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Turkish Press Review, 01-04-06
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
06.04.2001
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER SOUGHT SUPPORT FOR THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
[02] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME
[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU IN ANKARA
[04] ECEVIT'S STATEMENT CONCERNING POLICE WEEK
[05] RUSSAIN FEDERATION AND THE US DISCUSS THE CY
RUS ISUE
[06] QUARREL IN UN OVER SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
[07] ARMENIAN LOBBY'S NEW INITIATIVE
[08] CAKMAKOGLU MEETS HIS GREEK COUNTERPART
[09] PKK TERRORISTS LOSE COURAGE
[10] COMMISSION TO PASS BILL ON NEW SSK
[11] CHP OPENS NEW SCIENCE PLATFORM TO STUDY
[12] SWEDISH TEAM QUESTIONS OCALAN ON PALME KILLING
[13] CILLER ASKS SEZER TO PUSH FOR EARLY ELECTION
[14] TURKEY HELPS MONGOLIA
[15] PANEL ON LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
[16] KOC HOSTS BUSH
[17] KEY PRIVATIZATION LAWS SENT TO PM, MINISTER SAYS
[18] BILL ON NATURAL GAS IN PARLIAMENT
[19] PROF. DAVIDSON: "EUROPE NEEDS TURKISH
POPULATION"
[20] DOLLAR DECREASE, STOCK EXCHANGES INCREASE
[21] DERVIS CARRIES OUT MEETINGS
[22] SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET READY ON JUNE
[23] BOSCHETTI: "YOU CAN OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS IN A
SHORTER TIME"
[24] FITCH: "FIRST POLITICAL STABILITY"
[25] "TIME TO INVEST IN TURKEY"
[26] COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE ON SOCCER
[27] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[28] PAPANDREOU WILL CONVINCE WHOM? BY EROL MANISALI
(CUMHURIYET)
[01] SEZER SOUGHT SUPPORT FOR THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer returned from the
Netherlands yesterday and sought support for the new economic program.
He evaluated the recent economic crisis after relaying information
about his visit to the Netherlands. Believing everybody should
endeavor to overcome the crisis, Sezer said , "We all expect the
new economic program to be successful." It is normal to undergo
certain troubles during a crisis period, the President said, and
public support would directly affect the new economic program. He
added, "We all wish the new economic program currently being
prepared by the government for approval by the Turkish Parliament, to
be successful. The support of Turkish people is very important for its
success. The point is not to be pessimistic just because we undergo
certain problems, which are normal during a period of economic
recession." /Cumhuriyet/
[02] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME
The National Programme presented to the European
Union by Turkey was discussed at the Joint Parliamentary Commission
(JPC) meeting which bridges Turkey and the European Parliament.
British Parliamentarian and member of the liberal group, Andrew Duff,
saw the National Programme as an important step towards Turkey's full
EU membership. JPC Co-Chairman Daniel Cohn Bendit said implementation
of the National Programme was more important adding it was too early
to comment on the NP. Parliamentarian Ozan Ceyhun, a socialist group
member, of Turkish origin, said the government's self-criticism was a
positive development as the topics would not have been discussed in
the past. The National Programme will be discussed by European and
Turkish parliamentarians at the JPC meeting in Brussels held June
25-26. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU IN ANKARA
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou arrived in
Ankara yesterday as the official guest of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.
