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Turkish Press Review, 00-08-24
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
24.08.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES EMINZADE
[02] MGK MEETING
[03] NO NEED FOR EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
[04] CEM MEETS ARAFAT
[05] ELCIBEY LAID TO REST
[06] QUAKE IN MARMARA
[07] TURKISH EMBASSY PROTESTS CNN
[08] US SUPPORT FOR TURKEY IN NORTHERN IRAQ
[09] BREUER: "TANKS SHOULD BE SOLD TO TURKEY"
[10] POLICE SEIZE 400-YEAR-OLD KORAN
[11] BIG INVESTMENT IN GAP
[12] WHO LIAISON OFFICE IN TURKEY
[01] PRESIDENT SEZER RECEIVES EMINZADE
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received the Iranian Deputy Foreign
Minister Muhsin Eminzade yesterday. Mr. Eminzade presented a
message from Iranian President Khatemi to Mr. Sezer. In his
message Mr. Khatemi invited him to Iran. Mr. Sezer said that the
establishment of an atmosphere of security was a key factor for
the improvement of Turco-Iranian relations. Mr. Sezer reportedly
said to the Iranian envoy that Iran's support to Turkey in its
fight against PKK and Hizbullah terrorism would be the determining
factor in bringing the Turco-Iranian relations to a desired level.
President Sezer said he would visit Tehran when these
expectations were met.
[02] MGK MEETING
The National Security Council (MGK) met yesterday under the
chairmanship of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. After the crisis
between the government and the President over the decree with the
power of law (KHK) concerning the dismissal of the civil servants
who are allegedly involved in reactionary and separatist actions,
the MGK discussed the issue at its meeting yesterday and decided
that laws to fight against the reactionary and separatist actions
must be passed as soon as possible and the necessary regulations
to prevent reactionary and separatist activities within the state
mechanisms must be drawn up as a matter of urgency. The statement
issued after the meeting said: "During the meeting, the domestic
and foreign issues on national security were reviewed, a monthly
evaluation of the security forces' fight against the terrorist
organizations all around the country was made and an unanimous
consensus was reached on taking all necessary measures as soon as
possible to prevent the elements that are against the secular
structure of the state and aim to break up the territorial unity
of the country. In addition, the MGK discussed the latest
developments on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
[03] NO NEED FOR EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
Answering a question posed by journalists yesterday whether the
government calls the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) for
an extraordinary session on the disputed decree with the power of
law, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said: "For the time being,
there is no need to call TGNA for an extraordinary meeting over
the issue." Mr. Ecevit also said the Council of Ministers does
not think to send a new decree to the President regarding the
issue right now.
[04] CEM MEETS ARAFAT
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met with Palestinian Head of State
Yaser Arafat during his one-day visit to Gazze. At the meeting in
the Presidential Palace, Turkish and Palestinian delegations
discussed the latest developments in the Middle East peace
process. Thanking Turkey for her contributions over the issue,
Mr. Arafat said: "We believe that Turkey's efforts will be
fruitful for further progress in the peace process." Foreign
Minister Cem said: "The peace process and its accomplishment is
very important for Turkey. We appreciate Mr. Arafat's great
efforts for establishing peace in the region. I want to express
my gratitude to him on behalf of the all peace-lovers in the
world."
[05] ELCIBEY LAID TO REST
Former Azerbaijani President Ebulfez Elcibey who passed away the
day before yesterday in Ankara, was laid to rest after a state
funeral in Baku on Wednesday. Ministers Abdulhaluk Cay, Edip
Safter Gaydali and Enis Oksuz attended the funeral. Azerbaijani
President Haydar Aliyev received the Turkish delegation and
thanked them for their visit. The Turkish delegation also
conveyed Turkish people and politicians' deep sorrow over the
death of Mr. Elcibey.
[06] QUAKE IN MARMARA
A quake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale shook the Marmara
region at 4:45 p.m. yesterday. The Kandilli Observatory said that
the epicenter of the quake was the Hendek district of Sakarya.
The quake which lasted less than ten seconds and caused panic
among citizens was also felt in the neigbouring provinces
including Istanbul, Kocaeli and Yalova. It is reported that eight
people were injured and that there were no serious damage.
[07] TURKISH EMBASSY PROTESTS CNN
Armenian lobbyists in the United States told CNN reporters that
Turkey was threatening to arrest the Microsoft employees and ban
Microsoft products as the Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia makes
reference to the alleged "genocide" of Armenians by the Ottoman
Turks at the beginning of the 20th century. Although both Turkey
and Microsoft denied the claims of the Armenian lobbies, CNN
broadcast the Armenian lobby's views without giving Turkey any
chance to defend itself. Officials of the Turkish Embassy in
Washington lodged an official protest with CNN.
[08] US SUPPORT FOR TURKEY IN NORTHERN IRAQ
Washington has given its support for incursions by the Turkish
Armed Forces into Northern Iraq in order to defend themselves
from PKK terrorists based in the region. US State Department
spokesman Richard Boucher said: "In general we support Turkey's
fight against terrorism and its right to defend itself; however
the scope and the duration of cross-border operations must be
limited and take into account the rights of the civilian
population in the region."
[09] BREUER: "TANKS SHOULD BE SOLD TO TURKEY"
Defence Spokesman for the German Christian Democrat Union and
Christian Social Union Paul Breuer said that Germany should treat
Ankara and Athens equally in terms of the tank sales. Breuer
said: "The reason of not selling the Leopard II A5 tanks to
Turkey is the violation of human rights. By treating the two NATO
countries differently, Germany is losing its international
credibility. Some ideologists try to exclude Turkey from NATO. If
Turkey demands, then the tanks should be sold to Turkey."
[10] POLICE SEIZE 400-YEAR-OLD KORAN
The police seized a hand written Koran over 400 years in an
operation against smugglers. An Iranian was arrested as he tries
to sell the Koran to undercover police officers in Van. An expert
said, "The Koran was written in 1686 and because of its gold
inlay and coloured ink, is an invaluable piece of art."
[11] BIG INVESTMENT IN GAP
The biggest investment with foreign capital in the Southeastern
Anatolia Project (GAP) region will be made in Adiyaman. Head of
Adiyaman GAP Center for Supporting and Guiding the Investors
(GAP-GIDEM) Mehmet Sirri Ozen said: "The necessary legal
procedures for establishing the citric acid (salt of lemon)
factory in Adiyaman are almost completed. The factory will be
built by the partnership of HYGEA and Israel GADOT firm." Stating
that the factory will be a breakthrough for the economy of the
GAP region, Ozen said: "Within the framework of the GAP Master
Plan, this factory will be a big stride to reach our targets. The
factory, which will support the social life in Adiyaman, will
attract more foreign investors." Initially, 250 workers will be
employed in the factory and 10.000 tons of the annual production
will be exported.
[12] WHO LIAISON OFFICE IN TURKEY
The agreement for the opening of a Liaison Office of World Health
Organization (WHO) in Turkey, signed by Turkey and WHO European
Regional Office in Copenhagen on May 10, 1999, was published in
Official Gazette. According to the agreement, the organization
will continue its activities in Turkey through this new Office.
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