DELEGATION IN TURKEYA Macedonian delegation consisting of the Rector of the Macedonian St.Kliment Ohridski University, Prof.Sofronija Miladinovski, deputy rectors and the general secretary will visit Gazi University in Ankara as part of a cooperation agreement previously signed between the two universities. Gazi University will hold a luncheon in honour of the Macedonian delegation. /Turkiye/[31] AWARD FOR TURKISH CARTOONIST IN HOLLANDThe cartoonist Nezih Danyal was presented with the 'Golden Pencil' Award at the International Cartoon Festival in Holland, for his 'Exhibitions" book in the 'Cartoon Books' competition. The Festival, the 13th to be held, was held in the Eindhoven province of Holland. /Sabah/[32] ORHAN PAMUK: TURK OF 21ST CENTURYOne of the leading magazines in the U.S, 'Time' magazine, has published the list of the persons who will carry Europe into the new Millennium. The Turkish writer, Orhan Pamuk, has a place on the list. The article stated that Orhan Pamuk is one of the best-selling writers in Turkey and his books have been translated into 20 languages. /Sabah/[33] THEY EXPLORE 'ATA'Andrew Mango's book, 'Ataturk', which has been published in England, has created great interest. The British Press boasts of Ataturk, the founder of our Republic, in a review of the introduction of the book. Prior to this, Lord Kinross published the book, 'Ataturk', and Bernard Lewis published the book, 'The Emergence of Modern Turkey'. /Sabah/[34] TURKEY SUCCESSFUL IN FIGHT AGAINST MONEY-LAUNDERINGThe Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), declared that Turkey is effectively fighting money-laundering. According to the report prepared by the OECD, the establishment of a 'Financial Crimes Investigating Assembly' and the implementation of some much-needed legal arrangements, are very positive improvements in Turkey in the fight against money-laundering. /Star/[35] BABY FOOD AID FROM HIPPOne of the world's leading baby food production companies, the German Company Hipp, has dispatched 35 thousand boxes of baby food to the earthquake region. According to a statement made by Hipp, they have sent 5 articulated lorry-loads of baby food so far and lately they have sent a new aid package of about 170 thousand DM. /Star/[36] ATHENS: WE CONTINUE TO ARMThe Greek Defense Minister, Akis Cohacopulos, said that despite the healing of Turco-Greek relations, Greece would not reduce its expenditure on armament due to the clear superiority in this area of Turkey. Cohacopulos noted that European countries have been allocating 2.5 percent of their national income to armament while Turkey and Greece allocate 4 percent to the defence budget. /Star/[37] NO NEED FOR EARLY CELEBRATIONThe Chairman of the Economic Development Foundation, Meral Gezgin Eris, pointed out that improvements in relations with the EU, have been recognized in a wrong way by the public. She said, "After the earthquake it is assumed by the public that the attitude of the EU has been relaxed and it is as if they will accept Turkey's membership immediately. However, this relaxation had began before the quake; it is not possible to completely change everything in a day." Eris stated that the improvements depends on chancing the attitudes of Germany, although it should not be commented on as the membership of Turkey will be declared. The membership of Turkey can only be confirmed at the Helsinki Summit, on Dec. 7th-8th. /Star/[38] 21ST CENTURY'S METAL IS ALUMINIUMIt was reported that the usage of aluminium has increased in recent years. The "Aluminium Sector's Report" was prepared by the Middle East Exporters' Association (MEEA). In the report, it was declared that, particularly in the transport, construction and package sectors, the usage of aluminium had increased with the use of advanced technology. It was also reported that in the developed countries the amoutn of aluminium per person was 30 kg, whereas this amount was 3 kg for each person in Turkey. In the report, it was written: "Aluminium is considered to be the metal of the 21st century."/Turkiye/[39] GREAT DONATION FROM JAPANYesterday, 76 tons of emergency aid equipment were delivered to Turkish officials by a carrier aircraft belonging to Japan Airlines as part of the donations for the earthquake victims. It was reported that the total cost of the donation that was delivered by Istanbul's Japanese Consul-General, Tomohiro Ishido, to the Istanbul representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Acar German, was 1 million 150 thousand dollars. It was also reported that a donation of 1 million dollars will be given to Turkey in the following days. The Japanese government also sent the earthquake-hit regions many search and rescue teams. /Turkiye/[40] NEW SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CYPRUSUS President Bill Clinton has appointed Alfred Moses, the US former Ambassador to Romania, as his new special representative to Cyprus. Moses, a prominent lawyer who has served as president of the American-Jewish Committee and was an advisor to President Jimmy Carter, will replace Richard Holbrooke, who has taken over as the US Permanent Ambassador to the UN, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[41] INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS SYMPOSIUMThe 12th International Mathematics Symposium began at Inonu University in Malatya yesterday. Nearly 150 scientists from Turkey and abroad are attending the Symposium which will last five days, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[42] 117 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTUREDThe Anatolia News Agency reported that 117 immigrants including 113 foreigners who attempted ilegally to cross from Turkey to Greece were captured in Edirne yesterday. The foreign immigrants were later sent to the Edirne Security Office to be deported while four Turkish citizens were transferred to the Republican Prosecutor's Office.