The two ministers conveyed peace messages to each other on the future
of Turco-Greek relations. They are expected to reach an agreement on
mine-clearing along the borders and on certain articles of the
confidence-building-measures package today. Stating Greece hopes
Turkey will overcome the crisis as soon as possible, Papandreou
relayed the good wishes and solidarity messages of the Greek people to
Turkish officials. Holding a joint press conference with Papandreou,
Cem said important developments have taken place in Turco-Greek
relations over the last two years. Stating Greece wants to improve
relations with Turkey peacefully, Papandreou said, "A sound
partnership between Turkey and Greece would mean peace and stability
for the whole region. The positive developments of the past two years
is an historic opportunity for both nations. Greece supports Turkey's
bid for full EU membership. Turkey's acceptance into the EU would also
contribute the solution of the Cyprus problem." Papandreou will
be received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and meet with Deputy Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz and Devlet Bahceli. /Cumhuriyet/
[04] ECEVIT'S STATEMENT CONCERNING POLICE WEEK
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received a delegation
chaired by the Minister of the Interior, Sadettin Tantan in honor of
Police Week. Ecevit said policing was a brave profession. Ecevit said,
"The police put their lives in danger for the welfare and
security of the nation. They fight against all kinds of
corruption." Meanwhile, Tantan said, "There are important
draft laws before the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)
concerning the police organization at the moment. After these draft
laws are enacted, there will be a great deal of structural changes in
our organization. In addition, improvements in the lawful authority of
the police will increase their morale. /Aksam/
[05] RUSSAIN FEDERATION AND THE US DISCUSS THE CY
RUS ISUE
The Russian Federation and the US held consultation
meetings on the Cyprus issue in Moscow two days ago. According to a
statement by the Russian Foreign Minister, the two parties voiced
their wishes to continue proximity talks with UN Special Envoy to
Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto as mediator. Russian Special Representative
Vladimir Prigin and US Special Coordinator to Cyprus, Tom Weston,
attended the meeting. "We have exchanged views on the proximity
talks which have been suspended because of tensions between the two
parties.", said the statement. The statement added the US and
Russia gave full support to the goodwill mission, pursued by UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan, which is looking for permanent solution
to the island. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] QUARREL IN UN OVER SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
An Armenian representative to the UN in Geneva
claimed the so-called Armenian genocide is a "historical
fact" and Turkey should recognize it as such. The representative
also said Turkey does not respect human rights in general, and in
Cyprus in particular. Turkey's UN representative, Murat Sungar,
reacted to these words saying Turkey will never recognize the
so-called genocide claims. Sungar mentioned Armenia's aggressive
regional policies and said Azerbaijani lands were occupied by
Armenians and millions of people left their homes. "Armenia's
aggressive foreign policy has also had negative impacts on her own
citizens. The cases of human rights violations have increased,
especially in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia is a country in
which governments change by means other than a no-confidence vote.
Cold blooded murders and kidnappings in the Armenian parliament
results in changes of governments." said Sungar. /Hurriyet/
[07] ARMENIAN LOBBY'S NEW INITIATIVE
The US Armenian lobby believes it has a unique
opportunity to use Turkey's weakness during the economic crisis.
Armenian lobby representative, Harut Sasunyan, writing in the
'California Courier', points out, "Now Armenians seized a golden
opportunity to further their claims against Turkey. This is a unique
opportunity to exploit Turkey's weakness." In his article,
Sasunyan also claimed Turkey would not receive help from the US or
Israel, whom she trusts very much. Meanwhile, the Armenian lobby
pressuring American President George W. Bush to back his campaign
promise of recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide on 24 April. A
bill for the recognization of the so-called Armenian genocide is
expected to be brought to the US Congress. /Aksam/
[08] CAKMAKOGLU MEETS HIS GREEK COUNTERPART
Turkish Minister of National Defence, Sabahattin
Cakmakoglu, currently in Skopje attending the meeting of the National
