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Turkish Press Review, 01-09-10
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
10.09.01
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this
morning
CONTENTS
[01] TURKISH BASKETBALL TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL IN EUROBASKET 2001
[02] SEZER: "CHILDREN IS THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY"
[03] BAHCELI: "WE CAN OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES"
[04] EU DEMANDS PRESSURE ON DENKTAS
[05] DENKTAS' STATEMENT ON THE PROXIMITY TALKS
[06] BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
[07] TURK ON THE STATE SECURITY COURTS
[08] YUCELEN IN DAMASCUS
[09] SENER'S STATEMENT
[10] CHP CELEBRATES 78TH ANNIVERSARY
[11] MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT VISITS ROMANIA
[12] KAHKONEN TO MEET ORAL
[13] CEM ON THE NEW PERIOD OF POLITICS
[14] PRODI'S STATEMENT
[15] TURKISH-ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS MEET IN YEREVAN
[16] TOURISM MINISTER TASAR IN MALATYA
[17] TASAR: "TOURISM IS OUR HOPE"
[18] TOBB TO CONVENE IN IZMIR
[19] ALPTURK ON AYCELL
[20] TREASURY BIDDING
[21] SUDAN CALLS ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN SUDAN
[22] PROMOTION OF TURKISH ECONOMY
[23] ODTU ECONOMY CONGRESS BEGINS
[24] "TURKISH TOURISM" EXHIBITION IN GERMANY
[25] THE WORLDS OLDEST BOAT
[26] TURKEY COMES FIRST IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES
[27] THE SUCCESS OF TURKISH ROWERS
[28] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[29] A STEP AHEAD IN CYPRUS BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)
[01] TURKISH BASKETBALL TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL IN EUROBASKET 2001
The Turkish National Basketball Team, which rose to final in European
Championship for the first time, was defeated by Yugoslavia in the European
Basketball Championship with a score of 69-78 at the match played in
Istanbul last night and won the silver medal. Spain Basketball Team became
the third defeating Germany 99-90. /All Papers/
[02] SEZER: "CHILDREN IS THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY"
The new scholastic year begins today. Nearly 13 million students and 500,
000 teachers will go to school after a three-month summer holiday. Issuing
a message on the occasion of the beginning of 2001-2002 scholastic year,
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer called on every Turkish citizen to support the
efforts aiming at improving the educational conditions in Turkey. Stating
that the initiatives to improve the educational conditions were investments
in Turkey's future, Sezer said, "Turkish children should be educated as
self-confident, responsible and socially active citizens with great
awareness of universal values. He said that contributing to the efforts
trying to eliminate Turkey's deficiencies in educational infrastructure was
a duty of citizenship. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Speaker Omer Izgi pointed
out that illiteracy constituted an obstacle against the efforts of
modernization. He said, "The better the educational conditions are, the
higher our expectations on Turkey's future can be." He added that they are
determined to educate Turkish youth in accordance with the scientific and
modern principles. Furthermore, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit reminded that
the 8-year Compulsory and uninterrupted education resulted in a
significant increase in the number of the girl students and increased the
level of quality in the educational services. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] BAHCELI: "WE CAN OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES"
Speaking at the "720th Ertugrul Gazi Commemorating Ceremonies" at Sogut
town of Bilecik, Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister Devlet Bahceli
said if the country's potential is used effectively, the economic crisis
will be overcome soon. Stressing Ertugrul Gazi, the father of the founder
of the Ottoman Empire Osman Gazi had played a very important role in
Turkish history, he said, " We should learn lessons from history." State
Ministers Faruk Bal and Suayip Usenmez, Minister of Labor and Social
Security Yasar Okuyan, the Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay, the leader
of the Great Union Party Muhsin Yazicioglu and thousands of citizens
attended the ceremonies. On the otherhand, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit issued messages to mark the Commemorating
Ceremonies. /All papers/
[04] EU DEMANDS PRESSURE ON DENKTAS
Attending the meeting of EU countries' and candidates' Ministers of Foreign
Affairs in Genval (Belgium) yesterday, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said
that the party who does not desire a permanent solution to the Cyprus issue
must be determined very carefully. Cem met with EU Term President Belgium's
