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Turkish Press Review, 01-07-25Turkish 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 morning25.07.2001CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT: "THERE WILL BE NO SOCIAL CHAOS"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit reacted to the allegations of a possible social chaos by stating that people have confidence in and support for the program. He said, "The Turkish nation is hopeful for the future and believes that the economic program will definitely be successful. That's why the negative reactions of people in Turkey are less and more moderate than the other countries, which face serious economic problems. This shows the Turkish nation's patience and a determined attitude to the program we are trying to pursue." /Cumhuriyet/[02] HARMONIZATION WITH THE EU IN AGRICULTUREMinister of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Husnu Yusuf Gokalp, said that the "Restructuring and Reform Program of Agriculture" aims to harmonize Turkish agriculture with the EU's joint agriculture policy. He added that they would sustain a permanent reform in agriculture with this Program's help. /Cumhuriyet/[03] ANNAN TO MEET DENKTASGeneral Secretary of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan, said he would meet the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, soon. In his statement to the journalists at the center of the United Nations, Annan said he hoped that the meeting to be held with Denktas would be a step in the solution of the Cyprus problem. Annan said he would like the process to go further as soon as possible. Annan has not given any information regarding the date of the meeting. /Turkiye/[04] NEW BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT RECEIVES VOTE OF CONFIDENCEThe coalition government formed by the 2nd Simeon National Movement led by the King Simeon II, and the Rights and Freedom Movement chaired by Ahmet Dogan received the vote of confidence from the Parliament in Bulgaria. Dogan said that they were ready to share the responsibility of administration. /Cumhuriyet/[05] SYRIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER TO ARRIVE IN ANKARASyrian Deputy Foreign Minister Seba Nasir is visiting Ankara for an official visit. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said that Nasir, who is to visit Ankara between July 31 and Aug. 3, will meet with Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal during the meetings between the delegations of the two countries. /Turkish Daily News/AGREEMENT ON SHAHDENIZ PROJECT TO BE SIGNED IN BAKU ON JULY 27 An important step was taken regarding the Shahdeniz project related to the transportation of Azerbaijani natural gas to Turkey. Quoting a senior Energy Ministry official, the report said that a consensus was reached as a result of the negotiations carried out between Azerbaijan and Georgia. The senior official reportedly said that the agreement would be signed on July 27 during the visit by Georgian President Eduard Shevradnadze to Baku, adding that Georgia would take some natural gas according to the agreement. /Turkish Daily News/ [06] WATER BARGAIN CONTINUES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND TURKEYBargaining for the water of Manavgat still continues. The Israel Water Commission director Simon Tal pointed out that this was Israel's biggest water problem ever, and added, "While we were planning to filter water, buying water from Turkey would be an important option if we can negotiate a reasonable price." In a press meeting held in Jerusalem about the lack of water in Israel, it was reported that while Israel was waiting for the results of the transfer of Manavgat water, Israel would like to buy water from Turkey even though the cost would be higher. /Turkish Daily News/[07] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEYGreek Defense Minister Akis Chohacopulos is to come to Ankara to attend the International Defense Industry Aviation and Maritime Fair (IDEF) to be held on Sept. 27-30. During his visit to Ankara, Chohacopulos will also hold several meetings. /Turkish Daily News/[08] PKK TRAFFICKING HUMANS TO EUROPEIt was stated that the PKK terrorist organization was smuggling humans to Italy, France and Greece. According to the confessions of the PKK members, the emigration is directed from an office in Erbil. The PKK members said that they were taking the people, from whom they collected 500 US dollars, from Northern Iraq to Van in trucks. The people, who are delivered to others waiting there, are then taken into the trucks again. In order not to be captured, the trucks resemble the vehicles carrying official materials for camouflage. /Turkiye/[09] BULGARIAN MILITARY DELEGATION IN KIRKLARELIWithin the