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Turkish Press Review, 00-12-07Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>07.12.00Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] US SECRETARY OF TREASURY: 'TURKEY'S STABILITY IS IMPORTANT FOR US'[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[03] ECEVIT ATTENDS EU NICE SUMMITPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit left for Nice yesterday to attend the EU Heads of State and Government Summit. Today, Mr. Ecevit will participate in the European Conference to be held in the Acropolis congress centrum. Before departing, he said, "During the European Conference, candidate countries will be informed about recent developments of planned institutional reforms in the EU and views will be exchanged for the future of the EU. We hope the discussions yield positive and encouraging results for candidate countries." /Turkiye/[04] SWEDEN SUPPORTS TURKEYSweden's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), the former Deputy Foreign Minister and member of the European Parliament, Pierre Schori, said Sweden, which will be the current president of the European Union (EU) on January, wanted to improve its political dialogue with Turkey. Schori said, "I don't approve of member countries' being kept at the EU gate for a long time. Turkey should be a member of the EU. We need Turkey and we do not want to see a Berlin Wall on the Straits. /Aksam/[05] FOGG: "CYPRUS IS THE PRIORITY OF THE EU"European Commission Turkey Representative, Ambassador Karen Fogg, said Cyprus continues to be a priority for the EU, eventhough the statement regarding the issue has been removed from short-term priorities and put under another heading in the Accession Partnership Document(APD). Ms. Fogg said fiscal aids would be suspended if Turkey does not include the ADP points in the National Program. She said broadcasting in other languages is a must for a democratic society. Ms. Fogg attended a conference yesterday at the Middle East Technical University titled "The EU Enlargement Process and Turkey". Ms. Fogg said a deeper dialogue should exist between Turkey and the EU to enhance mutual confidence. Responding to student questions, Ms. Fogg said broadcasting and education in other languages are completely different from one another. The first one should exist in a democratic country, but each government is free to decide on the education system. /Cumhuriyet/[06] ECEVIT ANNOUNCES THE CONDITIONS OF IMF CREDITPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced the conditions of the new IMF credit to be given to Turkey to compensate $7 billion lost in the previous two weeks due to the fiscal crisis. Turkey will benefit from supplementary IMF reserves of 7.450 billion and $2.9 billion within the framework of the stand-by agreement. The World Bank will approve a loan of $1 billion in December. Further, the Bank will provide the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK) with a fund of $500 million for facilitating the restructuring of the state-owned banks. The supplementary reserve credits will be given to Turkey in a one-year period and repayment will begin after 18 months, which is considered unfavorable. Mr. Ecevit explained the conditions of the IMF credit. Turkey will quicken the privatization process, especially of Turkish Airlines and Turk Telekom. Privatization gains will be used to finance the budget deficit. Mr. Ecevit said in order to eliminate the fiscal crisis, measures will be taken to strengthen the banking sector, to decrease the inflation and to increase the inflow of foreign exchange by way of privatization. /Cumhuriyet/[07] DEPPLER: "AGREEMENT IS VERY COMPREHENSIVE"International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Chairman to the European Part, Michael Deppler, said he was very pleased that a consensus was reached with Turkey on the very comprehensive policies. Deppler speaking at a press conference held at the Prime Ministry said, "The banking sector is very important in terms of the IMF's work with Turkey. Within the framework of the loan to be extended to Turkey, $ 7.5 billion US will be extended as part of a reserve. $ 2.9 billion US of this loan will be given within the framework of the stand-by agreement. "IMF officials will stay in Turkey a few more days and they will continue working on the technical details of the program." Deppler then gave information on the loan details adding that the agremeent was very comrehensive. /Sabah/[08] KOHLER: "TURKEY'S DESERVES A VERY STRONG SUPPORT"Director of the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Horst Kohler, said, "I welcome Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statement. The comprehensive, additional measures package shows Turkey's determination and leadership in solving its present economic and fiscal problems." In addition, Kohler issued a written statement in Washington concerning the IMF's aid package to Turkey: "The strengthened program is based on the improvement achieved concerning the fight against inflation and financial consolidation. The continuing agenda of structural reform and privatization is going forward. I am particularly pleased with the Turkish government's determination to increase the banking sector's firmness and to struggle against the current problems. I appreciate the strong measures taken to protect the deposit owners and the other creditors of the Turkish banks. The package of comprehensive and strengthened policies should establish the basis to rebuild confidence and to continue Turkey's economic growth. This program deserves international support and, therefore I will