|
|
|
Turkish Press Review, 01-05-24
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
24.05.2001
CONTENTS
[01] SEZER RECEIVES KUWAITI DELEGATION
[02] EU FORMAT FOR AVIATION
[03] POWEL PRAISES CEM AND PAPANDREOU
[04] ANKARA OBSERVES SMART SANCTIONS
[05] TURK SAYS EUROPE SHELTERS TERRORISTS
[06] TANTAN: "FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL CONTINUE"
[07] LEADERS ASSESS TWO YEARS OF THE GOVERNMENT
[08] ECHR SENTENCES GREEK CYPRIOTS TO PAY COMPENSATION
[09] TENSION INCREASES IN ESDP DISPUTE
[10] GOVERNMENT COMPLETES DRAFT OF JOB SECURITY LAW
[11] AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
[12] STOCKHOLM POP CONVENTION SIGNED
[13] VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO DIMINISH
[14] PKK MILITANTS KILLED IN BINGOL
[15] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU: "TURKEY HAS THE POWER TO OVERCOME ALL DIFFICULTIES"
[16] GENERAL STAFF: "INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE INTO CASA AIRPLANES ACCIDENTS"
[17] "ANATOLIAN EAGLE" MANOEUVRE IN KONYA
[18] YOK OPENS UP TO THE WORLD
[19] GREECE AND TURKEY TO ESTABLISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS
[20] AZERI STATE TV AVAILABLE ON CABLE IN TURKEY
[21] CO-GENERATION AND ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE
[22] RUSSIA READY TO COOPERATE
[23] BARGAIN FOR MANAVGAT WATER
[24] WHO READY TO EVALUATE TURKEY'S HEALTH PROGRAMS
[25] DERVIS IN GAZIANTEP
[26] IMF DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY
[27] IMF SUPPORTS DEBT EXCHANGE
[28] "TURKEY DESERVED THE SUPPORT"
[29] FINANCIAL TIMES: "THIS IS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY"
[30] GARANTI'S ITALIAN PARTNER
[31] SERIOUS BIDS FOR BAILED OUT DEMIRBANK, OFFICIAL SAYS
[32] TREASURIES IN BODRUM
[33] POSITIVE REPLY BY ATHENS
[34] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[35] THEY SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE AS WELL... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] SEZER RECEIVES KUWAITI DELEGATION
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received the representative of the Kuwait Amr, Suud Nasir El-Sabah and an accompanying delegation yesterday. During the meeting, Al-Sabah asserted Iraqi threat is continuing. He said the Iraqi administration is not using its financial opportunities for the prosperity of its citizens. /Turkiye/
[02] EU FORMAT FOR AVIATION
Problems of the civilian aviation were discussed during the "Civilian Aviation Symposium 2001" organized by the Directorate General of Civilian Aviation. Delivering a speech at the symposium, Minister of Transportation Enis Oksuz said Turkish civilian aviation was in line with the EU criteria since Turkey became a full member of the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) on April 4.
Oksuz said the success of the tourism also depended on solving the problems of the civilian aviation and reaching the world standards in order to take part in the international competition. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] POWEL PRAISES CEM AND PAPANDREOU
The new US Administration has praised the architects of the new rapprochement period between Turkey and Greece. US Secretary of State Colin Powell stated Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou have taken significant steps in improving bilateral relations. Powell said, "I congratulate these two courageous persons. They have taken significant and determined steps." Stating the contributions of the businessmen, academicians, reporters and students to the rapprochement period cannot also be ignored, Powell said, "People from the both sides of the Aegean have contributed to this peaceful atmosphere significantly." He also emphasized that the US administration would always support every attempt and initiative to improve the friendship between Turkey and Greece. Stating he disagreed with the allegations that the new US administration is indifferent to the Cyprus issue, Powell said, "An agreement which will be completely accepted by the both sides would be beneficial to all." /Cumhuriyet/
[04] ANKARA OBSERVES SMART SANCTIONS
Turkey has viewed the draft for the smart sanctions over Iraq which were prepared by the five permanent UN Security Council members as a positive development. Examining the smart sanctions which foresee to prevent Iraq's production of weapons of mass destruction and to protect Iraqi people from any harm, Turkey said, "If these sanctions would contribute to the normalisation of life in Iraq, we will be pleased over it." Envisaging a decrease in the red-tape to accelerate the trade with Iraq, the new regime brings new responsibilities for Turkey, Jordan and Syria, the most important of which is to monitor border trade with Iraq more strictly. The US also demands the sale of the diesel oil at Iraqi borders be stopped. Meanwhile Turkey is concerned over this US demand since she thinks that it would adversely affect the economy of the Southeastern Anatolian region. Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdullah El Hatip is expected to arrive in Turkey today upon the dramatic increase in the violent incidents in the Middle East. He is expected to hold meetings with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] TURK SAYS EUROPE SHELTERS TERRORISTS
Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk reacted angrily to criticism of Turkey's treatment of terrorist groups in the course of a meeting of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in Istanbul. Turk accused the Dutch member of the Assembly's Law Committee, Erik Jurgens, of criticising Turkey unjustly, when he claimed that Turk did not understand the word terrorism in the way described by the Council of Europe in the course of his previous address. Turk said, "Every state has the right to take measures to protect its territorial integrity. This is the same as in every other country as well. Is it free in the Netherlands to divide the country into two or three? It is not in Turkey. Turkey has had to deal with a separatist movement which is restored to every kind of terrorism. And you are supposed to know this." /Turkish News/
[06] TANTAN: "FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL CONTINUE"
Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan said, "Fight against corruption will constantly continue
within the framework of state institutions' authority and laws." Addressing a panel on the occasion of the declaration of the year 2001 as the "Business Morality and Ethic Values" at the Bogazici University, Tantan said Turkish citizens need to seek their rights. He added, "This right is not a personal, but a right of the future generations." Minister Tantan also emphasized duties should be done for the benefit of the nation and the country. /Turkiye/
[07] LEADERS ASSESS TWO YEARS OF THE GOVERNMENT
Two years of the government were evaluated at the summit attended by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Husamettin Ozkan and Mesut Yilmaz. Leaders also discussed the possible amendment to be made in the Law on Judging the Profit-oriented Criminal Organizations. Additionally, they decided to carry out the regulations to affiliate State Security Courts' Offices of the Public Prosecutors with the High Court of Appeals' Office of the Chief Public Prosecutors upon the proposal of the High Court of Appeals Chief Public Prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] ECHR SENTENCES GREEK CYPRIOTS TO PAY COMPENSATION
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found the Greek Cypriot Administration guilty in a case opened by Turkish Cypriots in 1994. Turkish Cypriots applied to the ECHR with the allegation that they were tortured by the Greek Cypriot police and then were deported by force. The Greek Cypriot Administration will have to pay compensation for the crimes that they committed. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] TENSION INCREASES IN ESDP DISPUTE
The tension concerning the dispute on the European Security and Defense Policies among Turkey, the EU and NATO has increased prior to the NATO Council to be held in Budapest between May 29-30. While Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ambassador Kurtulus Taskent is continuing his contacts in Brussels, British and German pressure over Turkey has increased. The EU and NATO are continuing their works for attaining a formula to ease Turkey's concerns over the ESDP and at the same time, they demand Turkey make concessions to reach a consensus. Meanwhile Ankara has reacted to German Defense Minister Rudolph Scharping's statement claiming that Turkey abuses its position in NATO to become a full EU member. Additionally, a British delegation visited Turkey last month to make consultations on the issue. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] GOVERNMENT COMPLETES DRAFT OF JOB SECURITY LAW
The Labor and Social Security Ministry has completed the draft of a job security law and was to send it to the Prime Ministry today. Labor Minister Yasar Okuyan yesterday announced that social parties have agreed on the draft of the law, which is among the 15 key legislative measures in Turkey's new economic program. The draft must be signed by Cabinet before it can be debated at Parliament. /Turkish Daily News/
[11] AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The Inter-party reconciliation sub-committee in Parliament established for determining the possible amendments to the articles of the Constitution submitted its 51 items amendment proposal to the committee. The proposal is as follows: 1. Replacement of the clause "language is Turkish..." with the clause "official language is Turkish" . 2. Eliminating the articles forbidding other languages to be used for dissemination of thoughts. 3. Regarding the article on the sovereignty, following clause will be annexed: "The articles of the international agreements leading to the membership of the supra-national organizations are maintained." 4. The clauses restricting the individual rights and freedoms will be amended in line with the European Human Rights Convention. 5. Capital punishment in the exceptions of the individual immunities will be abolished. 6. Without prior notice, peaceful convention and parade will be allowed. 7. Deputies will not engage in commercial and other activities. /Milliyet/