[43] TRANSACTION VOLUME ON EDIRNE TRADE EXCHANGEDuring the last eight months, a total of 60.2 trillion TL in transactions was achieved on the Edirne Trade Exchange. The Head of the Executive Board of the Edirne Trade Exchange, Mustafa Yardimci, stated that, as regards the turnover achieved during the last eight months, the highest proportion of the transaction volume -21.8 trillion TL - was seen in the oil-producing seeds sector, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[44] HASHISH SEIZEDDuring a raid carried out by members of Osmaniye Security Office's Anti-Organized Crime Department, two kilos of hashish were seized yesterday. One person was detained in connection with the incident, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[45] BOOKS FROM OXFORDThe official office in Turkey of Oxford University Press will donate more than 100,000 books to state schools in Kocaeli, Adapazari, Yalova and Duzce. The Turkish General Director of the Oxford University Press, Emrah Ozpirincci, said that they wanted to contribute to education in the disaster region through books and video-tapes to be used in foreign language lessons. /Hurriyet/[46] HERBALIFE INTERNATIONAL GRANTS $25,000The Herbalife International Products Company based in the US said that it granted $25,000 to the US Red Cross International Humanitarian Aid Fund for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. The Herbalife International statement said that the aid will be used to meet the food, tent, potable water and sanitation equipment needs of the survivors and called all the foreign institutions and organizations to help Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[47] TURKEY WELCOMES PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI AGREEMENTTurkey welcomed a new agreement signed related with implementation of Wye River agreement that had been signed between Israel and Palestinian National Administration, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[48] INTERNATIONAL ERZURUM FAIRThe Anatolia News Agency has reported that a total of 130 firms have applied to participate in a fair which will be organized by the Erzurum Metropalitan Municipality.Mayor Mahmut Uykusuz stated that the Fair to be held between the 9th and the 25th September will greatly contribute to Erzurum's economy and that the Fair will become a tradition. He further added that the aim was to promote Erzurum and make its economy more active. Twenty foreign firms will also be represented at the Fair, the opening ceremony of which will take place in front of Aziziye Monument. [49] RAID ON PKKA PKK terrorist , who could not be identified and who is the PKK's representative of the district of Nusaybin, and 26 militants have been captured. During the raid, four Russian-made hand grenades, five pistols, seven mortars, 74 projectiles, three Kalasnikov rifles and their 208 ammunition, one mobile phone, 15 receipts sealed by "The Political Wing of the PKK", many broken walkie-talkies, the electrical equipment, three Russian-made field-glasses and three torches were seized. /Aksam/[50] THE U.S.A'S DIPLOMATIC MOVEThe U.S.A's State Department's Special Coordinator to Cyprus, Thomas Weston, met the administrative leader of the Greek-Cypriots, Glafkos Klerides. Greek-Cypriot radio reported that Klerides explained Weston the Greek-Cypriots' opinions on the Cyprus issue. During the meeting, it was reported that the U.S.A and the EU had new plans on the Cyprus issue. Then Weston met the Greek-Cypriots' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yannakis Kasulides. Weston will arrive in Turkey tomorrow. In a statement by diplomatic sources, Weston will be welcomed by State Minister, Sukru Sina Gurel in Ankara. Furthermore, Weston will meet the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Deputy Advisor, Faruk Logoglu. Weston went to Brussels, Paris and Moscow last week. It was reported that Weston is expected to meet the TRNC's President, Rauf Denktas, in New York on 12th September. Then Weston will go to Athens. /Aksam/[51] CEM ACCEPTS EU'S INVITATIONThe Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, accepted the invitation to the EU's General Affairs Council on 13th September of the EU President, who is also Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tarja Halonen.In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cem had accepted the formal invitation, to which he had answered by letter, and stated that he had acquiesed and would go to Brussels. Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Halonen, invited Cem to the EU's General Affairs Council with the purpose of "listening to his opinions about the reconstruction after the earthquake". Halonen also stated that they would be glad to listen to Cem's interpretation of the latest situation in relations between Turkey and EU. /Aksam/[52] THE WORLD IS TALKING ABOUT USTurkey came top of the world's agenda because of the earthquake that occurred in the Marmara Region, the aid campaigns launched all around the world, the green light to membership of the EU, and our national team's victory over Northern Ireland. In the foreign press, Turkey is often written about.First, the European leaders said that Turkey should become a candidate for membership of the EU and then become a member of the EU. Secondly, the foreign press states that there is a positive atmosphere for Turkey in every areas. Belgian newspapers interpreted the results of the EU Council that was held in Finland yesterday and it was written that Turkey was on the way to becoming a formal member of the EU. In `La Libre Belgique' newspaper, it was written: "Relations between the EU and Turkey are good. Relations, which have had their ups and downs for 35 years, have begun to `heighten' because of the rapproachment between Ankara and Athens. In respectable British newspapers such as `The Guardian' and `The Daily Telegraph', it was written: "The humane approach, which began between Greece and Turkey after the earthquake, now begins to take on a political shape. As part of this new development, Turkey is one step closer to membership of the EU."/Aksam/ [53] CLINTON'S EARTHQUAKE PROJECTThe American President Bill Clinton's Administration is expected to present a draft law, which envisages the donation of 300-400 million dollars to Turkey due to the earthquake disaster, to Congress this week. In a statement by sources close to the U.S.A's Administration, in the draft terrible natural disaster which occurred in Turkey will be emphasized and therefore that the U.S.A should help Turkey, who is both a friend and ally. Sources reported that the aid package was expected to amount to 300-400 million dollars with low-interest, long-term loans. This donation is planned to be used to cover reconstruction expenses.The United States' Congress, comprising the Senate and the Representatives' Assembly is entering the new legislative term this week after a one-month summer holiday recess. Diplomatic observers in Washington stated that Clinton's aid project would be unconditional. They added that the parties in the Congress that are opposed to Turkey were trying to add conditions to the article, which would require certain developments in some issues such as Cyprus in order to receive the donation. /Aksam/ [54] SOUVENIR COINS MINTEDThe Directorate General of the Mint and Stamp Printing Press will produce a set of "700th Year Souvenir Coins", to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the foundation of the Ottoman Empire. The set will consist of a total of five coins, four of which will be silver and the other one will be gold. On the faces of the coins will be depictions of the Ottomans' armorial bearing (gold), Osman Gazi (silver), the first Ottoman coin (silver), Fatih Sultan Mehmet (silver) and Ottoman miniatures (silver). The sets will begin to be sold on 8th September. The maximum production run will be 2 thousand sets and they will be sold for 85 million Turkish lira. The coins will also be sold separately. /Aksam/[55] COORDINATION IN THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF TURKEYThe Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, stated that the work after the earthquake would come under the coordination of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). In the circular, signed by Ecevit and sent to the Ministries and other organizations involved in this, it was reported that a group of experts appointed by the TUBITAK's Administration were carrying out tours of inspection after the earthquake. In the circular, it was reported that in the expert's reports sent to the Office of the Prime Ministry, important information about the problems experienced by the universities and institutions due to the earthquake were noted down. Furthermore, it was reported that these reports included short, middle and long-term solutions to the problems that are being experienced due to the earthquake. /Aksam/[56] TURKISH BATH ON INTERNETThe renowned Turkish bath is now on the Internet. A Website has been launched on the Internet to advertise the Turkish bath built by the then-Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha 320 years ago in Kusadasi. The Turkish bath in Kusadasi has been restored three times to date; its Internet address is as follows: www.turkishbath.net. The director of the Turkish bath in Kusadasi, Alaattin Talas, said that even though only one month had gone by since they had set up the Website on the Internet, many people throughout the world had visited it and bookings were being made to visit the Turkish bath in