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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-29
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
29.03.2001
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT: "PARLIAMENT SHOULD WORK HARD"
[02] DERVIS LEAVES, CEM BEGINS MEETINGS IN THE US
[03] KEMAL DERVIS TO MEET GERMAN BANKERS
[04] THE WASHINGTON POST: DERVIS RACES WITH TIME
[05] IMF: "THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT DEPENDS ON THE STRENGTH OF THE
ECONOMIC PROGRAM"
[06] US: "WE ARE READY FOR SUPPORT"
[07] TWO MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM THE US
[08] YILMAZ: "GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED TO THE END"
[09] YIRCALI: "WE SUPPORT THE NEW PROGRAM"
[10] OZILHAN'S STATEMENT
[11] OZINCE: "TURKEY WILL OVERCOME THE CRISIS"
[12] SOKMENOGLU MEETS ECEVIT, BAHCELI AND OZKAN
[13] GOVERNMENT DECREE ON SAVINGS
[14] THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
[15] STRAITS EXCLUDED IN BLACKSEAFOR OPERATIONS
[16] ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER PERES TO VISIT TURKEY
[17] HOUSE OF LORDS APPROVES BILL ON TERRORISM
[18] TURKISH FIGHTERS IN GEORGIAN AIRBASES
[19] FRENCH GENERAL DEFENDS THE INDEPENDENCE OF RAPID REACTION FORCES
FROM NATO
[20] TURKISH-AZERI KEK MEETING IN BAKU
[21] EU AUDIOVISUAL CONFERENCE SLATED FOR APRIL
[22] RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DISCUSSED
[23] AMERICAN CREDIT FOR SUZER GROUP
[24] GOKALP CONTINUES HIS TOUR OF SYRIA
[25] PARLIAMENTARIANS TO TRAVEL TO CUBA
[26] TURKISH-JAPAN COOPERATION CONCERNING HEALTH
[27] MIRZAOGLU WARNS ABOUT BOSPHORUS TRAFFIC
[28] URGUP WILL BE A 'HEALTHY TOWN'
[29] FOR TURKEY"
[30] PROMOTIONAL INVESTMENTS INCREASE
[31] ISTANBUL IN "LE FIGARO"
[32] PEACE AT THE HANDS OF ARMENIANS AND TURKS
[01] ECEVIT: "PARLIAMENT SHOULD WORK HARD"
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit requested deputies work hard on
passing the new laws. Ecevit said, "An efficient, rapid and
harmonious legislation process is needed for an economic
recovery. Both parties in power and opposition parties should
bear their duties and responsibilities. The continuity of
progress in Parliament is essential." /Milliyet/
[02] DERVIS LEAVES, CEM BEGINS MEETINGS IN THE US
State Minister Responsible for the Economy, Kemal Dervis,
departed the US after having completed his meetings. Meanwhile,
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem begins contacts in the US to ensure
cooperation on strategic topics. At a dinner in his honour, Mr.
Cem said, "Turkey has two targets: one is to become an axis
country in the developing Eurasia region, the other is to join up
with the EU." Regarding the recent economic crisis, he said, "The
crisis occurred because the improvement in Turkey's legal and
administrative structures, as well as, political and economic
understanding did not keep pace with her development rate." Mr.
Cem also pointed out that high inflation, corruption and bad
administration were not problems specific to Turkey. He said they
had a global character. Ismail Cem attended a meeting organized
by the Washington Institute For Near Eastern Affairs think-tank.
During his speech Mr. Cem expressed his views on Turkey's
economic situation and regional issues. /Turkiye/
[03] KEMAL DERVIS TO MEET GERMAN BANKERS
State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, will meet today
with the head of the Deutsche Bank managing board in Frankfurt.
