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Turkish Press Review, 99-11-22Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>22.11.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[02] DEMIREL RATIFIES NINE AGREEMENTSPresident Suleyman Demirel has ratified nine decisions taken by the Council of Ministers concerning international agreements. Among the international accords approved by Demirel are the additional arrangements concerning social security made with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the cooperation pact with Algeria, the protocol for the second-term tourism joint commission meeting with China, the order for 200 trucks for the General Directorate of Rural Services, the consulate agreement between Turkey and the Ukraine, the protocol of the first-term meeting of Turkey and Kazakhstan's joint economic cooperation commission, the technical cooperation agreement with Gambia and the agreement for the prevention of double taxation made between Turkey and Kuwait. /Hurriyet/[03] ANNAN ARRIVES IN ANKARA FOR TALKSUN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who came to Turkey to participate in the OSCE Summit in Istanbul, arrived in Ankara late on Sunday to attend meetings with Turkish officials. "It will be an opportunity for Turkey to explain its position and opinions before the planned proximity talks", said Turkish officials. Annan, who will leave Turkey on Tuesday, visited the earthquake region in Turkey's West on Thursday. Annan met separately on Friday with Greek-Cypriot Leader Glafkos Klerides and the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, ahead of the scheduled proximity talks between the two Cypriot leaders scheduled for early December in New York. /All papers/[04] CEM'S EU TRAFFICForeign Minister Ismail Cem has met French State Minister responsible for EU Relations Pierre Moskovici. Cem made a statement prior to the meeting and said, "We will discuss Turco-French relations and will exchange views on developments with reference to Turco-EU relations". During the meeting between the delegations of the two countries, Turco-French relations, the EU and other regional issues were also deliberated. /Turkiye/[05] 'OSCE BROUGHT NEW VISION TO TURKEY`The world press claimed that the OSCE Istanbul Summit ensured dynamism in Turkey, and American President Clinton had undertaken the most important role in achieving that. Here are the comments from some newspapers:The New York Times: Hitherto, none of the visitors to Turkey has displaced such positive image as President Clinton in the Turks' mind. His enthusiastic embracing of quake survivors also caused astonishment among the people. Der Spiegel: The American President asked for the European countries to see the importance of modern Turkey. He said that the next century would be designated by the definition of Turkey's role both today and tomorrow. Le Monde: Turkey undertakes a significant regional role for the U.S. The American President stressed the future image of Turkey as "strong, secure and modern". He also revealed that this country of traditions is a definite part of Europe. USA Today: Clinton pledged to Turkey that American aid would continue. The OSCE Summit became an important step in specifying the future of Turkey. Turkey's star is shining, especially due to the support of the U.S. US News: The European leaders convened in a country where the West and East winds blow together. It is understood that Turkey is developing and growing day by day with more prosperity and self-confidence. She has some shortages, however, those are inevitable in a region comprising radical elements such as Iran, Syria and Caucasia. /Sabah/ [06] DEATH TOLL RISES TO 700With the search for survivors in Turkey's latest deadly quake now called off, bulldozers moved in Saturday to cart away the wreckage. The official death toll rose to 705, a number expected to rise as more bodies are reached beneath the concrete slabs. More than 5,000 people were injured and 750 buildings destroyed in the earthquake registering 7.2 on the Richter scale that hit the northwestern town of Duzce on November 12, the government's crisis centre said. /All papers/[07] BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINEAnother stage has begun after the signing of four agreements concerning the International Accord on Transition Countries, the Guarantor and Turnkey Pipeline Construction of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. The Azerbaijanini Petroleum Operation Company, AIOC, undertook most of the financing of the Baku-Ceyhan venture whereas BOTAS will construct and manage the section of pipeline that will be laid in Turkey. It was stated that BOTAS is planning to finalize the details and the engineering work concerning the line in 16 months. It was pointed out that first the detailed engineering construction and expropriation of the pipeline would be carried out. Additionally, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel welcomed Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, at Cankaya Presidential Palace. The meeting was closed to the press and lasted for one-and-a half hours. It was revealed that energy issues were discussed during the meeting. /Aksam/[08] US INTEREST IN GAPFollowing the visit of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the US during which the issue of the development of Southeastern Anatolia was discussed, US interest in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) is on-going. The Regional Director of the GAP Regional Development Administration, Erkan Alemdaroglu, said that the Howard Company, a leading US energy firm, had launched initiatives to establish a private university in the GAP region, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Alemdaroglu stated that officials from Howard's would arrive in Sanliurfa on November 23, 1999, to meet Turkish officials and to go on a tour of inspection of the region.