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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-15Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr><LINK href="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css_tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="20%"><_td> <td width="60%"><map name="FPMap1"> </map></td> <td width="20%"></td> </tr> <_table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="20%" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> Press & Information</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Turkish Press</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Foreign Press in Turkey</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#F0F0F0"> Turkish Press Review >></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Press Guide</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <_td> <td width="80%" valign="top" style="border: 0 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">15.02.2001</td> </tr> </table> </td> <_tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> CONTENTSCONTENTS
[01] ISTANBUL'S POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ : "WE WILL NOT LET INCIDENTS OCCUR"[02] GURION AIRPORT'S NEW TERMINALS TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY TURKISH COMPANIES[03] MAKE HASTE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)[04] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S DECISIONOne of the stages, of utmost importance for Turkey's full membership to the European Union (EU), is completed. The Plenary Session of the European Parliament (EP) approved the Framework Regulation, making the delivery of financial aid possible, and forming the legal basis of the Accession Partnership Document. Approval of the Framework Regulation makes it possible to collect all financial aid to be delivered to Turkey under one umbrella until it becomes a full member of the EU. The financial aid to be given to Turkey by the EU, 177 million euros each year over the next five years, also became official. 127 million euros of this aid will be received from the Mediterranean Development Aid (MEDA), 45 million euros will be received from the aid bureau supporting political and economic development, and 5 million euros will be received from aid given to support the Customs Union. During the EP voting the proposed changes made by Australian reporter Johannes Swoboda were accepted. In this respect, it was pointed out that Turkey should be treated the same as other candidate countries. /Aksam/[05] TURKEY HAS FIVE YEARS TO CARRY OUT REFORMSThe European Parliament's (EP) Turkish reporter, Austrian Socialist Parliamentarian Johannes Swoboda stated Turkey should carry out its reforms in five years and begin the full membership negotiations. During the meeting held at the Plenary Session of the EP yesterday, Swoboda spoke first during the Framework Regulation discussions. He said that unless Turkey meets the political criteria, full membership negotiations cannot be started and suggested Ankara not be too late. Swoboda further stated that if reforms could not be carried out in this timeframe, then another cooperation agreement between Turkey and the European Union might be on the agenda." He also referred to the so-called Armenian genocide law saying he was personally against foreign parliaments' enacting laws concerning this issue. /Aksam/[06] ARAFAT VISITS TURKEYAfter the Israeli elections, efforts to return to the Peace Process continue. Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat, who wants Turkey to play a role in the Middle East Peace Process, paid a surprise visit to Turkey after visiting Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan. Arafat visited Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem. During his visits, Arafat repeated his request for the international powers to stop the violence. Arafat wants Turkish soldiers to be included in the force that will be established in Gaza. Meanwhile, Ankara wants an end to the street violence. It was learned that during his meeting with Arafat, Ecevit said there was no alternative except peace. Ecevit also said the search for cooperation should continue in spite of everything. /Aksam/[07] ISRAELI CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF POSTPONES HIS VISIT TO TURKEYIsraeli Chief of General Staff General Mofaz Shaul postponed his visit which was supposed to begin yesterday. Israeli diplomatic sources stated Shaul delayed his visit due to the recent increase of violent incidents in Israel. However, Shaul's sudden decision is noteworthy as it coincided with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's surprise visit to Ankara. Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Arafat met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. In a press conference held after the meeting, Arafat said Israel used "nerve gas" on Palestinian civils. Responding to questions on the recent bus incident which resulted in eight dead, Arafat said, "According to the information I received on the incident, it was just a traffic accident." Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy to Ankara said Arafat's statement on the use of nerve gas against civilians by Israeli soldiers was nothing but a lie with no proof." The Embassy also stated Arafat's evaluation of the incident as a traffic accident was a problem as there was clear evidence to prove the Palestinian driver was a terrorist. /Cumhuriyet/[08] COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRANMinister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem's two-day visit to Tehran improved Turco-Iranian relations. Now the countries will enter a new phase during which bilateral cooperation on the economy and politics will be maintained. Cem emphasized two points during his visit in Tehran: 1) Turkey supports President Hatemi and his reforms. 