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Turkish Press Review, 00-10-05

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>

05.10.00

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning


CONTENTS

  • [01] LOSING ONE'S TEMPER LEADS TO TROUBLE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
  • [02] PRESIDENT SEZER MEETS PRESIDENT DENKTAS IN ANKARA
  • [03] ECEVIT SAYS TURKISH-US RELATIONS MIGHT DETERIORATE
  • [04] VISA FOR ARMENIANS
  • [05] INAN: "ARMENIANS WILL REGRET IT"
  • [06] TURKISH CONTRIBUTION TO UN PEACE KEEPING FORCES INCREASES
  • [07] GEN. KIVRIKOGLU POSTPONES HIS VISIT TO THE US
  • [08] ECEVIT'S STATEMENT ON DECLINING INFLATION RATE
  • [09] TURKEY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PALESTINIANS
  • [10] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN TO VISIT PORTUGAL
  • [11] EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUSA TO VISIT ANKARA
  • [12] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO ATTEND MEETING IN SPAIN
  • [13] EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
  • [14] TRNC ACCEPTS ECONOMIC PACKAGE
  • [15] REPORT ON TURKISH BANKS
  • [16] LOSING ONE'S TEMPER LEADS TO TROUBLE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

  • [01] LOSING ONE'S TEMPER LEADS TO TROUBLE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

    [02] PRESIDENT SEZER MEETS PRESIDENT DENKTAS IN ANKARA

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer welcomed President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) at the Presidential Palace, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. While President Denktas is in Ankara, he will meet Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. In related news, a report submitted to the European Parliament in Strasbourg stated that were it not for the existence of the TRNC, the Greek-Cypriots could immediately become members of the European Union. The report, prepared by Luxembourg parliamentarian Jacques Poos, stated that both Turkey and the TRNC were not sincere in solving the island's problems. The report also stated that the only obstacle to the Greek-Cypriots joining the EU, since it has met all the economic and political requirements for membership, is the TRNC, or rather its existence. The report called the Turkish army in Cyprus an "occupying force" and said that EU membership talks with Turkey should not be started. /Turkish Daily News/

    [03] ECEVIT SAYS TURKISH-US RELATIONS MIGHT DETERIORATE

    Since the so-called Armenian Genocide Resolution was approved at the US House Committee of International Relations, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the sanctions that can be imposed on the US may include the prevention of the use of the Incirlik NATO Airbase. Mr. Ecevit said if the US House of Representatives approves the resolution as well, the government will put the sanctions into effect. Mr. Ecevit said, "There is no need to name these sanctions yet, in fact, US officials themselves have explained the possible sanctions we may impose. We attach special importance to our relations with the US. The US government regards Turkey as an ally, but some ethnic lobbies in the US are influential. This in no way complies with political ethics." Mr. Ecevit said that he wished the US administration would achieve a positive result in their efforts to prevent the approval of the Resolution by the House of Representatives, otherwise Turkish-US relations will deteriorate." /Milliyet/

    [04] VISA FOR ARMENIANS

    After the approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill at the US House of Representatives' International Relations Committee, Turkey is initiating its action plan prepared against Armenia. The Foreign Ministry announced that Armenian citizens who want to come to Turkey could not obtain their visas at the borders. By Oct. 15, 2000, Armenians will be able to get entry or transit visas only from the Turkish missions abroad. /Turkiye/

    [05] INAN: "ARMENIANS WILL REGRET IT"

    Kamran Inan, the Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Foreign Affairs Commission and Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy from Bitlis, said: "If our neighbour Armenia chooses hostility, the one who suffers from this will be Armenia." Stressing that Armenia should first account for the 52 Turkish diplomats murdered by the terrorist organization ASALA, Mr. Inan said: "The US Congress did not respect the memory of those diplomats and Turkey which had great losses in Korea and undertook sacrifices during the cold war." /Turkiye/

    [06] TURKISH CONTRIBUTION TO UN PEACE KEEPING FORCES INCREASES

    It was stated that Turkish contribution to the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces' operations has increased and financial contribution to peace operations may also increase in the future. UN General Assembly's fifth committee on financial affairs convened to decide on how much the member countries are going to contribute to peace operations and it was noted that Turkey actively participates in the meetings. /Cumhuriyet/

    [07] GEN. KIVRIKOGLU POSTPONES HIS VISIT TO THE US

    The Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu put off his visit to the US. Gen. Kivrikoglu was scheduled to pay a visit to the US in mid-October on the invitation of the US Joint Chiefs of General Staff. However, as the Armenian bill was approved at the House of Representatives' International Relations Committee, Gen. Kivrikoglu decided to postpone his visit. The decision was conveyed to the US authorities. /All Papers/

    [08] ECEVIT'S STATEMENT ON DECLINING INFLATION RATE

    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, "Even if we cannot reach the inflation targets by the end of this year, we will be very close to our target. The Government achieved positive results in spite of the extraordinary increase in petroleum prices. The upward trend in the inflation rate stopped and there is an increase and stability in the production more than we expected. In addition to the government's determination, the private sector has made contributions to the decrease of inflation rate below 50%." /Star/

    [09] TURKEY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO PALESTINIANS

    According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Turkey will provide financial and medical aid to the Palestinian people caught in the crossfire between Israeli and Palestinian forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Turkey is to provide $500,000 and medical supplies as listed by the Palestinian administration in a letter to Turkey. Turkey also stated that it was continuing its efforts to see the Middle East peace process proceed uninterruptedly and to this end the Foreign Ministry has been in touch with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Sholomo Ben Ami. /Turkish Daily News/

