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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-28Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning28.03.2001CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TO MEET ON MARCH 30The National Security Council (MGK) will hold its regular monthly meeting March 30. Recent reports on domestic security issues, including the fight against the PKK terrorist organization, will be discussed at the meeting. A report on the PKK's recent attempts to politicize and the amount of support given by Europeans to the terrorist organization will be presented during the meeting. The Cyprus issue and relations with Turkey and Greece are among the other issues on the meeting's agenda. /Cumhuriyet/[02] YILMAZ: "WE SHOULD RESORT TO DOMESTIC SOURCES AS WELL"Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said premiums for the Social Security Institution(SSK) and the Security Institution for the Independents(BAGKUR) should be reconvigured in order to obtain additional domestic resources for the economy. /Sabah/[03] DERVIS : "WE MUST FIND FOREIGN SUPPORT"State Minister Responsible for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, held a press conference in the US. He is currently seeking foreign support to help Turkey overcome its recent economic crisis. Replying to a question, "What happens if you can not get any foreign support?", Dervis said, "We must do everything to get it. Actually, Turkey's partners and international financial organizations will also benefit, the returns will be high." Hoping to get aid in the $10-12 billion range. Dervis said, the amount will be used this year, and after putting the programme on track, he assumes no more aid will be required. Pointing to Turkish public support for the new programme, Dervis said, "However, we also need the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We can not say to the IMF, go home." The Minister then attended a dinner organized by TUSIAD. Recalling Devlet Bahceli's statement that there was no need to rush in the state affairs, Dervis said, "In principle, Bahceli may be right. However, to get financial support ,we must inspire confidence. For this reason, the programme should be approved in Turkey soon. We do not have the luxury of losing time." /Turkiye/[04] DERVIS ON CNNKemal Dervis appeared yesterday on CNN's "Questions & Answer" by Riz Khan. Dervis said, "Turkey has a very dynamic and strong private sector. Other countries could not have coped with such a strong financial crisis. I trust these dynamic forces and that is why I accepted this position. There is also no reason for us not to be successful with such kind of talented bureaucrats in the Treasury and the support of the government." /Sabah/[05] CIA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STETTNER IN ANKARAThe US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Assistant Director, Al Stettner, arrived in Ankara the day before yesterday. Stettner and an accompanying delegation were welcomed by American Embassy officials at Esenboga Airport. /Cumhuriyet/[06] TURKISH REPRESENTATIVES FROM KOSOVO AND MACEDONIA IN TURKEYPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received Macedonian Turkish Democratic Party Chairman, Erdogan Sarac and Kosovo Turkish Democratic Union Chairman, Mahir Yagcilar, yesterday. Turkish representatives from Macedonia and Kosovo gave information about the conditions of people of Turkish origin in those regions. Ecevit said after the meeting, "Turkey will continue her efforts to help protect the rights and status of Turkish people in Kosovo." According to a statement by the Office of President, Sezer said Turkey attaches great importance to Macedonia's independence and territorial integrity adding he supports all kinds of efforts to improve the living standards of Turkish people in Kosovo and to protect their rights. /Cumhuriyet/[07] BLACKSEAFOR ACCORD TO BE SIGNED MONDAYThe six Black Sea countries, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia, will sign the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (Blackseafor) Agreement next Monday, April 2, in Istanbul. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Russian, Ukrainian and Romanian Deputy Foreign Ministers and Bulgaria's Chief of Staff are expected to attend the ceremony. The project was proposed by Turkish former Naval Forces Commander, Salim Dervisoglu, in 1998. The countries signed the letter of intent in Ankara June 28, 2000. Blackseafor will participate in search and rescue operations, for humanitarian needs, mine sweeping, a joint action force for protecting the Black Sea environment, and organizing good will visits amongst Black Sea countries. /Turkish Daily News/[08] GEOFFREY HOON VISITS CAKMAKOGLUBritish Defense Minister Geoffrey Hoon visited Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu yesterday. Recalling the relationship between the two countries in the military and defense fields, Cakmakoglu said they discussed bilateral and regional issues. The British Minister said Britian supports Turkey in various areas including her EU membership process. /Turkiye/[09] IZGI IN BUKHARAFollowing official meetings in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker, Omer Izgi, and his accompanying delegation left for Bukhara yesterday. The Turkish delegation will pay a visit to historical sites in Bukhara, then travel to