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Turkish Press Review, 99-11-23Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>23.11.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] LETTER FROM AHTISAARI TO DEMIRELFinnish President Martti Ahtisaari, who came to Ankara after attending the OSCE Summit in Istanbul, presented a letter to Turkish President Suleyman Demirel which included five conditions pertaining to Turkey's EU membership. It is reported that these five conditions are as follows: -Human rights constitute an issue of significance in the dialogue with the EU. The EU gives top priority to human rights. -Turkey should be harmonized with the common foreign and security policy of the EU. -All EU financial aid should be coordinated under one umbrella. -National laws should be re-arranged in line with the EU laws shared by EU countries, partnership should be achieved in order to reach this goal. -Turkey should be open to joint ventures so as to participate in EU institutions. A total of 50 million Euros in financial aid for Turkey was also mentioned in the letter. /Hurriyet/[03] ECEVIT: "WE TRUST ANNAN"Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, during his meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, explained Turkey's demands concerning the embargoes that were imposed on Cyprus and Iraq. Ecevit stated that they wished the Cyprus negotiations in New York to be held under the supervision of Annan. Ecevit said, "We trust Mr Annan's objectivity and positivity concerning this issue." Annan, who had come to Istanbul for the OSCE Summit that was held last week, arrived in Ankara yesterday for some official talks with his contacts. After visiting Ataturk's Mausoleum, Annan went to the Prime Minister's Office to meet Ecevit and discuss the topics of Cyprus, Iraq and the Balkans. Afterwards, Ecevit briefed journalists and said, "We had a very positive meeting with Annan. We discussed everything that concerns both Turkey and the UN. It was a very friendly meeting. I said to Mr. Annan that we think that the embargo imposed on Iraq should be either eased or should be disposed of completely." The UN Secretary-General met President Suleyman Demirel and they discussed the latest developments concerning the Cyprus question. Then Annan met Speaker Yildirim Akbulut. Annan talked about the earthquake disaster and said, "As the UN, and with related organizations, we would like to help you more because financial aid is not enough. You should prepare programmes of psychological therapy for the young people and children. Our friends, who are here, are working on this. We will help you in every way possible." /Aksam/[04] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENESThe National Security Council (MGK) will convene tomorrow under the presidency of President Suleyman Demirel. The earthquake that occurred in Duzce on 12th November, the OSCE Summit that was held in Istanbul and the problem of Cyprus will be on the agenda of the MGK this month. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli, Chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Minister of National Defence Sebahattin Cakmakoglu, Minister of Interior Affairs Saadettin Tantan and other officials will gather for the MGK discussions that will start at 09:30 am at Cankaya Presidential Palace. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, will be touring Sweden and Denmark, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel will represent him by proxy at the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/[05] SPO PLAN FOR QUAKE REGIONThe State Planning Organization (SPO) is preparing a 'development plan` for the earthquake-devastated region. First, the situation of the region will be evaluated, then different reconstruction schemes will be drawn up. The SPO will ask for the views of various establishments, from both the public sector and private sector. Following the approval of the budget for the year 2000, in order to to revive the economy there, investments will be made in the region. /Aksam/[06] "EMERGENCY" ADMINISTRATION AGAINST DISASTERSThe Turkish Emergency Administration has been established in order to make the administration effective in case of natural disasters or emergencies. This Administration will provide for the establishment of new emergency management centres in public establishments and institutions, will determine the work principles employed and ensure coordination between these centres. When some public institutions and establishments needed to purchase some services and some goods, due to the earthquake that occurred on 17th August, they were unable to pay for them from their budgets. These bills will be paid by the Prime Minister's Office from funds that will be obtained from the Local Administrations Fund Emergency Support Programme and by the Ministry of Finance from Treasury reserves. /Aksam/[07] ERTAN GONEN: NEW HEAD OF TURKISH RED CRESCENTErtan Gonen became the new Head of the Turkish Red Crescent yesterday. The organization's new Charter, prepared by a Commission set up by its General Assembly, was also approved at the extraordinary meeting yesterday. A new board was also elected yesterday. /All papers/[08] CLINTON: "TURKEY SHOULD ENTER THE EU"At the European Social Democrat Leaders' Summit in Florence, Italy, President Clinton talked