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Turkish Press Review, 99-11-08Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>08.11.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ...[02] ECEVIT: "EXPECTATIONS PROVED CORRECT"Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that it was impossible for Turkey to go back on the `Blue Stream' natural gas venture. Ecevit, evaluating his visit to Moscow, spoke to the `Cumhuriyet' newspaper and said, "All the world is in the process of `Eurasiaization'. The keys of Eurasia are in the hands of both Russia and Turkey. I think our expectations have been proved correct during my visit. Massive developments are being seen, particularly in economic relations between Turkey and the Russian Federation. The economic crisis that began in Southeastern Asia spread to Russia and, thus, there was some restriction in our commercial relations a while ago. However, both ourselves and Turkish businessmen trust in the future of Russia. We had interesting meetings with Prime Minister Putin and Moscow's Mayor Lujkov concerning the improvement of economic relations. We also have hopes for cooperation in the field of defence equipment and its technology. The two countries have the will to improve their economic relations. If they are ameliorated, then of course political relations will also improve.""The two countries have mutual benefits to be gained from the fight against terrorism. We adopted this not due to any threat from another country, but as a general principle. In addition, we signed the `Blue Stream' accord with Russia in December 1997 and, as part of the agreement, investments have begun. So it is impossible for us to go back on this", declared Ecevit. /Cumhuriyet/ [03] US RECALLS ITS PROPOSAL ON CYPRUSThe Deputy Secretary of State responsible for EU relations, Marc Grossman, recalled that the US wants a solution based on a two-society and two-region federation. Grossman made a statement to the 'To Vima' newspaper published in Athens and said that in line with proposals from the G-8 countries, there were initiatives in progress under the umbrella of the UN towards negotiations without any preconditions between the two sides. Grossman added that the Cyprus issue would be discussed during US President Bill Clinton's visit to Ankara and Athens. /Turkiye/[04] GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEYGerman Interior Minister Otto Schilly will visit Turkey today as the official guest of Turkish Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan. Schilly will be received by Tantan, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli today and will visit the earthquake disaster region tomorrow, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[05] COMCEC MEETING IN ISTANBULThe Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli delivered a speech at the closing session of the Permanent Committee of the Organization for Islamic Conference (COMCEC) yesterday and said that the exchange of views concerning human resources had been very beneficial. Bahceli stated that on the threshold of the 21st century, global dynamics should be accurately evaluated and that efforts should be exerted towards the implementation of ideals. Bahceli added that operational plans prepared by the Islamic Development Bank to increase trade volume from 10 % to 13 % and the allocation of $1 billion to that end were pleasing developments. /Turkiye/[06] SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONRepublican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Altan Oymen, Deputy Chairman Inal Batu, Deputy General Secretary Sule Bucak and Socialist International Deputy Chairman Erdal Inonu are attending the Socialist International Convention. Oymen will make a speech and also meet socialist leaders. Inonu will again be a candidate for this position. The Convention will begin today and last until Wednesday in Paris. /All papers/[07] GEN.KIVRIKOGLU IN BELGIUMThe Chief of General Staff, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, left for Brussels yesterday to attend NATO's Military Committee meetings. A statement issued by the General Secretariat of the Office of General Staff said that Gen.Kivrikoglu will take part in the 136th Military Committee meeting, one of the scheduled meetings of NATO, the NATO-Ukraine and European Atlantic Council Military Committee meeting between November 7-11. During the sessions, views will be exchanged concerning NATO activities and issues with reference to European security, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[08] SHIELD OF GRATITUDE TO UNTurkey has given a shield of gratitude to the UN, which had extended a great deal of support to the earthquake victims in Turkey. The Turkish Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Volkan