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Turkish Press Review, 99-08-13Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>13.08.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] RUSSIA AND HER SEARCH FOR A FOREIGN ENEMY -BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)[03] ASSASSINATION PLAN FOR OKYAY FOILEDA terrorist of Iraqi origin, Fetran Muhammed, who was planning to assassinate the Chief Prosecutor of Ankara's No.2 State Security Court (DGM), Turgut Okyay, was captured by security forces in the Yuksekova district of Hakkari yesterday. Following an interrogation, the terrorist was detained and sent to prison. The terrorist, who confessed that he wished to carry out the assassination, entered Turkey from Iran, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Turgut Okyay had previously been involved in the trial of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the PKK terrorist organization, on Imrali Island.[04] CLINTON TO COME TO TURKEYIt has become certain that US President Bill Clinton will come to Istanbul in November to attend the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Summit despite many initiatives launched by the Greek and Greek-Cypriot lobby in the US. This Summit is the last one to be held in the 20th century. /Aksam/[05] CAY COMPLETES HIS ROUND OF TALKSState Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay, who completed his round of talks in Moscow yesterday, said that the economic potential between Turkey and Russia was further developing despite some economic problems in both countries. Cay stated that he had taken the opportunity of visiting the Leather Fair opened by a Turkish firm in Moscow and remarked that he had also visited some facilities constructed by Turkish entrepreneurs such as the Efes Pilsen Factory and Ramstore-1 Shopping Centre. Cay said: "During our visits, we have seen that Turkish businessmen have made great strides forward in Russia. We hope that our mutual relations will further develop in the near future", the Anatolia News Agency reports.[06] TENDER FOR GAP MASTER PLANA new project has been launched which envisages a revision in the Master Plan of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) in accordance with the goal of completing GAP in the year 2010. The first stage of an international tender for the project has been finalized. According to a statement issued by the GAP Regional Development Administration, a total of 18 firms applied before July 30, 1999, concerning the revision of the GAP Master Plan. The statement said that the Tender Commission had sent the application papers to the Technical Commission for an evaluation of the proposals of these firms which participated in the bidding, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[07] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UPCentral Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $459 million during the first week of August. According to Central Bank data, foreign exchange reserves, which were $23.307 billion on July 30, rose to $23.766 billion on August 6. Meanwhile, according to data dated July 23, 1999, Turkey's international reserves reached $35.100 billion. International reserves, which stood at $34.267 billion on July 16, increased by $833 million in one week. As of July 23, gold reserves were $1.012 billion, while foreign exchange reserves in commercial banks amounted to $10.740 billion, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[08] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTSTurkey paid off $374.5 million of her foreign debts between August 2 and 11, 1999. According to Central Bank data, foreign debt payments were $432.01 million in January, $765.75 million in February, $770.55 million in March, $836.41 million in April, $680.99 million in May, $1.718 billion in June and $714.64 million in July, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[09] DRUGS RAID IN ISTANBULDuring a raid carried out by members of Istanbul Security Office's Narcotics Department yesterday, four grammes of heroin were seized while three people were detained regarding the incident, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[10] FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES INDIATurkey stated yesterday that the shooting down of a Pakistani Naval Forces' plane by Indian fighter jets was 'unacceptable'. A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey was deeply sorrowful over the incident which happened on August 10, 1999 and caused the death of 16 Pakistani soldiers. The statement remarked that Turkey always supported cooperation and peace between Pakistan and India and pointed out that the two sides should open the path to dialogue, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[11] 56 TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO MOSCOWA 56-person Turkish business delegation will go to Russia on August 15 in order to visit the Turco-Russian Trade Development Centre which was opened two months ago in Moscow and to be briefed on the Russian economy, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[12] ECEVIT REACTS TO UNION PLATFORMPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit reacted harshly to news of the one-day strike to be organized by the Union Platform throughout Turkey today. Ecevit said that this action by the Union Platform was illegal and added: "The 57th Government is open to reconciliation. Insisting on carrying out illegal actions could lead Turkey into a tense atmosphere". Ecevit added that the 57th Government saw social justice