about Turkey's becoming a member of the EU. During the meeting, in which the world's economic and social structure in the 21st century was discussed, EU leaders stated that the greatest problem for the future was that of employement and pointed out the importance of new job areas. President Clinton emphasized that Europe's coming together and the creation of new blocks was of the utmost importance. Clinton said, "Turkey's rapprochement to Europe is of vital benefit for the EU. I hope the Helsinki Summit will get underway with this view in mind. Europe needs a stable Turkey as the country is one of the most important allies of the West, not only economically, but also in terms of defence." /Turkiye/[09] SUPPORT FROM ALBRIGHTAmerican Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, who is now in Florence attending the Social Democrat Leaders' Summit, during her encounter with her Italian counterpart Lamberto Dini, stated once more that they supported Turkey. During the meeting between Dini and Albright, Turkey was discussed at length. Albright stated that the developments between Turkey and Greece concerning the Cyprus issue are found to be positive by the American Administration. Albright further added that they wanted Turkey to advance along the road to being united with the EU. /Turkiye/[10] EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH U.S.A.The Mutual Employment Pact between the U.S.A. and Turkey will be signed today. Under the accord, wives and children of diplomats and technical administrative personnel who work at Turkish Embassies, Consulate-Generals and other international establishments in the US will be able to work in that country. /Cumhuriyet/[11] 'DEFENCE FOR EUROPE IS DIFFICULT WITHOUT TURKEY`During the meeting of the Western European Union's (WEU) Defence and Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg, the reports on the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) were placed on the agenda. WEU experts propose to improve cooperation with NATO. They emphasize that without using the opportunities and abilities of NATO, any large-scale operation will be impossible to achieve. /Aksam/[12] ONE MORE 'SELEFI' SUPPORTER REVEALEDDuring the investigations into the murder of Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taner Kislali, an organization called 'Selefi', which supports religious law, has been discovered. Mehmet Emin Akin, the leader of the organization established six years ago by an imam, and the fifteen administrators of the organization have been detained. During raids, eight rocket rifles, one Kalashnikof and 650 rounds of ammunition were seized. It was revealed that the organization headquarters was a farm in the district of Keskin. /Cumhuriyet/[13] YILMAZ'S TALKS IN GERMANYThe leader of the Motherland Party, Mesut Yilmaz, was supposed to meet with German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Party leader Wolfgang Schaeuble, the German Christian Social Union (CSU) Party leader and Prime Minister of Bavaria, Edmund Stoiber, and these parties' foreign policy spokesmen but the discussions were cancelled. The reason for the concellation was that Schaeuble had suddenly been taken ill and Stoiber was unable to reach the capital due to severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, Yilmaz and State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik met the CDU's foreign policy spokesman, Karl Lammer, and CSU Assembly Group Chairman Michail Glossile at the Turkish Embassy in Berlin. During the meeting, the two explained their view of Turkey's situation prior to the Helsinki Summit. /Turkiye/[14] GEMICI IN MOROCCOState Minister Hasan Gemici left on Sunday for Morocco to participate in the opening ceremony of the 'Turkish Export Products' Exhibition'. The Exhibition will be held in Morocco between November 24 and 27 and will be attended by 92 Turkish firms. Gemici said that the date of the seventh term meeting of the Turkish-Moroccan Joint Economic Commission will also be determined during his stay in Morocco. Gemici will return to Turkey on November 25, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[15] CHINESE DELEGATION IN PARLIAMENTThe Head of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission, Kamran Inan, received a Chinese delegation yesterday led by Tie Ying, a member of the Chinese Communist Party. Inan noted in a statement that Turkey and China were not close to each other from the point of view of physical geography, but added that despite this distance, there was a close bond of affection between the two, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Altan Oymen, went to Germany yesterday to meet officials from the German Social Democrat Party (SDP). It is also reported that Oymen will visit China at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party early in the year 2000.