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Turkish Press Review, 00-03-08Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>08.03.00Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] ECEVIT: 'MEN-WOMEN EQUALITY IS CIVILIZATION`In a message issued by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to mark '8 March as the World Women's Day`, he congratulated Turkish Women on their rights and the freedoms they have gained in the wake of a secure and democratic Republic. Emphasizing that woman-man equality, in all areas, was a necessity for civilization and democracy, Ecevit stated, "To respect woman, is a major condition in respect for humanity." He also stressed that Turkey had become a world model in giving voting and electoral rights to women at the very beginning of the Republic. /Turkiye/[03] KING OF JORDAN IN TURKEYKing Abdullah of Jordan together with his wife, came to Turkey for a two-day official visit. During his address in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, King Abdullah pointed out Turkey's power in the region, and stated, "Turkey has an important role in obtaining peace in the Middle East". Stressing that Turkey and Jordan had historical ties, he stated, "Your country has a specal place in my heart. To share a common destiny caused us to have similar views on certain issues." Demirel and the King had a 1 hour 20 minute tete-a-tete in which they exchanged views on the sale of Turkish water to Jordan, the improvement of military relations, including training, the signing of a free trade agreemeent in order to boost economic relations in the near future and the Middle East Peace Process. /Hurriyet/[04] REACTION TO BRADLEY ON CYPRUSThe declaration from one of the US Presidential Democrat nominees Bill Bradley stating, "Cyprus is an issue that we can solve. We know the solution; the Turkish Army should leave the Island" has caused a great reaction from the Turkish community in the US. The Chairman of the Turkish-American Associations' Assembly, Tolga Cubukcu and the Chairman of the Turkish-American Associations' Federation, Egemen Bagis, sent a letter to the nominee, explaining the realities of the Cyprus issue and asked for him to further develop his understanding on the matter. /Turkiye/[05] TRNC HINDERS TURCO-GREEK JOINT MANOEUVRESTurkish Armed Forces' East Mediterranean manoeuvres were to have been joined by a Greek battle ship for the first time. However, it will not be able to go ahead because of Cyprus. Turkey declared to Greek officials that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would also take place in this manoeuvres area, which caused some surprise in Athens. The Greek government had previously stated that a Greek frigate would join the Eastern Meditarrenean manoeuvres, but the declaration that Turkey sent to Greece also had the official mark of the TRNC, and as a result the Greek battle ship will not be able to attend these manoeuvres. /Sabah/[06] US' DIPLOMATIC INITIATIONThe Clinton Administration, who want an improvement for the solution of the Cyprus issue, is starting new diplomatic initiatives at the third round of the proximity talks between Turkish and Greek-Cypriot leaders, in New York, on 23 May. American President Bill Clinton's Special Representative to Cyprus, Alfred Moses, and US State Department's Coordinator to Cyprus, Thomas Weston will visit Cyprus within this framework. The American representatives will meet with Rauf Denktas and Glafkos Klerides separately. /Milliyet/[07] ROBERTSON TO VISIT TURKEYThe General Secretary of NATO, George Robertson, will come to Turkey for a two-day visit on March 9. Robertson is expected to meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and Minister of National Defence Sabahattin Cakmakoglu. During the meetings, European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) and other topics related to the Union will be discussed. He will also attend the opening of the '10th International Security and Cooperation Conference` in Antalya on March 10. /Turkiye/[08] TRI-PACKAGE OPENED FOR SIGNATUREThe change in the 69th and 86th articles of the Constitution, presented in the government's tri-package, was opened for signature as a separate issue yesterday. Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Minister, Devlet Bahceli and the Motherland Party (ANAP) leader, Mesut Yilmaz, were the first to sign. Signatures from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) amounted to more than 100, 48 signatures from the ANAP, however, three signatures were lacking from the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) for the 5+5 formula. The coalition partners will try to complete the signature collections before the Feast of Sacrifice. The work of the Constitutinol Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will be made after the Feast of Sacrifice. /Sabah-Aksam/[09] OYMEN TO VISIT BRUSSELSRepublican People's Party (CHP) leader Altan Oymen, will leave for Brussels today, to attend the European Socialist Party's ordinary meeting. Oymen will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders from the European socialist and left democratic parties, including Greece. /Cumhuriyet/[10] ABDULLAH GUL DECLARES HIS CANDIDACYAbdullah Gul, Virtue Party (FP)'s Parliamentary Representative from Kayseri is going to declare his candidacy for the FP's Leadership at a press conference today. Gul will confront present leader of the FP, Recai Kutan who represents the conservative wing of the Party, and had already declared his candidacy, as a nominee of the reformist wing at the Congress to be held on May 14th. /Hurriyet/[11] ALI GUNER AT ANAPParliamentary Representaive Ali Guner, who recently resigned from the FP joined the Motherland Party (ANAP) yesterday. The number of representatives in Parliament for the ANAP