framework of the "Mutual Border Union Training and Maneuver", which is carried out between Turkey and Bulgaria, a military delegation from Bulgaria came to Turkey to watch the activities of the Bulgarian military training team. The Bulgarian delegation came to Kirklareli on a helicopter and was welcomed by a military ceremony at the 33rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command. The military delegations of the two countries have had their photos taken and planted the tree of friendship. Major General Hayri Kivrikoglu said, "This training and maneuver show that the military borders between the two countries were removed and that there were only the physical borders." /Turkiye/[10] KASIMOV IN TURKEYKazakhstan's Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Alibek Kasimov, visited the Turkish Minister of National Defense, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu at his office. Lieutenant General Alibek Kasimov signed the book of honor at the Ministry of National Defense. Cakmakoglu recalled that there have been very friendly relations between the two countries since1991, during which Kazakhstan has gained her independency. Cakmakoglu added that they would look for a mutual cooperation based on military training and in the field of the defense industry between the two countries. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Alibek Kasimov, praised his Turkish counterpart so much and said the Turkish Armed Forces had very high standards. /Turkiye/[11] IRAQI MINISTER OF PETROLEUM IN ANKARAIraqi Minister of Petroleum, Amir Muhammed Rasid, who is currently in Ankara, said, "Our aim is to increase our trade volume, which was amounting to 3 billion US dollars with Turkey before the Gulf War, through new cooperation. For this purpose, we are ready to open the second gate. State Minister Edip Safder Gaydali said the aim was to increase the trade between Turkey and Iraq. Gaydali made a speech during the opening of the Turco-Iraqi 13th Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting and said, "This meeting and the decisions to be taken here will have important contributions to the commercial and economic relations between the two countries. The trade volume, which amounted to 251 million US dollars in 1996, has increased to 1.2 billion US dollars in the year 2000." Meanwhile, the Iraqi Minister of Petroleum, Amir Muhammed Rasid, said the two countries were the indispensable markers for each other." /Turkiye/[12] DOGAN RESIGNS FROM SPThe Group Acting Chairman of the Contentment Party, Avni Dogan, resigned from his party. The Contentment Party's number of chairs in the Parliament is 49 now. /Hurriyet/[13] TURKEY'S FIRST VIRTUAL UNIVERSITYThe "Information Management" online education program prepared by the Anatolia University will be open for the 2001-2002 academic year. AU Rector Prof. Engin Atac, and Microsoft's Director General to Turkey, Haluk Maga, who supported the program, gave information about the details and regulations for entering the program at the Ceylan Inter Continental Hotel, Istanbul. Prof. Atac said the attendance to the courses would be compulsory. /Cumhuriyet/[14] TREASURY: "EU'S EARTHQUAKE LOANS ARE NOT CANCELLED"The Treasury has announced that the loans to be received from the European Investment Bank and the Mediterranean Development Aid (MEDA) for compensating the losses suffered due to the Marmara Earthquake were not cancelled. The Treasury said, "Euro 450 million will be used for financing new projects and Euro 150 million for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (KOBIs). /Milliyet/[15] NEW EU RESOURCES FOR TURKEYCPS Consultation Company Director General Tulu Gumustekin said, "There are Euro 2.5 billion EU loan which Turkey might use if Turkish private and public sectors can produce proper projects and meet the necessary requirements. We need to inform and educate the entrepreneurs . We have to educate the public, the NGOs and companies as soon as possible. There are two financial resources in the EU. First, the grands and second, the loans which can be received fron the European Investment Bank. Producing proper projects is a compulsion for receiving these loans and grands." /Hurriyet/[16] DEPPLER'S LETTER TO THE "FINANCIAL TIMES"International Monetary Fund's (IMF) First Region Director of Europe, Michael Deppler, has sent a letter to the "Financial Times" daily and answered one of the former high-ranking officials of the World Bank, Professor Oktay Yenal, who has written an article to the "Financial Times" and criticized the IMF's approach towards Turkey. In his letter, Deppler wrote, "The government should convince the markets that it is determined to pursue the Economic Program. In addition, the economic crisis, which has occurred