[16] ERSUMER: TURKEY IS A KEY COUNTRYDuring his speech to the gathering at the 'Restructuring of Turkey and Foreign Investment` conference, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer said that Turkey was the key country in conveying Caspian oil and natural gas to world markets. Emphasizing that Turkey's natural gas requirement would be 83 billion cubic metres in the year 2020, Minister Ersumer said, "We have to diversify our energy resources. Under this framework, the Blue Stream venture, the Egypt-Turkey natural gas pipeline and others from Algeria, Nigeria, Quatar, Yemen and Norway form our future plans to procure Turkey's energy needs." /Aksam/[17] 'BLUE STREAM`A representative for the Italian ENI Company which has undertaken the construction and financing of the Blue Stream venture's Russian part, said, "The agreement concerning 'Blue Stream` will be signed by Turkey and Russia before the first few days of December", during his press conference at 'the Third Road` meetings in Florence. /Aksam/[18] EROGLU: "TECHNICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR INDIRECT TALKS BEING LAID"The Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Dervis Eroglu, said that the technical foundations of the indirect negotiations to begin in New York on December 3 were being laid. Eroglu made a statement following the meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday and remarked that TRNC President Rauf Denktas had briefed them on his contacts in Istanbul concerning the Cyprus issue. Eroglu stated that Denktas had informed the Council of Ministers with reference to the strategy they would pursue in New York, and added that he would also supply this information to both the political parties and the Assembly, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[19] MINISTER CEM FEELS PULSEForeign Minister Ismail Cem left Turkey to attend the WEU meeting. Minister Cem will meet various contacts and discuss Turkey's EU membership during his five-day visit. He said that he is cautious about the decision which will emerge from the Helsinki Summit on Turkey's EU membership. /Aksam/[20] TURCO-GREEK DIALOGUEThe fourth round of Turco-Greek talks will be held on November 24-25 in Athens. Ambassador Figen Ok will head the Turkish delegation during negotiations on the environment and regional cooperation, while Ambassador Yigit Alpogan will head the discussions of terrorism. Officials from the Turkish Ministries of Justice, the Interior and the Environment and officials from the Office of the General Staff and Kandilli Observatory will also be present at the meetings, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[21] MESSAGES FROM THE FRENCH MINISTERThe French State Minister Responsible for Relations with Europe, Pierre Moscovici, said that all of the EU member countries desired to grant Turkey the 'status of candidate country' during the EU Summit to be held in Helsinki on December 11-12. Moscovici made a statement to the press in Istanbul yesterday and remarked that there should be complete European-style democracy in Turkey prior to its full membership of the EU. He added that the Helsinki Summit was the beginning of the long process in that direction. Moscovici had a two-hour meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem two days ago, and left for Greece yesterday to meet Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu. /Milliyet/[22] PRAET: "IT IS INSPIRING TO SEE TURKEY IN THE G-20"The Belgian Undersecretary of the Finance Ministry, Prof.Peter Praet, said that Turkey and Belgium had been in cooperation for many years and added, "We believe in Turkey and we support its EU membership". Praet stated that it was inspiring and an honour to see Turkey among the G-20 countries. Praet remarked that Turkey should carry out wide-ranging reforms. /Hurriyet/[23] ONAL: "OUR GOAL IS TO ENTER THE WORLD'S TOP TEN"The State Minister Responsible for the Economy, Recep Onal, said that he was aiming to implement a 'stability programme' at the beginning of the year 2000 in line with the agreement reached with the IMF. Onal added, "This plan is important for Turkey because it will be evident that the country has made great strides forward in order to achieve financial discipline. Moreover, it will make a great contribution to the balance of payments". Onal stated that a positive atmosphere would exist between Turkey and both EU and foreign investors would take part in the long-term plans and projects envisaged in the near future. "Our aim is to have a place among the 10 economically-strongest countries in the world", he declared. /Hurriyet/[24] CONFERENCE ON 'RESTRUCTURING TURKEY AND FOREIGN INVESTMENTS'Economic bureaucrats attended a conference on 'Restructuring Turkey and Foreign Investments' yesterday in Istanbul and assured their foreign guests that they were determined to achieving their 'year 2000 targets and reforms in Turkey'. The conference was organized by the Treasury Undersecretariat, the World Bank, the Foreign Capital Association and 'Finance World' magazine. /Sabah/[25] 'RESTRUCTURING OF TURKEY AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT`During the conference on the 'Restructuring of Turkey and Foreign Investment`, foreign officials made speeches and declared their views on the Turkish economy. The Deputy Chairman of the World Bank, Johannes Linn said, "Turkey has made great advances in her journey towards integration with the world economy which began 20 years ago, and she is trying to cary on this momentum helped by the present government. Turkey has now arrived at a second stage in which stability in macro economics, the capabilities and transparency of the government, and the reform in the social security system have priority." The World Bank's Turkey Director, Ajay Chhibber, said, "Turkey is on the threshold of