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Turkish Press Review, 00-06-02
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
02.06.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] MCKINSEY BECOMES THE ADVICER OF THE BANKS WITHIN THE SAVING
DEPOSIT INSURANCE FUND
[02] PLENARY SESSION OF THE TGNA ACCEPTS THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE COMPANIES
[03] TURKEY AND THE EU
[04] SEZER SUPPORT FOR ZEUGMA ANTIQUE CITY
[05] ISRAELI AUTHORITIES SUPPORT TURKEY
[06] NEARING THE END IN ATTACK COPTER TENDER
[07] SYRIAN DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY
[08] ANAP'S REACTION AGAINST BELGIUM
[09] IRAQI ACCUSATION
[10] PARRIS: WE ARE AGAINST A KURDISH STATE
[11] GENERAL STAFF: TERROR ENDED BUT.....
[12] INTERIOR MINISTER PERAPARES DECREE ON GOVERNORS
[13] NURI KAYIS ELECTED NEW RTUK CHAIRMAN
[14] HEROIN OPERATION IN ANKARA
[15] TURKISH ARMED FORCES
[16] INCREASE IN PUBLIC OFFICIALS' SALARY
[17] TURKISH ARMED FORCES' GESTURE
[18] A NEW METHOD SUGGESTED IN TRADE WITH RUSSIA
[19] OKUYAN: WE MADE A REVOLUTION BY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
[20] MCKINSEY BECOMES THE ADVICER OF THE BANKS WITHIN THE SAVING
DEPOSIT INSURANCE FUND
[21] KOC SOLD GARANTI KOZA'S SHARE TO THE BRITISH BALFOUR BEATTY
[22] SIX HUGE COMPANIES' LETTER TO CLINTON CONCERNING TURKEY
[23] PLENARY SESSION OF THE TGNA ACCEPTS THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE COMPANIES
[24] VAKIFBANK TO BE PRIVATIZED
[25] EFES TO PRODUCE MILLER BEER
[26] INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL JAZZ FESTIVAL TO BEGIN ON 5 JULY
[01] MCKINSEY BECOMES THE ADVICER OF THE BANKS WITHIN THE SAVING
DEPOSIT INSURANCE FUND
[02] PLENARY SESSION OF THE TGNA ACCEPTS THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE COMPANIES
[03] TURKEY AND THE EU
The disagreement between Turkey and the European Union (EU)
concerning the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI)
became visible once more during the European Union Common Foreign
and Security Policy Commissioner and Western European Union (WEU)
Secretary-General Javier Solana's visit to Turkey, who arrived in
Ankara on Wednesday for a one-day official visit, and who left
Turkey yesterday. During his visit, either Ankara, nor the EU
took a step back from their previous position. Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem issued a statement regarding the ESDI
prior to his meeting with Solana, saying, "It is a hard process
and there are many disagreements between us."
Prior to his departure Solana also answered reporters' questions
at Esenboga Airport. Regarding the ESDI process, Solana said he
hoped everybody would be comfortable at the end of the process.
"My meeting was a very positive one. I will continue to
contribute to your country over ESDI before the EU summit in
Portugal." /Turkish Daily News and Sabah/
[04] SEZER SUPPORT FOR ZEUGMA ANTIQUE CITY
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer supported the application of the
Chamber of Architects, which requested that an additional period
be given to the rescue excavations in Zeugma antique city, which
is about to collapse under the Lake Birecik's dam. Sezer stated
that he had considered this request to be right and that he had
conveyed his request to the Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, so that the necessary measures should
be done concerning the issue. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] ISRAELI AUTHORITIES SUPPORT TURKEY
According to the United States' Defense News, the managers of
Israel's arms companies have reacted to Israeli Education
Minister Yossi Sarid's opinion that the alleged Armenian genocide
should be included on Israel's school curriculum, reported the
Anatolia News Agency. The managers stated that Sarid's statements
would damage the relationship between the two countries. A senior
figure in one company in Israel stated that Turkey was important
for Israel not only from a trade perspective, but also for its
national and strategic security. /Turkish Daily News/
[06] NEARING THE END IN ATTACK COPTER TENDER
Representing a multi-billion-dollar purchase by the Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK), the attack helicopter bid is expected to come to a
long-awaited conclusion today. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit will
meet today with the Defense Industry Executive Board to discuss
military procurement issues, and in particular which bidder is
the best candidate to sell the attack helicopters to Turkey. The
attack helicopter tender envisages Turkey's co-production of 145
helicopters with the winning bidder. The helicopters will be
manufactured in three batches of 50, 50 and 45. Manufacturing
will be carried out in Turkey under the supervision of Turkish
Aerospace Industries (TAI) and the winner company. The bid is
expected to cost a total of $3 billion. /Turkish Daily News/
[07] SYRIAN DELEGATION TO ARRIVE IN TURKEY
General Staff stated that the process, which began with the
expulsion of Abdullah Ocalan from Syria and which has been
carried out within the framework of Adana agreement, is
continuing satisfactorily. The delegations of the two countries
held a total of five meetings, two of which were in Turkey and
three of which were in Syria since 20 October 1998, on which this
agreement was signed. The sixth meeting will be held in Istanbul