[09] MESUT YILMAZ IN GERMANYThe Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mesut Yilmaz, left for Germany yesterday. State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik also accompanied Yilmaz who has gone to Germany as the guest of the Chairman of the German Christian Democratic Union Party, Wolfgang Schaeuble, the Chairman of the Christian Social Union Party and the Bavarian Prime Minister, Edmund Stoiber. Yilmaz will hold a series of talks prior to the EU Summit in Helsinki in December. He will return to Turkey this evening, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[10] CILLER RE-ELECTED AS DYP LEADERA majority of the 1,228 delegates chosen from the party's district branches elected Tansu Ciller as True Path Party (DYP) Leader for the third time. The DYP Convention was held at Ataturk Sports Hall in Ankara on Saturday. /All papers/[11] TOURISM MINISTER IN ISRAELTourism Minister Erkan Mumcu went to Israel yesterday on a four-day official visit. Mumcu will take part in the Turco-Israeli Tourism Joint Commission meeting, to be held for the first time. Mumcu and Israeli Tourism Minister Amnon Lipkin Sahak will head the Commission's meeting during which cooperation and coordination between Turkey and Israel concerning the Faith Tourism in the Year 2000 will be deliberated. The issue of the development of tourism relations between the two countries will also be discussed during the meeting. Mumcu attended the luncheon hosted by Sahak yesterday and visited the historic tourist sites in Jerusalem. The Commission meeting will be held this afternoon, the Antaolia News Agency reports.[12] WEU MEETINGS BEGIN TODAYDefence and Foreign Ministers from the Western European Union (WEU) member countries will begin their meetings in Luxembourg today. Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will represent Turkey during the meetings which will last for two days. The main item on the agenda will be the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), and the initiatives concerning the future of the WEU will also be discussed. Cakmakoglu and Cem are also expected to hold bilateral talks in Luxembourg, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[13] TURKEY WANTS $10 BILLION FROM THE USPresident Suleyman Demirel expressed his desire for the amount of IMF financial support to Turkey to be increased from $4 billion to $10 billion during his meeting with US President Bill Clinton. Clinton said, "I will do what I can". The increase in IMF financial assistance to Turkey, as part of the three-year stand-by agreement, was initially placed on the agenda by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit during his meeting with President Clinton at Cankaya Presidential Palace. /Hurriyet/[14] FINLAND BACKS TURKEY FOR EU MEMBERSHIPBoth Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari's official visit and his remarks have raised Turkey's hopes of being granted EU membership since Finland is currently the EU President. Ahtisaari, during his two-day official visit, clearly said on Saturday that his country would back Turkey's EU candidacy bid at next month's Summit, but said Ankara must work to meet EU requirements. During his meeting with Ahtisaari, President Suleyman Demirel underlined the importance of Turkey's integration with the EU, but criticized the 15-member bloc for giving priority to political issues. /All papers/[15] AMERICAN PRESIDENT CLINTON ADVERTISED EPHESUS TO THE WORLDThe Minister of Culture, Istemihan Talay, stated that the American President, Bill Clinton, and his wife had made the historic cultural beauties of Anatolia known to the world thanks to their visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Talay, who toured the Cultural Park with the Mayor of Izmir's Metropolitan Municipality, Ahmet Piriştina, and the mayors of neighbouring districts, said that they would install lighting in Ephesus, which would make night-time visits possible. Talay, remarking on the on-going restoration of Yamacevler, that is located in the ancient city of Ephesus, said that this region would be opened to visitors on 20th January. /Aksam/[16] SADDAM HUSSEIN PLAYS WITH FIREThe Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, has established special units against the Turkish units who have been holding cross-border operations in Northern Iraq's upper and rural areas as part of the crack-down against the PKK terrorist organization. This unit will be under the command of the dictator's son. Saddam Hussein, who supports the terrorist PKK, an organization that has caused the deaths of 30,000 people, is now planning to hinder those whose aim is to remove this terrorist organization, which is now on the point of collapse. /Aksam/[17] "TURKEY SHOULD TAKE HER PLACE IN THE