important changes. I am personally very optimistic for Turkey. The accomplishment of the programme depends on the lowering of interest rates in the first six months of the year 2000. The plan reveals some very powerful facts. The achievement of the privatization programme which has as its target 18-19 billion dollars of privatization in three years, also depends on transparency. Without transparency, privatization may endure some repercussions." The Ambassador of the EU, Karen Fogg, has also declared, "We hope that Turkey will takes her place in the EU. In the case of an improvement in human rights and good relations with her neighbours, the acceptance of Turkey by the EU will be made easier. There is great potential in front of Turkey and we will support Turkey in the future." /Aksam/[26] IMF DELEGATION LEAVES TURKEYThe IMF delegation, headed by Carlo Cottarelli is leaving Turkey today. It has been declared that the IMF delegation, which was in Turkey for 20 days and implemented its final evaluation yesterday, has also completed the 'letter of intent` and 'economic politics declaration`. The 'letter of intent` is expected to be presented to the IMF Executive Board and to be ratified at its meeting on Dec. 22nd. /Aksam/[27] BIG AGREEMENT IN THE IMMOVABLEThe Chairman of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT), Steven Wechsler, and his assistant, Tony Edwards, have arrived in Turkey as the guests of the Ihlas Real Estate Investment Corporation. The General Director of the Ihlas Real Estate Investment Corporation, Haluk Sur, accompanied Edwards and Wechsler on their visit to the administrators of the Ihlas Holding Company, where they discussed ways to develop the real estate market. It was stated that Kur, Wechsler and Edwards would deliver a speech during a meeting concerning "Reconstruction in Turkey" organized by the World Bank and the Treasury Undersecretariat at the Ciragan Palace. /Turkiye/[28] OIL FLOW TO YUMURTALIK STOPPEDOil flow through the Kerkuk-Yumurtalik pipeline has been non-existent since Nov. 20th. Yesterday, Iraq declared that she had stopped the oil flow, rejecting the UN's decision to prolong for two more weeks the agreement which permits Iraq to sell petroleum, worth 5.26 billion dollars, for six-month periods. Meanwhile, it has been declared that there is no oil flow to the BOTAS facilities in Yumurtalik. /Aksam/[29] TAI TO EXPORT SIKORSKY PARTS TO THE WORLDThe Head of the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Dean Borgman, remarked that the Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) was currently producing parts for both military and commercial Sikorsky helicopters. Moreover, they were also considering selling these parts to foreign countries. The Sikorsky Corporation has sold $1.4 billion worth of helicopters to Turkey to date. /Sabah/[30] HISTORIC DAY FOR MARKETSYesterday was a historic day for the markets. While the interest rate decreased to 60 % in the bond market, the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) Index increased by 4.35 % reaching 8,879 points. Meanwhile, Toprakbank received $70 million in syndication loans yesterday. /Sabah/[31] TUSIAD: "TURKEY AT THE EU CROSSROADS"The Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) has declared, "Turkey is at the EU crossroads. The Turkish democratic structure should be further developed". A written statement issued by TUSIAD said that Turkey had already begun to implement some important economic and political reforms. The statement added that TUSIAD believed that Turkey would complete its plans to raise its democratic standards. /Sabah/[32] $1 BILLION FROM WORLD BANKThe World Bank's Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Johannes Linn, said that an agreement worth $1 billion to be extended by the World Bank to help the victims in the earthquake-ravaged region, would be signed in Ankara today. Linn stated that the loan would be used to reconstruct the earthquake-hit region and to take precautionary measures against such disasters in the future. /Turkiye/[33] ERCEL RULES OUT CHANGE IN MONETARY POLICYTurkish Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel ruled out any change in the Bank's current monetary policy in the year 2000. Making a statement to this effect at a conference in Istanbul, Ercel added, "We shall stick to the policy agreed on earlier, which is based on attaining a year-end consumer inflation target of 25 % and a wholesale inflation target of 20 %". /All papers/[34] 'PROPAGANDA' IS THE AWARD RECORD-BREAKERThe film 'Propoganda', directed by Sinan Cetin, was deemed worthy to receive the Golden Olive Tree Award at the 15th Mediterranean Film Festival that was held in Bastia, France. During the Festival that came to an end the day before yesterday, 'Propaganda' was presented with the Radio Corse Frequenza Mora award and a special medal. /Cumhuriyet/[35] OTTOMAN IN AUSTRIAA series of activities is being held in Austria to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. The activities organized by the Austrian-Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association and some Austrian institutions will end on November 26. /Turkiye/[36] SEZEN AKSU-HARIS ALEXIOU CONCERT IN ATHENSFamous Turkish pop music singer Sezen Aksu and Greek singer Haris Alexiou will stage a concert in Athens today to aid those affected