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Turkish Press Review, 01-07-19
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
19.07.2001
81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL GUARD TROOP ESTABLISHMENT
CONTENTS
[01] CELEBRATED
[02] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SLIGHTLY BROADENS REPRIEVE LAW
[03] TURKISH FRIGATES IN THE TRNC
[04] SYRIA PROPOSES A MEETING OF THE TRILATERAL WATER COMMITTEE
[05] MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE GOKALP ARRIVES IN BAKU
[06] GOKALP LAYS FOUNDATION
[07] ENERGY MINISTER IN LEBANON
[08] AHMET DOGAN CANDIDATE FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
[09] LAUSANNE CONFERENCE TO BE COMMEMORATED
[10] THE STRAITS
[11] US PLANE CRASHED IN BATMAN
[12] ECONOMIC PROGRAMME TO CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED
[13] RESULTS OF OKSUZ'S RESIGNATION
[14] KAHKONEN'S BUSY AGENDA
[15] MEETING OF DERVIS AND ULUSOY
[16] DERVIS WARNS BANKERS
[17] BUSH: "WE ARE FOLLOWING TURKEY CLOSELY"
[18] CHAIRMAN OF THE TIM ELECTED
[19] TURKISH BONDS GAIN VALUE
[20] CARLSBERG IN TURKEY
[21] LA SCALA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TO STAGE CONCERT IN ISTANBUL
[22] ANDY WARHOL'S EXHIBITION IN ISTANBUL
[23] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[24] CRISIS OVER TECHNOCRATS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[25] DECISION REACHED BY THE SUMMIT: CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT
[01] CELEBRATED
81ST anniversary of the establishment of the Presidential
Guard Troop was celebrated yesterday. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Speaker of
the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Omer Izgi, Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit, and the Chief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu have
attended the ceremony with their wives. The ceremony has started with a minute
of silence followed by the singing of the National Anthem. During the ceremony,
the soldiers' hand-to-hand combat demonstrations and the bayonet attack group's
show have raised great attention. The ceremony ended with the parade accompanied
by the Guard Troop's march. Following the celebration, a cocktail was given at
the Guard Troop's garden. /Sabah/
[02] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SLIGHTLY BROADENS REPRIEVE LAW
The Constitutional Court ruled out on Wednesday that
excluding articles 188, 191, 240, 298 and 383 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK)
from the Conditional Release Law is in violation of the Turkish Constitution.
The articles mainly cover crimes of civil servants' abuse of office, threatening
people, escaping from prison and providing aid and shelter for those who escape
from prison. The supreme court also cancelled a previous law's article that
stated that those who were released as part of previous amnesty laws cannot be
reprieved with the recent amnesty. /Turkish Daily News/
[03] TURKISH FRIGATES IN THE TRNC
Two frigates and a submarine attached to the Turkish Naval
Forces have reached the Girne Harbor within the framework of the celebrations of
July 20th, Peace and Freedom Festival in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC). The vessels under the command of the Southern Duty Group Commander, Vice
Admiral Lutfi Sancar , were welcomed by the TRNC's Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Defense, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Undersecretary of the Presidential Office,
Ergun Olgun, the TRNC's Security Forces Commander, Brigadier General Ali Galip
Mendi and other officials. Ertugruloglu said, "We thank you for you have
honored us with your presence. July 20th is the rebirth of the Turkish
Cypriots." Meanwhile, Sancar said, "We, as the Naval Forces, are doing
our best to preserve the peace on the Aegean and the Eastern
Mediterranean." Sancar and the other vessel personnel have laid a wreath at
Ataturk's Monument in Girne and observed a minute of silence. The vessel
commanders were also received by the TRNC's President, Rauf Denktas. Sancar has
presented the Command's shield. /Turkiye/
[04] SYRIA PROPOSES A MEETING OF THE TRILATERAL WATER COMMITTEE
Syria has proposed reviving of the trilateral committee
consisting up of Turkey, Syria and Iraq for the solution of water disputes among
the three countries. The last meeting was held in 1993. Syrian Ambassador to
Turkey, Said al Bunni, told the Turkish Daily News on Wednesday that despite
having 16 meetings of the above mentioned committee before 1993, no serious
results had been achieved. "But now, political will exists," said the
Ambassador, stating that they proposed the trilateral committee meeting to
discuss the water issue. /Turkish Daily News/
[05] MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE GOKALP ARRIVES IN BAKU
Agriculture Minister Husnu Ziya Gokalp arrived in Baku for an
official visit. Gokalp was welcomed by the Azerbaijan Agriculture Minister Irsad
Aliyev, the Turkish Ambassador in Baku, Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, and other officials.
