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Turkish Press Review, 99-11-03Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>03.11.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] EU AND CANDIDATE COUNTRIES MILLENIUM ROUND MINISTRIES' CONFERENCE HELD[02] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[03] DEMIREL: "BAKU-CEYHAN TO BE SIGNED IN OSCE SUMMIT"John Wolf, the US President's Special Envoy to the Caspian Basin, was received by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel yesterday. Following the meeting, Demirel reaffirmed, "The final agreement concerning the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project will be signed during the OSCE Summit". Demirel paid a visit to Baku on October 18. During the meeting, the recent situation with reference to the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project and the Trans-Caspian Natural Gas Pipeline Project had been discussed and it was decided that the agreement concerning these projects would be signed during the OSCE Summit in Istanbul on November 18-19. US officials also say that the Chechnya issue and the Conventional Forces in Europe question will be deliberated during the OSCE Summit in Istanbul. /Hurriyet/[04] TREASURY IN DEBTThe Treasury achieved an income of 687.6 trillion Turkish lira for its 23-month bonds. The annual average interest rate is 65.45% and the compound average is 83.34%. The amount bid for the bonds totalled 2 quadrillion 109 trillion 885 billion. For the bonds, the annual minimum interest rate is 56.93%, the maximum is 65.67%; the minimum annual compound interest rate is 70.27% and the maximum is 83.68%. /Turkiye/[05] WATER TO TRNCA feasibility report was delivered to the Directorate General of State Water Works on 11th March. The report concerns the set-up for the transport of water from the Anamur River (Dragon River) to the TRNC. This consists of a dam, a 10 thousand cubic metres water tank, and an underwater pipeline on the Turkish side and a dam, a pumping station and a 3.5 kilometre pipeline on the TRNC side.The drawings for the dams on the Turkish and the TRNC have begun. An agreement was signed with a firm from abroad for the 78 kilometre sea-bed pipeline and this firm has now finished its concept design work and begun its detail design work. /Turkiye/[06] TGNA APPROVES MILITARY EXEMPTION TAXThe Military Exemption Tax Draft Law, which was prepared by the Government in order to contribute to covering the financial losses incurred due to the earthquake that occurred in the Marmara Region on 17th August, became legal in the General Council of the TGNA. Under this law, those who were born before 1st January 1973 will be able to make use of this new legislation on condition that they had not already begun their military service on the date this law went into effect. Those who were born before 1st January 1973 and who wish to pay the military exemption tax must apply in the six months after the introduction of this legislation. They will then pay 15 thousand Deutsche Marks and complete their basic military training, in the unions and institutions that are yet to be determined by the Office of the General Staff, in order to be considered as having completed their military service.If they wish, those who are not over 40 years old on 31st December 1999 will be considered as having completed their military service without undergoing the basic military training on condition that they pay 20 thousand Deutsche Marks. Under this law, this money will be placed into the account that was opened in the name of the Ministry of Finance's, Court of Auditors within the Ziraat Bank. Only the Ministry of Finance will have the authority to use this money and transfer this money to the budgets of the institutions involved. /Turkiye/ [07] KUTAN WARMLY APPROACHES TO ISRAELThe leader of the Virtue Party, Recai Kutan, stated that the existance of Israel was accepted by the whole world and that they, as the Virtue Party, do not have any objection to cooperation between Israel and Turkey. Kutan, who is in Washington now, delivered a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Philosophy Establishment and said, "It is known that Israel enjoys great technological facilities, particularly in battle technology. Turkey can work in cooperation with Israel in the same way as she cooperates with any of the Western countries." /Turkiye/[08] FEHRIYE'S FILE WILL BE DELIVERED TODAYThe file which concerns the request for the extradition of one of the men implicated in the murder of Ozdemir Sabanci, that is Fehriye Erdal who is still under arrest in Belgium, will be officially delivered today to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was revealed that under the agreements existing between Turkey and Belgium, the extradition request file translated into French would be delivered to the Turkish Embassy in Belgium today. Turkish diplomatic officials stated that the file will be delivered to Belgium offices today as it was an official public holiday yesterday. /Turkiye/[09] MINISTER MUMCU TO VISIT TUNISIAMinister of Tourism Erkan Mumcu is going to Tunisia today with a delegation also comprising representatives of the private sector. Mumcu, who will visit Tunisia as the guest of the Tunisian Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Slaheddine Maaoui, will chair the 5th meeting of the Turco-Tunisian Tourism Commission, during which the cooperetion with Tunisia in tourism will be discussed with Tunisian officials. In addition, a