[12] STOCKHOLM POP CONVENTION SIGNED
The Permanent Organic Pollutants (POP) Convention (The Stockholm Convention) has been signed by Turkey at the ongoing conference in the Swedish capital at which government officials are discussing the problem of such pollutants. The convention was signed by Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin on Turkey's behalf. Speaking to the reporters afterwards, Aytekin said he believed the convention would be an effective measure in protecting the environment and people's health from the negative effects of toxic chemicals. He noted that the pesticides listed in the Stockholm Convention were not produced in Turkey and that it was now forbidden to import or use them. /Turkish Daily News/
[13] VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO DIMINISH
Minister of State Responsible for Human Rights, Rustu Kazim Yucelen, said the rate of the violations of human rights in Turkey would diminish in 2001 below the world average. Stating death fasts and hunger strikes were discussed during the Human Rights Coordinator High Council meeting, Yucelen demanded the death fasts be ended as soon as possible. /Cumhuriyet/
[14] PKK MILITANTS KILLED IN BINGOL
During the conflicts between the security forces and PKK militants going on for three days, 20 terrorists were killed in Bingol. The operations are still continuing. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU: "TURKEY HAS THE POWER TO OVERCOME ALL DIFFICULTIES"
Chief of General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, said on Wednesday that the Republic of Turkey, with its qualified workforce, strong economy, and its hard-working, resolute people, had the power to overcome all difficulties. General Kivrikoglu was participating in a ceremony held to inaugurate the General Kivrikoglu Vocational School in his birthplace Bozuyuk. In the speech he delivered there, General Kivrikoglu said that he was honored by the school's being named after him and added: "The history of the republic is a story of success from the start up until the present day. Today, Turkey is the strongest and the most peaceful country of its region. Youngsters should learn our history well, and draw lessons from our past." /Turkish News/
[16] GENERAL STAFF: "INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE INTO CASA AIRPLANES ACCIDENTS"
The Office of General Staff announced their investigations into the two Casa airplanes accidents are continuing.
The written announcement said, "Worrying news regarding the project about Casa airplanes appear in the press. But, investigations take time, since a lot of technical details are to be taken into consideration. " /Milliyet/
[17] "ANATOLIAN EAGLE" MANOEUVRE IN KONYA
Turkish, American and Israeli Air Forces will organise a joint air manoeuvre for the first time on 14-29 June in Konya. Nearly 10 F-16 planes will come from Israel for the manoeuvre called the "Anatolian Eagle." Deputy Commander of Israeli Air Forces, General Amos Yadlin, spoke to 'Milliyet' and said, "Our planes will be in Turkey in June. Our pilots have been going to Turkey for a couple of years for training. However, such a manoeuvre will be organised for the first time. The relations between the two countries are continuing within the framework of the military cooperation agreement. The cooperation between Turkey and Israel is not directed against a third country in the region." /Milliyet/
[18] YOK OPENS UP TO THE WORLD
Turkey will take place among the countries which signed the Bologna Declaration which aims at creating a widened higher education space within the framework of the EU works. According to a statement by the Higher Education Board (YOK), Turkey's attempts towards joining the countries which signed the Declaration became successful. The Bologna Declaration is a pledge by 29 countries to restructure their higher education systems in a convergent way. The Declaration which was signed by 29 countries is a commitment freely taken by each signatory country to reform its own higher education system or systems in order to create overall convergence at European level. The common goal is to create a European space for higher education in order to enhance the employability and mobility of citizens and to increase the international competitiveness of European higher education. YOK Chairman Prof. Kemal Gurbuz and member of the Executive Board Prof. Barbaros Guncer attended the Prague meeting between May 18-19 which was held by the signatory 29 countries to evaluate their performances within the last two years and determine their priorities for the future. /Cumhuriyet/
[19] GREECE AND TURKEY TO ESTABLISH SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS
Turkey and Greece will establish a joint search and rescue team. The teams, in which 40 experts from each country will take place, will perform search and rescue activities in the natural disasters such as earthquake, flood and erosion. The teams will jointly act with the United Nations and a direct telephone line will be established between the teams. /Sabah/
[20] AZERI STATE TV AVAILABLE ON CABLE IN TURKEY
Turk Telekom has begun broadcasting Azerbaijan State Television(AZTV1) on its cable TV service. Turk Telekom director general Ibrahim Hakki Alpturk said this was the first time they had relayed the broadcast from one of the Turkic Republics and stated this was important from the point of view of ensuring that Turks all over the world would speak in one voice, with one dialect. The broadcasts are for now limited to Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. Azerbaijan Ambassador Mehmet Nevruzoglu said it opened the door to getting Azerbaijan recognized worldwide. /Turkish Daily News/
[21] CO-GENERATION AND ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE
International Co-Generation and Environment Conference and Exhibition will take place in Istanbul today with the technical contribution of Cogen Europe and Co-Generation Association. Many Turkish and international experts will attend the conference. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Zeki Cakan will deliver an opening speech at the conference. /Cumhuriyet/
[22] RUSSIA READY TO COOPERATE
Russia declared it is ready to participate in the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline and will not argue any provision concerning the issue. At a seminar organized in Russia, Turkey's and Russia' s recent economic policies were discussed. Following the closing session of the seminar, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ivan Ivanov, said, "Russia is not against the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline. However, we do not belive that it would be economic. If you want to continue with the construction, our construction firms may also participate in the construction ." Replying to Ivanov's statement, Deputy Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry, Mithat Balkan said, "The basic engineering work revealed that the cost of the pipeline would be lower than expected. Now detailed engineering work will be carried out. The cost of this work is $150 million. This amount will be met by petroleum companies. If it is not economic, the companies would not attempt to do it." Regarding the Tengiz-Novorossisk oil pipeline, Ambassador Balkan said, "If an accident occurs on the straits, we cannot assure Russia with the continuation of petroleum tankers travelling through the straits." /Turkiye/
[23] BARGAIN FOR MANAVGAT WATER
An Israeli delegation arrived in Ankara to continue the meetings on Manavgat Water. During the meetings, the Israeli delegation, headed by Eldad Farshar, will especially discuss the cost issue with Turkish authorities. /Turkiye/
[24] WHO READY TO EVALUATE TURKEY'S HEALTH PROGRAMS
The World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting studies in which 5,000 people will be questioned in eight cities to evaluate Turkey's health programs. WHO Turkey Office Director Bekir Metin said that WHO had chosen 15 countries among the 191 WHO members for this study. The study is considered to be a very important initiative to evaluate various countries' health performance around the world. /Turkish News/
[25] DERVIS IN GAZIANTEP
State Minister Kemal Dervis spoke to the journalists following his meeting with the Governor of Gaziantep, Erhan Tanju. Dervis said, "Turkey experienced many difficulties in terms of production and exports during the economic crisis. However, our situation has been better for the last ten days. From now on we expect the growth to restart under the leadership of the exports in line with the production. I think we have extinguished the fire together. I want to discuss and be briefed on the initiatives that can be made in terms of the production and the ways to create harmonisation between the finance sector and real sector by the businessmen in Gaziantep." /Hurriyet/
[26] IMF DELEGATION TO VISIT TURKEY
An IMF delegation headed by newly appointed Turkey Desk Chairman, Juha Kahkonen, will arrive in Turkey on June 8 for the eighth review visit. According to IMF Director of Foreign Affairs, Tom Dawson, the delegation will examine whether the performance criteria implemented or not and then they will ask for the release of $1.5-billion loan on June 25. To deserve the loan Turkey is expected to bring into life the important structural reforms by June 25. /Turkiye/
[27] IMF SUPPORTS DEBT EXCHANGE
IMF Foreign Relations Director, Tom Dawson, said the exchange of state bonds with the foreign currency-indexed bonds(swap) was an expected step. Dawson said similar arrangements were carried out in other countries as well. Dawson said the wage increase for the public workers is in harmony with the economic program. State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, said debt exchange(swap) will not be in a great amount, in fact it is not urgent or a must. /Milliyet/
SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET IS $25 BILLION
Finance Ministry and the Treasury began working on the preparations for the supplementary budget foreseen in the letter of intent submitted to the IMF. 2001 budget worth $43 billion will increase by $25 billion with this new arrangement. With this new budget, budget deficit worth $24 billion will reach 15% of the Gross National Product(GNP). /Milliyet/
[28] "TURKEY DESERVED THE SUPPORT"
Stressing the IMF should help countries in trouble to carry out the necessary reforms, US Secretary of Treasury, Paul O'Neill, supported IMF loan to Turkey. Citing examples from countries having difficulties in the world, O'Neill underlined recent steps taken in Turkey for reforms. He said, the Bush administration welcomes IMF's loans in return for reforms. /Turkiye/
[29] FINANCIAL TIMES: "THIS IS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY"
British newspaper, the Financial Times said, the recent loan received from the IMF is Turkey's last chance to surmount the economic crisis. An article written by Martin Wolf said, the IMF' support for Turkey stemmed from Turkey's geopolitic and vital importance in the region. /Turkiye/
[30] GARANTI'S ITALIAN PARTNER
The biggest bank in Italy, Intesa, has been continuing its meeting with Garanti Bank. It was stated Intesa has been examining the branches, technological infrastructure and even Garanti Investment for a period of time and that it wanted to own the 35% or a much more part of the bank. If Garanti and Intesa will become partners, an important step would be taken in the Turkish banking system. /Sabah/
[31] SERIOUS BIDS FOR BAILED OUT DEMIRBANK, OFFICIAL SAYS
A top banking official yesterday said there were several serious offers to buy Demirbank, which was bailed out in December amid the first of the two recent subsequent financial crises in Turkey. "There are serious offers for Demirbank and they are being evaluated right now," head of the joint board of the banks in fund Tevfik Altinok said at a conference in Istanbul. Of the 13 banks under receivership, eight will be closed by end-May as part of a banking sector cleanup which Turkey has pledged to carry out in order to obtain the IMF stand-by credits. /Turkish Daily News/
[32] TREASURIES IN BODRUM
Culture Ministry approved the engagements for transforming an island "Yassiada"off Turgutreis, Bodrum into a historical inundated site. Businessman Mustafa Koc will finance the $1 billion -worth project. 13 submerged islands around Yassiada will be opened to diving tourism. An archeologist preparing the project, Askin Cambazoglu, said Yassiada is the only center famous as an "inundated aquarium". /Milliyet/
[33] POSITIVE REPLY BY ATHENS
Athens gave a positive reply to Turkey's suggestion to jointly organise the "2008 Football Championship", on which the Foreign Ministers of the two countries have reached a consensus. The Greek Football Federation said, "Organising the Euro 2008 on both sides of the Aegean will be the declaration of the rapprochement between the two nations." /Hurriyet/
[34] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[35] THEY SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE AS WELL... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the ESDI problem. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The contacts on the "European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) problem", which created tension between Turkey and the European Union (EU) one week prior to the NATO's Budapest Summit, are becoming intensive. The aim of these negotiations, in which Britain and Netherlands play an "easing" role, is to find a basis for consensus and avoid the disagreement from causing a serious discussion during the NATO summit and later in the Goteborg Summit of the EU. Is it going to be possible? In fact, nobody expects the ESDI problem to be solved in a couple of days. A diplomat from the EU says, "Even preventing the discussions, which might create a chilly atmosphere in Budapest, will be a success." Thus, the process of reaching a consensus will continue after the Budapest and Goteborg Summits. According to a Turkish official, a satisfying formula will be reached concerning the problem by the end of the year, when the EU will give its final decision, and thus, the problem might be solved. If the EU acts patiently and does not put pressure much more, then the issue will not cause any unnecessary discussions in the spring summits of the NATO and the EU.
On the basis of the disagreement, there lies the concerns over insecurity. Of course Turkey wants to take her place in the Rapid Reaction Force, planned by the EU. Considering that this Force will serve in a very critical and close region to Turkey, Ankara should play a role in its "preparation, planning and strategic administration." The EU argues that the countries that are not a member of the EU will not be included in the decision making and planning mechanisms. The EU comprehends, if necessary, it has the right to request support from the NATO member countries, which are not a member of the EU. For example, if a military operation is necessary in the Balkans, the Middle East or in the Caucasus, the EU will announce its decision to Turkey concerning the issue and want to take advantage of her possibilities. However, it will not consider Turkey's participation in the critical process of the operation to be necessary. It will only "negotiate" with her. It is unacceptable for Turkey to admit such a thing in terms of its benefits concerning security."
|