Gokalp is being accompanied by senor ministry officials, and representatives
from the private and state sector. Gokalp will visit the joint agriculture
companies in Azerbaijan. Gokalp will be received by Azerbaijani President,
Haydar Aliyev, as well. /Turkish Daily News/
[06] GOKALP LAYS FOUNDATION
The Minister of Agriculture, Ministry and Rural Affairs,
Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, has laid the foundation of the Cultural and Sports Center
and the supplementary building of classrooms, which will be built by Gulen Boya
Polisan Company so Haci Mehmet Emin Bitlis Primary School will be in compliance
with the primary education of eight years. During the initial foundation laying
ceremony, Gokalp said, "We should attach a great deal of importance to
education so we can have an advanced science and technology. I appreciate the
voluntary institutions' contribution to the economy." /Turkiye/
[07] ENERGY MINISTER IN LEBANON
Speaking at the eight Ministerial Meeting of the Six
Countries Interconnection Project, Energy Minister Zeki Cakan said that Turkey
has always supported the project. "As a sign of the importance we give to
the project, the Turkish-Syrian part of the project was completed earlier than
planned and was operational in 1998. This part has been waiting for
interconnection work. However, problems in the region prevented us from reaching
our targets for 2002," Cakan said. In reference to the changes in the field
of globalization, Cakan said that all those changes affected Turkey a lot.
/Turkish Daily News/
[08] AHMET DOGAN CANDIDATE FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Members of the Rights and Liberties Operation (HOH), an
organization based in Bulgaria with mainly Turkish members, have nominated their
leader, Ahmet Dogan, as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. The members
pointed out that they deem his nomination fitting because of his efforts in
human rights over the last 10 years. One of the members, Altay Fevziev, in his
explanation said that Dogan was a person who deserved to be known throughout the
world. /Turkish Daily News/
[09] LAUSANNE CONFERENCE TO BE COMMEMORATED
Association of Services for the Turkish Youth is preparing a
series of activities due to the 78th anniversary of the Lausanne Conference. In
a statement issued by the Association, it was stated that a conference would be
given with the participation of the writer Izzet Sedes and the retired Protocol
Director of the European Council, Prof. Sabahattin Ozel within the framework of
the activities to be held on July 23. In addition, Prof. Gungor Satiroglu will
organize a slide demonstration. /Cumhuriyet/
134 NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO WORK FOR THE FUTURE OF
[10] THE STRAITS
A total of 134 environmentalist organizations, which were
gathered together under the roof of the "Civilian Initiative Working
Group", have decided to cooperate to decrease the nuclear waste at the
Turkish Straits and the passages of the tankers, which carry hazardous
materials. Deputy Secretary of Istanbul's Environment Council, Mustafa Durna,
spoke during the press conference held at Istanbul's Special Provincial Special
Administration and said, "Black Sea National Environment NGO Forum,
consisting of 48 environmental organizations, and Istanbul's Environment
Council, including 86 environmentalist NGOs have established the Civilian
Initiative Working Group to find solutions for the future of the Straits.
/Cumhuriyet/
[11] US PLANE CRASHED IN BATMAN
The American F-16 plane, which took off from Incirlik Air
Base for a reconnaissance flight to be made in the Northern Iraq, has crashed in
Batman's district of Besiri. The pilot has been injured slightly and was brought
to a Batman in an ambulance. It was stated that the health condition of the
pilot was fine. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] ECONOMIC PROGRAMME TO CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED
The meeting at the Prime Ministry that lasted for three and a
half hours, was attended by the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime
Ministers Devlet Bahceli, Mesut Yilmaz, State Minister responsible for Economy,
Kemal Dervis, Governor of the Central Bank, Sureyya Serdengecti, Treasury
Undersecretary, Faik Oztrak, Chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervision
Board (BDDK), Engin Akcakoca. After the meeting, it was stated that the decree
concerning the privatization of Vakiflar Bank was opened to signature. In the
statement, it was added, "The basic balances in the economy have been
strengthened day by day. Besides, the developments about the price have been
parallel with our estimations, which shows that the expectations about the
second half of the year will be realized to a great extend. It was decided that
the economic programme will be continued to be implemented simultaneously in
every level. The positive effects of the 200 million US dollars of the World
Bank loan, which was given to Eximbank, was also discussed." During the
meeting, which was also attended by the representatives from Is Bank, Yapi ve
Kredi Bankasi, Akbank and Garanti Bank, the problems of the financial world were
discussed. It was stated that Dervis has told the bankers that they were on the
same board and suggested them to calm down. /Turkiye/
[13] RESULTS OF OKSUZ'S RESIGNATION
The resignation of the Minister of Communication, Enis Oksuz,
which has occurred the day before, has initiated positive developments in the
foreign currency rate and in the stock exchanges. The determined manner of the
Central Bank was supported by the Turkish banks, and, thus, 1 US dollar
decreased from 1,500,000 to 1,370,000 TL. In addition, the Istanbul Stock
Exchanges (IMKB) has gained value by 4.8%. The markets interpreted the results
of the Leaders Summit and Oksuz's resignation as "The Government supports
the agreements that has been made with the International Monetary Fund."
