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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-26
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
26.03.2001
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER GIVES FULL SUPPORT FOR EU REFORMS, ECONOMIC
PROGRAM
[02] OMER IZGI TRAVELS TO CENTRAL ASIA
[03] PARLIAMENT TO ENTER BUSY WEEK OF DELIBERATIONS
[04] FULL SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT FROM BAHCELI
[05] DEMIREL RETURNS TO ANKARA
[06] ERIS: NATIONAL PROGRAM IS THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT
CONTRACT
[07] VAN AARTSEN : TURKEY IS A VERY IMPORTANT ALLY
[08] SEARCH FOR DOMESTIC SUPPORT FOR NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
[09] TURKEY TRIES TO RECOVER HER LOSSES DUE TO US EMBARGO
ON IRAQ
[10] AMBASSADORS MET IN BRUSSELS
[11] MESROB II:"TURKEY HAS NO TERRITORY TO GIVE
ARMENIA"
[12] MACEDONIAN MINISTER: "WE SHOULD ASK FOR
TURKISH HELP"
[13] SCHROEDER'S REQUEST FROM US AUTHORITIES
[14] PEARSON: "INVEST IN TURKEY"
[15] BANKERS AND HEADS OF CHAMBERS CONVENE
[16] NATURAL GAS MARKET COUNCIL TO BE ESTABLISHED
[17] ALP IN THE US
[18] SUCCESS OF THE TURKS LIVING IN THE US
[19] TUSIAD DELEGATION TO TRAVEL TO THE US
[20] JAPANESE DEMAND FOR TURKISH HAZELNUTS
[21] PRESIDENTS' PHOTOS TO BE EXHIBITED
[22] TURKISH-AMERICAN SCIENTISTS CONFERENCE
[23] FESTIVAL OF ONE-MAN PLAYS
[24] EFFORTS CONTINUE TO MAKE MARDIN AN UNESCO CITY
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[26] TGNA AND POLITICAL PARTIES BY YILMAZ OZTUNA
(TURKIYE)
[01] SEZER GIVES FULL SUPPORT FOR EU REFORMS, ECONOMIC
PROGRAM
Announcing full support for the reforms set out in
Turkey's National Program for the European Union, President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer said the success in the implementation of the political
reforms will have a positive impact on the program intended to get the
economy out of its current crisis. Speaking at a weekly press
conference at the Office of the President, Tacan Ildem, chief advisor
to the president on foreign affairs, said Sezer perceived the program
to be indicative of the political determination and will make Turkey
an EU member. "The President believes Turkey has taken an
important step on the road to full membership by preparing and
announcing the National Program," Ildem said. According to Sezer,
the Copenhagen criteria, a set of political standards Turkey pledged
to maintain in the National Program, should be fulfilled not only to
please the EU but also, and more importantly, to advance Turkey's
economic and political development and "to grant the rights and
freedoms that will make dreams of our citizens come true." Ildem
said the president believes relevant state institutions should take
the necessary steps as soon as possible to implement both programs and
, echoing the government line, that public support will be essential
in determining the success of the programs. /Turkish News/
[02] OMER IZGI TRAVELS TO CENTRAL ASIA
Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker,
Omer Izgi, traveled to Uzbekistan yesterday to pay an official visit.
During the 13-day visit, Mr. Izgi, accompanied by a delegation, is
also expected to proceed to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
Before his departure, the Speaker told reporters that he was happy to
pay visits to Central Asian countries in his first official trip as
the TGNA Speaker. /Turkiye/
[03] PARLIAMENT TO ENTER BUSY WEEK OF DELIBERATIONS
Parliament is entering a busy week. Parliament will
first debate the censure motion presented by the True Path Party(DYP)
against the government over its responsibility for the economic crisis
on Tuesday. Parliament will also discuss the lengthening of emergency
rule. Privatization of sugar factories, the Individual Retirement
Bill, bills proposing changes to the Turkish Armed Forces Personnel
Law, the Gendarmerie Organization and the Security Organization will
be debated in Parliament this week. /Turkish News/
[04] FULL SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT FROM BAHCELI
The National Action Party (MHP)'s Third Regional
Meeting was held in Antalya yesterday. Devlet Bahceli, leader of the
MHP, Ministers, high level party officials, deputies from region,
mayors and citizens attended the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Mr.