between 6 and 8 June. During these meetings, the manner of the
two neighbouring countries displayed sincere approaches and
showed a tendency to cooperate. Thus, there are pleasing
developments in the economic, social, cultural and sportive areas
thanks to the approaches of the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] ANAP'S REACTION AGAINST BELGIUM
Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy leader, Bulent Akarcali, held a
press conference at the Parliament yesterday, during which he
harshly reacted against the fact that Belgium rejected to
extradit Fehriye Erdal to Turkey, who is one of the accussed in
the assasination at the 'Sabanci Centre'. Akarci also criticized
the fact that none of the European countries react to Belgium's
decision concerning this issue. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] IRAQI ACCUSATION
Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said El Sahaf stated that as
Turkey permitted the US and British planes to make offenses
against Iraq, Turkey is a party to these attacks. According to
Iraqi official news agency (INA), El Sahaf in a message he sent
to Arab Union Secretary General Ismet Abdulmecit requested that
these offensives should be denounced and an initiative should be
launched to stop them./Turkiye/
[10] PARRIS: WE ARE AGAINST A KURDISH STATE
US Ambassador to Ankara, Mark Parris stated that the US was
against the proclamation and foundation of a Kurdish State in
Northern Iraq. Parris who is touring Southeastern Anatolia also
said that due to terrorism which was seen for 15 years in the
region oil and other natural resources could not be produced.
Parris who added that it was too soon to say that victory has
been achieved in the fight against terrorism ongoing for 15 years
but the successes had led to positive expectations for the
civilians and the business world. /Turkiye/
[11] GENERAL STAFF: TERROR ENDED BUT.....
General Staff issued a statement saying that a steady success has
been achieved in the fight against terrorism, and reported that
the number of terrorism incidents had been reduced from thousands
to tens. Colonel Fahir Altay, from the Press and Information,
Public Relations and Promotions Department gave a briefing on
terrorism yesterday. Altan recalled that that there were
thousands of armed terrorists who were waiting for an opportunity
and that to see the real face the PKK terrorist organization one
had to listen to the programs of MEDYA TV where incitement of
hatred against the Turkish nation is aired every day./Milliyet/
[12] INTERIOR MINISTER PERAPARES DECREE ON GOVERNORS
It has been reported that Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan began
the perapations for a decree on the appointment of governors
after getting the approval of Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit./Milliyet/
[13] NURI KAYIS ELECTED NEW RTUK CHAIRMAN
The Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) elected Sedat
Nuri Kayis its news chairman, Anatolia News Agency reported. At
its afternoon meeting, when Fatih Karaca, one of the candidates,
withdrew, Sedat Nuri Kayis was elected with five out of seven
votes. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] HEROIN OPERATION IN ANKARA
Five people were taken into custody in Ankara due to selling and
using narcotics. In a written statement issued by Ankara's
Directorate of Security, the team from the Financial Department
Directorate captured a person of the Turkmen origin at Kugulu
Park in Ankara, while waiting for customers to sell narcotics on
26 May. According to the testimony of this person, the others
were also captured and they were arrested after being taken into
custody. /Aksam/
[15] TURKISH ARMED FORCES
The draft law that envisages the employing of contractual
officers and non-commissioned officers was accepted by the Plan
and Budget Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Minister of National Defense, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, stated that
the Turkish Armed Forces' need of low ranking personnel will be
met thanks to this law. /Star/
[16] INCREASE IN PUBLIC OFFICIALS' SALARY
As the implementation of the compulsory saving came to an end,
the salaries of the public officials will increase by 1.7 or 1.8
as from yesterday. As part of the Budget Law, an increase equal
to that of inflation will also be added to the salaries of the
public officials. In addition, the public officials will get
their salaries with an increase by 10% in July. /Aksam/
[17] TURKISH ARMED FORCES' GESTURE
Turkish Armed Forces made a gesture, which has not been seen in
the history of the Turkish Republic, and gave a 'landing-craft'
to the district of Cemisgezek to help the transportation of the
people living there. General Staff's Head of the Department of
Press and Public Relations, Colonel Fahir Altan, said, "The
district of Cemisgezek has been carrying out its transportation
through Keban Dam due to the inconvenient transportation
facilities. Then, the Municipality of Cemisgezek demanded the
help of the General Staff. Within this framework, the General
Staff donated two boats with 250-400 horse-power. /Hurriyet/
[18] A NEW METHOD SUGGESTED IN TRADE WITH RUSSIA
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian International Bank Evgeni
Grigorievic Yasin stated that the trade between Russia and Turkey
would not improve with the methods used at present and both