as being of great significance. /Aksam/[13] AMENDMENT TO POLITICAL PARTIES LAWAn amendment to the Political Parties Law has been approved by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and promulgated. With this amendment, the former Chairman of the defunct Welfare Party (RP), Necmeetin Erbakan, will be able to be nominated as an independent deputy during the first by-elections. In accordance with the amendment, the conditions under which a party could be shut down, becamne stricter. /Aksam/[14] TURCO-IRANIAN CRISIS IS OVERAn agreement was reached following the Security Summit between Turkey and Iran. Turkey and Iran will hold 'Concomitant Military Operations' against the PKK separatist organization. The agreement was reached during the Supreme Security Commission meeting headed by Turkish Interior Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Yahya Gur and the Iranian Deputy Minister of the Interior, Gulan Huseyin Bolandiyan. According to the agreement, there will be continuous telephone conversations directly between the commanding Generals to be assigned by the two countries. A high-level official who took part in the meeting said that the Iranian delegation briefed the Turkish delegation about the opponents to the regime in Iran and requested support. /Aksam/[15] TURKEY TO PURCHASE HELICOPTERS FROM ITALYIt has been claimed that the Italian helicopter firm, Augusta, will sell Mangusta-type helicopters to Turkey. According to the 'Il Manifesto' newspaper, four firms presented proposals to Turkey, however, Augusta has more chance of winning the tender. The newspaper said that Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema were making every effort to further develop relations between the two countries. /Aksam/[16] GREECE MAKES A DECISION AGAINST TURKEYGreece has made a decision against Turkey. According to the new decision, 14 September has been announced as the commemoration day to mark the so-called genocide carried out by Turkey against Greeks in Anatolia. The decision was sent to the Interior Ministry following the approval of the Greek President. The decision is expected to go into effect this year. /Aksam/[17] ATATURK: LEADER OF THE CENTURY'The Australian' newspaper published in Australia said that the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Ataturk, is one of the leaders admired during this century. The newspaper published evaluations made by experts regarding the people and events which left their mark on the years 1900-2000. The newspaper stated that there was no military leader in the world such as Ataturk. /Aksam/[18] ABAC: "RATE OF INTEREST WILL REDUCE"The representative in Turkey of DCR Duff and Phelps, an international credit rating institution, Prof.Selcuk Abac, said that the interest rate for bank loans would continue to decrease within the next two months and would reach a reasonable figure. Abac pointed out that the political risks assumed by Turkey had reduced and the Government was making very significant decisions concerning the economy. He added that all these created a positive atmsophere in the markets. Abac stated that a stand-by agreement to be made with the IMF would also cause positive developments in the economy. /Turkiye/[19] REMOVAL OF IMMUNITIESIt has been decided that the issue of the removal of the immunities of 33 deputies will be discusssed by the Constitution and Justice Commission in Parliament in the next legislative term while the papers concerning the deputies, Mehmet Agar, Sedat Bucak and Mustafa Bayram will be looked at in October. /Turkiye/[20] ANTALYA GOLDEN ORANGE FILM FESTIVAL IN OCTOBERThe 36th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival will be held on October 1-5, 1999. Officials said that all preparations for the Festival have been completed. The Festival will begin with the film 'Eskiya' (Bandit). /Turkiye/[21] TURKISH DIPLOMAT'S ART EXHIBITION IN HUNGARYIn Budapest, the capital of Hungary, an exhibiton of paintings opened by the Turkish Trade Advisor, Monad Balkan, won a seal of approval, reported the Anatolian News Agency.In Balkan's first exhibition abroad, there are 57 works painted by him between 1997 and 1998. The exhibition was open between August 2 and 11 at Budin Tower. Balkan, who paints in oils, has opened seven personal exhibitions in Ankara and one in Istanbul. In addition, his paintings have taken part in a number of mixed exhibitions before. [22] "AWARD OF EXCELLENCE" FOR THE TURKISH WOMAN IN PORTUGALHeyecan Nazli Veziroglu has won a seal of approval with her presentations and thus was awarded the "Award of Excellence" during the "26th International Art and Communication Congress". This was held in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, between July 11 and 18, 1999, reported the Anatolian News Agency. Veziroglu said, "I was awarded for recounting the steps taken by the Turkish women who follow the principles set forth by Ataturk."Veziroglu, attending the Congress as the representative of the Ministry of Culture, was applauded for her presentations entitled "the Turkish Woman" and the "700th Anniversary of the founding of the Ottoman Empire", which she recounted in English. Veziroglu said that during her presentation she told the audience about the Turkish women's success in Turkey during the 20th century. Furthermore, "I announced that the Kemalist reforms brought the potential of intellectual women into the light and that today in Turkey the marks of these Turkish women can be seen in every area: in bureaucracy; in academic circles; in law; in politics; in the