The heads of other German Banks are expected to participate in
the meeting. Meanwhile, the IMF Chief of Turkey Desk, Carlo
Cottarelli, will arrive in Turkey April 2. The IMF delegation
will negotiate with economy bureaucrats to formulate the final
version of the letter of intent. It will be submitted to the IMF
at the end of April. /Milliyet/
[04] THE WASHINGTON POST: DERVIS RACES WITH TIME
The American press reacted to speeches by the Minister of State
Responsible for the Economy, Kemal Dervis. The Washington Post
stated Kemal Dervis was the most popular figure in Turkey after
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The paper added Dervis was trying
to do what other economists could not do, in just a few weeks.
Stating Dervis expected the support of Turkish people, the paper
said Dervis would accomplish the first part of the crisis
administration by mid-April, and the second part (re-sustaining
economic equilibrium) in two to three months. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] IMF: "THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT DEPENDS ON THE STRENGTH OF THE
ECONOMIC PROGRAM"
The IMF Foreign Relations Director, Tom Dawson, said the support
package will be formulated after the details of the new economic
program is made clear. Dawson said during his meeting with
Kemal Dervis the two agreed that Turkey would present a
convincingly determined economic program to the IMF. /Milliyet/
[06] US: "WE ARE READY FOR SUPPORT"
US Secretary General, Andrew Card, said the Bush administration
will not hesitate to assist Turkey toward a prosperous future.
Card said, "We will do our best including trade and investment
opportunities." Stating that Turkey and the US have deep
strategic, cultural and commercial relations, Card said, "The US
is completely faithful to its strategic partnership with Turkey.
We believe Turkey will continue to be a part of Europe and will
take part in the EU and other European institutions. We share
common interests in the Balkans, Caucasus and the Middle East."
Regarding political reforms, Card said, "The Turkish people want
these reforms for themselves not for the EU or for the US."
/Hurriyet/
[07] TWO MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM THE US
US Secretary of Commerce, Don Evans, attended a banquet within
the context of the 20th anniversary conferences of the
Turco-American Business Council in Washington. Speaking to the
occasion Evans said, "The George W. Bush Administration fully
supports Turkey. We believe Turkey will be successful."
Meanwhile, The Washington Institute's Expert on Turkey, Alan
Makovsky, said, "The US cannot allow Turkey to collapse. The
economic crisis will be the number-one issue on the agenda of
Turco-US relations. The issue of Iraq will be second on the
agenda." /Aksam/
[08] YILMAZ: "GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED TO THE END"
Leader of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and Deputy Prime Minister,
Mesut Yilmaz, asked his colleagues to support the Government.
Addressing ANAP parliamentarians in group meeting, Yilmaz said,
"Turkey is passing through an important curve. Everybody must
support the Government." Mr. Yilmaz said the details of the
economic program will be announced April 15. /Turkiye/
[09] YIRCALI: "WE SUPPORT THE NEW PROGRAM"
In a joint statement, the Deputy Chairman of the Turkish
Association of Industrialists and Businessmen's (TUSIAD) Supreme
Consultation Council (YIK), and the Chairman of Balikesir's
Chamber of Commerce, Rona Yircali, said, "We are ready to support
the new economic program and the team which prepared it. Now we
are at the beginning of a new program. It might be a good
start, but let us not forget that this is just the beginning. We
would be daydreaming to say the economic crisis will be overcome
by the end of this year." /Aksam/
[10] OZILHAN'S STATEMENT
Chairman of the Executive Board of the Turkish Association of
Industrialists and Businessmen (TUSIAD), Tuncay Ozilhan, called
on the government to act determinedly in resolving the legal
regulations necessary to overcome the economic crisis. Ozilhan,
currently in Washington attending the Turco-American Business
Council meetings, gave his full support to the State Minister
responsible for economy, Kemal Dervis. Ozilhan said, "A
determined manner is of utmost importance in the anti-inflation
programs, which are based on a stable foreign exchange rate.