EU"During the "Third Way Conference" that was held under the title of "Reforms in the 21st Century" by the Social Democrats in Florence, Italy, Turkey was mentioned. During the talks organized by the European University Institute and New York University, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder said, "During the Helsinki Summit, Turkey should take her place within the expansion policy of the EU. In addition, Turkey holds a very important position as far as the security of Eastern Europe is concerned." Furthermore, the leader of the Motherland Party, Mesut Yilmaz, who went to Germany on an official visit, said, "Turkey's candidacy of the EU will be achieved following a delay of 2 years." Yilmaz also pointed out that Germany was warmly receptive to Turkey's candidacy of the EU. /Aksam/[18] "I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE U.S.A.'S PLAN"The President of the TRNC, Rauf Denktas, said that he did not know about the American plan nor about the scenerio that was suggested by Greek-Cypriot leader Glafkos Klerides and Greece. Denktas evaluated the latest developments following the invitation of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and the OSCE Summit leaders and declared, "I am going to New York on the invitation of the UN Secretary-General for indirect negotiations as the representative of one of two equal parties. I have only one person to addreess, UN Secretary-General himself. Probably Annan's invitation is not a game played so that the Americans can force us to accept a scenerio that is known by the Greek-Cypriots but unknown by us." /Aksam/[19] EARTHQUAKE TAX ON AGENDAThe earthquake tax will be one of the important articles on the Turkish Grand National Assembly's (TGNA) agenda. The Bill, proposing an additional tax in order to overcome the damage caused by the earthquake, will be debated during the sessions of the TGNA this week. Meanwhile, the negotiations within the Planning and Budget Commission concerning the Budget for the year 2000 will be completed by the end of this week, and it will be taken up between Dec. 13th and 23th in the TGNA's General Council. /Sabah/[20] COUNT DOWN TO END OF OCALAN'S TRIALSeventy-two hours are left before the declaration of the verdict in the appeals trial of Abdullah Ocalan, who was sentenced to death by the Ankara 2nd State Security Court with regard to the crimes of treason against the State and attempting to divide the country. The 9th Penal Department Supreme Court of Appeals will announce its historic decision on Nov. 25 at 9:00. If the conclusion of the Supreme Court of Appeals is pro-capital punishment, Ocalan's lawyers can apply to the Supreme Court's Republican Prosecutor to have the judgement overturned. In the case of the turning-down of the appeals application, there will be no more chances for Ocalan and the decision will be made definite. Then the trial documentation will be sent to the TGNA for the final verdict whether the execution will be implemented or not. If the Assembly makes a decision in favor of execution, it will be presented for the approval of the President and, following his affirmation, it will be announced in the Official Gazette and the execution will be carried out on the day and time specified by Ankara State Security Court's Chief Prosecutor. /Sabah/[21] ONE PKK TERRORIST KILLEDOne PKK terrorist was killed in clashes with security forces in the town of Erbaa, Tokat. A crack-down is on-going in the region. /Sabah/[22] INCETAHTACI DIESThe Virtue Party's (FP) Gaziantep Deputy, Mehmet Bedri Incetahtaci, died when the car he was driving crashed on the way to Ankara's Esenboga Airport. Yildirim Akbulut, Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, sent his condolences to the deputy's family and to FP leader Recai Kutan, in which he described Incetahtaci as a hardworking young politician. /All papers/[23] IMF TALKS WITH TURKEYNegotiations between Turkish economic officials and an IMF delegation have focused on the public sector budget balance, a basic criteria of economic performance, and the financial aid package to be received from the IMF. Turkish economic bureaucrats point out that the IMF delegation is in Turkey to conduct technical research, and that Turkey's request for at least $6 billion will be decided by IMF executive directors in Washington. It was added that US President Bill Clinton has given the support needed for financial aid to be granted within the guidelines of a stand-by deal. They said that Clinton would ask US Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers to ratify the loan when he returns to Washington, and that Summers would duly inform IMF Executive Director Karin Lissakers. /All papers/[24] MILITARY EXEMPTION LAW GOES INTO EFFECTInternal applications for exemption from military service in return for cash payments begin today. Forms must be submitted accompanied by a receipt proving that payment has been made. Applications from Turkish citizens living abroad begin on December 6 and must be made to local Turkish consulates. The deadline for all applications is May 4. /All papers/[25] HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR ENERGYA lively period is currently being experienced in the energy [Asector. While 240 energy power plant projects using the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model are