/Sabah/
[14] KAHKONEN'S BUSY AGENDA
The delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
chaired by the IMF's Representative to Turkey, Juha Kahkonen, continue to
maintain contacts in Ankara. The IMF delegation have met the representatives
from the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, Treasury and State Planning
Organization at 10:00 at the Undersecretariat of Treasury. During the meetings,
mostly the tax revenues, tax administration, institutions with circulating
capital, Public Economic Enterprises (KIT), public financing and debt
administration were discussed. During the meetings held with the IMF officials,
the reflections of developments occurring the previous day on the developments
of yesterday were also taken up. /Turkiye/
[15] MEETING OF DERVIS AND ULUSOY
State Minister Kemal Dervis met with the Chairman of the
Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB), Basaran Ulusoy, and the
accompanying delegation. Ulusoy said the tourism sector would give the greatest
contribution to the Turkish economy and that the government should give the
necessary support to the sector. While leaving the meeting held at the
Undersecretariat of Treasury, Ulusoy said the situation of the tourism sector
had been discussed during the meeting. Ulusoy said Dervis agreed with him in the
sense that the greatest contribution can be provided by the tourism sector to
the Turkish economy. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] DERVIS WARNS BANKERS
State Minister Kemal Dervis held a meeting with the foreign
and Turkish high ranking administrators of the banks yesterday and said,
"The amount of the US dollar was too high the day before. We do not want
the US dollar to increase this much." During the meeting, the latest
situation of the markets was also discussed. Dervis also pointed out the fact
that enough proposals were not extended to the 7-months bond bidding and asked
the reason of it to the bankers. The bankers said the reason of it was the
uncertainty of the markets. Thus, Dervis demanded the common sense of the
bankers. Following this meeting, Dervis met the Undersecretary of Treasury, Faik
Oztrak, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Sureyya Serdengecti. /Milliyet/
[17] BUSH: "WE ARE FOLLOWING TURKEY CLOSELY"
It was stated that the American President George W. Bush had
been closely following the developments in Turkey. Bush held a meeting with some
foreign reporters before the G-Summit to be held in Geneva, Italy and spoke
about various issues, including the economic difficulties. When a journalist
wanted him to evaluate the economic situation in Argentina, Bush said, "I
am worried about the economic situation of Argentina." He added that he was
following the situation in Turkey more closely than Argentina. However, he has
not given any details concerning the issue. /Milliyet/
[18] CHAIRMAN OF THE TIM ELECTED
The 8th Ordinary General Council of the Turkish Exporters
Assembly(TIM) was held yesterday. During the Council, Okan Oguz, who has been
the Chairman of the TIM for six years, has forwarded his duty to the Chairman of
Istanbul's Exporters of Textile and Raw Materials, Oguz Satici. At the end of
the General Council, 222 of 240 delegates have voted and Satici was elected with
128 votes. He said, "Okan Oguz has been the Chairman of the TIM for six
years. We plan to benefit from his experiences." /Turkiye/
ECONOMIC CRISIS ON THE AGENDA OF G-8 SUMMIT
The economic crisis that has occurred in Turkey will be
discussed at the G-8 Summit in Geneva, Italy, tomorrow. "Financial
Times" daily that the risks and difficulties of the US economy's slowing
pace, the fragility of the Argentine and Turkish economies and the inactivity of
the Japanese economy would be discussed at the G-8 meeting. /Cumhuriyet/
[19] TURKISH BONDS GAIN VALUE
Following the resignation of the Turkish Minister of
Communication, Enis Oksuz, the Turkish 30-years-term dollar bonds have increased
by 4.7% and 3.25 points and thus, has reached 72.8% of its nominal value. A
trader from a bank in London, said Oksuz's resignation had created positive
impacts in the markets. He added that Turkey had also been supported by the
developments in the developing countries and added that there was a relief in
Turkey. /Sabah/
[20] CARLSBERG IN TURKEY
Carlsberg Breweries Company, which has previously purchased
47.77% of the Turkish Tuborg, has increased its shares to 50.01% within the
company and thus, entered the Turkish brewery market. Chairman of Bimpas Drink
Group, Ercument Berilgen, said Calsberg has begun sales in Turkey and added that
Carlsberg beers were produced in the Turkish Tuborg factories. He added,
"We have sold 340,000 bottles in two days. Our aim is to have a market
share of 5% in three years." /Milliyet/
[21] LA SCALA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TO STAGE CONCERT IN ISTANBUL
Italian rubber company, Pirelli, will boost the Turkish
business world's morale. Owner and the Chairman of the Executive Board of
Pirelli Company, Marco Tronchetti Provera, will bring the famous Italian La
Scala Philharmonic Orchestra to Istanbul. La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra will