During his contacts, Dervis' program was warmly welcomed thus
ensuring financial support for the program. The important thing
is the delivery of enough financial support." /Aksam/
[11] OZINCE: "TURKEY WILL OVERCOME THE CRISIS"
General Director of Is Bank, Ersin Ozince, said, "Turkey will
surmount this crisis. We trust in our country's future and we
will continue with our job and our investments." Attending the
Media Cocktail Party, Ozince told reporters that Turkey, with a
population of 65 million, is a very attractive market for foreign
and domestic investors. Stressing Is Bank has made liberal policy
decisions since its foundation, Ozince added it had previously
played an active role in privatization program, and would
continue doing so. /Turkiye/
[12] SOKMENOGLU MEETS ECEVIT, BAHCELI AND OZKAN
Government partners will try to pass the 15 laws necessary for
foreign loans by decree in the power of law (KHK). The laws were
put as conditions on the loans by the State Minister Responsible
for the Economy, Kemal Dervis. Deputy Speaker of the Turkish
Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Murat Sokmenoglu, provided
information on the TGNA's progress to Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin
Ozkan yesterday. While answering journalists' questions after the
meeting, Sokmenoglu said, "We have presented a new proposal to
the leaders so the TGNA will work more rapidly. The TGNA will
also work on weekends if necessary. 15 laws must be enacted as
soon as possible to overcome the economic crisis, and 90 laws,
upon which the National Programme depends, should come into force
as well. /Aksam/
[13] GOVERNMENT DECREE ON SAVINGS
The government issued another decree on savings to help decrease
the inflation rate. The last decree demanded restriction of all
expenditures. "No demand for additional funds will be given so as
to prevent the economic program from being delayed. This way we
will not create a need for additional cash." /Cumhuriyet/
[14] THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (AKPM) will
meet in Istanbul between May 21 and 23. Uluc Gurkan, President of
the Turkish Council's delegation, said the presidential
commission, permanent commission, political commission and
women-men equality commission meetings will be held in Istanbul.
At the political commission's meeting, the South Caucasus issue
is expected to be dealt with. /Turkish Daily News/
[15] STRAITS EXCLUDED IN BLACKSEAFOR OPERATIONS
The operational area of the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task
Group (BLACKSEAFOR) will not include the Straits. Countries
bordering the Black Sea: Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania,
Georgia and Turkey, established the Force. The BLACKSEAFOR has
five main tasks: search and rescue, mine detection, humanitarian
aid, environmental protection and good will visits. In case of a
maritime accident naval forces will immediately intervene to
prevent an environmental disaster, but the Straits are not
included to the intervention area. Hence Turkey, ruled out
Russia's opinion that with the establishment of these forces,
safety measures were taken for oil transportation by tankers
through the Straits. /Hurriyet/
[16] ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER PERES TO VISIT TURKEY
Israeli Foreign Minister Simone Peres will visit Turkey to
evaluate the recent developments in the Middle East. During his
meeting with Cem, Peres is expected to demand that Turkey
pressure Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to end the violence. It
was stated Peres is hopeful about reestablishing peace and order
in the region during his term. The written statement by the
Turkish Foreign Ministry called on both parties to end violence
and sustain peace. "Whatever the reason, we are against all kinds
of terror. None can find a solution through violence. Sustaining
peace and stability in the region would be beneficial for both
Israeli and Palestinian society." said the statement.
/Cumhuriyet/
[17] HOUSE OF LORDS APPROVES BILL ON TERRORISM
The House of Lords has approved a bill prohibiting the activities
of 21 international terrorist organizations in Britain. The bill,
prepared by the Interior Minister Jack Straw, prohibits the
activities of terrorist organizations such as the PKK and DHKP-C.
/Cumhuriyet/
[18] TURKISH FIGHTERS IN GEORGIAN AIRBASES
Within the framework of the military cooperation agreement signed
with Georgia, Turkish fighter aircrafts will be able to use the
Marneuli Airbase in Georgia. Turkish soldiers will also be
billeted on the bases. Interfax agency reported Turkey granted $1
billion for the base modernization project. /Milliyet/
[19] FRENCH GENERAL DEFENDS THE INDEPENDENCE OF RAPID REACTION FORCES
FROM NATO
French Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Jean Pierre Kelche said
whether an agreement is reached with NATO or not, the EU Rapid
Reaction Forces will become functional at the end of the year.