Kusadasi, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[57] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[58] ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE IMF -BY ERDAL SAGLAM (STAR)Columnist Erdal Saglam writes on the issues to be discussed with the IMF. A summary of his column is as follows:"The IMF delegation will be in Ankara tomorrow. The next day the additional programme to repair the damage incurred by the earthquake disaster and its financing will be discussed. The economic administration has held 4-5 technical meetings with the Finance Ministry and State Planning Organization led by the Treasury. During these meetings, economic indicators and the policy to be followed in the course of negotiations with the IMF were discussed. Technical preparations were made and now "political will" has to finalize the policy to be followed during these negotiations. Developments and changes in the economic indicators following the last visit of the IMF delegation will be deliberated during these meetings. In other words, the July and August data will also be discussed. As there is no great deviation from the goals planned before and set for this year, there will not be a problem on these points. However, a problem may arise for the budgetary aims determined for next year. During these meetings, it will also be discussed whether or not the targets decided on for next year are in danger of not being reached. The additional burdens accepted as having to be undertaken this year may not constitute a problem this year but will endanger the balance next year. The additional programme which needs to be prepared thanks to the earthquake will be based on the "Earthquake Report" to be published by the World Bank. In line with the figures mentioned in this report, the financing of the damage and the amount of expected aid will be debated. It has been learnt that the World Bank is against the construction of pre-fabricated bungalows. The Government has to decide on the issue." [59] WHAT DO WE WANT FROM HELSINKI? -BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the signals out given by the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting. A summary of his column is as follows:"The signals given out by the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Finland on Turkey's full-membership application have led to various different and even contrasting views. Some believe that finally the doors of the EU have been opened, some think that the EU is still resorting to delaying tactics and that it is still very hard for Turkey to become a member. First of all, we have to know what this message is. During the EU Foreign Ministers' unofficial meeting taking a decision on Turkey's membership was out of the question; this will be finalized at the Helsinki Summit in December. The meetings of the Ministers just showed the differing tendencies present among them. The general desire among them is to adopt the candidacy of Turkey; whereas a group led by Germany and France do not attach any conditions to this, Sweden and Denmark would like to impose some conditions on Turkey's candidacy. Therefore, it is hard to decide what the final decision may be in December. However, there seems to have been a change of tune in relations with Turkey, which may be affected by many reasons among which we can cite the sympathy created by the earthquake disaster, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's statements that Helsinki would be the last chance and the improvement of relations between Turkey and Greece. Another point to consider is the long road between "candidacy" and "membership". For countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, which have already been accorded the status of candidacy, full-membership will take 5 or 6 years. The second wave of candidates will take even more time to become members. Therefore, even if Turkey is accepted as a candidate with no pre-conditions, the first steps towards the long road to membership will be taken later. For some time the acceptance of Turkey's candidacy has been the main goal of Turkish diplomacy. Following the disappointment created by the Luxembourg, Cardiff, Vienna and Cologne Summits, Helsinki is considered the last chance. If the EU grants Turkey the status of candidate, steps will taken towards the long road leading to full-membership. If not, the application for candidacy will be suspended and alternative strategies will be formed. The signals emanating from the EU have brought Turkey closer to candidacy, something for which she has made every effort to achieve for a long time. At such a time, some are stating that candidacy of the EU is not important. They add that the EU will not accept Turkey as a member or will expect some compromises in return. Some even claim that Turkey will lose much of her national sovereignty and characteristics. It is interesting to see these views after working so hard to obtain EU candidacy and getting closer to it than ever before. Do we really want to achieve the candidacy of the EU? We have to know this, before taking any other steps." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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