press; in art; in science and in technology. I also emphasized the historical process of the modernization of women in terms of social status. In addition, I pointed out that the existance of Turkish women was accepted by the economic and social world internationally and that their effective presence and leadership will be seen in politics and in the business world more often in the 21st century." Veziroglu declared that 147 artists and writers had attended the Congress, but no-one but she herself had been able to seize the opportunity of presenting the two papers. Veziroglu added that she had presented her second paper under the auspices of the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Ottoman Empire and that she had delivered a speech on the Ottoman Empire's tolerence and the importance that had been given to the Arts. Veziroglu said, "The world still does not know very much about Turkey and Turkish women." She also thinks that she herself was chosen particularly for this Congress in order to promote Turkey and Turkish women. Veziroglu also pointed out the fact that congresses, seminars and competitions were very useful in terms of the lobbying activities and the promotion of Turkey abroad. Moreover, after she had returned to Turkey, she had received a number of letters of thanks from the participants of the Congress. [23] KOSOVAR REFUGEES RETURN HOMEThe Kosovar refugees are continuing to leave Turkey, reported the Anatolian News Agency. In a statement by the Ministry of Interior, the number of Kosovar refugees who have left Turkey reached 17,483 as of yesterday night. In Kirklareli Gaziosmanpasha Camp, 135 refugees are still being sheltered.[24] MESUT YILMAZ IN BERLINThe Chairman of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz, will take part in a summit meeting to be attended by all chairmen of the central-right wing parties world-wide. Yilmaz will leave for Berlin on September 15 and will participate in the European Democratic Union (EDU) Summit on September 16. Yilmaz will also take part in the the International Democratic Union (IDU) meeting. /Star/[25] FINANCIAL TIMES PRAISES TURKEYThe 'Financial Times' newspaper published in Britain said that with the approval of the International Arbitration Law, foreign investors would flow into Turkey. The newspaper praised the steps taken by the Turkish Government concerning stuctural reforms and said that Turkey enjoyed a wonderful economic potential. /Sabah/[26] AFYON SAUSAGE WORLD-WIDEIn order to export Afyon sausages to the whole of the world, an Animal Organized Industrial region will be established for the first time in Afyon, Turkey. The Afyon Deputy from the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Mehmet Telek, has prepared a paper on this issue and presented it to the Industry Ministry and Agriculture Ministry. /Sabah/[27] TURKISH INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIAThe Turkish Ambassador to Sofia, Tahsin Burcuoglu, said that Turkish businessmen should invest in Bulgaria. Burcuoglu briefed industrialists concerning Turco-Bulgarian relations at the Bursa Chamber of Trade and Industry. He said that the amount of investments by Turkish businessmen in Bulgaria was $160 miliion and added that this amount should be increased. /Sabah/[28] DEVELOPMENT PROJECTSPlans to implement regional development projects aiming to decrease the imbalance in the level of welfare between the regions by using resources efficiently are underway. The initiatives undertaken by the DAP (Eastern Anatolia Project), DOKAP (Eastern Black Sea Regional Development Project) and Yesilirmak Basin Project are in progress. /Cumnhuriyet/[29] TRUCKS WAITING ON THE BORDERTrucks which were supposed to carry crude oil from Iran to Turkey are still waiting at the Gurbulak Border Gate along the Turco-Iranian border. The trucks were not allowed to cross the border for security reasons. Turkish officials who held meetings concerning this issue said that, just this once, trucks would be able to enter the country. /Cumhuriyet/[30] TOBB SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONA constitutional amendment motion for international arbitration has been approved by the Union of Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) arbitration board, TOBB Chairman Fuat Miras. In a written statement, Miras stated that the aim of the amendment is to legalize and implement international arbitration in domestic law, and he indicated that Turkey already accepts international arbitration through agreements it has signed. He stressed that the acceleration of joint ventures and economic development depends on acceptance of international arbitration, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[31] CHP TO SET UP A NEW RESEARCH CENTREThe Central Executive Committee of the Republican People's Party (CHP) has decided to set up a research centre, the Anatolia News Agency reports. A statement released by the CHP says that the decision to establish the centre was made at a meeting held on August 10.[32] CILLER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM BILLTrue Path Party (DYP) Leader Tansu Ciller held a press conference at the DYP headquarters and stated that the government is ready to submit the new social security bill to Parliament. Howeve, she declared: "The DYP suggests that the government not bring this bill to the attention of Parliament, because this dress does not fit this society. Either the dress or the trailor should be changed", the Anatolia News Agency reports.