Kelche said a military structure independent from NATO should be
established. Turkey is standing firm behind its position of
inclusion in the decision making body of the Forces; otherwise,
Turkey will veto the use of NATO facilities for any of the Rapid
Reaction Forces operations. /Milliyet/
[20] TURKISH-AZERI KEK MEETING IN BAKU
The Turkish-Azerbaijani Joint Economic Commission meeting will
start in Baku today. While State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay will
head the Turkish delegation, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister
Abid Serifov will head Azerbaijani delegation. Obstacles to exports and
imports between the two countries are expected to be discussed
during the meeting. In related news, Azerbaijani President Haydar
Aliyev releasing a statement for "March 31, World Azerbaijani
Genocide Day," calling on certain countries to take serious steps
to end the Armenian occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh. /Turkish
Daily News/
[21] EU AUDIOVISUAL CONFERENCE SLATED FOR APRIL
A conference titled "European Union Audiovisual Policies and
Implementations and Their Impact on Turkey" will be held by the
Culture Ministry's Copyright and Movie General Directorate on
April 2-4. Those set to attend the conference include former
President Suleyman Demirel, Culture Minister Istemihan Talay,
Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) Chairman Nuri Kayis,
Euroimages Turkey representative Faruk Gunaltay, Ambassador
Volkan Vural, and Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT)
Chairman Yucel Yener. The conference will be held at the Ataturk Culture
and Art Center Theater Hall. The opening speech will be delivered
by the Culture Minister. In addition, Demirel will give a speech
on "The Problems Awaiting Turkey in a Globalized World." /Turkish
News/
[22] RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DISCUSSED
The Minister of National Education, Metin Bostancioglu, held a
meeting in Istanbul to discuss religious education, gathering
together clergymen of different faiths. Bostancioglu, gave the
opening speech and said, "If the religion is not taught in the
right way, then it leads people to fanaticism." Meanwhile, the
Chairman of Religious Affairs, Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, suggested that
explanatory Koran lessons be included in elementary curriculum.
The 'International Symposium of New Methods in Religious
Education' held at the Radisson Hotel in Istanbul, was organized
by the Ministry of National Education's Directorate General of
Religious Education. The symposium will last three days. During
the symposium, academics from Germany, England, Norway, Holland
and Algeria will present their papers concerning religious
education. /Aksam/
[23] AMERICAN CREDIT FOR SUZER GROUP
The US Administration's financial wing, the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) will give a loan amounting to $50
million to the SOM Hotel Management affiliated with the Suzer
Group. The agreement concerning for the credit between the Suzer
Group and the OPIC was signed at the Turkish-American Business
Council meetings in a ceremony. /Cumhuriyet/
[24] GOKALP CONTINUES HIS TOUR OF SYRIA
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, in
Syria since March 25 on an official visit, was received by Syrian
Prime Minister Mustafa Miro yesterday. During the meeting, Miro
said Syria wanted to improve ties with Turkey. Gokalp also said
an improvement of ties between the two countries was necessary
for regional stability. In a meeting between Gokalp and Syrian
Agriculture Minister Asaad Mustafa, the two countries agreed to
set up different sub-committees covering stock breeding,
agricultural machinery and fertilizers to boost relations in
agriculture. /Turkish Daily News/
[25] PARLIAMENTARIANS TO TRAVEL TO CUBA
A Turkish Parliamentary delegation, headed by Cavit Kavak, will
travel to the Cuban capital of Havana, to attend the Union of
Inter-Parliaments General Council meeting. The meeting will be
held between April 1 and 7. /Turkiye/
US RED CROSS DONATES 11,000 TENTS TO TURKISH KIZILAY HQ
The US Red Cross has donated 11,000 waterproof tents to Kizilay
(the Turkish Red Crescent). Under a cooperation protocol signed
between Kizilay and the US Red Cross aimed at improving Kizilay's