underway, Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer stated that 14 more power plants had been placed on the agenda during the last two-year period. The total cost of the 240 power plants is $23 billion. /Milliyet/[26] ARTOK: "US EXIMBANK CAN BE AN EXAMPLE"The Head of the Istanbul Ready-To-Wear Clothing Exporters' Union, Nuri Artok, said that in order to increase exports, Turkey should implement support loans to countries importing Turkish goods. Artok remarked that the best example of this was the loan granted by President Bill Clinton to Turkish enterpreneurs and added, "The US Administration is thus financing the goods to be sold from the US to Turkey via the US Eximbank". Artok pointed out that in order to increase exports, the funding of the Turkish Eximbank should initially be boosted. /Turkiye/[27] 'ONLY SOLUTION IS TURKISH WATER'Israeli Foreign Minister David Levi said that the only solution to the water problem in Israel was to bring water from Turkey. While negotiations concerning Manavgat water are on-going between Turkey and Israel, David Levi stated the issue of transporting water from Turkey should be initially discussed by the Council of Ministers. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials believe that obtaining water from Turkey would be the quickest solution and will further develop strategic cooperation between the two countries. /Turkiye/[28] INVESTMENT WITH DUPONTThe Sabanci Holding Company has opened two factories in partnership with the American Dupont firm in Argentina and Brazil. The material which will be produced in the Dusa Argentina and Dusa Brazil facilities, will be marketed to the 22 tyre factories in South America. /Sabah/[29] EARTHQUAKE LOAN TO BE SIGNED TOMORROWAn agreement for a loan amounting to 757.5 million dollars from the World Bank will be signed tomorrow in Ankara between the World Bank's Regional Deputy Chairman responsible for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Johannes F. Linn, and the Undersecretary for the Treasury, Selcuk Demiralp. It is expected that a joint press conference will be held after the signing of the loan documentation for the 757.5 million dollars that will be used in order to repair the damage caused by the earthquake that occurred on 17th August in the Marmara region. /Aksam/[30] THE LION'S SHARE IS FOR MANUFACTURINGTwo hundred and four investment incentive certificates totalling 429 trillion 277 billion 522 million Turkish Lira were issued by the Treasury Undersecretariat. In the manufacturing sector, the amount of incentives received totals 287 trillion 55 billion 833 million TL. Furthermore, 6,526 jobs were created. It was envisaged that 14,167 people would be employed thanks to the above-mentioned incentives. /Aksam/[31] TURKISH PETROLEUM BOARD TO SEARCH FOR OIL IN LIBYAThe Turkish Petroleum Board (TPAO), which searches for petroleum abroad, besides its crude oil and natural gas exploration ventures in Turkey, has done something never before attempted for the first time in Libya. Thanks to the report on 12 areas that were opened up to exploration by the Libyan Government in 1995, two areas that were found to be suitable were allocated to the Turkish Petroleum Board. Officials stated that the pact which was signed between Libya's National Petroleum Company and the TPAO some time ago, has been presented to Libya's Parliament. /Aksam/[32] VEHICLE EXPORTSIn the vehicle sector, which has become the favourite export sector recently, the total amount of exports increased by 118% in ten months. According to the calculations made by the Automotive Industry's Association, the total number of vehicles sold abroad had climbed to 70,614 during the first ten months of this year. During the above-mentioned period, 7,150 commercial vehicles were exported. Tractor exports decreased by 4% to 5,075. During the January-October period of this year, lorry exports increased by 27%, truck exports increased by 19%, medium-sized passenger vehicle exports increased by 29%, and bus exports increased by 37%, whereas minibus exports decreased by 82%. Furthermore, the highest increase was in domestic cars with an averege of 176%. A total of 58,389 automobiles were exported during the January-September period of this year. /Aksam/[33] TOP TEN OF THE CENTURYIn a survey carried out by the 'Scientific American' magazine published in America, 'Uluburun' was placed among the ten most important geological discoveries. 'Uluburun', which displays items from Chalcolithic Age, is fifth among the ten most important geological discoveries of the century. /Aksam/[34] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[35] FROM CLINTON'S VISIT TO THE HELSINKI SUMMIT BY YASEMIN CONGAR (MILLIYET)Columnist Yasemin Congar expounds on President Clinton's visit to Turkey and its results. A summary of her column is as follows:"President Clinton is pleased with his visit to Turkey as he believes that he has sent out all the messages concerning bilateral relations, regional problems and Turkish domestic politics he wanted and that think-tanks have understood his thoughts and are taking them into consideration. His belief is supported by the replies he received from President Demirel, Prime Minister Ecevit and the commentaries which appeared in the press. He is also pleased that not only the Administration but also the Turkish public gave him