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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-13
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
13.03.2001
CONTENTS
[01] NATURAL GAS AGREEMENT WITH AZERBAIJAN
[02] ECONOMIC PROGRAM TO BE READY NEXT WEEK
[03] IMF: "NOW IT'S TURKEY'S TURN, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE PROGRAM"
[04] US OPPOSITION AGAINST IMF
[05] ECEVIT: "NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE BANKS"
[06] NEWSWEEK: "IF TURKEY MANAGES TO DECREASE INFLATION, HYPERINFLATION
PROBLEM WILL END IN THE WORLD"
[07] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENT ON CYPRUS' EU MEMBERSHIP
[08] DENKTAS: WE WILL NOT CONSIDER EU MEMBERSHIP WITHOUT CERTAIN
GUARANTEES
[09] ARMENIANS' ANOTHER ATTEMPT
[10] ANKARA DISCUSSES THE BALKAN ISSUE
[11] RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND RUSSIA
[12] ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS LOGOGLU
[13] DERVIS TO TAKE HIS OATH
[14] VIRTUE PARTY DELIVERS ITS ADDITIONAL DEFENCE PAPER
[15] YILMAZ TO VISIT SLOVAKIA
[16] BAHCELI'S STATEMENT ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESOURCES
[17] FEHRIYE ERDAL TRIAL
[18] COVELIERS: "FEHRIYE SHOULD BE PUNISHED"
[19] 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKISH NATIONAL ANTHEM
[20] CANAKKALE SEA VICTORY'S 86TH ANNIVERSARY
[21] BORROWING PROGRAM TO BE ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 16
[22] ZIRAAT BANK AND EMLAK BANK TO MERGE
[23] UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN: COMMERCIAL RELATIONS ARE GROWING
[24] ERDEMIR'S NEW INITIATIVE
[25] TNT-KOC PARTNERSHIP
[26] WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET
[27] THE ARTICLE ON TINC IN 'THE GUARDIAN'
[28] ISTANBUL TO BE TESTED FOR OLYMPICS 2008
[29] MARDIN THIRD MOST PROTECTED CITY AFTER JERUSALEM AND VENICE
[30] A RECIPE FOR SALVATION BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] NATURAL GAS AGREEMENT WITH AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev and President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
signed the agreement for delivery of natural gas from Azerbaijan. At
the first stage, 2 billion cubic meters of gas will be delivered
annually, gradually increasing to 6 billion cubic meters. The
agreement, valid for 15 years, has two main conditions. First, parties
will simultaneously construct the natural gas pipelines and Baku-Ceyhan
oil pipelines. Second, parties will commit themselves to assist the
efforts of Turkmenistan if she decides to activate her trans-Caspian
natural gas project. Sezer and Aliyev signed 9 separate agreements,
including the two concerning the energy projects. Two presidents also
discussed the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. During his five-day visit in
Turkey, President Aliyev will deliver a speech in the Turkish Grand
National Assembly (TGNA). Aliyev will also meet the ninth President,
Suleyman Demirel, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli and Mesut
Yilmaz. /Milliyet/
[02] ECONOMIC PROGRAM TO BE READY NEXT WEEK
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz stated the framework of the new
economic program would be drawn next Thursday, and that it would be
announced to the public Monday. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli said there was no need to be pessimistic. Before the banquet
given by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in honor of Azerbaijani President
Haydar Aliyev, Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu,
answered questions from journalists and said, "I do not know whether
the issue of the short-term military tax is included in the new
economic package." /Aksam/
[03] IMF: "NOW IT'S TURKEY'S TURN, WE ARE WAITING FOR THE PROGRAM"
The International Money Fund (IMF) announced it will facilitate the
efforts of State Minister Responsible for Economic Affairs, Kemal
Dervis, to normalize the economic conditions in Turkey. IMF External
Relations Director, Thomas Dawson said it would be too early to talk
about the type of assistance to be given unless Turkey refines its
economic program. Dawson said, "We have great confidence in Kemal
Dervis and believe that he and Turkey will design and successfully
implement the economic program. Kemal Dervis is known and
well-appreciated in the IMF and the World Bank circles and has
international respect. This will facilitate his efforts for a start."
/Milliyet/
[04] US OPPOSITION AGAINST IMF
The latest problems in the Turkish economy and the abandonment of the
economic program supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
after 14 months, increased US opposition to the World Bank and the IMF.