request the Executive Board of the IMF to provide Turkey with a loan amounting to more than 10 billion US dollars." /Sabah/[09] US SECRETARY OF TREASURY: 'TURKEY'S STABILITY IS IMPORTANT FOR US'The US welcomed the consensus reached on extending the economic aid package of $ 10 billion US to Turkey, saying Turkey's financial stability was very important. US Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers gave a statement saying they were expecting Turkish officials to take the vitally important steps to restore confidence and financial stability as soon as possible. The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) loan portion of $ 7.5 billion is being ensured by short-term loan opportunities for countries in crisis, and the $ 2.9 billion portion will be given as part of the stand-by agreement. In his statement, Summers added, "The US also welcomes the suggestion concerning the strengthened reform structure. Turkey's financial stability is very important for the US." /Sabah/[10] OECD: 'TURKEY'S SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE BANKING REFORM'Experts from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) consider the success of 'rescue plan', started by Turkey with the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to solve Turkish government's financial crises, which is dependent upon the banking reform. OECD's Chief to the Turkish Desk, Robert Price recalled that a consensus was reached between Ankara and the IMF to solve the financial fluctuation in Turkey and said, "Real reform is necessary so the rescue plan can be successful. The Central Bank should also continue its monetary policy. The most important obstacle for Turkish officials is providing the banks, which are being restructured, with cash. The first thing to do the in the short term is to support the cambio value of the Turkish lira." /Sabah/[11] PRIVATIZATION START IS DECEMBER 14Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced the dates for the tender of major state-owned companies. The tender of Turk Telekom will be announced by Dec.14. 35% of the total shares will be sold through the tender. The strategic investor will also get the executive control of the company. The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) will announce the date of the tender to sell shares of 51% of Turkish Airlines by Dec.14. The draft law on the privatization of electricity production will be submitted to the National Assembly by Dec.14. The law will be put into effect by the end of January 2001. /Hurriyet/[12] THE VALUE OF TURKISH BONDS IN FOREIGN MARKETS INCREASESAfter the IMF announcement that it will give a supplementary support credit totaling $10.4 to Turkey, the shares of foreign financial institutions invested in Turkish bonds have increased, following an increase in the value of Turkish bonds. The Russian Stock Exchange also went up after the announcement. /Hurriyet/[13] PEACE FORCE SUMMIT TO CONVENEThe Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the Greek-Cypriot Administration will be invited to the United Nations' (UN) Security Council to solve the disagreement concerning the extention of the UN Peace Force's (UNFICYP) mandate. The Greek-Cypriot Administration had previously not accepted the TRNC's involvement in the negotiations concerning the UNFICYP's term period. UNFICYP's term period will end on 15 December 2000. /Aksam/[14] DENKTAS: "UNFICYP ACTS ON ORDERS BY GREEK-CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION"The President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktas, said it is not possible to accept the UN Peace Force (UNFICYP) acting in accordance to the orders given by the South Cyprus administration. Mr. Denktas said the working conditions of the UNFICYP should change. Mr. Denktas said, "Nobody should expect that Turkish-Cypriots will approve the UNFICYP's existence under the orders of a fake Greek-Cypriot government that acts as if it was the legitimate government of the whole island." /Cumhuriyet/[15] ARMENIAN LOBBY'S NEW BREAKTHROUGHThe Armenian lobby is worried that a pro-Turkish representative from Nebraska, Doug Bereuter, may become the Chairman of the House of Representatives International Affairs Committee. Reportedly, if he becomes the chairman, Bereuter is planning to abolish the International Relations and Human Rights Sub-committee which played a key role in moving ahead the Armenian bill in Congress. Issuing a statement, the American National Committee for Armenians (ANCA) called on the Armenian society in the US to act to save the committee. /Turkiye/[16] CAKMAKOGLU MEETS WITH HIS GREEK COUNTERPARTFollowing NATO meetings in Brussels, Minister of National Defence, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, met yesterday with Greek Minister of Defence, Akis Cohacopulos, at the request of the NATO Secretary-General, George Robertson. The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and Confidence Building Measures. Mr. Cakmakoglu then visited the Gent province and met with Turkish society's representatives. /Turkiye/[17] ANKARA READY TO MEDIATEAn article in the Italian "La Repubblica" newspaper said Turkey is planning a summit to bring Israeli and Palestinian authorities together. The article asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak sent a dialogue signal to Palestinian Head of State Yasser Arafat and Ankara is ready to mediate. /Turkiye/[18] YUCAOGLU: "MARKETS WILL BE BACK ON TRACK IN THE NEW YEAR"President of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), Erkut Yucaoglu, said financial markets will stop fluctuating and everything will be back on track in the