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Turkish Press Review, 01-04-02Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning02.04.2001CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENT SEZER BACKS ECONOMIC PROGRAMThe Presidential chief clerk and foreign relations senior advisor, Tacan Ildem, announced President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's desire for everyone to put aside their personal interests, and bring feelings of unity, togetherness and solidarity to the fore so the current difficulties can be overcome. "In connection with this, and in a manner reflecting the support which will be given by the public, the President is resolved to support steps taken by the government and the Turkish Parliament to pass the laws that are needed. "continued Ildem. President Sezer is reportedly concerned about public support for the program. "He is very concerned about the people's lending their full support to the austerity measures being enacted without falling into despair. Sezer will act in a calm and collected manner, to contribute to the atmosphere of confidence in the markets and in our economy, without engaging in speculative commentary." said Ildem. /Turkish Daily News/[02] IZGI IN KYRGYZSTANParliament Speaker Omer Izgi continues his Central Asian trip. Izgi arrived in Bishkek. Kyrgyz Parliamentary Speaker, Abdigani Erkebaev, and the Ambassador of Turkey welcomed Izgi at Manas airport. /Star/[03] BUDGET DISCUSSIONSYesterday, State Minister Kemal Dervis and Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral convened the high-level economic bureaucrats. Following the four-hour meeting, Dervis told reporters they discussed budget figures. Pointing to changes in macro-economic budget values caused by the floating foreign exchange policy, Dervis said, some amendments are necessary. Dervis added approximately $3.5-billion in additional finance sources, equal to 1.5% of the gross national product, is needed. The working meeting is expected to continue today. /Turkiye/[04] CEM RETURNS FROM THE USForeign Minister Ismail Cem returned from his visit the US. He had been the official guest of US Secretary of State Colin Powell. Deputy Speaker at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Huseyin Dirioz said Cem's visit was productive and beneficial in terms of improving both their personal relationship and bilateral relations with Turkey and the US. /Cumhuriyet/[05] PARLIAMENT NOW READY TO DEBATE EMERGENCY ECONOMIC REFORM BILLSParliament may begin debates this week on a series of laws envisaging radical economic reforms to fight against the bitter economic crisis. The bills would be given priority in case they are sent to Parliament for debate and ratification. Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu said 15 reform bills could be enacted in 15 days once they are brought onto the Parliament agenda. The opposition Virtue Party(FP) said it would give full support in the course of the debates. /Turkish News/[06] STATE OF ARKANSAS RECOGNIZES SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDEThe State of Arkansas has recognized the so-called Armenian genocide and its victims by declaring April 24 as the US Commemoration Day. The State Governor has issued a decree recognizing the so-called genocide. Distorting historical facts, the decree states Turkey rejected paying indemnity to the Armenians. Meanwhile, Armenian lobbies harshly criticized Secretary of State Colin Powell's stance against recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide. /Cumhuriyet/[07] TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREATurkey is preparing to recognize Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It was stated the Foreign Ministry has completed diplomatic works between the two countries on the issue, and the Council of Ministers will be ready to officially recognize the country soon. After peace talks between South and North Korea, Turkey decided to recognize North Korea. Turkey waged war against North Korea 50 years ago, jointly with the American army, in support of South Korea. 751 Turkish soldiers were killed during the war. /Cumhuriyet/[08] MINISTER BOSTANCIOGLU IN FRANCEMinister of National Education, Metin Bostancioglu, traveled to Paris to attend the National Education Ministers meeting of the OECD countries. /Sabah/[09] MINISTER YALOVA IN LONDONState Minister Yuksel Yalova traveled to London to attend a conference titled "Turkey and Privatization". Yalova said, "We should increase the international community's confidence in Turkey." /Sabah/[10] TWO POLICEMEN KILLED IN AMBUSHTwo policemen were killed in an ambush in Bahcelievler, Istanbul. Two terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons on a police car on patrol. Security forces started wide-ranging operation to capture the terrorists. /Star/[11] COOPERATION FOR THE BLACK SEAThe Black Sea Naval Cooperation Group (BLACKSEAFOR) agreement will be signed by the representatives of six countries in Istanbul today. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will sign the agreement on behalf of Turkey. BLACKSEAFOR is a novelty as countries in opposing camps during the Cold War era, are cooperating for the first time in the Black Sea. The agreement foresees security and control of maritime traffic, control of environmental protection, search and rescue, humanitarian aid, protection and control of fisheries. /Aksam/[12] MAKOVSKY: "TURKEY NOT NEAR THE POINT OF COLLAPSE"Alan Makovsky, one of the US' foremost experts on Turkey, has said the Bush administration does not see "Turkey near the point of collapse" in face of the recent economic crisis. Makovsky states the US wishes to cooperate with Turkey, particularly over the subject of Iraq, and it is therefore obliged to help Turkey attain some of its strategic objectives. /Turkish News/[13] "DAYS OF TURKEY-BELGIUM" GALA PREMIERE HELD IN ISTANBULA commemoration marking the 75th anniversary of the Turkey-Belgium Trade Association, "Days of Turkey-Belgium " gala was held in Istanbul. The Belgian Parliament's House of Representatives Chairman, Herman DeCroo, said in his opening speech, he had noticed Turkey's efforts to adapt to the EU's criteria. He stated the gala was a good opportunity to enhance relations between Belgium and Turkey in commerce and other on topics. He was one of three politicians who claimed Turkey's candidacy before the Helsinki Summit in 1999. /Turkish News/[14] SOKMENOGLU: "NO GENOCIDE IN TURKISH HISTORY"Parliament Deputy Speaker Murat Sokmenoglu said in "The Armenian Problem" panel that Turkey's critical geopolitical location would always give rise to political intrigue. He stated Turkish and Armenian people had lived together peacefully for a long time, but Armenians were exploited by other countries for their political and economic benefit. /Turkish News/[15] STATE MINISTER GUREL OFF ON US VISITState Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, accompanied by a delegation flew to the US. Gurel will listen to and discuss problems facing the Turkish community in America. He will discuss these problems with US officials and with representatives of nongovernmental organizations during his visit. /Turkish Daily News/[16] 'NON-EU NATO MEMBERS SHOULD BE SATISFIED ON ESDP'Participants and speakers at the 11th Antalya International Security and Cooperation Conference said Turkey should not be excluded by the European Union from the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) process. Under the ESDP, the EU wants to create a military rapid reaction force using NATO capabilities. Talks on the project have remained deadlocked for many months as Turkey is resisting further developments. Turkey blocked a preliminary deal between NATO and the EU last December despite pressure from its key NATO ally, the United States. Turkish Parliament Deputy Speaker Vecdi Gonul, said a common solution satisfying both sides must be found on the ESDP issue. NATO Deputy Secretary-General Sergin Balanzin also said ESDP can only be successful if all relevant European countries take part in the process. /Turkish Daily News/[17] BUREAUCRATS AND BANKERS CONVENEOfficials from the Central Bank and the Treasury will convene today. The formerly issued low interest bonds will be exchanged with the new foreign currency indexed state bonds in order to decrease the funding costs and burden of the banks. /Milliyet/[18] BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN OIL PIPELINEThe count-down began for Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Project. The firm which will undertake the engineering services for the project, will be chosen in a couple of months. BOTAS is expected to evaluate offers given by three consortiums, including American, British and German firms. The winner will be declared in two months at the latest. Construction work on the pipeline is scheduled to begin in 2002 and completed in 2005. /Turkiye/[19] TURKISH-ARMENIAN AFFAIRS TO BE DISCUSSEDThe Turkish Parliamentarians Union (TPU) will hold a symposium on "Turkish-Armenian Affairs Trough History" on April 13-14. Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi and TPU Chairman Zeki Celiker are expected to deliver speeches at the inauguration. Academicians from Britain, Russia, Armenia and Bulgaria will also make presentations during the symposium. /Turkish News/[20] THREE STATE BANKS TO CONVENEThree State banks, Ziraat, Halk and Emlak, will hold their general conventions before merging their administrations as part of the priority measures announced by State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis. The three bank's total paid-in capital was increased to TL 3.5 quadrillion. The Treasury Undersecretariat will borrow TL 3 quadrillion to finance the banks' capital increase. Ziraat Bank will convene April 3 and raise its capital to 1.5 quadrillion. Emlakbank will increase its capital to 750 trillion and hold its general convention April 16. At the same time, Halkbank will raise its capital investment to 1.25 quadrillion. /Turkish News/SEA STAR 2001 MANEUVERS The Turkish Naval Forces' planned Sea Star tactical maneuvers will take place between April 2-10 in the Marmara and Black seas. Frigates, speedboats, submarines, and back-up elements attached to the Turkish Naval Forces, and aircraft attached to the Turkish Air Force will take part in the maneuvers. The maneuvers will improve the cooperation skills between sea and air units. /Turkish News/ [21] KIZILAY CONGRESSErtan Gonen was re-elected chairman at the Red Crescent (Kizilay) Congress meeting yesterday. 30 members of the Kizilay's General and Controllers Council were also elected during the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/[22] MERNIS PROJECT ON THE INTERNETThe MERNIS project, carried out by the Ministry of Interior Affairs, has began to distribute TC Identification Numbers via the Internet since March 12, 2001. The MERNIS project allows officials to keep identification number files on the Internet. 