quality of service following the Marmara Earthquake, the tents
will be sent to Ankara in staggered shipments. Kizilay's General
Chairman Ertan Gonen said they ran out of tents after the Marmara
Earthquake, but there had been a massive increase in stocks
recently. Speaking at a conference, Gonen briefed journalists on
ambulances, communication systems and the newly arrived tents. He
said they were receiving all season waterproof tents suitable for
families. When talking about the communication systems, Gonen
noted a communications network had been secured all over Turkey,
including in the disaster region. /Turkish News/
[26] TURKISH-JAPAN COOPERATION CONCERNING HEALTH
Turkish and Japanese experts will collect blood samples in
Diyarbakir as a part of "The Infectious Diseases in Turkey"
project. The project will examine those diseases preventable by
vaccination, and determine which diseases which have occurred in
the past. /Cumhuriyet/
[27] MIRZAOGLU WARNS ABOUT BOSPHORUS TRAFFIC
Stating that 82 million tons crude oil and hazardous material are
already being transferred through the Bosphorus, The Minister of
State Responsible for Maritime Affairs, Ramazan Mirzaoglu, said
the number will double once the Caucasus oil is transferred once
again through the Bosphorus. Mirzaoglu said transferring
Caucasus oil to world markets through the Bosphorus would cause
a traffic jam and a long line up of ships. Emphasizing the
current situation in Bosphorus traffic is already dangerous,
Mirzaoglu said the transfer of Caucasus oil would greatly
increase the danger of accident. /Cumhuriyet/
[28] URGUP WILL BE A 'HEALTHY TOWN'
Urgup Municipality has begun preparations for the "Healthy Town
Plan" supported by World Health Organization (WHO). Mayor Bekir
Odemis said the World Healthy Cities Association meeting in
Poland gave the criteria which needed to be met in order to
become a member of the association. He stated the municipality
had started intensive work. "First, we will organize a health
plan for Urgup," said Odemis. "To determine the parameters of the
plan, we will analyze the town. We will carry out all the
requirements of the association and present our results at the
next meeting to be held in Portugal this October." /Turkish News/
SPORTS MINISTER FIKRET UNLU: "THE 2008 GAMES ARE A MEGA-PROJECT
[29] FOR TURKEY"
Sports Minister Fikret Unlu discussed Turkey's bid to host the
2008 Summer Olympics in Istanbul. He told Parliament Wednesday
that any country hosting the Olympics not only gains benefits in
terms of its own sporting program, but also gains great prestige
and substantial revenues. Unlu explained that events such as the
Summer Games are not just seen as a competition of 28 different
sporting events, but a celebration encompassing that nation's
cultural social influences as well. /Turkish News/
[30] PROMOTIONAL INVESTMENTS INCREASE
Turkey, full of hope for the upcoming tourism season, has
initiated new investments. The Ministry of Tourism has begun to
promote Turkey through ads in foreign magazines. An ad titled
"Realize Your Dreams" published in the German magazine Der
Spiegel shows Turkey's historical and cultural heritage through
photos. /Cumhuriyet/
[31] ISTANBUL IN "LE FIGARO"
The French newspaper "Le Figaro" published a broad-ranging
article about Istanbul in its tourism section. Le Figaro said
Istanbul tours are available at convenient prices . It gave
information on places to see. /Hurriyet/
[32] PEACE AT THE HANDS OF ARMENIANS AND TURKS
Speaking at the first Istanbul Woman Biennial in Istanbul,
Armenian Deputy, Hermine Naghaldalyan, said there was no obstacle
that could be overcome if Turkish and Armenian societies are
courageous and determined. She said, "A conscious step taken by
women would be an act against violence and war and would
contribute greatly to the peace between the Turkish and Armenian
people. Such rapprochements between the two societies will
definitely affect the attempts at peace and contribute to the
improvement of productive relations between the two parties."
Armenian Woman Dialoge Group Chairwoman, Hranush Kharatyan, said
political solutions must be found by taking political
similarities into consideration. /Cumhuriyet/
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