has increased to 88. Before this, FP deputies, Hasim Hasimi from Diyarbakir and Celal Esin from Agri, had also changed parties and joined the ANAP. /Hurriyet/[12] PAGE: "TURKEY HAS THE LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE REGION"The World Bank's Director responsible for the economic policies, John Page, stated that if the economic policy in Turkey is successful, they will declare it as a model for other countries. Page pointed out that the economic policy in Turkey up to now was successful. He said that Turkey had the largest economic capacity in the region and offered some advice to Turkey, in Cario, where he was attending the IIIrd Medite rranean Development Forum. He also wanted the inflation rate to be decreased to create a balance between the foreign exchange rate. Page also wants the programme on privatization to be followed and added, "Turkey has begun to practise structural harmonization programmes. If this continues, the World Bank would continue to give loans to Turkey. Relations between Turkey and the IMF also affect the World Bank and I can easily say that the World Bank is content with the economic developments in Turkey." /Aksam/[13] 'BRITAIN-TURKEY 2000`The economic and cultural festival, 'Britain-Turkey 2000` opened yesterday. The festival held to further develop relations between Turkey and Britain and will go on until October. During a press conference, the British Ambassador to Turkey, Sir David Logan, opened his speech with a message from the British Premier, Tony Blair. Blair stated, "I hope that this festival will start a new and exciting period between the two countries." Stressing that Turkey was 19th on the list of countries to which Britain exported the most, Ambassador Logan pointed out that Turkey was a key market in the region. /Hurriyet/[14] CNN NEWS TO BE ON TURKCELL MOBILE PHONESTurkcell will cooperate with CNN and bring the CNN Mobile news service to Turkey. Turkcell subscribers will be able to follow world developments in English, on their mobile phones thanks to the CNN Mobile news service and WAP. CNN Mobile news service, which prepared by the CNN for the GSM operators, is being used by 40 million mobile phone users in 18 countries by 20 operators. /Aksam/[15] SEA TRANSPORTATION APPROVALSea Transportation's Turkish Joint Stock Company is being sold to the Ship-owners Joint Enterprise Group. In a statement made by the Privatization Administration Board, 25% of this sale will be paid in advance of the contract signature date. The remainder to be paid over three years with equal instalments and the interest will be applied 15%. /Aksam/[16] COMPETITION FOR TECHNOLOGY AWARDS27 firms from eight sectors applied for the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Turkish Foundation for Developing Technology (TTGV) and the Turkish Industralists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) 1999 Tecnology Awards. 24 appliations were, 12 were nominated for the Highest Award and 12 for the Award of Achievement. Evaluation of these applications by the council of experts will be concluded on 15 May. /Aksam/[17] GARANTI BANK WEB SITEThe Garanti Bank launched its e-trade site, aiming to be the first electronic commercial site for Turkey. Turkish news and the Garanti Bank, developments and the most frequently asked questions on the subject of electronic commerce will be published on this web site. The web address is http:/_www.garanti.com.tr_eticatet. _Sabah/[18] AID OF 2 TRILLION TL FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMSThe Minister of Industry and Trade, Kenan Tanrikulu, stated that aid, amounting to 2 trillion TL, collected from the agricultural cooperatives, was transfered to the earthquake aid account yesterday. Food and cleansing materials amounting to more than 200 tons, were sent to the earthquake-hit region also from the agricultural cooperatives. /Cumhuriyet/[19] TUPRAS' PROFITThe General Director of Turkish Petrolum's Joint Stock Company (TUPRAS), Husammettin Danis, stated that their net profit was 213 trillion TL in 1999, and 117 trillon TL of this would be paid as tax. Danis added, "We do not have problem with making investments and we will distribute profits to our shareholders. Our aim is to increase the total endorsement by 25%." /Milliyet/[20] MUSIAD'S NEW DECISIONSIndependent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MUSIAD) prohibited the use of the word 'Islam' during the meeting held on Monday with 18 holding company chairmen who are members of MUSIAD. A common decision was taken and the 'declaration of result' was prepared during the meeting, in which the holding companies criticized themselves. The decision was made to avoid using holy and symbolic values in their advertising and promotional work and that to be careful in using the commercial and economic materials. It was also decided that the Capital Market Council and the Treasury would have closer relations with each other. MUSIAD also decided that the member companies who fail to comply with these new rules, will be excluded from MUSIAD membership. /Milliyet/[21] OKUYAN'S STATEMENTTurkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) met with the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Yasar Okuyan, concerning new arrangements with regard to Social Security Reforms. Okuyan said, "28,000 people are still receiving retirement pension and paying their Bagkur premiums. The social security draft reforms will be sent to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) this week, or, after the Feast of Sacrifice." The Chairman of TUSIAD, Erkut Yucaoglu, stated that if inflation decreases to 30%, then it would be a huge success." Yucaoglu added that they were holding meetings in order to create a 'delicate balance' in the economy. /Milliyet/[22] KOC ALLIANZ INSURANCE'S