Vural, has presented the shield to SergioVieira de Mello, the UN Secretary-General's Assistant and the Head of the UN Humanitarian and Emergency Aid Coordination Department. /Turkiye/[09] 2000 BUDGET DEBATES BEGIN IN PARLIAMENTThe year 2000 budget bill, presented to Parliament's Budget and Planning Commission last week by Finance Minister Sumer Oral, will be debated in the same commission this week. Discussions on the Prime Ministry, Justice Ministry and Constitutional Court budgets are scheduled for Tuesday. In the meantime, Parliament's General Assembly is expected to discuss a bill envisaging simplifications in court procedures for trials of state officials and civil servants. /All papers/[10] IRAQ SEEKS TURKEY'S HELP TO END EMBARGOThe relations between Turkey and Iraq, which are already promising, are further improving, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hikmet Al-Azawi told the Anatolia News Agency. Al-Azawi stated that Iraq had requested that Turkey provide comprehensive support for Iraq in its effort to convince Western leaders to end the embargo. He argued that Turkey itself has been adversely affected by the embargo, stating that the total financial loss incurred by Turkey due to the UN embargo was about $30 billion. Emphasizing the importance Iraq attaches to Turkey, the Deputy Prime Minister said Turkey is a vital country both for the international community and the Islamic world.[11] BECKSTEIN: "I AM NOT AFRAID OF PKK"The Interior Minister of Bavaria in Germany, Gunter Beckstein, who has visited Antalya as the guest of Antalya Mayor Bekir Kumbul said that he had prohibited activities by the PKK terrorist organization in Bavaria and, therefore, he was being threatened by the PKK. He added, "The PKK is continuing with its threats. However, I am not afraid of them". Beckstein stated that every time he visited Turkey, he saw that Turco-German relations were further developing and pointed out that this was a pleasing development. /Turkiye/[12] CAKMAKOGLU: "PKK PEACE INITIATIVES INSINCERE"Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu rejected peace overtures by PKK members as insincere, insisting that they would not be able to talk themselves out of punishment. Cakmakoglu said PKK members started calling for peace only after their head, Abdullah Ocalan, was captured in February. "I do not believe in their sincerity" Cakmakoglu said. "It is not possible to appease this nation until the members of the terrorist organization pay for what they have done", he added. /All papers/[13] HASHISH SEIZED IN MUSDuring a raid in Mus, 3.5 kilos of hashish were seized by security officials. Three people were taken into custody in connection with the incident. Officials said that an investigation into the incident was underway, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[14] OSCE-ISTANBUL TO STARTThe 'Review Conference', prior to the OSCE Summit in Istanbul on November 18-19, will start today. During the second part of the Conference, OSCE activities during the last three years will be reviewed. The Conference will last until November 10. The first part of the Conference was held in Vienna between September 20 and October 1. During the OSCE Summit, leaders from 54 countries will convene in Istanbul. /Turkiye/[15] SATELLITE CONTROL OF SEASTurkey will give no-one any respite concerning national and international maritime shipping. Every ship will be able to be monitored using on-board satellite observation devices that will be installed. As far as smuggling, raids and SOS cases are concerned, the interventions required and security needed will be able to be ensured thanks to this system.All ships will be able to be observed thanks to the Maritime Vessels' Automatic Recognition System, which became an issue on the Communication Supreme Council's agenda and which was approved there. As part of the scheme, which will be implemented by Maritime Security Command and the Directorate General of Turkish Telecommunications Limited, a stable satellite observation device will be installed in every ship. The ships' location and the continental waters on which the ship has sailed will be determined if needed. /Milliyet/ [16] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS SCHOOL IS BEING OPENEDThe "Children's Rights School" is being opened by the Children's Foundation. The Chairman of the Children's Foundation, Mustafa Ruhi Sirin, who talked about the school that will begin its education programme in Istanbul on 20th November, stated that in a century during which the rights of hundreds of thousands of children have been exploited, the approach to children and childhood should be re-evaluated. The education year will consist of four terms comprising the topics of