Tourism Commission protocol will be signed between the two countries. Minister Mumcu will come back to Turkey on 6th November. /Turkiye/[10] ALIYEV LEAVES TURKEYAzerbaijan President Haydar Aliyev visited the `ghazis', soldiers wounded in fighting, who are receiving treatment at Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GATA). Aliyev was welcomed by Commander Prof. Dr. Major General Cetin Harmankaya at GATA, then visited the `ghazis' who are being treated in the "Special Surgery" Department. Aliyev, having completed his talks, left Turkey at 18:55 yesterday evening. /Cumhuriyet/[11] CRACK-DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTSOne hundred people wishing to enter or leave Turkey by illegal means have been captured during raids and checks in various regions of the country. During searches and controls held by security officials in Edirne, 2 persons of Afghanistani origin, who wanted to reach Bulgaria, and a total of 78 people of Bangladeshi, Iranian and Iraqi origin, have been detained in the districts of Ipsala and Meric. Security officials have also captured two people of Iranian origin in Tanyulu in an arable field belonging to the village of Gunyazi in Semdinli, a district near Hakkari. /Cumhuriyet/[12] EU AND CANDIDATE COUNTRIES MILLENIUM ROUND MINISTRIES' CONFERENCE HELDThe "EU and Candidate Countries Millenium Round Ministries' Conference", during which Turkey was represented by State Minister Tunca Toskay, was held in the capital of Hungary, Budapest, reported the Anatolia News Agency. EU Commissioner Pascal Lamy delivered a speech during the opening ceremony and said, "The aim of the conference is to be prepared for the World Trade Organization's meeting that will be held in Seattle, U.S.A. very shortly." Toskay, who met the EU Commissioner responsible for trade, Pascal Lamy, later made a statement and said that they had openly discussed the problems concerning relations between Turkey and the EU.[13] TALAY SPEAKS AT UNESCOCulture Minister Istemihan Talay stated that the protection of the balance between national identity and cultural differences was of importance. Talay delivered a speech at a meeting of the UNESCO General Council and said, "The concept of national identity which has emerged as a result of ethnic, religious and local cultures should not be placed under pressure. Harmonization and a peaceful atmosphere will further develop people's creativity". Talay, who also met the Culture Ministers of Azerbaijan, Croatia, Japan, Romania and France during UNESCO's 30th General Council meetings, will return to Turkey today, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[14] HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN GERMANYThe Turkish Human Rights Investigation Commission, led by commission head Selma Piskinsut, is continuing its talks in Berlin this week. On Monday, the commission delegation visited Tegel Prison in Berlin, speaking there with Turkish inmates who comprise 175 of the prison's population of 1,600. Piskinsut said that the delegation also spoke with prison officials to learn about the prison officers' training, the work release programme and educational programmes for inmates.Afterwards, the delegation met German Justice Senator Ehrhard Korting for further in-depth discussions on prison systems. Answering reporters' questions after the meeting, Piskinsut remarked that while Germany did not implement pardons, it does have a parole system whereby prisoners who exhibit good behaviour may be released before they have served their full sentences and that there are also arrangements to allow early release for medical reasons. The Turkish delegation later met representatives from various Turkish organizations at the Turkish Cultural Centre. The delegation also met the Federal Parliament's Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance Commission and Interior Minister Otto Schilly. /All papers/ [15] TURKISH-TRNC PROTOCOLA cooperation protocol will be signed between the Forestry Ministries of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The protocol which will be signed by Turkish Forestry Minister Nami Cagan and the TRNC's Agriculture and Forestry Minister Irsen Kucuk envisages the planned management of forests, Turkish support for forests in the TRNC and joint efforts to extinguish forest fires, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[16] STATE MINISTER MIRZAOGLU IN TRNCState Minister Ramazan Mirzaoglu went to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday. Mirzaoglu and his accompanying delegation were welcomed by the TRNC Public Works and Transport Minister, Salih Miroglu, and other officials at Ercan Airport. Mirzaoglu will be received by TRNC President Rauf Denktas, Assembly Speaker Ertugrul Hasipoglu, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Akinci today. Mirzaoglu will leave the TRNC on Friday, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[17] BARTHOLOMEW I VISITS TIRANAIstanbul's Greek Fener Patriarch Bartholomew I yesterday flew in a private jet to Tirana to visit the Albanian Otosefal Orthodox Church, the Anatolia News Agency reports. During his visit to Albania, Bartholomew will meet Albanian President Meydani, Parliament Speaker Gjinushi, Prime Minister Maiko and religious leaders. The Patriarch will be back in Turkey on November 9.