Chairman of the Advisory Council, Allan H. Meltzer, presented a report
criticizing the IMF and the World Bank to the US Congress. He gave a
speech at the US Congress' Economic Committee saying the operations to
rescue Turkey and Argentina proved there were a lot of things to do.
/Hurriyet/
[05] ECEVIT: "NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE BANKS"
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said there is no need to worry about the
conditions of the banks. Ecevit said, "Our work on the national
economic program will continue for a couple more days. We are
discussing the main points of the program, especially the problems
regarding the banks. However, I assure you there is no reason for
depositors and entrepreneurs to worry. The indicators are positive." In
the meantime, the decrees regarding the assignment for the posts of
Treasury Undersecretary and Head of Banking Supervision and Regulation
Board (BDDK) will be sent to the President after the oath of Kemal
Dervis at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). /Milliyet/
[06] NEWSWEEK: "IF TURKEY MANAGES TO DECREASE INFLATION, HYPERINFLATION
PROBLEM WILL END IN THE WORLD"
"Newsweek" stated Turkey is the last largest economy fighting against
hyperinflation. An article analyzing the current economic situation in
Turkey said, "If this struggle is successful, in fact it will, this
will be the last victory in the global fight against hyperinflation."
The article written by Fareed Zakaria, said the stabilization program
prepared by the IMF proved unsuccessful. /Milliyet/
[07] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENT ON CYPRUS' EU MEMBERSHIP
Visiting the Greek-Cypriot Administration, Greek Foreign Minister
George Papandreou stated the EU has begun necessary legal studies to
accept Greek Cypriot Administration's membership whether or not the
Cyprus problem is solved. He said after the Greek-Cypriots' full EU
membership is accepted, the way to the EU for Turkish Cypriots will
also open. /Sabah/
[08] DENKTAS: WE WILL NOT CONSIDER EU MEMBERSHIP WITHOUT CERTAIN
GUARANTEES
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) said on Monday that European Union membership carries the risk
of depriving Turkish-Cypriots of their rights and property. He added,
"We will not consider EU membership without certain guarantees."
Denktas said at his regular weekly meeting with Prime Minister Dervis
Eroglu and Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Akinci that Greek Foreign
Minister George Papandreou had called on Turkish-Cypriots to 'enter the
EU hand-in-hand." Denktas continued: "If EU norms are going to be
applied, which is something the Greeks want, they think they will have
the chance to return to Girne. But we will, by no means, consider EU
membership without certain guarantees to secure our property and
rights." /Turkish News/
[09] ARMENIANS' ANOTHER ATTEMPT
Paruyr Hayrikyan, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of the
Armenian Head of State Office, asked for the annulment of the 1921 Kars
Treaty, claiming Armenia gave her territory, namely Kars, Ardahan and
Nahcivan, to Turkey and Azerbaijan. Starting a campaign for this
purpose, Hayrikyan called upon all of the political parties in Armenia
for their support. /Turkiye/
[10] ANKARA DISCUSSES THE BALKAN ISSUE
Turkish officials are continuing to meet with Albanian officials to end
Albanian terrorist activities in the Balkans. Deputy Undersecretary
Ambassador Yigit Alpogan met with Albanian Foreign Minister Pellumb
Xhufi yesterday. Term President of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, will
arrive in Turkey tomorrow. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] RAPPROCHEMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND RUSSIA
Iranian President Muhammed Hatemi traveled to the Russian Federation
yesterday for a 4-day official visit. Although the declared aim of
Hatemi's Russia visit is to improve the commercial and technical
cooperation between the two countries, military issues are expected to
top the meeting's agenda. It was stated the US Administration was
observing the developments very closely as it considers the recent
rapprochement extraordinary and worrisome. Iranian President Hatemi
first met with Russian Head of State Vladimir Putin. The two leaders
signed an agreement foreseeing an improvement in bilateral relations,
with mutual non-aggression pacts. Additionally, the two countries are
seen as likely to form a block opposing Turkey over the Baku-Ceyhan
pipeline project. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS LOGOGLU
Ilham Aliyev, son of Azeri President Haydar Aliyev, visited
Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Faruk Logoglu. Ilham
Aliyev arrived in Ankara with his father yesterday and met with Logoglu
for about a half an hour. Following the meeting, Ambassador Logoglu
recalled that Ilham Aliyev was a member of the Azeri Parliament, as
well as the head of the national oil company. He added that they had a
fruitful meeting. /Turkiye/
[13] DERVIS TO TAKE HIS OATH
After completing his contacts in the US, State Minister Kemal Dervis
returned to Ankara to take his oath at the Plenary Session of the
Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Dervis, who will go to the
Plenary Session for the first time, will be sworn in according to the
81st Article of the Constitution. After taking his oath, Dervis will
take his place among the Ministers. /Aksam/
[14] VIRTUE PARTY DELIVERS ITS ADDITIONAL DEFENCE PAPER
The time given to the Virtue Party (FP) for delivery of the "additional
defense" report to the Constitutional Court is up. A FP deputy from
Kahramanmaras, Mustafa Kamalak, submitted the 40-paper report to the
Constitutional Court yesterday. /Turkiye/
[15] YILMAZ TO VISIT SLOVAKIA
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will travel to Slovakia March 15 at
the invitation of his Slovakian counterpart, Pavol Hamzik. Yilmaz and
Hamzik will discuss topics related to the two countries' EU membership.