one's rights to childhood, the interpretation of the Children's Rights Agreement, the agenda of children's rights and "Where are my rights?". The first three terms will be for adults and the fourth term will be both for children and for adults. /Hurriyet/[17] ZENGENE: "PIPELINE IN IRAN TO BE COMPLETED"Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijen Namdar Zengene stated that the section of the pipeline in Iran which will transport natural gas from Iran to Turkey would be completed by the end of this year. Zengene said at a meeting on 'Gas Resources in the International Persian Gulf and its Export Markets' that Iran was ready to facilitate the gas transfer and organize regional energy supply and demand. Zengene pointed out that the agreement concerning the export of natural gas from Iran to Turkey had been signed for a period of 22 years. According to the agreement signed in 1997, natural gas exports from Iran to Turkey will start with an intial 2 billion cubic metres every year and then rise to 10 billion cubic metres, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[18] BAKU-CEYHAN ON THE WAYMike Hammer, the US National Security Council Spokesman, recalled that the agreement concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline might be signed during the OSCE Summit in Istanbul and said, "The tendency of Turkish, Azerbaijani and Georgian leaders towards the signing of this agreement is very positive". Hammer stated that Turkish, Azerbaijani and Georgian officials were exerting every effort to prepare the legal and political infrastructure of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline scheme. /Turkiye/[19] CLINTON'S GREEK VISITThe Greek 'Kathimerini` newspaper stated that during Clinton's visit to Greece, the U.S President would declare the initiation of a new series of meetings between the two countries. The newspaper said that the main subjects of Clinton's meeting in Greece would be Turco-Greek relations and the Cyprus issue. The newspaper asserted that Clinton would appeal for Greek Premier Kostas Simitis to back the EU candidacy of Turkey at the Helsinki Summit. Meanwhile, prior to the U.S President's visit, anti-American protests are taking place in Athens. /Aksam/[20] EXPORTS TO RUSSIAAccording to an evaluation made by the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, the downward trend in exports due to the Russian crisis was finally over in September and exports rose in October. Exports to EU and EFTA countries increased, except for during the months of January, May, June and August this year, while exports to North African countries have begun to decrease following an upward trend in the first three months of this year. /Turkiye/[21] BOEING WILL SELL 24 APACHES TO TURKEYThe war of tactics between foreign companies for the joint production of 3.5 billion dollars' worth of battle helicopters, which will heighten the Turkish Armed Forces' deterrent power, is hotting up. While the evaluation of the bids is underway, the American Boeing Company has decided to sell 24 Apache helicopters to Turkey. It was stated that the sudden offer of the Boeing Company, supported by the American government, was being evaluated and that however, a decision had not been made yet. It is expected that American President Bill Clinton, who will come to Turkey in the middle of November in order to attend the OSCE Summit, will place Boeing's request to sell on the agenda. /Hurriyet/[22] RETAILERS' SUMMIT IN ISTANBULThe 5th International Regional Conference on "21st Century Retail Inclinations", organized by the Shopping Centres' and Retailers' Association (AMPD), will be held at Swisshotel on 11th and 12nd November. Four hundred guests from Turkey and abroad are expected to attend the conference, which will bring together the managers of and investors in shopping centres and the retail sector with sector specialists from the U.S.A. and Europe. As part of the conference, AMPD, aiming to introduce the whole region to each other and create new opportunities, will also nominate the "shopping centre of the year" and "the retailer of the year" for the TCSC award. /Hurriyet/[23] TUSIAD DELEGATION IN HOLLANDA delegation consiting of members of the Executive Board of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) will hold a series of talks in The Hague, Holland, today as part of its round of visits designed to express the views of the Turkish business world on Turco-EU relations prior to the EU Summit in Helsinki in December. The TUSIAD delegation headed by Erkut Yucaoglu will initially visit Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Annemarie Joristma. Later, Turkish businessmen will attend the Turco-Dutch Business Council meeting in Rotterdam. Turkish businessmen will meet Dutch