2) There are security problems between the two countries. However these problems can be solved with new security measures. Improvement in political relations will also affect economic relations. Turkey proposed a new mechanism to be established in the fight against the PKK terrorist organization, with cooperation of both countries' Offices of the Chief of the General Staff and intelligence organizations. Another important development between the two countries concerns Iran's sale of natural gas to Turkey. Turkey is expected to purchase three billion meter cubes natural gas by July, 2001. /Cumhuriyet/[09] MUTAFYAN VISITS YILMAZPatriarch of the Turkish Armenians, Mesrob Mutafyan, said, there had been so many disagreements due to provocations of foreigners throughout history and that religious leaders should set an example for society through their work. After visiting the President, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Prime Minister and the Chief of the General Staff, Mutafyan visited the Chairman of Religious Affairs, Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz. Mutafyan said, "I consider Yilmaz not only to be the Chairman of Religious Affairs, but also as a friend to the other religious societies living in the country. The recent interreligious dialogues created a positive atmosphere in Turkey as well." Meanwhile, Yilmaz thanked Mutafyan for his statement concerning the so-called Armenian genocide saying, "There is no problem in Turkey concerning minorities. We have embraced members of other religions with a great deal of tolerance throughout the course of history." /Aksam/[10] THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL WITHDRAWN FROM DUMAThe so-called Armenian genocide bill has been withdrawn from the Russian Duma. After the bill was included at agenda of the Plenary Session of the Duma by the Chairmanship Council, Turkey's Embassy to Moscow launched initiatives by the Russian Parliament and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent the bill from being discussed. Alexei Mitrophanov, who brought the bill to the agenda, said yesterday there was a need to elaborate on the bill and withdrew his proposal. /Cumhuriyet/[11] FRENCH 'LIBERATION' DAILY ON THE TURCO-FRENCH ECONOMIC RELATIONSAn article published in the French 'Liberation' daily stated that economic relations between the two countries would not be affected by the tension over the recent approval of the so-called Armenian genocide. The article titled, 'The Impossible Divorce Between Turkey and France', puts forth the idea that, in spite of Turkish threats to retaliate economically, the bilateral economic relations are entwined to be easily spoiled. The article further stated that France is a major investor in Turkey, and that many Turkish and French companies have joint initiatives. As a result, Turkey's economic retaliations would not be so credible. The Liberation daily also included the worries of a Turco-French Chamber of Commerce member who reflection on the tension between the two countries. /Aksam/[12] DAMIANI'S STATEMENTFrench Chairman of the World Bridge Federation, Jose Damiani, issued several interesting statements concerning the so-called Armenian genocide bill that was approved by the French Parliament. He said, "France should account for the Corsicans massacred during the Napoleon era. Damiani visited Istanbul and toured the Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Hall. After the tour, Damiani answered journalists' questions and directed harsh criticisims at France over the approval of the bill. He said, "I am of Corsican origin. Everyone knows what Napoleon did while attaching Corsica to France 200 years ago. These facts should not be forgotten. France is the last country in the world who should speak on the genocide issue. However, the Armenian law does not bind us because we are interested in the sports element of the issue. We have nothing to do with the political discussions." He added that Istanbul was one of the cities most convenient for the Bridge Olympics. /Aksam/[13] ATO'S REACTION AGAINST FRANCEThe Ankara Chamber of Trade (ATO) has prepared a book titled "The Unfounded Armenian allegations and the cruelties carried out by Armenians against Turks". The 228-page book was compiled by Ismet Binark. The book refutes the so-called Armenian genocide allegations and exposes the cruelties carried out by Armenians against Turks in Anaolia during the First World War. /Turkiye/[14] ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILO IN ANKARAAlbenian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, currently holding contacts in Ankara met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday. Cem said, "Good relations between Turkey and Albania is the guarantee for security and economic stability in the Balkans." He added that because Albania is the president of the Southeastern European Cooperation, Turkey and Albania would begin discussing common problems and regional issues. /Cumhuriyet/[15] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION RECEIVED BY RAMAZANA Turkish parliamentary delegation was received by the Iraqi Deputy Head of State Taha Yasin Ramazan. Ramazan said recent visits by Turkish delegations to Iraq were of great importance in terms of making the dynamics of real issues more obvious and easier to solve. The visits helped the improvement of the relations between the two countries. /All papers/[16] TURKISH MEMBER IN EUROPEAN COURT OF NUCLEAR ENERGYJustice Ministry Assistant Undersecretary Assc.Professor Seref Unal was elected to the European Court of Nuclear Energy on February 7, 2001. A written statement from the Justice Ministry Public Relations office said the court was established on December 20, 1957, to be a third party