Samarkand in the afternoon. Izgi is expected to proceed to Astana, capital city of Kazakhstan, after completing his visit to Uzbekistan. /Turkiye/[10] ARMENIANS NEW ATTEMPTThe Armenian Tashnak Party sped up its activities against Turkey after the adoption of the so-called Armenian genocide in the French Parliament. Reportedly, new goals of the party include asking for compensation and land from Turkey. Mario Nalbandyan, a member of the Tashnak Party, claimed the Turkish-Armenian border would change and at the end , Eastern Anatolia would he annexed to Armenia. Nalbandyan also asserted that Greece, the Greek-Cypriot Administration and Iran pledged to support theTashnak Party in its activities on the so-called Armenian genocide. /Turkiye/[11] KUZMUK VISITS GEN. KIVRIKOGLUUkranian Defense Minister Olexander Kuzmuk visited Chief of the General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, yesterday. During the meeting, Ukranian Minister presented Gen. Kivrikoglu with a model of a T-84 tank, produced by the Ukraine. The Ukraine is competing with Germany, French and American firms in a bidding launch by Turkey for the purchase of 250 tanks. Additionally, Ukranian Deputy Defense Minister and Naval Forces Commander, Admiral Mykhailo Yezhel, visited Naval Forces Commander, Admiral Ilhami Erdil. /Turkiye/[12] KENDIGELEN IN ANKARAPrime Minister of the Gagauz Autonomous Republic, Mihail Kendigelen, visited Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman, Sevket Bulent Yahnici, at his office's in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) yesterday. Kendigelen presented Yahnici with a medal for his support of the Gagauz people. The occassion was the 10th Anniversary of the foundation of the National Assembly of the Gagauz Republic. /Turkiye/[13] MILITARY THINKING OF LONG TERM IN TURKISH-GREEK RELATIONSDeputy Chief of Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit spoke at the Greek National Day reception in Ankara saying that Turkey's relations with Greece should be taken up with long-term results in mind. Buyukanit commented on the statement by Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos who said his country was ready to reduce its army and clear the mines on the Turkish-Greek border. "These issues shall be solved in time. Soldiers will not be withdrawn back to their barracks just because of defense ministers' statement." Buyukanit also denied reports that NATO had asked for Turkish troops to be deployed in Macedonia as a peacekeeping force. Macedonian troops are fighting ethnic Albanian rebels on the Kosovo border. /Turkish News/[14] THE 'KURDISH HOUSE' PROJECTThe PKK is searching for ways to establish a "Kurdish Culture Center-Kurdish House" in Neuss, Germany. The so-called German representatives of the PKK applied to the Neuss mayor for confirmation of their project in November 2000. This application was rejected as it was found to have a disturbing effect on the public. Currently, a "Kurdish House" already exists in Neuss. /Turkish Daily News/[15] QUAKE EARLY-WARNING SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLEDThe Kandilli Earthquake Research Institute decided to install a "quake anticipatory system" in three of the Institute's stations. The director of the Institute, Ahmet Mete Isikara said data will be compared and announced to the public. /Milliyet/[16] AWARD TO CNN TURKCNN Turk News Channel received an award for its contributions to Turkish media. The Turkish-American Business Council gave the 'Best Joint-Venture' award to the channel. /Milliyet/[17] STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED FOR FOUR MONTHSThe state of emergency rule in Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Sirnak and Tunceli was extended for four more months. /Milliyet/[18] IMMUNITY OF DEPUTY MUSTAFA BAYRAM ABOLISHEDVan Independent Deputy Mustafa Bayram was stripped of his political immunity in yesterday's plenary session at the TGNA. Bayram will be prosecuted for attempted murder and historical artifacts smuggling. /Milliyet/[19] FOUNDER OF TURKISH-GERMAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION, ANHEGGER PASSES AWAYRobert Anhegger, the founder of the Turkish-German Cultural Association, passed away in Amsterdam. Anheggen received degrees in the Turkish language and Islamic philosophy as well as literature, law and economy from various universities. He first visited Turkey in 1935 and established the Turkish German Cultural Association in 1957. He wrote books and articles on Turkish culture and history. /Cumhuriyet/[20] RESTRICTION IN BOSPHOROUS TRAFFICTurkey is planning to take additional measures in the Bosphorous traffic as the danger of a spill has increased due to Russia's desire to transfer oil through the Novorossisk pipe line. Planning to implement new restrictions concerning the sizes and ages of the tankers which will pass through the Bosphorous, Turkish officials said they will discuss the issue of Istanbul's security with Russian officials. An electronic radar control system which will closely follow Bosphorous traffic will open in July. /Cumhuriyet/[21] TAM RESEARCH: "ALBANIANS ARE EXPOSED TO DISCRIMINATION"According to a paper titled "Potential Struggles in Macedonia" by the Turkish Research Center (TAM), Albanians living in Macedonia are exposed to discrimination. TAM representatives state, that although rights and freedoms are guaranteed before law