70 thousand citizens have learned their identification numbers from the following web-site address: http://www.tckimlik.nvi.gov.tr /Cumhuriyet/[23] HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL IN TURKEYThe global executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles International, opened a branch in Istanbul. The headhunting company focuses on identifying, evaluating and recommending qualified candidates for senior level executive positions. The company provides executive search services primarily on a retainer basis for its clients. H & S International also serves the Common Wealth of Independent States. /Aksam/[24] FOREIGN IMPORTERS TO BE HOSTED IN TURKEYThe Foreign Trade Undersecretary will undertake promotional activities to attract more importers to Turkey. Commercial delegations will act as middlemen with those countries Turkey would like to improve commercial relations, such as Britain, the People's Republic of China, Tunisia and Kuwait. Officials said delegations help promote Turkey as well as open new markets. /Aksam/[25] FIVE STAR HOTEL IN DIYARBAKIRThe Owner of Class Hotel, Nedim Cizmeci, who established the first five star hotel in Diyarbakir, said his group will carry out tourism initiatives in Southeastern Anatolia Region, and beginning in Diyarbakir. Cizmeci said a five hotel star, under construction since 1993, has been completed in Diyarbakir. He added they would invite officials from the Tourism Ministry to the hotel's opening ceremony in the following days. /Aksam/BOOM IN TOURISM IN 2001 Prof. Faruk Sen, Chairman of the Turkish Research Center, based in Essen, Germany, said a real boom in tourism is expected this year. he said, "More than three million Germans are planning to spend their holiday in Turkey this year, about 1,650 million prefer the Antalya region." /Turkiye/ [26] AWARD TO AKMERKEZAkmerkez won another award in a competition organized by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). In the March 21,'ICSC Europe Marketing Awards' ceremony held in Turin, Italy, Akmerkez was presented an award in " Shop Windows Display Competitions" category. Previously, Akmerkez Shopping Center had received other international awards. /Turkiye/[27] FINANSBANK OPENS NEW BRANCHES IN GERMANYFinansbank Netherlands N.V. opened new branches in Berlin and Munich. The Bank will open branches in Dusseldorf and Vienna in the coming days. /Sabah/[28] AQUA FANTASY IN US MEDIAThe Union of World Aqua Parks journal "Splash" published an article on Turkey's largest aqua park "Aqua Fantasy". Aqua Fantasy is near Kusadasi and opened last year. The park has 5,000 daily person capacity. /Aksam/[29] TURKEY-THEMED EUROPEAN CARTOON PRIZEA cartoon competition will be held around Europe with Turkey as its theme. The "Europe Cartoon Festival and Competition", organized by the European Cartoon Organization Federation (FECO) will be held using Turkey as its theme "Deventer Honeyed Cookies with Turkish Coffee." The festival will be held in Deventer, the Netherlands. There will be a great number of participants from all over Europe. The competitors must answer the question, "How will Turkey and Europe change with Turkey's integration into Europe?". /Turkish News/[30] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS[31] ISMAIL CEM'S US VISIT BY H.MESUT HAZAR (TURKIYE)Columnist H. Mesut Hazar writes on the reception accorded to Foreign Minister Ismail Cem during his visit to the US. A summary of his column is as follows:"Foreign Minister Cem received a great amount of attention in Washington. Foreign Ministers visiting the US generally meet with their counterparts, however the new Bush Administration accorded a better welcome to Ismail Cem. The Foreign Minister paid a visit to the US at the invitation of the US Secretary of State Colin Powell. He also met with White House National Security Chief Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. This line-up shows the significance the US Administration attached to Cem's visit. The importance given to his visit also revealed itself when the US Administration discussed economic issues with Ismail Cem. The interest shown in Cem was not limited to the US Administration. The speech he delivered at the Turkish-American Business Council, the bilateral talks he conducted with Grossman, an important figure in the US State Department, and the views held by the US press are indicators of the close interest in Cem. Cem addressed a large crowd at the Washington Institute, an important think tank replying to the complex questions of his listeners with skill. However, the success of this visit was the result of teamwork as Cem included important names in his team, and they worked closely together. As a result a more informed, productive climate was created in the US regarding Turkey. The Foreign Minister stated it gave Turkey the opportunity to get to know the new Administration. The purpose of the visit was to ascertain the views of the new Administration on common problems and voice Turkey's contributions and experiences on these issues. As Turkey and the US both expressed their will to improve the present cooperation between them, the visit achieved its goal." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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