responsible for solving differences regarding the interpretation and practice of the 1960 Paris Convention and the 1963 Brussels Convention. The seven members of the court are elected by the OECD countries from the judges recommended by the signatory countries to the convention. /All papers/[17] NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEYNorwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjon Jagland will pay an official visit to Turkey on February 15-16. The Foreign Ministry announced that bilateral relations, regional issues such as the peace process in the Middle East, the enlargement of the EU, the UN sanctions on Iraq and the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) will be discussed during the meetings with Jagland. /All papers/[18] LASTING SOLUTION FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAfter striking a blow to the PKK separatist terrorist organization, the goverment has accelerated its development work in the South Eastern Region of Turkey in hopes of finding a permanent solution. By the order of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who published a circular for this purpose, the 'Southeastern Commission' was established. The Southeastern Commission, consists of representatives of some Ministries and institutions, and will convene once a month to give progress reports to Ecevit. /Aksam/[19] ISTANBUL'S POLICE CHIEF ABANOZ : "WE WILL NOT LET INCIDENTS OCCUR"PKK terrorist organization sympathizers held demonstrations in Istanbul yesterday commemorating the first anniversary of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's capture in Kenya, February 15, 1999. Istanbul Police Chief Kazim Abanoz stated they took all necessary measures against the provocators. Abanoz said messages from abroad were sent demanding sympathizers keep the issue in the foreground by holding demonstrations. /Cumhuriyet/[20] DOG-FISH 2001 MANEOUVRESDog Fish 2001, one of the planned NATO maneuvers, begins today in the Ionian Sea. The maneuvers will end February 28. Turkey, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Britain, the US and submarines, ships and planes affiliated with the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean will participate in the maneuvers. The TCG 18 March submarine will represent Turkey in the maneuvers. /Cumhuriyet/[21] ECEVIT: "NO CONCESSIONS FROM THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit evaluated the latest economic developments in a meeting of his political party. Ecevit said the government would protect and follow the stability program maintaining a dynamic stability rather than a stagnant one while taking measures to solve economic problems. Stating the banking sector problems were being gradually solved, Ecevit said, " However, a functional harmony between the real sector and the banking sector has not been achieved yet. The Banking sector can not meet the demands of investors and entrepreneurs." Relaying information on last week's meetings at the Office of the Prime Minister, Ecevit said, "All entrepreneurs attending the meetings agreed to pursue the program till the end, despite all obstacles and difficulties. A rapid decrease in inflation is being seen. A fall in the interest rates is now expected. Therefore, one of the biggest obstacles to investment will be removed." Ecevit said that despite all negative developments such as dramatic rise in the oil prices, and the fall in the value of Euro and widespread drought, the decrease in the inflation rate and increase in the development rate are important developments. Ecevit emphasized the government's launching of wide initiative to accelerate investments and maintain the salary balance. He said, "Meanwhile, we began working to protect peasants from the effects of the drought. We will keep following the economic program while taking measures. " /Cumhuriyet/[22] 2000: SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR TAITurkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) officials stated the company successfully completed 24 separate defence industry projects in 2000, as the Anatolia News Agency reports. TAI's successes were not limited only to the defence industry sector last year. TAI also produced 200 wingtips for the Boeing 737 aircraft as well as cabin panels. In addition, TAI achieved success in manufacturing of crop spraying planes. /All papers/[23] IMF DELEGATION'S CONTACTSTreasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said making Turk Telecom more attractive would involve eliminating obstacles to the planned sell-off, including legal problems and others. "The Telecom sell-off is a key element in this program, it is a basic indicator", Demiralp was quoted by the Anatolia News Agency as saying yesterday."We are giving our utmost effort to make it happen. The government is reviewing potential legal obstacles and will send a bill of one or two articles to Parliament if necessary. We are going to comply with market conditions. We are trying to make Telecom privatizable from both legal and other aspects". /All papers/ [24] AKBANK POSTS TL 344 TRILLION 2000 NET EARNINGSAkbank posted TL 344 trillion 2000 in net earnings, the bank announced yesterday. Akbank General Manager Zafer Kurtul commented the bank achieved its most significant development in the loan department. Akbank's loans increased by 91 % over the year. /All papers/[25] GENERAL DIRECTOR OF TURK EXIMBANK'S STATEMENTGeneral Director of Turk Eximbank Ahmet Kilicoglu said Turk Eximbank would give financial support amounting to 4.1 billion US dollars. 