Bahceli evaluated recent developments in Turkey. Regarding the
February economic crisis, Bahceli said, it did not stem from the lack
of political support. He added, "There was full governmental
support for the economic program carried out in 2000." Bahceli
pointed out they are looking for new financial resources to overcome
economic difficulties. /Turkiye/
[05] DEMIREL RETURNS TO ANKARA
Former President Suleyman Demirel returned to
Ankara yesterday from Jerusalem. Mr. Demirel, a member of the Middle
East Commission established to determine the causes of the violence in
the Mideast continuing since Sep. 28, joined with the other members of
the commission to hold a series of meetings with both Israeli and
Palestinian authorities in the region. Talking to reporters, Mr.
Demirel said they met with Israeli President Moshe Katsav and Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem the day before. Declaring his view
over the issue, he said the situation in the region is not optimistic.
/Turkiye/
[06] ERIS: NATIONAL PROGRAM IS THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT
CONTRACT
Economic Development Foundation (IKV) President
Meral Gezgin Eris said on Friday that the National Program announced
earlier in the week is the government's commitment contract addressed
to the Turkish people, the European Union, and the whole world. Eris,
who spoke at a discussion forum organized by the Izmir Chamber of
Trade (IZTO) Foreign Economic Affairs Directorate, said that the
National Program Document would be implemented and added that the
National Program was realistic and a "document of
rapprochement" in that it was the product of cooperative work
among the three coalition parties. /Turkish News/
[07] VAN AARTSEN : TURKEY IS A VERY IMPORTANT ALLY
Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aartsen said on
Friday that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's upcoming visit to the
Netherlands carried great importance from the standpoint of bilateral
relations between the two countries adding, "The Netherlands
shall continue to give full support to Turkey, one of our most
important allies, in its EU membership process." Van Aartsen sent
a notice to the Parliament Chairmanship on Friday, prior to President
Sezer's visit on April 3-5. Aarsen said, "Turkey has taken a very
important step towards integration with Europe by announcing its
National Program, which will surely accelerate and improve Turkish-EU
affairs. " /Turkish News/
[08] SEARCH FOR DOMESTIC SUPPORT FOR NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
After completing his search for foreign support to
the new economic program in Germany and the US, the Minister of State
responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis will be very busy also searching
for domestic support in Turkey. Dervis has a busy schedule for the
next few days in Turkey. Meetings to form a joint Executive Council
for the three state-owned banks, Ziraat Bank, Emlak Bank and Halk Bank
will be held. The Higher Planning Board will meet in 30 days.
Meanwhile Dervis, currently in Washington, met with economic
authorities who were in the US to attend Turkish-American Council
meetings to evaluate the recent situation in the Turkish economy.
Dervis is expected to attend the Turkish-American Council's annual
conference today. He will meet with IMF Chief Horst Kohler, Chairman
of World Bank, James Wolfensohn and the US Secretary of Treasury Paul
O'Neill. He is expected to leave Washington Wednesday. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] TURKEY TRIES TO RECOVER HER LOSSES DUE TO US EMBARGO
ON IRAQ
Turkey, who suffered approximately $35 million in
losses because of the US embargo on Iraq, has decided to open a new
border gate through Syria to improve her commercial relations with
Iraq. However, the US, who demands a continuation of the embargo on
Iraq, has reacted to that decision. The Washington Administration
warned Ankara about complying with UN Security Council decisions and
stated that the UN must control all border commerce activities with
Iraq. Emphasizing the great amount of loss which she suffered due to
the embargo, and the blow dealt to the socio-economic conditions of
the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Turkey has demanded a special
regulation within the UN decision for herself. The contentious issues
will be discussed during Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to the
US. Ankara thinks border commerce would contribute greatly to the
improvement of the Southeastern Anatolia region after the problem of
terrorism is solved. According to research conducted on the Andiver
Pasavan gate to be opened at the Syrian border by the authorities from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Chief of the
General Staff and Interior Ministry, the region would enter a new
phase of improved economic and social conditions after the improvement
of commercial relations with Iraq. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] AMBASSADORS MET IN BRUSSELS
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met with the Turkish
Ambassadors to the EU countries in Brussels to discuss the National
Program (NP). The Ambassador said in order to be a full EU member,
Turkey should adjust itself to the European norms and adopt its
principles. Foreign Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu and Secretary General
for the EU Affairs, Volkan Vural also participated in the meeting. Cem
will meet today with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Gunter
Verheugen and will officially submit the Program to the EU. /Milliyet/
[11] MESROB II:"TURKEY HAS NO TERRITORY TO GIVE
ARMENIA"
Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II said on Sunday that
Turkey had no territory to give to Armenia, claiming that the demand
for land by Armenian officials was the idea of a bunch of cranks.