in 1994-5 and 1999-2000 are different from the economic crisis of this year." Concerning the previous economic crisis, which was prepared together with the IMF before, Deppler said, "During the period of 1999-2000, the problems were the payment of debts, the continuation of borrowing, and decreasing the inflation rate. The solution for this was to bring strict limits before the Central Bank loans. This traditional approach was supported and became successful due to the nature of its design. However, the new economic program was established against the inflation rate and the domestic debt, in accordance with the fluctuated foreign currency rate. Due to the problem of debt, the IMF has undertaken a great part of Turkey's increasing domestic debt. This should decrease the pressure on the domestic interest rates and facilitate the continuation of borrowing. The government should give confidence to the markets so the Economic Program can be successful. IMF has released more than 10 billion US dollars of 19 billion US dollars, which it has promised to give since 1999. However, no matter how healthy the analyses are, the policies are strong and the international support is strong, the government should convince the markets that it has a determinacy to pursue the Program." /Turkiye/1.5 BILLION TO BE RECEIVED FROM THE IMF According to the information received, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will have a holiday of two weeks on August 6. It is envisaged that after the delegation, chaired by the IMF's Chief to the Turkish Desk, Juha Kahkonen, completes its investigations in Turkey, the IMF Executive Board meeting will set a date for the third slice of the loan. It is expected that within the framework of the stand-by agreement made with the IMF, the third slice of the loan, amounting to 1.5 billion US dollars, will be approved in the first week of August to be ensured for Turkey. /Turkiye/ [17] IMF DELEGATION TO MEET TUSIADMinister of State responsible for Economy Kemal Dervis, Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak and Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti met with IMF Chief to Turkey Juha Kahkonen yesterday. Meanwhile, IMF Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer, who will visit Turkey, is expected to meet with the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen' Association (TUSIAD). TUSIAD criticizes IMF policies over Turkey stating that they were not successful in recovering the economy. /Cumhuriyet/[18] RECORD DEMAND FOR TREASURY BIDThe positive atmosphere, which emerged after the dialogue initiated by the economy authorities with the banking sector, affected the Treasury bid yesterday. Banks supported the Treasury by their TL 2 quadrillion 626 trillion demand, which was expected to reach only TL 1.5 quadrillion. Markets showed their confidence in the economic program. /Milliyet/[19] YAPI KREDI'S SYNDICATION CREDITYapi Kredi Bank authorized 14 foreign banks for its $200 million syndication credit. Among these banks are Alpha Bank, The Bank of New York, The Bank of Tokio-Mitsubishi, Barclays Capital and Citibank. /Milliyet/[20] OZAYDINLI'S POSITIVE MESSAGETofas Group Chairman of Koc Holding Company, Bulent Ozaydinli, said, "If an atmosphere of confidence is established as soon as possible, you can be certain that Turkey will be in a better situation slowly as of September. The European customers wait for two months to buy a Doblo, which is produced by Tofas and exported to Europe. We have difficulties meeting this demand." Ozaydinli made a speech during the press conference in which the Birmot (United Motor Industry and Commerce Company) was promoted in Koc Holding Company's facilities in Istanbul. Ozaydinli said, "The world's automotive sector is in the process of serious change. The Tofas family also goes along with this change in the rapid process, where the global approach is dominant." /Turkiye/[21] KOCNET BECOMES A MEMBER OF ITUThe KOCNET became a member of the International Telecommunications Union. ITU is an international organization within which governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services. /Hurriyet/[22] FRENCH PARTNER TO MERKO FOODMerko Food (Turkish company) will form a joint venture with the French SIAS MPA S.A. The new firm will be named " Merko Sias Food Industry and Commerce." The initial capital of the firm is Euro 120,000. The joint investment is expected to reach $1 million. /Milliyet/[23] NASREDDIN HODJA AWARDSMiograg Velickovic (Yugoslavia) received the Grand Prize at the 21st International Nasreddin Hodja Cartoon Contest hed by the Cartoonists' Association. Ahmet Ozturklevent (Turkey) is among the cartoonists who received the Award of Success. /Cumhuriyet/[24] LA SCALA'S FRIENDSHIP CONCERTLa Scala