3.7 billion US dollars is a short term loan and 400 million US dollars is a middle and long term loan. While answering questions posed by the Reuters news agency, Kilicoglu said, "Together, with the insurance and guarantee amounting to 3.3 billion US dollars, the total financing that will be given to exports will amount to 7.5 billion US dollars. Furthermore, the Treasury is planning to transfer 300 trillion TL to Eximbank. The sooner this money enters the system, the sooner it will heal the wounds." /Aksam/[26] ERDEMIR TO BE IN BIG INITIATIVESIron and Steel Factories in Eregli (ERDEMIR) took the Certificate of Investment Permission for the first step of the Capacity Increase and Modernisation Project (KAM-3). According to a statement issued by ERDEMIR, the project's fixed investment amounts to 2.2 billion US dollars. 40% of this project will be financed by equity capital and 60% of it will be financed by foreign sources. The first phrase of the project is planned to be completed by the end of 2004. /Aksam/[27] DEPPLER RELIEVES THE MARKETSInternational Monetary Fund's (IMF) European Director, Michael Deppler, said, "Turkey met the conditions of the agreement made in December more than was expected." Meanwhile, the clearance of 25 funds was adopted by the Budget Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), another development to relieve the markets. Thus, the Stock Exchange went up 586 points and made a premium of 6.25% daily. Brokers say the positive news about the program was a motivating factor. /Aksam/[28] RECORDS IN GOLDThe World Gold Council stated Turkey's gold request increased by 49% in 2000 reaching a record level of 207 tons. Turkey is among the top five leading gold consuming countries in the world. According to the Council's statement, in spite of the economic crises and the increasing investment rates in Turkey, the gold request increased 90% during the last quarter of the year, when compared to the same period last year. /Aksam/[29] GURION AIRPORT'S NEW TERMINALS TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY TURKISH COMPANIESIsraeli Airport Administration (IAA) preferred the Turkish companies for the construction of the new terminal building and electricity equipment works of the International Ben Gurion Airport. IAA decided to give these undertakings to be given to the Turkish companies, Cuhadaroglu and Nurol Holding Companies. IAA stated that they have made such a decision while considering the experience of Cuhadaroglu and Nurol Holding Companies to finish the work as soon as possible. /Aksam/[30] TURKISH FASHION DESIGNERS TO OPEN DEPARTMENT STORES ABROADThe Traditional Fashion Week has begun in New York. Turkish fashion designers will open department stores in Paris, New York and London under the promotion campaign prepared by the Foreign Trade Undersecretary and Istanbul Textile and Manufacturing Exports Union (ITHIB). The Chairman of ITHIB Oguz Satici said, "Our slogan will be Turquality, meaning Turkish quality. When the project ends, 150 stores will be opened by about 30 designers." /Sabah/[31] THY IN TOURISSIMO FAIROfficials from the the Turkish Airlines (THY) stated they attended the Tourissimo Fair in Strasbourg and attracted a lot of attention. A written statement issued said THY was attending fairs in countries they fly to. Attending the fairs also serves to promote the country. /Turkiye/[32] HAND-IN-HAND FOR ISTANBUL 2008Leading Turkish press and publications institutions have rolled up their sleeves to compete for the 2008 Olympics selection. A campaign slogan: "Let the world gather in the place where continents meet" has been launched to promote Istanbul. The campaign will last until July 13 when the winning city will be announced in Moscow. /Hurriyet/[33] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[34] MAKE HASTE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the request of the President regarding a change in election laws as soon as possible. A summary of his column is as follows:"President Ahmet Necdet Sezer requested the laws regarding political parties and elections be changed as soon as possible, as the dominance of leadership was blocking any advances in the political arena. Sezer told the administrators of the Turkish Democracy Foundation that he would like the representatives of the people to be freer. Therefore, he added these laws should be changed as soon as possible. The European Parliament ratified the Framework Regulation regarding Turkey's financial cooperation with the EU and aid to be received. Turkish Reporter, EU parliamentarian from Austria, Johannes Swoboda, warned that full membership negotiations would not begin until the politicial criteria were implemented. What happens if negotiations do not begin? We shall either complete the reforms in five years and be ready for full-membership, or Turkey will be a party to another kind of partnership agreement. That is to say, a second class partner. In turn this means she has not reached the modern standards of living but is still waiting on the sidelines. Those governing Turkey should not put personal gains before the fate of this country, her youth and her future. This is the real, unforgivable treason. This fate can only be changed by freeing the people from having to choose between parties in order to be able to elect the right people for the job. We certainly know the only way to break the dominance of the current leaders is through two-round and narrow-constituency electoral system. Finding the real leader of the people by leaving out the intrigues is only possible in a presidential system. If not, the Prime Minister should be directly elected by the public as in Israel. Daily considerations should not stop us from opening the door to the future. We must make haste. As Mevlana said, 'Make haste, as time is like a sharp sword!'" <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <dl> <dt>FORMER ISSUES</dt> </dl> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <_table> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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