Defence Ministers of Southeastern European Countries, met with his
Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatsopoulos. Cakmakoglu and Tsohatsopoulos
said they exchanged opinions on bilateral relations and the tension in
the Balkans. /Aksam/
[09] PKK TERRORISTS LOSE COURAGE
Militants of the terrorist organization PKK, who
want to establish a Kurdish State in the South Eastern Anatolia
Region, have recognized the truth at last. It was revealed that most
of the terrorists did not believe that a Kurdish State would ever be
established and that they wanted to go back home. A questionaire was
given to 816 terrorists in Northern Iraq's Nazdur, Wurmel, Barjuni,
Yekmala, Kani Sarki, Ardavel, Nirve, Shingel, Dolakoga, Zernakow, Doli
Balayan and Kalaki Balayan regions. The questionaire asked 34
questions where it was determined that 514 terrorists did not belive a
Kurdish State would be established through political and cultural
activities; 213 terrorists were of the opposite opinion, and the rest
had no opinion. /Aksam/
[10] COMMISSION TO PASS BILL ON NEW SSK
Parliament's Planning and Budgetary Commission
approved 47 articles of a bill foreseeing the restructuring of the
Social Security Institution (SSK) Thursday. The approved articles
bring regulations to the health affairs section of the SSK, which will
now be separated into two sections as the health and insurance general
directorates. /Turkish News/
[11] CHP OPENS NEW SCIENCE PLATFORM TO STUDY
The new headquarters for the Republican People's
Party(CHP) Science, Administration, and Culture Platform, was opened
with a ceremony Thursday by CHP leader Deniz Baykal and various other
party officials. Baykal said, "In its first meeting, Science
Platform members will form subcommissions to deal with such issues as
water problems, education, energy, alternative means of tourism,
sports, and various other issues of concern."/Turkish News/
[12] SWEDISH TEAM QUESTIONS OCALAN ON PALME KILLING
Swedish investigators traveled to the island of
Imrali Thursday to interrogate imprisoned terrorist Abdullah Ocalan
about possible Kurdish involvement in the assassination of Swedish
Prime Minister Olof Palme, Ocalan's lawyers said. A three-person
Swedish team was accompanied by a Turkish prosecutor, Huseyin Cinar,
and other officials. /Turkish News/
[13] CILLER ASKS SEZER TO PUSH FOR EARLY ELECTION
True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller asked
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to get the chairmen of all the political
parties together in order to push for an early election, the Anatolia
news agency reported Thursday. Ciller held a press conference at her
DYP headquarters in Ankara at which she asked the President to assure
the future of democracy by pushing for an election. Claiming social
instability is at the brink in Turkey, Ciller said the unrest among
Turkish people has reached a peak. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] TURKEY HELPS MONGOLIA
Turkey gave 50,000 US dollars to Mongolia which has
been suffering from harsh winter conditions, the Anatolia news agency
reported. According to an announcement from the Foreign Ministry, at
the beginning of March the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) gave 20,000
US dollars and the government gave 30,000 US dollars to Mongolia.
/Turkish Daily News/
[15] PANEL ON LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
The Organ Transplantation Center and Silver
Research Association's Izmir Branch at the School of Medicine in Ege
University organized a panel titled "Recent Developments in Liver
Transplants". The Chairman of the Silver Transplant Department at
US's Wisconsin University, Prof. Munci Kalayoglu, said Ege University
surpassed American universities. He said he has sent many of his
patients to Ege University for liver transplants. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] KOC HOSTS BUSH
Yesterday the head of Koc Holding, Rahmi Koc hosted
former US President George Bush, a member of Carlyle's executive
board, at his Industry Museum. Koc will establish a joint company with
Carlyle Group to function in the Internet sector. /Star/
[17] KEY PRIVATIZATION LAWS SENT TO PM, MINISTER SAYS
Yesterday Transport Minister Enis Oksuz, said key
laws aimed at facilitating the privatization of Turkish Airlines (THY)
and Turk Telekom have been sent to Prime Minister's office. Oksuz told
a news conference in Ankara that one of the bills would re-regulate
Turkish Airlines' pricing policies. Pricing has been viewed as the
main obstacle to the planned sell-off of the national carrier. THY,
running in the red, has not any bidders during the 51 percent
privatization tender which expired last week. Mandatory discount
pricing of domestic flights is an element contributing to THY losses.