they are violated in daily lives of the Albanian people. Albanians, who form 22.9 % of total population, have only 2.9 % of administrational positions and 87 % of Albanians see themselves subject to discrimination. /Cumhuriyet/[22] PRE-CONDITIONS OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CIRCLESState Minister for Economy Kemal Dervis said international financial circles and the US administration have enumerated six conditions for lending money. The main pre-conditions are the 15 bills to be adopted by Parliament, political support for the government, adjustment in exchange rates and signing the letter of intent with the IMF. /Milliyet/INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION INCREASES BY 6.1 PERCENT Industrial production increased by 6.1 % during the last quarter of last year compared to the same period year two years ago. According to data by State Statistical Institute, production in the manufacturing sector increased by 6.7 %, the electricity, gas and water sectors by 3.8 % and the mining sector by 1.9 %. /Cumhuriyet/ [23] TURKISH AMERICAN COOPERATION CONCERNING GAPSoutheastern Anatolian Project (GAP) Development Administration Chairman, Olcay Unver, said he would attend the Turkish American Associations annual meetings in Washington this weekend. He will provide information about the opportunities for possible cooperation between Turkey and the US on GAP. /Cumhuriyet/[24] TURKISH PAINTERS IN JAPANThe paintings of four Turkish painters, Feride Binicioglu, Aysegul Izer Drahsan, Ahmet Ozel and Mehmet Uygun are being exhibited at the Tonami Art Gallery in Japan. The exhibition named "Friendship with Turkey" will run until April 8. /Cumhuriyet/[25] ANOTHER PRIZE FOR 'CLOUDS OF MAY''Clouds of May' directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan was awarded the Silver Rosa Camuna prize at the Bergamo International Film Festival. 'Clouds of May' has been awarded its 12th international award. /Cumhuriyet/[26] WORLD THEATER DAYCulture Minister Istemihan Talay said the theater educates people, makes them think, and opens new horizons to them. In his message celebrating the World Theater Day March 27. Talay said financial assistance will be given to the private theaters in April and October this year. /Hurriyet/[27] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[28] THE STRAITS AND BRAINS BY MUMTAZ SOYSAL (HURRIYET)Columnist Mumtaz Soysal comments on the recent developments concerning the oil pipeline from the Thengiz fields in Kazakhstan to the Russian Novorissisk port on the Black Sea. A summary of his column is as follows:"The oil pipeline extending from the Kazakh Tenghiz region to Russian Port of Novorissisk in the Black Sea was opened. The oil, which begins its flow in Atrau, will reach the port in ninety days. The first tanker will be filled at the end of June. This year, seven to eight tons of oil will be transported to test the issue. It is foreseen this amount will first increase to 28 million tons of oil and then to 67 million tons. At present, the amount of oil passing through the Straits is 40 million tons. As a result, 120 million tons of oil will soon pass through the Straits. This amount is equal to the passage of 10 big tankers through the Bosphorous every day. Is there any need to describe the dimensions of a collision near the Black Sea coast or an accident in the Straits? The Turkish Sea Research Foundation has been calling on the international public for years to prevent environmental pollution. Chairman of the Foundation, Professor Bayram Ozturk commented on the recent developments:'Following such a pollution it would be very difficult to return the Black Sea back to its old condition as it is an inland sea.' What about the officials? They are silent at the moment. Maybe they are remaining silent because their incompetent policies did not yield any results concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. In fact, the pipeline fiasco is a result of the Caucasus policy followed by Ankara and this is the consequence. Reuniting with our kinsmen, following an interval of eight to ten centuries, required knowledge of their situations and tremendous financial means to follow through with the policies mentioned. Without knowledge or money, the relations we entered into backfired emotionally. Our greatest mistake was to neglect the significance Russia carried in these areas, and the relations between Moscow and the newly independent countries. These republics could have helped bridge the gap between Turkey and her northern neighbour and we could have developed common stances which wouldhave aided both sides as a result. At present, Turkey's image in the Central Asian republics is a country who produces better goods in her own country, but tries to sell the second-rate goods to Central Asia. Turkey is also seen as a know-it-all. It is apparent that the position we currently find ourselves in is a due to our mistakes. Turkey who has a bad image in the East as well as in the West, she must come to her senses and use her brains to prevent the formation of negative viewpoints. These adverse results not only affect Turkey abroad, but as in oil transportation threaten the lives of our citizens. An administration which ignores the high brain power of its country and lacks any sort of organisation is sure to reap bad results." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |