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Turkish Press Review, 01-06-20Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning20.06.2001CONTENTS
[01] SEZER: "STRAITS ARE NOT A PATH FOR OIL TRANSPORTATION"President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said Turkish Straits cannot be an option for oil transportation. A conference organized under the auspices of Sezer, entitled, "Story of the Three Seas: Unifying with the World's Energy" to promote developments in the energy sector and their wide potentials in the Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Eastern Mediterrenean Sea regions to foreign investors began in Istanbul yesterday. President Sezer sent a message to the conference pointing to the "security" of the Turkish Straits. Sezer said, "As we have expressed previously, Turkish Straits cannot be a path for the oil transportation. This is a great threat not only for the Straits but also for the Black Sea and Aegean Sea which have a very sensitive geologic structure." Stressing his pleasure for the positive developments in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, Sezer said, "With the implementation of the detailed engineering studies, an important stage will be reached in the venture." Delivering a speech at the conference, former President Suleyman Demirel said, "I assume that people living in Istanbul and public of the world will not approve the Straits to be turned into a oil pipeline." /Turkiye/[02] PARLIAMENT'S BUSY SCHEDULEThe Inter-parties Commission decided to deal with a detailed study about the amendments on the articles of the Constitution regarding the President's duties, authority and Higher Education Council, as well as judicial inedependence. Following the two-hour meeting of the Commission yesterday, the Chairman Nejat Arseven said they will make initiatives to implement the debates on 37 articles of the Constitution before the summer recess of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). /Turkiye/[03] ANKARA'S EXPLICIT MESSAGE ON NORTHERN IRAQTurkey, who regards the establishment of an independent state in Northern Iraq as a reason for intervention into the region, and also who has concerns over the attitudes of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), is trying to reinforce the sovereignty of the Baghdad Administration in the region. Turkey gives the explicit message that the sovereignty belongs to the Baghdad Administration in Northern Iraq to Massoud Barzani (KDP's leader) and Jalal Talabani (PUK's leader). The focus of the issues that were centered upon, discussed in the bilateral meetings with Iraq, was the opening of a new border-gate between the two countries. The issue was discussed during the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu's visit to Iraq, last week. The second border gate is expected to open between Habur and Syria. It was stated that Turkey would sign a protocol with Iraq upon the opening of the border-gate. Iraq will be solely responsible for the management, monitoring and of the protection for the gate's Iraqi part. /Cumhuriyet/[04] YILMAZ IN BRUSSELSState Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yżlmaz proceeded to Brussels yesterday after completing a series of meetings in Vienna, Austria. Yżlmaz met with the Deputy Co-chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)-European Parliament Joint Parliament Commission, Andrew Duff, and the Chairman of the Socialist Group,Enrique Baron. He is expected to address the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission and meet with the Commissioner of the EU Responsible for Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, today. /Turkiye/[05] BAHCELI'S SUPPORT TO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PACKAGEThe Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and Deputy Prime Minister, Devlet Bahceli, stated that MHP was the leader of attempts towards amending the constitution and added that the constitutional amendment package must immediately be discussed and implemented in the related councils. Stating that Turkey is on the threshold of serious amendments for the first time in her constitutional history, Bahceli said that "This is a very important chance for Turkey. The text upon which a consensus was reached, has a potential to re-shape the relations between the state and society in accordance with the democratic principles." /Cumhuriyet/[06] CEM AND PAPANDREOU TO MEET IN SESAMForeign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou will first meet in Sesam and then in Kusadasi, to discuss the possible ways of cooperation within framework of the rapprochement period between Turkey and Greece. The top issues expected among their meetings are to be tourism and shore-trade. Accepting the proposal on Turkish citizens' visit to the Greek islands in the Aegean, without obtaining visa for two days, Greece is now trying to have this proposal approved by the European Commission due to the Schengen Treaty. Should the proposal be approved by the EU General Affairs Council, a significant revival in the Aegean tourism sector would be expected. Cem and Papandreou will also discuss the framework of the shore-trade, which was previously determined by the Chambers of Commerce both countries. /Cumhuriyet/[07] DERVIS: "WE ARE AT A VERY IMPORTANT TURNING POINT"Stating Turkey was at a very important turning point, Minister of State Kemal Dervis said "I guess Turkey will improve her economy significantly in the next months. There are lots of motives for such an improvement." I evaluated the recent swap operation, as very successful, and said "It was a great operation. Everybody is a winner." /Cumhuriyet/[08] DERVIS: " INCREASE IN TOURISM AND EXPORTS WILL HELP THE ECONOMY"State Minister for Economy, Kemal Dervis, declared increase in exports and booming in tourism in the summer period will positively effect the economical recovery. In an interview with the "Wall Street Journal" Dervis pointed out the necessity for the implementation of the reforms to become trustworthy to the finance markets. Regarding the recent swap operation, Dervis said the operation, carried out with success, will contribute to make a jump in the economy and will lower the bank's foreign currency risks. /Turkiye/[09] YALMAN: "WE MUST RESIST ALL KIND OF THREATS"155th anniversary of the establishment of the Gendarmerie organization was celebrated with ceremonies attended by Chief of the General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu and Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, General Commander of Gendarmerie, Aytac Yalman said the gendarmerie organization is proud of serving its country and the nation. He added, "Gendarmerie contributed greatly to the solution of the problem of terrorism in Turkey. Our organization is determined to resist and fight against all kinds of threats to protect the Republic of Turkey." He also emphasized that the gendarmerie has a great determination to fight against international organized crime. /Cumhuriyet/[10] TUSIAD SUPPORTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PACKAGEThe Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen' Association (TUSIAD) announced that it supported the constitutional amendment package prepared by the Parliamentary Reconciliation Commission. TUSIAD's High Consultation Council Chairman Muharrem Kayhan said the package is worth applauding. /Cumhuriyet/[11] TURKISH-SAUDI ARABIAN POLITICAL CONSULTATIONSDoctor Nizar Medeni, Saudi Arabian deputy Foreign Minister, met with Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu as part of the political consultations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Bilateral and regional issues were on the agenda between the top diplomats of the both countries. Turkey wants to boost economic relations with Saudi Arabia. /Turkish Daily News/17TH MEETING OF THE BSEC-PA IN BAKU The 17th meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation's Parliamentary Assembly (BSEC-PA) started in Baku, headed by Murtuz Aleskerov, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani National Parliament. The prepatory negotiations for the Head Assembly of the meeting were held on Tuesday during the meeting, which took place in Gulistan Palace. Taxes, retirement rates, internal procedure implementations and the study of authority papers are on the agenda. Speaking at the opening of the Permanent Committee meeting Akleskerov said that they would be active. The meetings, which are expected to focus on the strengthening of the legal framework, the laying of a groundwork for the protection of immigrants, and also culture and social security, will continue until June 21. During the meetings, the presidency will be transferred to Bulgaria from Azerbaijan. /Turkish Daily News/ [12] TURKISH-SYRIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETINGThe Turkish-Syrian Business Council held its first meeting in Istanbul yesterday. The State Minister Recep Onal, representing Turkey in the meeting, said that the $724.7 million trade volume between Turkey and Syria in 2000 was far from the tremendous economic potential the two countries possessed, although the recent trade volume had been on the increase. Onal stated that the Turkish government attaches significance to developing economic and commercial relations with the Middle East and Africa, and not just Europe. /All papers/[13] EMLAK BANK SELL-OFF BILL PASSED IN PARLIAMENTA bill to restructure the state banking sector, including the liquidation of Emlak Bank, was accepted in Parliament on Monday night. IMF Turkey-Desk Chief Juha Kahkonen said after the eighth review of the Turkish performance criteria, that the supplementary budget, the liquidation of Emlak Bank, the enactment of the tobacco bill, and the appointment of a professional board to the state telecom company, "Turk Telekom", were preconditions for the IMF to release the next loan tranche. /All papers/[14] FINANCIAL TIMES: "SWAP IS POSITIVE"The Financial Times stated the swap operation used to ease the short-term debt burden on the Treasury was successful. The paper also argued that the possibility of the closure of the Virtue Party affects the markets negatively. /Cumhuriyet/[15] AKISIK'S STATEMENT ON RESTRUCTURING OF STATE BANKSThe Chairman of the Joint