new year. Mr. Yucaoglu presented a report prepared by TUSIAD titled " A Comparison of Per Capita Income and Poverty in Turkey with the European Union" at a press conference. Mr. Yucaoglu said TUSIAD regards the IMF agreement positively. He said $7.5 billion which will be loaned by the IMF for implementation of the stabilization program is enough. The credit will provide the Central Bank with an opportunity to accumulate foreign exchange reserves and this will give flexiblity to the financial sector. /Cumhuriyet/[19] DEMIRBANK'S EX-OWNER SAYS BANK FAILED IN SUPPORT OF PROGRAMDemirbank, placed under the Deposit Insurance Fund administration yesterday, became insolvent due to its support of the government's disinflation program as well as a reduction in bond yields, its former owner announced yesterday. Halit Cingillioglu, also the owner of Cingilli Holding, said Demirbank was one of the biggest supporters of the ongoing stabilization and disinflation program. /Turkish Daily News/[20] "GEDIZ FRIGATE" PARTICIPATES IN THE TURKISH NAVAL FORCEThe "Gediz Frigate" donated to Turkey as a form of military aid by the US, joined the Turkish Naval Force with ceremony. She left from San Diego Harbour Sep. 1st, 2000 with her crew of 218. The frigate has a high firing capacity and can carry two helicopters. /Turkiye/[21] TURKSAT 2A TO BE LAUNCHED TOMORROWTurkey's third satellite Turksat 2A will be launched tomorrow from French Guiana in South America. The construction of the satellite at a cost of $300 million, began in 1997. 75% of the project was carried out by Turk Telecom. After the launching, the number of avaible channels for Turkish broadcast will be 66. /Turkiye/[22] KOCBANK RECEIVES SYNDICATION CREDITKocbank received a one-year credit of $220 million from international financial markets. Kocbank had also received a five-year credit of $300 million Nov.27. /Cumhuriyet/[23] GALATASARAY BEATS PARIS SAINT GERMANGalatasaray beat its Parisian rival, Paris Saint German by 1-0 at Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul yesterday. Galatasaray seized numerous opportunities against its strong rival. This match has put them into the quarter final. /Aksam/[24] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[25] EUROPE'S MISTAKE BY IZZET SEDES (AKSAM)Columnist Izzet Sedes comments on relations between Turkey and the EU. A summary of his column is as follows:"One of the most difficult EU summit meetings will be held in Nice, France today. The meeting of 15 heads of state and government will end with an important agreement, similar to that of Maastricht. The most important issues discussed will be reforming on the working style of the EU before the admittance of Cyprus, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia to the Union, and later, the participation of Malta, Central and Eastern European and Balkan countries and finally Turkey in the EU. All the partners agree that an EU with 28 members cannot work in the same manner it did with only 15 members. However, they differ on the methods of change. The smaller European countries with a lower population, such as Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Finland and Austria fear the hegemonyof the larger states such as Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom in the Union. Therefore, it is believed that enlargement will not be possible before carrying out reforms. At this time the Director of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), Ambassador Ozdem Sanberk, invited the Swedish Ambassador to the UN and European Parliament member, Pierre Schori, to Turkey. A solution to improve relations between Turkey and the European Parliament, which is noted for its negative intervention on issues concerning Turkey is being searched for. Swedish EU member, spoke yesterday to the issue on a panel also attended by Istanbul deputy Bulent Akarcali and Ambassador Gunduz Aktan. According to experienced diplomats the improvement of relations is not impossible but Turkey has to fulfill the required conditions put down in the Accession Partnership Document. Mr. Schori was insistent on the matter and did not refrain from saying that if Turkey did not carry out the Helsinki Declaration requirements, it could not be an EU partner. Akarcali and Aktan gave examples demonstrating that the EU did not act with good intentions from the start and avoided cooperation with Turkey. Schori, who said he partially agreed with these denunciations, explained what Turkey must do in the future. According to the Swedish diplomat, Turkey cannot act by saying 'I did it my own way'. Turkey is no Frank Sinatra. There are common European values, understandings, and basic political, administrative and economic issues agreed upon by all. Every country which wants to be an EU member must comply with them. Schori, in answer to questions said, the same things were asked from Turkey and Greece to establish an agreement on Cyprus. For a solution to be found, the Eastern Mediterranean has to be a region of peace and economic cooperation. Responding to another question, he said he believed that Kurdish education was inevitable. The issue was concerned with cultural freedoms and Schori said this was a natural implementation in EU countries. It won't be easy to enter the EU. Although we have not been able to teach Turkish to many of our citizens, Europe is mistakenly asking for Kurdish education. I asked Mr. Schori if education in Alsatian and Basque languages was required from either Spain or France. He did not answer. He probably forgot." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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