[33] MUMCU SUPPORTS FAITH TOURISMTourism Minister Erkan Mumcu said that the faith tourism formed the backbone of tourism and that Turkey would get her share of this faith tourism in the nearest future, reported the Anatolian News Agency.The "Faith Tourism towards the year 2000" Symposium that was attended by the Orthodox, Armenian and Catholic religous communities started in Pamukkale. The Minister Mumcu, stating that Turkey enjoys great potential as far as faith tourism is concerned, said, "Pilgrimages were the primary motivation for tourism in the past when no-one had any idea about tourism. The sacred places of the Christian and Jewish religions are very near to each other. In terms of faith tourism, Turkey is on an important track starting in Antakya, then traversing Pamukkale, Ephesus and Iznik." Mumcu, emphasizing the economic and social importance of faith tourism, added, "The pilgrimage to Mecca is great. There, many people around the world forget about their different origins and come together in a common belief and love. Faith tourism is of the utmost importance because it creates not only a melting-pot, but also great economic potential. Faith tourism forms the backbone of tourism. Advanced technology presents people with new advantages; technology also gives people the opportunity of setting aside time for themselves. Thus, people will be able to set aside time for their belief and philosophy more than before and so travel to different places in the world. That is a great opportunity for Anatolia since so many sacred events occured there; we are ready to host many people from many different religions." Mumcu, emphasizing the sacred sites' obligation to leave a legacy for the future, said that the government and the tourism sector was enthusiastic about the things needed to be done in this sector. Mumcu also pointed out the importance of providing for the needs of visitors to Turkey. Mumcu stated that the Millenium and the birth of Christ constituted a very important occasion and that the preparations related to this should be done carefully. He also added that primary aim of the Ministry of Tourism is to achieve this goal successfully. In addition, Mumcu stated that faith tourism should not only be depicted from an economic point of view, but also from the point of view of all its aspects, including those of philosophy and belief. [34] TURKISH RAISINS ALL AROUND THE WORLDErdinc Kapkac, the Deputy Chairman of the Aegean Dried Fruit Exporters' Union, said that dried fruit exporters had had a successful round of meetings and sent their products all over the world. Turkey sells raisins even to Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the Fiji Islands, he stated. Kapkac remarked that they were trying to catch up with last year's figures for raisin exports and had surpassed last year in the export of other dried fruits. He stressed that Turkey was very rich in dried fruits and exported its products to 79 countries, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[35] GOKALP: "TURKEY WILL ENTER 2000 WITH NEW PLANS"Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that Turkey would enter the year 2000 with a series of ventures and laws which would integrate agriculture and industry. Gokalp remarked that they would also form an 'agricultural data base' for farmers. He further stated that they would bring about product insurance for farmers, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[36] ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS ON AMIK PLAINProf.Aslihan Yener, the Lecturer of Chicago University's Oriental Institute and the head of the excavations on Telkurdu tumulus in the district of Reyhanli, said that there are a total of 236 tumuli on the Amik Plain and that these tumuli are the indicators of the wealth of the civilizations which lived in the region. Yener stated that the excavation group consists of 20 persons, including 12 US citizens, and that they had begun the excavations two years ago, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[37] FOREST FIRE IN NURDAGIAs a result of the forest fire which broke out in the Nurdagi district of Gaziantep, 20 hectares of forest have been destroyed. Officials said that the fire has been brought under control, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[38] BLUE STREAM PROJECTAn initial document for a project called 'Blue Stream' concerning a natural gas pipeline beneath the Black Sea to Turkey was approved by the Russian Government yesterday. Sergey Dubinin, Deputy Chairman of Gazprom, the Russian official company responsible for natural gas exports, issued a statement yesterday and said that the document would be sent to Turkey for approval. He added: "The approval will go into effect in the very near future. I think that this issue will be finalized within a week", the Anatolia News Agency reports.