by the earthquake. The two singers previously took part in a charity concert in Istanbul for the victims. /Hurriyet/[37] 70TH WORLD MEN'S WEIGHT-LIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPHalil Mutlu broke four world records and became champion in the 56 kg-snatch category during the 70th World Men's Weight-Lifting Championship which started yesterday in Athens. Halil Mutlu managed to lift 136 kilos and 137.5 kilos in the snatch category while he lifted 166 kilos in the clean and jerk category. His final total was 302.5 kilos, breaking the previous world record of 300 kilos. Thus Halil Mutlu received three gold medals and managed to break no less than four world records. /All papers/[38] GALATASARAY-BOLOGNA MATCHGalatasaray will play the Italian football team, Bologna, today, one of the UEFA matches. The kick-off will be at 7 p.m., in Italy. /Hurriyet/[39] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[40] NEW EUROPEAN CONCEPT AND TURKEY - BY SEDAT ERGIN (HURRIYET)Columnist Sedat Ergin in "Hurriyet" comments on the new European concept. A summary of his column is as follows:"President Demirel believes that the role of the Helsinki Final Act in shaping European history can be understood better today than it was at the time of its ratification. He stated that in a divided Europe following the Second World War, countries fearing each other came together and signed the Helsinki Final Act so as to live in peace. When one of the blocs disintegrated, the countries signing the Helsinki Act gathered as one group. Whereas 35 countries began the process, more joined, making a total of 54 countries. The States in the Balkans, Caucasus and Central Asia were also included in the process. Expounding on the Istanbul Charter signed last Friday, the President recalled that in 1990 the Soviet Union had disintegrated which happened after the signing of the Helsinki Act in 1975. "We have reached a point very different from where we started. We have come to the signing 1999 Istanbul Charter. This Charter is in fact a new window opening on the reshaping of Europe." The President believes that a new concept of Europe lies beyond the window of opportunity thrown open by the Istanbul Charter. He said, "The Istanbul Charter is a step taken towards the concept of a Europe without any boundaries. The present Europe is one, representatives of which convened in Istanbul. It is a Europe without any borders. Europe has never been so ready to act together..." President Demirel also thinks that Turkey's role should be evaluated from a new perspective. He stated that European values embraced a wide stretch of land beginning in Continental Europe,and at the Atlantic Ocean and extending to the Chinese Wall. He said that this could not be achieved without Turkey, and Turkey was the country to convey European values to all these countries. According to the President all roads led to Turkey's full-membership of the European Union. Demirel said, "We have arrived at the year 2000. We should not remain in the 1900s. We should not miss the European Union train." [41] THE CYPRUS PUZZLE - BY VEYSEL GANI (TURKIYE)Columnist Veysel Gani comments on the results of the OSCE Summit and the Cyprus question. A summary of his column is as follows:"We were all pleased by the successful completion of the OSCE discussions. However, the results of the meeting will be discussed from now on. The concern that President Denktas's protests have been forgotten among all this confusion has not faded away. Albeit not on the agenda, the Cyprus issue was brought to the table to leave him faced with a "fait accompli". The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, brought Denktas and Klerides together by applying great pressure. We have never been able to defend our view on Cyprus at any time, nor on any platform. In fact, during the OSCE meetings the Cyprus question was taken up within the scope of Greece and the West, and the Turkish population was almost considered non-existent. Every time Klerides refers to the situation before 1974, he views the Presidency of Cyprus overthrown by Nikos Sampson and his men as a vested interest. Due to his close relations with the West, the support of Greece and religious and cultural ties with the Western world, the situation as Klerides sees it is being accepted. On the other hand, Denktas who is working hopelessly for his cause, is not recognized. The OSCE has convened in Istanbul, and Turkey was unable to bring a solution to the inequality between the two leaders. What we have to do is to make an announcement on the place and status of Cyprus and Denktas to enlighten the public. In fact, we should explain the concessions made behind closed doors, and the future of the Turkish-Cypriots should be explained. Prime Minister Ecevit and his Cabinet which have been by-passed on many issues, have been left in the back seat, decisions have been taken without the consent of the Government. We would like to believe that all these decisions are taken with the greater interests of our country in mind, and to enlighten the public. However, none of them are discussed at meetings open to the press. We do not want to believe that the Cyprus question has been solved in spite of our wishes." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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