About 700 Orthodox Armenians attended Sunday Mass at Kayseri's Surp
Krikor Lusarovic Church held by Mesrob II. The Anatolian Armenian
Church was recognized by Rome in 301 A.D.,that is 1,700 years ago,
with St. Gregory becoming the first patriarch of Anatolia. The
Armenian community today observes three festivals every year to
commemorate St. Gregory. There are four Surp Krikor Lusarovic churches
in Istanbul. The name means "the enlightening Saint
Gregory." This year's commemorative activities are of particular
importance since they are being observed on the 1,700th anniversary of
the founding of the Anatolian Armenian Orthodox Church," he said.
/Turkish News/
[12] MACEDONIAN MINISTER: "WE SHOULD ASK FOR
TURKISH HELP"
Macedonia's former interior and foreign minister,
Lubomir Firchovski reportedly stated it was a must that the Macedonian
government should ask Turkey's military support as "the biggest,
the strongest and the country which pursues the most neutral policy in
the region." He said "It will be correct to ask for military
support from Turkey, as well as Bulgaria and Greece since Turkey is
the largest and strongest country pursuing the most neutral policy in
the region." Meanwhile Macedonian authorities stated they have
cleared the border of Albanian guerillas. /Turkish Daily News/
[13] SCHROEDER'S REQUEST FROM US AUTHORITIES
German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroeder will travel
to the US to request financial resources for Turkey. According to
"Der Spiegel", during his official visit to the US on
Thursday, Schroeder will request President George Bush to secure $30
billion credit for the Turkish state-owned banks. /Milliyet/
[14] PEARSON: "INVEST IN TURKEY"
The US Ambassador to Turkey, Mark Pearson said the
US believed in the success of the economic program in Turkey. During a
conference organized within the framework of the Appalachia-Turkey
Trade Project, Pearson said, "The US continues to support Turkey.
Turkey is a major friend and ally. US also supports the IMF-backed
economic program." Pearson invited American businessmen to invest
in Turkey,which is a strategic partner of the US. /Milliyet/
[15] BANKERS AND HEADS OF CHAMBERS CONVENE
The members of the Banking Union and the Chambers
Union will convene today to discuss the high rates of interests banks
implement due to the economic crisis. They will try to reach a
compromise solution. /Milliyet/
[16] NATURAL GAS MARKET COUNCIL TO BE ESTABLISHED
The Office of the Prime Minister sent the Natural
Gas Market Bill to the related ministries for consultation. The bill
foresees a Natural Gas Market Council to be established. The bill is
important for two reasons: It is included in the regulations for
adaptation within the EU. The bill will also protect the large
investments required for the additional natural gas which will be
transferred from Iran and Russia. /Cumhuriyet/
[17] ALP IN THE US
The Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister, Prof.