Foreign Minister Louis Michel during the breakfast. They discussed the
issues of Cyprus and European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI). During
the meeting, Michel demanded Turkey to put pressure on Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas about returning to the
proximity talks. Michel also requested Turkey to change her attitude on the
ESDI since the EU would not alter its policies over the ESDI. Stating that
EU must be aware of the fact that Greek-Cypriot side did not desire a
permanent solution to the issue, Cem said that it was not correct to insist
on resuming the proximity talks no matter what the conditions may be. He
added that talks should begin with a new understanding and atmosphere. Cem
also drew attention to the determination of the Turkish government on the
foreseen constitutional amendments during the meeting. He also met with his
British counterpart Jack Straw and discussed Turco-EU relations and Cyprus
with him. Holding a press meeting yesterday night, Cem argued that Turkey's
attitude was totally correct on the ESDI. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] DENKTAS' STATEMENT ON THE PROXIMITY TALKS
It was stated that Greek-Cypriot leader Glafkos Clerides would travel to
New York today upon the invitation of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to
resume the proximity talks. Stating that there was no proper platform to
resume the talks, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf
Denktas rejected the invitation to New York. Denktas said he was invited to
a table where an understanding of partnership was absent. Clerides is
expected to meet with Annan on September 12th and representatives of the UN
Security Council's member countries during his visit to New York. Denktas
said that they need to know the conditions and their status before the
meetings but nothing was explained to them. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
The Constitutional Court will debate 21 appeals from President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer and the main opposition True Path Party (DYP) for the cancellation of
certain clauses of various laws on Sept. 12. The Constitutional Court
delegation will carry out its preliminary studies on an appeal made by
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer for the cancellation of an article relating to
"the use of land, and construction projects and procedures" of the
Technology Developing Regions Law. Yet another appeal Sezer made was for
the cancellation of a law to amend the exploitation of immovable property
under the Treasury and Value Added Tax (VAT) Law. The Constitutional Court
will examine an appeal made by the DYP for the cancellation of a regulation
under which Turkish citizens are charged $50 for going abroad, which was
enforced on Aug. 1, 2001. /Turkish News/
[07] TURK ON THE STATE SECURITY COURTS
Following the Chief Justice of the High Court of Appeals, Sami Selcuk's
opening speech of the judicial year, the Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami
Turk, said organized crimes, banking and similar issues did not concern the
State Security Court (SSC). Turk added, "The removal of the SSCs can be
discussed. I think the SSCs can serve as a field of expertness." Turk
answered the questions of journalists during the reception given in the
honor of Karaelmas University in Zonguldak and said, "The SSC's tasks are
about the crimes concerning terrorism and territorial unity and they should
be limited with them. The SSCs have been envisaged by the Constitution. How
can it be claimed that they are against the Constitution?" /Sabah/
[08] YUCELEN IN DAMASCUS
The Minister of the Interior, Rustu Kazim Yucelen, went to Damascus, Syria
yesterday. Yucelen has not answered the questions of the journalists at
Ataturk Airport concerning his visit. It was learned that Yucelen will sign
an agreement of cooperation with the Syrian Minister of the Interior and
exchange opinions regarding the extradition of criminals between the two
countries. /Sabah/
[09] SENER'S STATEMENT
The Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Progress Party (AKP), Abdullatif
Sener, said the parties in power will give a test of sincerity during the
voting of Koray Aydin's resignation from his post as a deputy with the
claim of corruption. Sener said, "If this resignation is not accepted, it
becomes clear that the parties in power, who have given the resignation
petition, are only showing off. If they are sincere, then all the deputies
of the parties in power will accept this resignation." /Sabah/
[10] CHP CELEBRATES 78TH ANNIVERSARY
The Republican People's Party (CHP) celebrated its 78th foundation
anniversary yesterday. On the occasion of the day, party members, headed by
the leader Deniz Baykal visited Ataturk's Mausoleum and laid a wreath.