/Sabah/
[16] BAHCELI'S STATEMENT ON FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESOURCES
Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party and Deputy Prime Minister
Devlet Bahceli stated there were four main foreign currency resources:
"First, exports, second tourism, third foreign capital investing and
producing in Turkey and fourth is the savings of Turkish workers
abroad. It is estimated the savings from Turkish workers in Germany is
DM 100 billion. Certain measures are necessary for at least a portion
of these savings to come to Turkey." /Sabah/
[17] FEHRIYE ERDAL TRIAL
Belgian Public Prosecutor Philippe Meire presented his opinion to the
Council of State saying Fehriye Erdal could be tried in Belgium for the
Sabanci assassination. Meire stated that the Belgian courts had the
authority to undertake the trial according to the European Convention
of Anti-Terrorism, even though the crime was committed in Turkey. He
added this issue was within the authority of the Constitution. The
Council of State will examine whether Fehriye Erdal can be judged or
not for the crimes she committed in Turkey on 15 March. /Hurriyet/
[18] COVELIERS: "FEHRIYE SHOULD BE PUNISHED"
A Belgian Parliamentarian from the Liberal Party (VLD), Hugo Coveliers,
said Fehriye Erdal, one of the culprits in the Sabanci Assasination,
should be punished. Prior to the March 15 suit by the Sabanci family,
Coveliers, (the only Belgium parliamentarian not supporting Erdal),
said, "I am sorry for the murder of three innocent people. The case was
taken up only with political concerns. Is not killing a crime by
itself? If Belgium does not extradite Erdal to Turkey, then, aside from
her crimes in Belgium, she should be tried for the crimes she committed
in Turkey." /Turkiye/
[19] 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURKISH NATIONAL ANTHEM
The 80th Anniversary of the Turkish National Anthem was celebrated
yesterday at the II National Assembly building. Speaking at the
ceremony, Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay said, "Since the TGNA is
the place where our War of Independence began and ended with a victory,
we all need to experience the atmosphere here." The Turkish Writers
Union Association also held a ceremony marking the anniversary.
/Cumhuriyet/
[20] CANAKKALE SEA VICTORY'S 86TH ANNIVERSARY
Ceremonies for the 86th anniversary of the Canakkale Battle Victory
began yesterday and will last till March 18. Speaking at the initial
ceremony, Canakkale Provisional Governor Suleyman Kamci, said the
Canakkale Battles hold a significant place in world history.
/Cumhuriyet/
[21] BORROWING PROGRAM TO BE ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 16
The Treasury said the borrowing program for March will be announced
after negotiations with the banks. According to the announcement the
Treasury obtained $3.2 billion minus-interest surplus. /Milliyet/
[22] ZIRAAT BANK AND EMLAK BANK TO MERGE
One of the most important regulations of the economic program is to be
made in public banking. Within the framework of new regulations,
Emlakbank and Ziraat Bank will merge. An accelerated privatization
program will also be implemented in the banking sector within a year.
Additionally, a 20% share of Vakifbank will be sold. /Sabah/
[23] UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN: COMMERCIAL RELATIONS ARE GROWING
Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said through Turkey's trade
volume with her neighbors, an opportunity for additional exports
amounting $500-600 million will emerge. Tuzmen said improving
commercial relations with her neighbors was Turkey's new strategy.