a warm welcome. However, there is one question in the President's mind, in the words of White House sources, "a not-so-successful aspect of an otherwise successful visit", and that is the uncertainty of how the expectation of a gesture by Turkey towards Greece would be met. This question closely concerns the issue of Turkey's placing on the list of EU member candidates. A high-ranking US official said that Turkey's acceptance should not be taken for granted. We believe that Ankara is aware of the situation. However, some steps must be taken to facilitate Greece's approval of the candidacy. He added that they hoped these steps would be taken but it was unsure whether they would or not. The American President related his hopes concerning such a gesture to Prime Minister Ecevit and said that a good-will gesture would enable him to defend Turkey both in Greece, in the EU and before Congress. Such anticipation is directed towards "pragmatic" purposes such as the issue of "candidacy" in Helsinki. The US President believes that within the recent Turco-Greek rapprochement Athens' contributions outweigh those of Ankara and, therefore, Athens had taken serious political risks. He would like Turkey to restore the balance and strengthen the position of the PASOK Government in the public eye. Clinton's talks in Athens concentrated more on the Aegean and Cyprus than they had in Turkey. They discussed the need for action by the Turkish Government. Prime Minister Simitis openly stated that their stance in Helsinki had a condition attached and added that, unless certain conditions were met aiding the solution of the present problems, Turkey's candidacy would not be accepted. He also said that during both his conference with the Turkish Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Papandreu's talks with his Turkish counterpart they had tried to create an awareness that the approval of Turkey's candidacy would not be easy. The US officials also believe that a gesture to satisfy Greece should concern the Aegean. Athens wants the TGNA decision which concerns an increase by Greece of her territorial waters to 12 miles, "casus belli", to be cancelled; to go to International Court of Justice at the Hague concerning the disputes in the Aegean; plus an announcement by Turkey that she is not interested in Greek territory. The US, in general, believes these requests to be fair. Ecevit has already stated that Turkey does not have any demands over Greek territory, now this statement is expected to be turned into a lasting, clear and comprehensive written text. However, it is very difficult for Ankara to take any steps concerning The Hague and the "casus belli" condition. At this point, the US believes that these subjects constitute a great leadership test awaiting Ecevit. Their main concern is that if Ankara does not take a step forward on the Aegean, the Greek Government, bowing to pressure from within, may support the tendency to veto Turkish candidacy already existing in countries like Sweden and Germany. A US official said that he hoped that certain circles in Ankara who are against EU candidacy would not tie the hands of the Ecevit Government just before the Helsinki Summit, and that the PASO Government genuinely desired Turkey's candidacy to the EU and was looking for support from Ankara to pave the way for it. He was not quite sure that Ankara had clearly assessed the role of George Papandreu." [36] DEMIREL UNDERSTANDS BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)Columnist Sedat Sertoglu comments on President Clinton's visit and what it means. A summary of his column is as follows:"The US is expecting a great change in Ankara. But how will the five-day visit by the US President to our country change minds and in what direction? We all hope that President Clinton is proven right and Turkey enters the new century with a new image. That is to say a great improvement is hoped for concerning the Cyprus question, and with the Greeks dropping their demands for 12 miles of water, the expression "casus belli" is considered null and void and the dialogue is continuing in a positive atmosphere. If the Kurdish question is considered within the limits of "cultural rights" without giving any concessions to terrorism, everything is made transparent and above-board corruption is not seen anymore or is at least reduced to minimum, the expression of freedom is no longer considered a crime, and finally the economy improves, Turkey will begin to stand on her own two feet. All will be done when Turkey is self-confident. If those governing Turkey can break the circle of petty political calculations and leave aside the philosophy that everything is fair in politics, all might happen. The statement President Demirel frequently repeats, that no one is living alone, and that there are no domestic problems and no-one can say "this is my domestic problem", must be interpreted well by the politicians in Ankara. This statement is valid not only for Turkey but for all countries in throughout the world. Demirel grasped this important concept at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul. We hope that all the politicians in Turkey understand this fact and that Turkey reaches the position she truly deserves. " Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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