Executive Council of State Banks, Vural Akisik said the first phase of the restructuring of state banks will be completed in November, and the second phase in a year. Akisik attended the meeting held to discuss the bill on liquidation of certain funds and the removal of the losses from the state banks in the Parliament yesterday. /Hurriyet/[16] IMF WAITS FOR THE LAWS TO BE ENACTEDInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank expects Turkey to keep its pledges over the implementation of the priority laws. Following IMF's Eight Review meeting, Turkey will receive about a $3-billion loan from the IMF and the World Bank as long as she complies with the conditions pledged to IMF and the World Bank previously. The IMF and the World Bank Executive Board meetings are scheduled to be held by the end of June. Until then, Turkey is expected to implement her commitments./Turkiye/[17] WORLD BANK: "SPEED UP THE PRIVATIZATION"In return for an increase in the loan, the World Bank asks Turkey to complete the re-structuring process of the banking sector as a priority. The Bank also desires a more liberal structure for energy and agriculture sector and speed up the privatization, as well as a more transparent public administration. Additionally, the World Bank looks for the implementation of the conditions stated within the scope of the Stand-By agreement signed with IMF and Turkey. The World Bank will grant Turkey a loan the sum of $6.2 billion in total in a period of three years, of which the $3.2 billion is expected to be given this year. /Turkiye/[18] OZINCE: "TREASURY'S CREDIBILITY UP AFTER DEBT SWAP"The general manager of Is Bank, Ersin Ozince, expressed full confidence in the Treasury's credibility. Ozince said that the Treasury had not defaulted on its redemptions so far, even in the most difficult of times. The debt swap of last Friday showed that the Treasury could service its debts easily in the long term. "We repeatedly see positive developments. The Treasury's credibility is refreshened and strengthened each day" he added. Koc Holding Chairman Rahmi Koc also expressed his own optimism as to the future of the economy. /All papers/TURKEY TO PURCHASE 10 AIRBUS A400M MILITARY PLANES Turkey signed an agreement to purchase 10 Airbus A400M military planes. According to the announcement by Paris Air Show, 10 of the 196 Airbus A400Ms to be produced for the first phase will be bought by Turkey. Since the Turkish Aviation and Aerospace Industry Joint Stock Company takes part in the production of the Airbuses, Turkey has 26 quotas. /Hurriyet/ [19] BUSINESS WORLD: "THE TGNA SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK"Leading representatives of the business world gathered in Istanbul yesterday. A statement issued following the meeting said that the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), which has been working hard since the economic crisis in February, should continue to work also in the summer. The statement noted that the summer holiday in the Parliament should be shortened and that some urgent laws should be passed as soon as possible. /Sabah/[20] HEARING SYSTEM IN TURKEYAccording to "New York Times", a "global hearing system" will be set up in order to observe whether or not nuclear tests are being carried out around the world. One of the hearing systems will be established in Turkey. According to the agreement, 321 stations are expected to be set up in 90 countries. /Sabah/[21] HUGE TANKERS TO PASS THROUGH THE STRAITSIt is reported that the American Chevron company which wants Kazakh oil to be passed through the Turkish Straits, since its cost is less than the other alternatives, is trying to persuade Turkey on the issue. The passage of 155,000 tons of huge tankers with a length of 300 meters carrying Kazakh oil through the Straits is an important issue which all the people living in Istanbul are deeply concerned about. /Milliyet/[22] ISIKARA: "QUAKE WARNING SYSTEM TO BE INSTALLED"Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Center Director, Professor Ahmet Mete Isikara, spoke about the new earthquake early warning system saying: "Devices will arrive from August on, and are expected to be installed by the end of this year", the Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday. He said that the entire system would cost $3 million, and 150 sensors would be brought over from Switzerland for this. /Turkish News/[23] INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE SYMPOSIUMThe "Interreligious Dialogue Symposium as a Contribution to World Peace" was held jointly by 19 Mayis University School of Theology and Professional and Educational Services International, Inc., yesterday. Messages of peace and brotherhood among all the religions were voiced out during the symposium. /Cumhuriyet/[24] WORLD'S OLDEST ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS IN ISTANBULSanta Cecilia National Academy Orchestra and Chorus, one of the oldest musical institutions in the world, will give two concerts in Istanbul within the scope of the 29th International Istanbul Music Festival. The first concert will take place on June 21 in Hagia Eirene Museum and the other