Philharmonic Orchestra and La Scala Philharmonic Association Chorus gave a concert yesterday at the Lutfi Kirdar International Congress and Exhibition Palace, Istanbul. They devoted their concert to friendship. /Cumhuriyet/[25] HOLLY ROAD IN ANATOLIA SHOT FOR A DOCUMENTARYThe holly road for the Christians in Anatolia was filmed for a documentary, which is a Turkish-American joint production. The documentary narrates St. Pavlos' travels in the Western Anatolia and the spread of Christianity in Anatolia. The documentary will play a great role in promoting Turkey. /Milliyet/[26] "A STAR IS BORN-TURKISH STARS"The Turkish Air Forces' promotion film titled "A Star is Born-Turkish Stars" has received awards at the international film festivals, organized by the US and Singapore. In a statement issued by the Secretary General of the Air Forces Command, the Air Forces Command has had this film produced at the FIBA Agency and the film, directed by Laurie K. Gilbert, was elected as the "Feature Film" during the Asian Film and Television Awards ceremony held in Singapore. /Turkiye/[27] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[28] A NEW INTIATIVE IN CYPRUS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the new intiative for Cyprus talks. A summary of his column is as follows:" The President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas who was visiting Malaysia stated that he would go to New York to meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to discuss the issue of beginning Cyprus proximity talks. The date of the talks is not known as yet but the UN officials confirm that such a meeting will be held. In fact, issues concerning the main negotiations procedure will be taken up in New York. This is an important development. The sixth round of Cyprus proximity talks was not held, as Kofi Annan brought a project to the negotiation table rejected by the Turkish side. Upon this development Denktas had put forth the condition that for the beginning of negotiations the sovereignty and equality of the two societies should be recognized. This first step for resuming of the talks following a long interval gives hope for the start of a new process. This point was reached consequently due to the diligent efforts exerted by the UN, the US and the EU diplomacies. During the meeting in New York, the style of the negotiation process, its timing and fundamentals will be discussed. If an accord is reached on these points and if the Greek Cypriots accept the UN Secretary General's invitation, the talks can take place in September when UN General Assembly meetings are held. Reportedly, the UN is ready for a new initiative on the Cyprus issue with the contributions of the concerned states. Within this framework, the presence of a new 'paper' is mentioned. This 'paper' includes new ideas, which are different than the ones expressed in the 'no document' presented by Kofi Annan eight months ago. Great care has been taken not to use either the term 'federation' or 'confederation'. In the draft it is stated that the views on the sharing of authority and the status of 'joint institutions' has taken Turkish concerns into consideration. It seems that the central administration is envisaged to a have flexible mechanism far from centralization. A diplomat stated that this would be beneficial to both parties. We hope that this first step will lead to an agreement" [29] WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT SAY? BY YILMAZ OZTUNAColumnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the speech delivered by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at a conference held by the Economic Development Foundation (IKV). A summary of is column is as follows:"President Ahmet Necdet Sezer addressed businessmen at a conference organized by the Economic Development Foundation (IKV) the previous day in Istanbul. His aims were clear. The path Turkey must follow was declared with authority. However, 'jurist style' should be used only in courts. Cankaya is a political office. It was hard to answer the statement delivered in a style far removed from the everyday vocabulary. The President clearly stated that a cabinet of technocrats did not have a place in the Constitution and was against the principles of democracy. He was a little late in expressing this opinion but it was necessary coming from a source with the highest authority. The President defined the European as a road of no return. He stated that the aim was not to be just a member but to reach EU principles. He also added that with an amendment to the Constitution we would take an important step towards meeting the requirements of the EU principles. " Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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