[18] EIGHT PKK MILITANTS ARRESTEDFollowing the call of the chief of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, eight militants, who had arrived in Turkey on an Austrian Airlines' plane and surrendered to Turkish officials at Ataturk Airport four days ago, have been detained. The guestioning by the Directorate of Anti-Terrorism of the so-called European representatives of the terrorist organization, Haydar Ergul, Dilek Kurt, Yusuf Kiyak, Ali Sukran Aktas, Aygul Bidav, Haci Celik, Imam Canpolat and Aysel Dogan, has been completed. Under strict security precautions, the eight militants were sent to Istanbul State Security Court's (DGM) Office of the Republican Prosecutor General. After questioning by the Republican Prosecutor, Ayhan Gedikmerdan, the terrorists were sent to the DGM and then were detained and sent to Kartal and Gebze prisons. /Aksam/[19] GEN.KIVRIKOGLU IN DIYARBAKIRThe Chief of the Turkish General Staff, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, went to Diyarbakir yesterday together with force commanders. Gen.Kivrikoglu said that the withdrawal of PKK terrorists was not yet at the desired level. He added, "Nearly 600-700 terrorists have been withdrawn to date. However, it is not sufficient. The withdrawal should be total. Furthermore, the terrorists should lay down their weapons and surrender in Turkey. Those who have withdrawn and gone abroad have the chance to come back". Meanwhile, a 50-person PKK group is also expected to come to Turkey from Germany and surrender to Turkish officials. On the other hand, 11 PKK members who surrendered to officials by taking advantage of the Repentance Law were released yesterday. Last month, eight prisoners were also released under this Law. Applications for the release of 15 more prisoners are also being processed. /Hurriyet/[20] OZBEY'S REQUEST FOR ASYLUM REJECTEDThe spokesman of the German Interior Ministry, Christian Arns, declared that Yalcin Ozbey's asylum request had been rejected. He said that Ozbey might be extradited to Turkey. Christian Arns also asserted that up to then no call for extradition had been received from Turkey concerning Yalcin Ozbey, who was accused of participating in the assassination of Abdi Ipekci in 1979. It was claimed that Ozbey had been taken into custody in Germany the day before. /Aksam/[21] KOC TO BECOME LEADING COMPANY IN EUROPEThe Koc Conglomerate has decided to merge its five consumer durable companies to become one of the five largest producers of consumer goods in Europe. Arcelik, Beko, the Turkish Electricity Industry, Atilim Marketing and Degisim Marketing have been merged to form the new company called 'Arcelik-Beko', with a stock value of nearly 39 trillion TL. Thus the new company has gained power on a global scale. The Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Koc Conglomerate, Hasan Subasi, quoted that the total number of sales of consumer durables world-wide was almost 200 million, 85 % of which were in Europe, North America and the Asian-Pacific region. Subasi stated that Turkey was the sixth biggest market in Europe. /Hurriyet/[22] IMF: "STAND-BY AGREEMENT TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR"The Head of the IMF-Turkey Desk, Carlo Cottarelli, said that the stand-by agreement between the IMF and Turkey and the IMF loan to Turkey could be approved by the IMF's Executive Directors' Council by the end of this year. Cottarelli stated that they were optimistic concerning the ratification of the stand-by agreement and added that the amount of financial assistance to be offered to Turkey has not been determined yet. The IMF delegation, which will stay in Turkey for 20 days, met Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp yesterday. Demiralp and Cottarelli issued a joint statement to the press following the three-hour meeting. Cottarelli said that structural reforms were very significant for the stand-by agreement. Demiralp pointed out that, with the stand-by agreement with the IMF in place, a remarkable level of support would be achieved and this support would be related to the balance of payments. He added, "With the stand-by agreement, we will be able to declare the financial discipline of the Turkish economy to the whole world". /Hurriyet/[23] IMKB INDEX TO RISEThe visit being paid by the IMF delegation to Turkey is receiving a great deal of attention from foreign markets. Experts in London agree that the possibility of a stand-by agreement being concluded between Turkey and the IMF is high and say that the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) will be the most profitable among the emerging markets. European experts recommend that international financial investors should increase the number of Turkish shares in their portfolios. /Hurriyet/[24] ALGERIA WAITS FOR TURKISH INVESTORSOne of Turkey's important trade partners, Algeria is waiting for Turkish investors to improve the trade volume between the two countries further. Algeria's Commercial Counsellor to Turkey declared the measures which can be taken for this purpose are: cooperation may be implemented in oil exploration; Turkish contractors may take part in constructing buildings; small-and medium-scale enterprises may invest in transport; mining; primarly for gold, can be conducted jointly. Algeria can ensure at least half of its cement and iron steel requirements come from Turkey. Moreover, in medical supplements' production and marketing, the construction of supermarket chains, telecommunications, mechanics, chemistry and electronics, new joint ventures can be organized. /Aksam/[25] IMF: 'MONETARY COUNCIL` WOULD NOT WORK IN TURKEYA study conducted on the behalf of the IMF by Prof. Doni Rodrik