[39] TURKISH FOOD SECTOR IN GERMANYThe Turkish Research Centre (TAM) has begun new research into the situation and problems in the Turkish food sector in Germany. The research launched due to the request of the European Turkish Food Exporters' Union aims to outline the problems being experienced by the sector. TAM had previously carried out research into the economic power of Turkish entrepreneurs in Germany a few months ago, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[40] CARPETS FROM KAYSERIThe Atlas, Saray and Atlantik Carpet Companies based in Kayseri exported carpets worth $13.5 million during the first seven months of this year. Carpets worth $12.950 million were exported to foreign countries during the same period last year. Officials said that they aimed at $30 million worth of exports by the end of this year, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[41] POET CAN YUCEL DIESA renowned Turkish poet Can Yucel who has been under treatment at the September 9 Medical University's Hospital died last night. Officials from the Hospital said that Yucel died because of a break-down in his respiratory and circulatory system, the Anatolia News Agency reports.Meanwhile, noted Turkish author, poet, painter and journalist, Abbas Sayar, who experienced a massive stroke died yesterday at the September 9 Hospital in Izmir. [42] 97 TRILLION TL FROM IMKB FOR EDUCATIONThe Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) will construct a total of 107 schools including 47 primary and 60 vocational high schools. The construction of these schools, which will be completed by the end of the year 2000, will cost 97 trillion TL. /Hurriyet/[43] SIX PKK MEMBERS ARRESTEDSix members of the PKK terrorist organization who raided the house of the Greek Ambassador to The Hague in February and took his wife and his son hostage were tried and then detained by the court yesterday. According to the Dutch laws, these people will be imprisoned for between 10 and 12 years. /Cumhuriyet/[44] 'DEMOCRACY IN THE REGION IS IMPORTANT'US Deputy Secretary of State, Harold Hongju Koh, who visited Turkey last week, said that the regional interests of Washington would not lead to ignorance of the problem of human rights in Turkey. Koh said: "While we support our strategic partnership with Turkey, we should also support democratization". /Milliyet/[45] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[46] AT THE PEAK OF PRODUCTIVITY -BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)Yilmaz Oztuna, a columnist in the daily 'Turkiye' newspaper, says the following in his article today:"The 21st Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is very productive these days. It is an unbroken record when compared to our whole Republican legislative history except for the First TGNA (1920-1923). The Amnesty Law will be discussed in October; those who are engaged in violence cannot be overlooked. The amendments to the taxation 'reform' law should be undertaken as soon as possible. The Turkish economy should be functional and modern. We rid ourselves of an obstacle in the path to becoming a developed country by enacting the International Arbitration Law. It will be better for the TGNA not to go into recess for more than a month this year. We have so little time to achieve a real democracy. If we cannot realize this transformation, we will stay far behind many countries in the world. We should be quick. We want peace and stability. Let's achieve our reforms..Let's reach the standards of highly-developed countries.." [47] RUSSIA AND HER SEARCH FOR A FOREIGN ENEMY -BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)Ferai Tinc is a columnist on the daily Hurriyet newspaper. This is an article by her published in Hurriyet:The new developments in Russia affect not only the new world order, but also Turkey. The instability of Russia, that is still a nuclear power, is very risky for Turkey. The developments in Caucasia in which many shared in conflicts between the Muslim Ottoman Empire and the Tsardom of Russia in the past should be examined coolly and carefully. The International Monetary Fund has agreed to lend Russia 4.45 million dollars due to its belief that "We can work with the Stepashin government. There have been some improvements in the economy." The IMF also accepted the offer to postpone the early Soviet debt of 8 billion dollars at the G-8 summit. The West has always give a free hand to Yeltsin. Yeltsin, who justifies himself by achieving the reforms and was elected President for the fourth time in 18 months, is no longer a guarantee of consistency, but on obstacle to such a guarantee. It was stated that Yeltsin's moves are being affected by the self-interest of the people around him including various American and European groups. Yeltsin relies on the Army to back him up in opposition to the shadow cast by the Duma. But no matter how hard Yeltsin works to save his position, the signs from Russia show that developments will turn out to be very different from what the West expects them to be. It should be remembered that if the Russian economy could not be improved and the risk of instability is still a threat, then the reason for it should be seen in Washington's short-term policies that invested in Yeltsin because of her fear of Communists for many years. In today's Russia, in which problems cannot be solved and the people are experiencing economic difficulties the tendency towards creating a foreign enemy seems to be a life-saver. The Russian Minister of Nations Vyaceslav Mikhailov, explains the Dagestan incidents from this point of view, "Foreign forces are supporting ethnic hatred in Caucasia in order to strengthen their influence in these areas." Moscow has heightened the tension with the claim that Turkey has something to do with the Chechen incident; also the one that was hinted at by Moscow can be read between the lines. In Russia, the "foreign enemies" discourse is considered to be used by Yeltsin in order to cancel the Parliament elections that shold be held in four months' time. Conclusion: the tactics are strengthening the falcon in the Kremlin and provoking instability in the area. All these developments interest Turkey the most. Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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