/Cumhuriyet/
[24] ERDEMIR'S NEW INITIATIVE
Eregli Iron and Steel Factories (ERDEMIR) signed a Acidification Lines
Project Contract, costing $25,800,000 with expected completion within
22 months. ERDEMIR Directorate General stated they signed the contract
together with Mitsu Co. Limited Company/Japan, Nippon Steel
Corp./Japan, Deltan Brands Inc./the US and Gemont_Turkey. _Cumhuriyet/
[25] TNT-KOC PARTNERSHIP
TNT Logistics and Distribution Company, jointly established by the
world's huge logistics company, TNT Logistics and Koc Holding in
Turkey, became active. TNT Logistics and Distribution Company,
established last November, aims at presenting integrated logistic
solutions with advanced technology to the Turkish market and providing
the enterprises with cost advantage, productivity and a competitive
edge. /Hurriyet/
[26] WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET
Female parliamentary deputies from the Turkish Parliament attended the
Second European-Mediterranean Women Parliamentarians Forum in Malta
over March 1-3 and said the meeting was of great help in promoting
Turkey. At a press conference they said the effects of globalization on
women was discussed. /Turkish Daily News/
[27] THE ARTICLE ON TINC IN 'THE GUARDIAN'
'The Guardian', which is among the most respected daily newspapers in
England, published articles by four female columnists from three
continents making the 8 March World Women's Day. The Guardian chose
Ferai Tinc, a columnist from the Turkish 'Hurriyet' daily as 'one of
the four leading female authors in the world'. The article discussed
the lives of the writers in their respective countries as a way of
commemorating the day. The article was about the conditions of women in
Australia, India, Hong Kong and Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[28] ISTANBUL TO BE TESTED FOR OLYMPICS 2008
Istanbul, a candidate city for the Olympics 2008, will be tested in
eight days by 17 IOC members. To get ready, Istanbul is being decorated
with 2008 Olympics flags and posters. These 17 experts will tour sports
facilities, hotels, metro and hospitals in Istanbul and examine whether
or not Istanbul is technically ready for the Olympic games. They will
also investigate the people's approach towards the Olympics. /Hurriyet/
[29] MARDIN THIRD MOST PROTECTED CITY AFTER JERUSALEM AND VENICE
Istanbul Technical University has started work on the "Project of Urban
Renovation" which will make Mardin the third most protected city in the
world. The Culture Ministry declared Mardin a protected zone, and
non-governmental organizations have begun attempts to make UNESCO
recognize Mardin as the third protected city, after Jerusalem and
Venice in the world. /Turkish Daily News/
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[30] A RECIPE FOR SALVATION BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the recent economic crisis and the
plans to overcome it. A summary of his column is as follows: "The
Government must announce the new economic plan, explain it thoroughly,
implement it immediately, refrain from idle talk, and obtain concrete
results. The stock exchange index should increase, fresh cash should
enter the country, Turkey's rating should be upgraded, the inflation
target should not be forgotten and the economy should be invigorated.
The trials of corruption should be completed as soon as possible
without any sensational demonstration, and the amounts stolen from the
state must absolutely be returned to the Treasury. If these measures
are not taken the Government must resign. However, these measures are
not sufficient by themselves. State reforms should be announced and
implemented immediately. Otherwise, the economy and democracy which
have certain shortcomings in Turkey, will go bankrupt altogether. The
Turkish nation will be deprived of human rights and sink into poverty.
Extraordinary solutions which cannot be explained by democracy may be
displayed. Turkey will be left out the civilized world and will be
excluded from many international organizations. State reform should
start with the Turkish Grand National Assembly which is the highest
organization of the State, and continue in the Council of Ministers.
Then, amendments to the Constitution should be made , and changes to
the election and political parties laws. The nation should be freed of
State Economic Enterprises and State banks which have turned into
places most suitable for conducting corrupt activities. Legislative and
Executive powers, which have regained their credibility and legal
authority, will be of an impeccable example to the judicial power. More
reforms could be made. These arrangements are already mentioned in the
Copenhagen Criteria. These arrangements made by both Latvia and
Slovakia can also be made by Turkey. The issue at hand is the success
of the Republic of Turkey. Radical changes cannot be accomplished not
only in Turkey but also in many other parts of the world, at any time,
with people who do not believe in reforms or understand them.
Societies who are not able to develop are those who could not carry out
such reforms. Politicians and people who do not believe in, or cannot
accomplish them, should stay away from politics and administration.
Those who seem to know it all are people who have accomplished the
least. A revision is necessary in the cabinet. A new mentality, a new
program and a new budget are required. Kemal Dervis is the correct
choice. However, it is not enough."
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