industrialists and businessmen in The Hague on Tuesday. In addition to Turco-EU relations, bilateral economic relations will also be discussed during the meetings between Turkish and Dutch businessmen, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[24] DOMESTIC NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION RISESTurkey's domestic oil and natural gas supplier, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), produced 12,532,000 barrels of crude oil and 592,000 cubic metres of natural gas in the first 10 months of 1999. In the corresponding period last year, the TPAO produced 14,207,000 barrels of crude oil and 437,000 cubic metres of natural gas. The rise in natural gas production is said to stem from the new fields that have begun operating in the northern Marmara region. /All papers/[25] TURKEY OFFERS GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESTurkey has become the most exciting country in Europe in terms of job opportunities, said Mark R.Parris, the US Ambassador in Ankara. Parris explained on a Website prepared by the US Consulate in Adana that the Turkish economy is rapidly growing and enjoys a thriving private sector and strong export structure. He indicated that the US Department of Commerce had declared Turkey to be one of the largest emerging markets in the 21st century. Parris added that the US is trying to increase its trade volume with and investments in Turkey, saying that the US' interest in southeastern Turkey is particularly obvious.Stuart E.Jones, the US Consul in Adana, states on the Website that the US had arrived in the region for the first time in 1858 to open a mission in the coastal city of Iskenderun. He added that the US Consulate in Adana was founded in 1961. Jones also stressed that the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) offers great opportunities to the American business community. /All papers/ [26] DANGER IN BOSPHORUSYesterday, the Bosphorus experienced yet another threat when two ships collided; one of them sank, while the other one was damaged. About half an hour after a demonstration by the Nature Fighters for the Environment which aimed to attract attention to the possible dangers in the Bosphorus, the maritime collision occurred. A 6-thousand-gross-ton ship the 'Semele` sailing under the Belize flag, , collided with the 16-thousand-gross-ton 'Sipka`, flying a Bulgarian flag, in the Ahirkapi region at around 13:00 hours. Following the crash, although 'Semele` sank very quickly, the 'Sipka` was merely damaged. The crew of the sunken ship has been rescued. It is stated that in the case that the ships had been tankers full of petroleum, Istanbul would have been faced by a great danger one more time. /Sabah/[27] AID FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF KOCAELI UNIVERSITYThe Turkish business world has initiated a reconstruction campaign for Kocaeli University which was devastated completely during the earthquake and has had to start its new academic year in prefabricated buildings. Is Bank, Ford, Borusan, Marshall and others were all determined to construct a new powerful university in Izmit similar to the Middle East Technical University (ODTU). Kocaeli University was expected to have received damage worth 16 trillion TL thanks to the earthquake. Meanwhile, the first installment of aid, except for that of the businessmen, came from the Greek Patriarchate with a sum of 40 billion TL for the reconstruction of the university. /Sabah/[28] TURKISH MEMBER ON ERNST & YOUNG'S EXECUTIVE BOARDA Turkish member has been appointed to the executive board of one of the leading consultancy and research companies in the world, Ernst & Young. Umit Kizilhisar, who has been working as a director in the company's Istanbul office for two years now, was posted to executive board membership. A graduate from Bogazici University's Management Department, Kizilhisar has worked for 9 years in the U.S offices of the firm. /Aksam/[29] YASEMIN DALKILIC BREAKS WORLD RECORDYasemin Dalkilic has broken the 'Women's World Record for Free Diving at a fixed weight'. She managed to dive 68 metres in two minutes and 38 seconds and broke the World Record yesterday. The Head of the Underwater Federation, Harun Sevinc, said that this world record was very significant for Turkey. /Turkiye/[30] "FRIENDSHIP" CONCERTSezen Aksu, who comes originally from Izmir and her Greek colleague, Haris Alexiou of Selanik enchanted their audience during a concert that they gave in the aid of earthquake victims the night before last. Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay, Minister of Tourism Erkan Mumcu, the Mayor of Sisli, Mustafa Sarigul, and retired General Cevik Bir listened to the concert that was held at the Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Palace. This concert will be repeated in Athens on 23th November. /Cumhuriyet/[31] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ...[32] WHO LED ECEVIT DOWN THIS ROAD? BY FUAT BOL (TURKIYE)Columnist Fuat Bol comments on Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to Moscow. A summary of his column is as follows:Just fifteen days before the OSCE Summit, which will convene in Istanbul, Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to Moscow was timeless and unnecessary. Throughout history, Turkish and Russian interests have been in conflict and it seems that this conflict will continue in the 21st century as our aims are of vital importance for both countries. Russia is experiencing the weakest period in her history. The only ace in her hand is her nuclear weaponry and this is the concern of other powers, such as the USA, rather than that of Turkey. Russia is oppressing the Chechens in Caucasia, just as the Serbs did with the Moslem population in Bosnia and Kosovo. All the world, including the Islamic World, is remaining silent in the face of this massacre carried out against the civilians. The safety of Turkey's eastern borders depend upon the stability in the Caucasus. The Russians have two problems left. One is Chechnya and the other is Georgia. The safe transport of Central Asian oil to the West depends upon stability in the region. Russia attaches such great importance to the matter that while Prime Minister Ecevit was still in Russia, President Yeltsin was sending his representative to Azerbaijan's President Aliyev to prevent any Turco-Azerbaijani rapprochement. However, experienced politician as he is, Aliyev sees this bluff by Russia for what it is. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Ecevit has returned home without achieving any success. The "Blue Stream" venture is mentioned with good intentions by both sides. However, Turkey shows her weakness towards the Chechen problem due to concern with the PKK. Instead of trying to prevent a human tragedy in the Caucasus, where civilians have been killed or have had to migrate, we are shaking hands with the Russians. We are wondering who led Ecevit down such a road just before the OSCE Summit when the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline agreement will be signed." [33] AGENDA HAS CHANGED BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)Columnist Sedat Sertoglu writes on the change in the agenda of the OSCE Istanbul Summit and Turkey's need for natural gas. A summary of his column is as follows:Excluding Yugoslavian leader Milosevic who is wanted for crimes against humanity, the Heads of State or Government of 53 countries are preparing to meet in Istanbul. Important issues will be discussed during this Summit. Certain agreements are expected to be signed in the course of this meeting such as the Accord on the Restriction of the use of Conventional Arms, which has already been violated by Russia even before it has been signed. Therefore, the agenda of the Summit has suddenly changed. The main issue to be discussed at the Summit is now Russia's military operation against Chechnya. In this case the ratifying of certain agreements is in danger. The content of the Istanbul Communique has to be changed and this can only be done with the approval of the countries participating in the Summit. The Summit, preparation for which were underway without a hitch, has become an equation with many unknown factors. There is only a week or ten days left to finalize the Istanbul Communique. Diplomats from all countries will be working hard to achieve a positive result from this Summit. The figures issued in relation to Turkey's need for natural gas in the next 20 years reveal a great disparity between those issued by official organizations and private institutions such as Shell. It is not clear whether we are exaggerating our need or their figures are incorrect. The Wood Mackenzie firm estimates our need for natural gas in the year 2015 at almost half the official figures. This company has undertaken some interesting research; it says that Turkey can buy the cheapest natural gas from Azerbeijan and they have even estimated the cost of bringing the natural gas from Azerbaijan to Turkey. The purchase of Turkmen-Azerbaijani natural gas by Turkey is a priority and, when necessary in the future, itshould be supported by the "Blue Stream" venture. Therefore, Prime Minister Ecevit's stance concerning "Blue Stream" in Moscow is correct vis-a-vis Turkey's interests. As all the other countries in the world are diversifying their sources of gas we should not depend upon Russia for 90% of our natural gas requirements." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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