SYSTEMKoc Allianz Insurance Company, is starting a new system in Turkey, with its travel insurance incorporating medical assistance. This insurance offers protection against all types of travel incidents. The travel insurance with medical assistance will be able offered for travel both in Turkey and abroad. /Star/[23] 7TH EUROPEAN JAZZ FESTIVAL ENDS TODAY'The 7th European Jazz Festival' organized by the Izmir Culture, Art and Education Foundation, will come to an end today with a concert given by the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band and Burhan Ocal. George Gruntz, which is one of the leaders of European jazz bands, is working with musicians from different cultures and finds Turkish music different and interesting. Gruntz has been working with Burhan Ocal, who for the last two years, has been considered to be the most effective name of rtyhm repertory between genres'. /Cumhuriyet/[24] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[25] VERHEUGEN'S VISIT TO ANKARA BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)Columnist Semih Idiz comments on Verheugen's expected visit to Ankara. A summary of his column is as follows:"A key-name in Turco-European relations, Gunther Verheugen is visiting Turkey today, and will meet with Turkish offificals. Verheugen, will probably be one of the EU's most frequent visitors to Turkey, as he is the Commissioner for the Expansion of the EU. However, developments in recent weeks in Turkey and Verheugen's statements prior to his visit to Ankara, reveal that this visit will be in the shadow of the "Kurdish problem". The situation has reached the point that if Verheugen does not open the subject, others will ask why. There is no doubt that Europe has a 'Kurdish card' in her pocket under the heading of "human rights". However, she should not have played this card this early and so openly. The presence of countries such as Denmark and Sweden, who have a close interest with the issue cannot change the situation as they are not the countries who can determine the agenda of the Union. Countries like France and Germany who carry more weight in determining the EU programme until recently were silent. In fact they were planning to bring the "Kurdish question" onto the agenda in stages, as the relations between Turkey and the EU improved. They believe that certain positive developments in the country would provide a suitable background for discussion on the problem without rocking the boat. Not granting members of the Turco-European Joint Commission permission to visit Leyla Zana in prison, and the ensuing HADEP crisis, brought Kurdish-European relations on agenda. On top of this, the attitude of the Swedish Foreign Minister when he came to Turkey and made a "Kurdish show" did not help the matters. Verheugen, in answer to a question by the Financial Times, confirmed what we have already stated. Verheugen noted that Ankara should be treated gently and that he would not begin his visit with a list of demands which would lead to loss of support of the pro-European powers. The words of Verheugen were directed at the stance taken by the Swedish and Danish Foreign Ministers. However, he also added that they could not ignore those who kept the Kurdish issue warm in Europe. His words which pointed out that an advancement on the Kurdish issue was necessary for the start of the opening of negotiations with Turkey clearly show this attitude. Certainly, during Verheugen's visit other issues will be taken up. However, they will all be left in the shadow of the Kurdish question. This in turn will show that this visit will lead to a heightening of tensions rather than a result being achieved." [26] THE WOMEN OF 2000 BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)Columnist Derya Sazak analyzes recent drevelopments concerning women's rights on Women's Day. A summary of his column is as follows:"The fight against "violence and discrimination" is on the forefront of the activities for World Women's Day. Turkey participated in the Fourth World Conference meeting with China five years ago, and the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan was signed by Minister of the time without any reservations. Although Turkey had advanced rights regarding equality between men and women, participation in political and economic life during the Republican era, they have not moved one inch on entering the year 2000. The Central Bank Governor tried to organize women in the fight against inflation. It may seem to be a rational idea but would not it be better to encourage the "opposite sex" into the Parliament. If the Parliament,and the Government move away from women they keep aloof from the public. We may ask why one of our woman parliamentarians has not declared candidacy for the Presidency? As long as the ratio of women in Parliament does not reach 50% the quality of politics will not be elevated, and many modern arrangements expected to be realized, with the change in the "Civil Code", cannot be carried out. In fact, the Beijing Declaration bestowed many responsibilities on governments, local administrations and non-governmental organizations. The problems concerning education, health and employment should be solved. Infant mortality is one of the most important questions of mothers in under-devoloped countries and violence within the family threatens even the most developed countries. Great duties befall the justice system, health, security and social service organizations. We shall see if activities organized in the year 2000 will change the fate of women and if new initiatives and ideas will come forth. Universities, women's associations and political parties have important duties regarding this subject." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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