from Harvard University, revealed the fact that the 'Monetary Council` hardly work in Turkey. Prof. Rodrik stated in his work, namely 'Economic Reforms`, that the 'Monetary Council`, suggested by the IMF as a radical economic measure, may not be applied successfully in every country. He emphasized that hitherto, the Monetary Council system has worked most successfully in Argentina, however, it does not work properly in countries such as Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico. Prof. Rodrik stressed that in order to accomplish this system, hard and difficult decisions should be taken, such as a 'freeze on wages and regular price adjustments'; moreover, a strong banking system is required. /Aksam/[26] PROF.YASARGIL: "MAN OF THE CENTURY"Prof.Gazi Yasargil, a renowned Turkish brain surgeon, has been elected 'Man of the Century' during the Annual Meeting of the Neurological Surgeons' Congress in the US. The Neurological Surgeons' Congress has more than 4,500 members from within the US and abroad. /Hurriyet/[27] SIRINCE WINE WORLD-WIDEWine produced in the village of Sirince near Izmir will be sold throughout the world. The winery owned by a Turkish businessman, Mustafa Ciftci, and his German partner, Helmut Krauss, will begin production at full capacity in the year 2000. Ciftic said that 60 % of the wine produced would be exported to Germany. /Hurriyet/[28] AWARD FOR TURKISH FURNITUREAn international institution called `Business Initiative Directions' (BID), based in Geneva, gave its 1999 award for quality `The International Gold Star Award For Quality' to the Delta Furniture Company, the one of the top four Turkish office furniture companies. BID, which has been awarding the most successful companies in the world every year since 1975, presented the Delta Furniture Company with this honour due to their successful initiation into the American and European markets and the importance they attribute to customer loyalty. /Turkiye/[29] GALATASARAY-MILAN MATCH TODAYGalatasaray will play the Italian team, Milan, today in Istanbul in the Champions' League. In order to continue on the road to the UEFA Cup, Galatasaray needs to defeat its rival unequivocally. /Hurriyet/[30] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[31] AMNESTY AND THE GOVERNMENT -BY YALCIN DOGAN (MILLIYET)Columnist Yalcın Dogan comments on the Amnesty Bill and the dispute which has arisen among the coalition partners. A summary of his column is as follows:"Amnesty for Haluk Kirci, who committed the Bahcelievler murders, is cracking the harmony which has existed among the coalition partners up to now. He was sentenced to capital punishment. The discussion of his benefitting from the Amnesty Bill raises questions on the break up of the Government. Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli has burnt the bridges by saying that they were not eager to hold onto their seats. He may be considered to be in the right as the Amnesty Bill was not introduced by the MHP and the Amnesty Bill vetoed by President Demirel covers Kirci too. However, where he is wrong is that there has been a massive reaction to the Bill all over Turkey. No one is happy with the release of murderers. Even the Prime Minister himself said that he was not happy with the recent form of the Bill. Ecevit may be considered to be in the wrong, as he placed the concept of the Amnesty Bill on the agenda when no one was thinking of it. On the other hand, how can a social democrat leader granting amnesty to murderers explain this to the millions who have elected him? Is it possible to forgive someone who had killed seven people in cold blood? The Motherland Party (ANAP) is acting like a mediator between the two. It is against the Amnesty legislation in principle. The Virtue Party (FP) is trying to lift the ban on the political activities of Tayyip Erdogan using this opportunity. The True Path Party (DYP) is against the Amnesty Law. In short, the TGNA does not look favourably on it. The coalition is passing through a crisis. Few think that the Government will collapse due to this tension. However, it is not right to insist on passing this law. It may be a virtue occassionally to take a step back." [32] ATTENTION IS ON ALIYEV..... -BY KENAN AKIN (TURKIYE)Columnist Kenan Akin comments on the key role of Azerbaijan's President Aliyev in the Caucasus and at the OSCE Summit. A summary of his column is as follows:"It should be reasserted that that the President of friendly Azerbaijan, Haydar Aliyev, is playing a key role in the Caucasus. Azerbaijan's President Aliyev, having been found worthy of the Ataturk Peace Prize this year due to his contribution to peace in the Caucasus, has taken one of his most important decisions. Turkey should show the utmost consideration to President Aliyev, who has approved the Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline Project. The contribution of Baku-Ceyhan to Turkey's future and, therefore, the establishment of a balance in the Caucasus is beyond discussion. A project agreement is expected to be signed this month during the OSCE Summit in Istanbul. In other words, the OSCE Summit can be viewed as a turning point for Turkey. Thus, the importance of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to Russia, which will start tomorrow, becomes apparent. We hope that Ecevit's negotiations in Moscow do not cast a negative shadow over our expectations. " END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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