Ahmet Vefik Alp, traveled to the US to hold a series of meetings and
to attend the 20th Turco-American Relations Conference. Additionally,
Mr. Alp will meet with various firms and institutions to get
information about new construction techniques that enable structures
to withstand earthquakes. /Turkiye/
[18] SUCCESS OF THE TURKS LIVING IN THE US
Armenian attempts to put the so-called Armenian
genocide in lessons at schools beginning from the primary grades was
prevented by the Turkish-American community initiatives. A bill
debated at Virginia State's education commission anticipated the
so-called "Armenian Massacre" would be taught in school. The
Armenian lobby tried to overcome the Turks' objections using
"massacre" word instead of "genocide". However,
Turkish community members from other states also participated in the
discussions and the bill was rejected. /Turkiye/
[19] TUSIAD DELEGATION TO TRAVEL TO THE US
A TUSIAD delegation headed by Tuncay Ozilhan will
travel to New York this week to join the Turkish-American Business
Forum meeting to be held March 29. Additionally, a parliamentary
delegation, led by Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Foreign
Affairs Commission's Chairman, Kamran Inan, will also visit New York
April 5-7 to hold a series of meetings. /Turkiye/
[20] JAPANESE DEMAND FOR TURKISH HAZELNUTS
As a result of the Turkish Hazelnut Promotion
Groups' activities in Japan, the prominent Japanese chocolate company
Maiji Seika Kaishe began tests to use Turkish hazelnut in its
products. The Hazelnut Promotion Group has been engaged in promotional
activities in Japan as well as in the US and China since 1999. /Aksam/
[21] PRESIDENTS' PHOTOS TO BE EXHIBITED
Beginning tomorrow, all Turkish Presidents' photos
will be exhibited at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Hall.
At the exhibition, organized by the Association of Photo- Reporters,
under the auspices of TGNA, 200 photos of the Presidents, not
published before, including those of Ataturk, will be displayed for
ten days. /Turkiye/
[22] TURKISH-AMERICAN SCIENTISTS CONFERENCE
The Association of the Turkish-American Scientists
(ATAS)'s 13th conference was held in Washington, DC. Turkish
Ambassador to the US, Baki Ilkin, US Ambassador to Turkey, Robert
Pearson and Chairman of the Higher Education Board, Prof. Kemal Guruz
participated in the conference. /Turkiye/
[23] FESTIVAL OF ONE-MAN PLAYS
The Cankaya Municipality in Ankara organized the
Second International Festival of One Man Plays for the occasion of the
March 27 World Theater Day. Ferhan Sensoy, Paul Wenninger, Cem Ozer,
Tamara Pleshenko, and Musfik Kenter will participate in the festival.
/Hurriyet/
[24] EFFORTS CONTINUE TO MAKE MARDIN AN UNESCO CITY
Efforts have been accelerated to make Mardin one of
the 690 regions in the world protected by UNESCO. Mardin Participatory
City Rehabilitation Project was held in Mardin Municipality with the
contribution of GAP Development Directory, UN Development Program and
Istanbul Technical University. Speaking at the occasion, Mardin
Governor Temel Kocaklar said they wanted to make Mardin 'the guest
room' of the Southeast. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture
Fikret Uccan said they wanted Mardin to be protected by UNESCO.
/Turkish Daily News/
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[26] TGNA AND POLITICAL PARTIES BY YILMAZ OZTUNA
(TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the need of
accelerating the speed of TGNA's work. A summary of his column is as
follows: "Increasing the speed of the Turkish Grand National
Assembly is in the hands of the chairmen of the five political parties
which have groups in the parliament. The will of the chairman is
reflected in the representatives. The Chairman of the party also
presides over the parliamentary group. If need be, he can talk with
the representatives individually to convince them. A chairman who does
not have face to face contact with the representatives is severely
mistaken. Strict instructions of the Chairman to his deputy is
important, as deputy chairmen speak on behalf of the Chairman. This
rule is valid for almost all democracies. Otherwise, everyone will
voice a different opinion and the enactment of laws will be difficult
and delayed. Our democracy is based on political parties and a one
party democracy is not possible. There is always the possibilitiy that
the five chairmen of the political parties may not comprehend the
conditions of the country. All of them have close circles and some of
their friends in these circles are not even representatives. These
people usually give optimistic reports of events to the Chairman.
People who can tell the truth which is not to the liking of the
Chairman play with fire and in fact they are rarely found. True
leaders who came to power by themselves were even misled by these
reports both in Turkey and abroad. At present, there are 15 laws that
need to be urgently enacted to break out of this economic crisis. 180
laws necessary to become European or to reach modern standards are
already there. The President has expressed his complete support for
the passage of these laws. The Turkish Grand National Assembly has to
work without taking a break, leaving aside their contacts with their
constituents. The Speaker of the TGNA is responsible for the
coordination between the parties. I do not want to think what will
happen if they do not work hard."
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