give a concert at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Hall on July 24. Pirelli Company has
been making productions in Turkey for more than 40 years. The Orchestra will
complete its European tour in Istanbul within the framework of the International
Italian Music Festival, Ravenna and will stage the works of Verdi. /Milliyet/
[22] ANDY WARHOL'S EXHIBITION IN ISTANBUL
The exhibition, consisting of the original works of Andy
Warhol, who is interpreted as the most important representative of the American
pop culture, was opened at Yapi Kredi Kazim Taskent Art Gallery in Istanbul the
evening before. Warhol's original works, which take place in the exhibitions
that are held within the framework of the millennium activities of the US, are
insured for 9 million US dollars. /Hurriyet/
[23] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[24] CRISIS OVER TECHNOCRATS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the recent developments
and the suggestions for cabinet of technocrats. A summary of his column is as
follows: "Even the rumors concerning a cabinet of technocrats sufficed to
increase the rate of the dollar to 1.6 million Turkish liras. If, such a guided
cabinet were formed the rate of one US dollar would immediately fly to 2.5
million Turkish liras. With Such a cabinet the rate would increase even higher.
It is gruesome even to joke about it. However, it is believed that the first
reason in the increase in the rate of the dollar was due to the news and even
discussion concerning the advent of a cabinet of technocrats. This rumor first
started circulating in autumn. For a whole year it reached everyone. As the
crisis got deeper, it was widespread. Technocrats come from among high-ranking
civil servants. Great services, close to miracles are expected from them.
However, they are ordinary people, who have not been able to enter politics or
the parliament but seem to know all. People want a Government formed of
representatives supported by two or three capable ministers out of the TGNA at
the most. The terror of technocrats only results in the increase of the rate in
interests and dollars. It would lead Turkey to be excluded from international
democratic institutions. However, we agree with the Government that the crisis
we are going through has helped some to get rich. The insistence of the leaders
to appoint ordinary representatives who do not have any political or legislative
experience as ministers is the basis for writing scripts concerning a cabinet of
technocrats."
[25] DECISION REACHED BY THE SUMMIT: CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT
BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET) Columnist Fikret Bila comments on
the meeting of the Coalition leaders. A summary of his column is as follows:
"During the summit meeting held with the economy bureaucrats following the
resignation of the Minister of Communications Enis Oksuz, the problem was
diagnosed and a primary target was determined. All those attending the summit
agreed on one point and that problem stemmed from a lack of confidence in
politics. They also decided to take steps to establish the confidence in the
public. The State Minister Kemal Dervis, Central Bank Governor Sureyya
Serdengecti, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak and Banking Regulation
Supervision Board Chairman Engin Akcakoca answered the questions of Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz
on the fluctuations in the markets and agreed that the problem was the lack in
the establishment of confidence. Serdengecti, Oztrak and Akcakoca all explained
what they were doing in their relative fields and gave detailed information to
the leaders. State Minister Kemal Dervis briefly summarized the problem and its
solution thus: "There is no economic or financial picture which would
necessitate such fluctuations. The problem stems from a lack of confidence in
politics. If an atmosphere of confidence can be established in the public the
problem will be solved eventually.' The leaders also agreed with this assessment
accepted by the other high-ranking officials. During the summit it was also
decided that Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli
and Mesut Yýlmaz would be more frequently informed by the technical staff in
detail. This decision was reflected in the declaration issued after the
communiqué, as a 'strong coordination is to be established'. During the Summit,
the program targets were also reviewed. In the light of the present data it was
stated that revisions might be made in the program targets. The inflation rate
could be reviewed and more realistic targets could be set. High-ranking
officials stressed the need to continue with the fluctuating exchange rates. It
was not a choice but a necessity to continue with the fluctuating exchange rate.
On the high rate of interests, the solution was pointed out as the establishment
of a confidence atmosphere and strengthening of this trust in the people. It was
also agreed upon to refrain from uttering statements, which would adversely
affect the people's confidence, and be in contrast with the economic program.
The leaders and the Government stated that they firmly stand behind this
program."
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