on June 22 in Ataturk Culture Center. /Hurriyet/[25] ZORBA IN ASPENDOSThe famous ballet of the Greek Lyric Ensemble, Zorba, will be staged today in Aspendos Antique Theatre for the first time within the scope of the 8th Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival. /Cumhuriyet/[26] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[27] A MESSAGE FROM SEZER BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)Columnist Sedat Sertoglu writes on the message issued by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer regarding the transportation of Russian-Kazakh oil and nuclear wastes from the Bosphorus. A summary of his column is as follows:"President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has issued an important message which will please everyone. The message concerned the passage of nuclear waste through The Straits. It is stated in the message that the President strongly opposes the passage of nuclear wastes through The Straits, and their use as an oil pipeline, and that he is launching all necessary initiatives on this issue, which he is most sensitive about. I had also learned out that the President would send a special message to the international conference titled 'Story of The Three Seas' which began in Istanbul yesterday. The expected message was delivered at the meeting yesterday. Sezer briefly said that with the implementation of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's project, the tanker traffic in The Straits would increase substantially. Considering and using Turkish Straits, as an oil pipeline route, could not be accepted...This situation not only presents a grave threat to The Straits, but to the Black Sea and the Aegean natural environment which are highly sensitive due to their geological structures. Meanwhile, the emergence of another problem concerning the transportation of hazardous chemical material and nuclear wastes through The Straits, clearly reveals the dimensions of the danger for everyone to see. ' When I asked if President Ahmet Necdet Sezer would attend the protest demonstrations, which will be held by non-governmental organizations at the Bosphorus on 21st and 24th June, the officials said that they would convey my views to the President's attention. At this point, all sensitive non-governmental organizations should work to rally around the President on this issue. The Environmental Ministry is also opposed to the transporting of nuclear wastes through the Bosphorus. They are expecting an official reply from Russia. They will take action accordingly. There is only one thing to do, and that is not permitting this project, which would endanger the lives of more than 10 million people. This decision should be announced to the world." [28] THE HUMP BY AHMET TAN (SABAH)Columnist Ahmet Tan writes on the recent developments in Cyprus and the lack of interest in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:"The efforts and works of the President of the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, Rauf Denktas are in vain. If only those among us who believe that Cyrus is a hump on Turkey's back could follow the Greek-Cypriot press and the statements by the leader of the Greek-Cypriot Administration Glafkos Klerides. These are some headlines from the Greek-Cypriot press: - President Klerides: We have new tools now. We not only ensured the EU membership but also included the EU norms to the solution. - Our Russian made, S-300 missiles are deployed in Crete. We have the sovereignty of the missiles. We can transport them to Cyprus any time we want. - Entrance to the EU is the greatest vision of the Greek Cypriot people. The greatest success of our national problem, which has been dragging on for 27 years will the EU membership. - Turkish occupation forces on the Island will become the problem of the EU, as they would have invaded European territory. - Klerides : I am optimistic about the future of Cypriot Hellenism. - Greek-Cypriot Defense Minister: We are ready to face Turkish threats. The Greek-Cypriot aims in achieving full EU membership go far beyond reasons such as eliminating unemployment, raising the level of national income. They are following a national, historical and strategic plan, which they are implementing step by step. The Turkish side also has a strategy envisaged by Ataturk since the War of Independence. However, there are some circles in Turkey who deliberately or without being aware of it are serving the Greek-Cypriot interests. They believe Cyprus is a hump on Turkey's back. Cyprus is as much a hump on Turkey as Corum or Yozgat. If national interests are to be determined with cost accounts, revenues, and expenditure balance sheets, the damage Turkey has done unto herself with the imbalance in income distribution is far greater. There are many provinces whose income contribution to Turkey's national income is far less than their burden on the economy. What if someone says that they are a burden to Turkish economy? The real hump on Turkey's back is not Cyprus but those who say she is." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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