Regarding the Turk Telekom privatizaon law, Oksuz said the draft
prepared by the Transport Ministry could face changes down the road
before enactment. /Turkish Daily News/
[18] BILL ON NATURAL GAS IN PARLIAMENT
The third of 15 bills suggested by State Minister
for the Economy, Kemal Dervis for adoption was submitted to the
parliament. The bill regarding natural gas includes privatizing gas
distribution. The Botas' monopoly will be terminated and private firms
will be able to invest in this sector. A Natural Gas Regulatory Board
will be established. /Star/
[19] PROF. DAVIDSON: "EUROPE NEEDS TURKISH
POPULATION"
Prof. Ian Davidson from the European Political
Research Center in Brussels, said EU countries face a population
crisis, and the solution to this issue comes not from Middle and
Eastern European countries, but from Turkey. In an article issued in
the "La Libre Belgique", Davidson pointed to issues stemming
from aging of the EU population and a decline in population growth. He
said, "At the Stockholm Summit, the leaders thought these issues
could be overcome through economic reforms and flexibility. However,
the EU's negative population growth can only be compensated through
comprehensive foreign immigration."/Turkiye/
[20] DOLLAR DECREASE, STOCK EXCHANGES INCREASE
Following a confidence building statement by State
Minister Kemal Dervis, recovery of the Istanbul Stock Exchanges and
the decrease of the US dollar continues. One US dollar, which was
1,235,000 TL yesterday morning, decreased by 5,000 TL almost hourly
thanks to Turkish citizens, who trusting Dervis' statements sold their
US dollars. Meanwhile, the index increased 339 points during the
second session and reached 8,457 points yesterday. /Aksam/
[21] DERVIS CARRIES OUT MEETINGS
State Minister Kemal Dervis is continuing a series
of meetings to ensure support for the economic program which is being
prepared. Yesterday morning, Dervis met with businessmen, including
Bulent Eczacibasi, Guler Sabanci, Husamettin Kavi and Can Paker in
Istanbul. Following his meeting with the businessmen, Dervis met with
the directors general of several banks to discuss recent situation of
the sector. /Turkiye/
[22] SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET READY ON JUNE
Minister of Finance Sumer Oral, said, "The
Supplementary Budget regarding payments will be declared in the second
half of the year. It will not include urgent laws." Concerning
the economic program, Oral said, "Studies are continuing. I
expect the program will be clear next week." He added the Finance
Ministry was working in harmony with State Minister Kemal Dervis.
/Turkiye/
[23] BOSCHETTI: "YOU CAN OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS IN A
SHORTER TIME"
Head of the executive board of Iveco, Giancarlo
Boschetti, spoke on the economic crisis saying, "We also
experienced these problems, and some time may be needed for a
solution. The crisis is serious, but the government is on duty. Turkey
has a young working population, a competitive market place and
educated personnel to get out of this crisis." /Sabah/
[24] FITCH: "FIRST POLITICAL STABILITY"
Analysts from the International credit rating
organization Fitch IBCA, said Turkey must pursue its reforms with
fierce determination. Fitch analysts said Turkey must show her
determination to political reform in order to guarantee IMF aid.
/Cumhuriyet/
[25] "TIME TO INVEST IN TURKEY"
Jacques Laloux, Director General of the Belgian
Fortis Banque's Istanbul branch, expressed his views on Turkey and the
Turkish economy in an interview with the "Le Soir"
newspaper. He said, "It is exactly the right time to come to
Turkey. The Turkish Lira's value is low. The crisis is not so bad for
everybody. Exports are on an upwards trend. The situation in textile
and tourism is also positive. The cost of living in Turkey is low. The
Economy is not bad in essence. People are trustworthy and work hard.
Turkey has many advantages, however, they are not well known in
Belgium." /Turkiye/
[26] COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE ON SOCCER
The Greek Government permitted the Greek Soccer
Federation (EPO) to apply to UEFA for permission to organize the 2008
European Soccer Championship in cooperation with Turkey. The Greek
daily To Vima said the Deputy Minister Responsible for Culture George
Floridis gave the EPO permission to apply to UEFA concerning the
cooperation with Turkey. The paper said relations between the Soccer
Federations of the two countries would also develop. The issue is
expected to be discussed during Papandreou's Turkey visit.