    [10] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN TO VISIT PORTUGAL

    Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan is to visit Portugal this month to attend a meeting of interior ministers. The meeting will be held in the Portuegese town of Sintra on 12 and 13 October. The subject of the meeting is to be "Reducing the Harm of Narcotics on the Individual and Society." /Turkish Daily News/

    [11] EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUSA TO VISIT ANKARA

    Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Musa will visit Ankara on Sunday, October 8, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. He will be received by President Sezer and Prime Minister Ecevit, respectively and will discuss the latest developments in the Middle East as well as bilateral relations. /Turkish Daily News/

    [12] DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ TO ATTEND MEETING IN SPAIN

    Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will go to Spain to take part in the Foro Formentor Round Table Meeting to be held between 6 and 8 October. This is the second time such a meeting will be held and it will be sponsored by Spain's Sepsol Foundation. The meeting will discuss Mediterranean security from the social, cultural and economic points of view. /Turkish Daily News/

    [13] EARLY WARNING SYSTEM

    As part of an agreement between the US Department of Defence and L-3 Ocean Systems Company, Turkey has purchased 24 high technology 'Helras Naval Awacs' sonars. This will enable Turkey to control all sorts of submarines in its territorial waters. These sonars will be installed in the Sikorsky Sea Hawk helicopters beginning next year and then Turkey will have one of the world's most advanced naval defence systems. /Hurriyet/

    [14] TRNC ACCEPTS ECONOMIC PACKAGE

    The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' (TRNC) Council of Ministers decided to implement an economic package, whose final shape was given by the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot technical delegations in Ankara last week. TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu said, "The Council of Ministers decided that unless these measures are taken, the economic problems cannot be solved. While implementing this package, some problems might occur but cooperation between the two countries' officials will continue to solve these problems." /Aksam/

    [15] REPORT ON TURKISH BANKS

    Deutsche Bank stated that they may want to purchase Vakifbank, which is expected to be privatized soon. Deutsche Bank has explained this aim in a conference entitled, "Developing European Stocks and Turkey" which they jointly organized with Bender Stocks Company. At the conference, a report was distributed on banking sector in Turkey, prepared by Deutsche Bank. It was further stated that they might buy shares of Vakifbank and the consolidation process that is expected in the sector is very near. Other points that are stated in the report are as follows: 1. If certain guarantees are given, both national and international banks may be willing to buy the banks under the control of the Deposit Account Insurance Fund (MSF). 2. National banks will aim to merge by way of buying new banks in order to increase their assets. The privatization of state-owned banks will accelerate the process of merging. 3. Larger national banks may establish strategic partnerships with international banks. /Milliyet/

    [16] LOSING ONE'S TEMPER LEADS TO TROUBLE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

    Columnist Gungor Mengi comments on the approval of the resolution on the so-called Armenian Genocide at the House International Relations Committee. A summary of his column is as follows:

    "The so-called Armenian Genocide Resolution which is nothing but a propaganda bluff based on a distortion of history has reached the feared final stage. The Resolution is approved by the International Relations Committee after its adoption at a subcommittee. The only consolation is that the resolution has been toned down and narrowed in its scope. According to the last changes in the resolution it is stated that the Ottoman Government is held responsible for the so-called genocide and not the Turkish Government. It also stipulates that no compensation can be asked from Turkey. Even if the resolution is accepted inherent with these conditions, it would offend Republic of Turkey and the Turkish nation since there is no evidence to suggest that the Ottomans were engaged in a genocide against the Armenians. On the contrary, legal measures taken against organised Armenian terrorists who stabbed the Turkish Army on the back under Russian occupation and massacred the Muslim population are cited. The mistake of judging the tragedy caused by this treason on political grounds with election calculations will harm Armenia as much as Turkish-American relations.

    Chief of General Staff General Kivrikoglu postponed his visit to the United States. Armenians who wish to visit Turkey will have to get their visas from Turkish foreign missions abroad not at the border gates as they used to do. The arrival of an Armenian diplomat to serve in Turkey has been stopped. The preparations to improve diplomatic relations with Iraq and to start humanitarian aid are going on. The closure of the air corridor to Armenia could also be introduced as a measure. If these signs are not enough for the rejection of the Armenian Resolution at the House of Representatives in spite of President Clinton's efforts what will happen next?

    At this point it is of utmost importance not to go to extremes which would mean shooting oneself at the foot. Closing the Incirlik Air Base to Americans, stopping operations in Northern Iraq mean taking the Administration against us in addition to the US Congress. Washington may counter this retaliation with influencing the IMF. For 30 years Turkish-American relations were marred with either Armenian or Greek influences. We should not fall into this trap eyes wide open.

    We have to see our own mistakes as well. While for 30 years the Greeks and Armenians are waging their propaganda on every civil platform, at the Congress and universities, Turkey has spent all its energy to stifle internal political conflicts and fights over profits. This error will also exact heavy prices in the problems with the European Union. Commonsense dictates that we should not make errors which would damage us. However, every cloud has a silver lining. If the tiresome Armenian blackmail is going to end, this resolution is a price which can be paid. The fact that the Resolution will only be a suggestion and not a law and if it awakes us to the fact that there is a great world which we have to convince by establishing and continual relations, it can be tolerated. It should teach us that we have to stop the internal conflicts which damage our national interests and future aims. In this case, the Armenian blackmail will in fact turn into a blessing which will save Turkey from the difficult situation it is in."


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