Turkish and Russian companies had to find new methods to mutually
improve their trade. Yasin stated that during the first years of
the reforms in Russia there were wide opportunities for Turkish
businessmen in Russia. Turkish companies preferred to sell basic
foodstuffs and increase the number of tourists coming from
Russia. "However, at present Russia has achieved an economy which
can meet its basic needs and therefore, the trade between Turkey
and Russia cannot improve on old methods. In the new era, Turkish
and Russian companies can go into joint ventures with third world
countries. Turkish companies are experienced and do not hesitate
to take initiatives. Russians firms could take Turkish companies
as role models."/Hurriyet/
[19] OKUYAN: WE MADE A REVOLUTION BY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Unemployment insurance which was brought the Turkish working life
with the social security law No:4447, was put into force as of
yesterday. Labour and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan held
a press conference on the occasion and said ``We realized the
demands of the workers after 48 years``. Okuyan also stated that
with this insurance, problems emanating from unemployment would
be solved at a certain level, social peace would be protected and
better job opportunities would be created. /Hurriyet/
[20] MCKINSEY BECOMES THE ADVICER OF THE BANKS WITHIN THE SAVING
DEPOSIT INSURANCE FUND
McKinsey and Company was elected as the advisor company for eight
banks within the Saving Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). In a
statement issued by the TMSF, McKinsey and Company Advisory
Services Limited Company was elected to be the advisor of these
eight banks concerning the determination of their disposal
strategies and their work of preparation for sale. /Hurriyet/
[21] KOC SOLD GARANTI KOZA'S SHARE TO THE BRITISH BALFOUR BEATTY
Koc Group of Companies sold 49.18% of the share of Garanti Koza
Construction Industry and Commerce Joint Stock Company to the
British Balfour Beatty. In a statement issued by Koc Holding
Company, the handing-over and partnership agreement concerning
the sale of 19.18% of Garanti Koza Construction to the British
Balfour Beatty was signed yesterday. /Hurriyet/
[22] SIX HUGE COMPANIES' LETTER TO CLINTON CONCERNING TURKEY
Leading six companies of the American defense industry sent a
letter to Clinton, in which they warned President Clinton that if
a political mistake is made concerning the big weapon sales to
Turkey, then important and comprehensive biddings will not be
able to be won. In this letter, six huge companies of the defense
industry wrote, "We are giving our support to Turkey for its full
candidacy to the European Union. Similarly, we should also
support the factors which will ensure Turkey to play an active
and democratic role in the European Union. /Hurriyet/
[23] PLENARY SESSION OF THE TGNA ACCEPTS THE DRAFT LAW CONCERNING THE
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE COMPANIES
Plenary Session of the Turkish National Grand Assembly (TGNA)
accepted the draft law that envisages the restructuring of the
agricultural cooperative companies. Minister of Industry, Ahmet
Kenan Tanrikulu, stated that the agricultural cooperative
companies' need for restructuring will be met thanks to this law.
This law also aims at forming a legal framework and make the
establishments independent in terms of autonomy and finance.
/Star/
[24] VAKIFBANK TO BE PRIVATIZED
State Minister Yuksel Yalova said that with a change to be made
in the foundation law, first 20% and then 55% of the shares of
the Bank will be offered to the public. It has been reported that
the arrangements concerning autonomizing and then privatizing
public banks could not be prepared until the end of the World
Bank's Fiscal Year of 1999_2000, which will end on 30 June. The
officials stated that arrangements on giving an autonomous status
to Ziraat Bank, Halk Bank and Eximbank to provide them with the
opportunity to work without being affected by politics. The only
Bank where a solution could not be reached was the Vakifbank.
/Turkiye/
[25] EFES TO PRODUCE MILLER BEER
Efes Beverages Group announced that it has signed a license
agreement with one of the leading beer companies of the world,
Miller Brewing Company to produce "Miller Genuine Draft" in the
Erciyes Brewing facilities. "Miller Genuine Draft" which is the
second most popular beer in the US, will be produced and
distributed by Efes Beverages Group in Turkey. Deputy Chairman of
the Miller Group and the Director General of Europe, the Middle
East and Africa, Brian Wells stated they were presenting "Miller
Genuine Draft" to the fastest growing market of Europe in line
with their strategy to carry their product to various countries
of the world." /Milliyet/
[26] INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL JAZZ FESTIVAL TO BEGIN ON 5 JULY
International Istanbul Jazz Festival, during which famous jazz
artists will meet, will be organized for the seventh time this
year by Istanbul's Foundation of Culture and Art between 5 and 15
July. The festival will begin with an enourmous concert by Buena
Vista Social Club. Those who will attend this festival will
listen to the songs of many groups and artists such as Lou Reed,
Bryan Ferry and Natacha Atlas. /Hurriyet/
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