/Cumhuriyet/
12 MILLION TOURISTS EXPECTED THIS YEAR
Turkish tour operators working outside Turkey
expect to bring nearly three million tourists to Turkey from around
the world. Tour Operators Association General Secretary Huseyin
Baraner said Turkish tourism has beaten the crisis of recent years,
and the tour operators have begun receiving an extraordinary number of
reservations for this season. Baraner said 12 million tourists were
expected to visit Turkey this year, and three million of them booked
through Turkish tour operators. /Turkish News/
[27] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[28] PAPANDREOU WILL CONVINCE WHOM? BY EROL MANISALI
(CUMHURIYET)
"Columnist Erol Manisali comments on recent
proposals by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Turco-Greek
relations. A summary of his column is as follows: "Greek Foreign
Minister George Papandreou's message made headlines in all Turkish
dailies. He called for peace on Cyprus and Turkish demilitarization of
the Island. This was presented by the Turkish press as a message of
peace. In fact, the only impediment to Greece annexing the Island,
under an EU umbrella, is the Turkish Armed Forces. Athens wants the
Turkish army to withdraw its unit from Cyprus, and let the
Greek-Cypriot Administration enter the EU representing the whole
island. Thus, the European Security and Defense Army would be
permitted on Cyprus, an EU member. Greek-Cypriots have already begun
negotiations with the ESDI and conveyed their requests on the issue to
the Turkish side through the EU. If Turkey withdraws her forces from
the Island, she will watch Cyprus from the shores of Anatolia. As
Turkey is excluded from the EU, Greece and Cyprus with the
Greek-Cypriots in power will live happily within the framework of the
EU. The Island then becomes a part of Greece under the aegis of the
EU. Even if Turkish forces are withdrawn from the Island, it will be
brimming with troops. British bases which still occupy a large part of
Cyprus with their planes and missiles. These bases are used jointly by
the United Kingdom and the United States. The recent flights and
bombardments over Iraq were carried out by the planes taking off from
these bases. Papandreou must be awfully polite towards the British and
the Americans as he is not talking about these bases when he mentions
the demilitarizing the Island. In fact, he does not utter a word about
the extraordinary concentration of troops by the Greeks and the
Greek-Cypriots. Papandreou is only concerned with Turkish troops. If
these troops are withdrawn, all the problems on Cyprus will be solved.
This is only true for Athens and the Greek-Cypriots. When all
connections between Turkey and Cyprus are broken and the Island enters
the EU, Cyprus will become a natural extension of Greece. Greeks will
flood the Island enthusiastically and their 180 year old ideal will
have come true. Meanwhile, British and US bases will remain on the
Island and, according to international agreements, are accepted as
sovereign British territory. Additionally in 2003, the ESDI forces
will be deployed. When there are British and American troops on the
Island, will the French and German forces be far behind? They are
waiting only for the withdawal of the Turkish troops, the rest will
follow. Papandreou's message concerning a demilitarized island is a
part of Athens' annexation plan. Does Papandreou believe we would not
understand the intentions behind his message? Perhaps he is aware of
the role the press has played in preparing a background for its
acceptance by the Turkish public. This is the reason behind the
presentation of a peace award to Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.
Otherwise, why would Greece make new plans to increase her military
expenditures during the last two years when everyone else in the EU
was reducing them? She would not have bought and deployed S-300
missiles on Crete and complete and open two big military bases on
Cyprus. She would not have encouraged a $400 million arms purchase by
the Greek-Cypriot Administration. She would not have entered into
military alliances with Iran and Armenia or cooperated closely with
the Armenian lobby to have Armenian resolutions enacted in the US and
the EU. Now that Turkey is in an economic crisis, Papandreou is trying
to corner Ankara. But there is one thing he is unaware of, he may
convince some people in Turkey but won't convince everyone. The power
of those he has convinced will not be enough to persuade all the
others."
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