Baykal emphasized CHP's loyalty to Ataturk, his principles and targets in a
statement he wrote in the Special Notebook. /Turkiye/
[11] MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT VISITS ROMANIA
Minister of Environment Fevzi Aytekin traveled to Bucharest as the official
guest of his Romanian counterpart Aurel Konstantin to sign bilateral
agreements and hold meetings on the protection of environment. Aytekin and
Konstantin were reported to review the current cooperation between Turkey
and Romania on the environmental issues and exchange information on the EU
regulations during the meetings. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] KAHKONEN TO MEET ORAL
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Turkish Desk Chief, Juha Kahkonen,
will meet the Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral, today. During the meeting
the incomes and expenses performance concerning the Budget of the year 2001
will be discussed and preparations concering the Expenses Reform will be
viewed. Kahkonen is also expected to meet the Chairman of the Executive
Board of the Public Banks, Vural Akisik, today. During the contacts to be
held between the IMF delegation and the officials from the Central Bank,
the monetary program implementations, developments in the markets and the
effects of the latest arrangements concerning the taxes will be discussed.
In addition, the "Project for Determining the Administrative Obstacles
before the Investments", which was prepared with the contribution of the
World Bank and the Treasury in order to evaluate the atmosphere of
investment in Turkey, will be promoted to the public today. /Hurriyet/
[13] CEM ON THE NEW PERIOD OF POLITICS
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, said the economic crisis in Turkey
has damaged Turkey's image abroad and this has not affected the principles,
direction and determination of the present foreign policies. Cem said,
"Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor I, have taken any step back
in any issue in the foreign policy during the latest period and this is the
best example of it." Cem delivered statements to the "Hurriyet" daily and
added, "We should enter the process of membership negotiations with the
European Union (EU) in the period 2001-2002. In addition, it is asked if
Turkey and the EU are sincere as far as Turkey's membership is concerned.
This is not sincerity, but a matter of mutual benefits. If the EU had not
seen any benefit in this issue, it would not have made us a candidate of
the EU. Turkey will bring the richness of a different culture and
historical accumulation to the EU. The EU is getting "secular" with
Turkey's membership because it will learn how to blend with a muslim
country. In addition, we follow a policy of balance in the Middle East."
/Hurriyet/
[14] PRODI'S STATEMENT
The Chairman of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, stated that the
Cyprus issue should be solved before the enlargement of the European Union
(EU). This opinion, which was uttered for the first time by a high-ranking
official within the EU, has contradicted the decision taken by the European
Parliament last week. During the press conference held by the EU member and
candidate countries' Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Genval, Belgium, Prodi
answered the questions of the journalists and said, "We should try to reach
a solution." The unofficial meeting of the 28 Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
which was also attended by their Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, started
with a working breakfast between Cem and the Belgian Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Louis Michel. In addition, the issue of the European Security and
Defense Policy was on the agenda. /Hurriyet/
[15] TURKISH-ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS MEET IN YEREVAN
David Hovanissian, a key member of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation
Commission, said on Sunday that Turkey was Armenia's biggest post-
independence foreign policy problem. Hovanissian was talking at the opening
of the second meeting of Turkish, Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists
being held in the Armenian capital that was due to end on Tuesday. The
meeting, which is trying to bring journalists from the three countries
together to contribute to regional peace and stability, opened on Saturday.
/Turkish News/
[16] TOURISM MINISTER TASAR IN MALATYA
The Tourism Minister has said that Turkish tourism will develop with
China's recommendation of Turkey being a country to be visited. At the
opening of a hotel in Malatya, Tasar said that as a result of the bilateral
meetings with China, the Chinese government had decided to recommend Turkey
among the countries to be visited. Adding that Chinese people give more
importance to cultural tourism, Tasar continued: "With visits by Chinese
tourists, Turkish tourism will develop even more. We should make cultural
tourism. We aim to increase Turkey's tourism income above exportation
income." /Turkish Daily News/
[17] TASAR: "TOURISM IS OUR HOPE"
The Minister of Tourism Mustafa Tasar said tourism sector will help the
country to overcome the issues in economy. Stressing 8,147,983 tourists
have visited Turkey in the first eight months of this year, Tasar said 1,
600 million tourists have arrived in Turkey in August only. Adding a very
comprehensive study has been begun to use all potential in tourism sector,
Tasar said, "We will bring an understanding of four seasons-12 months
tourism throughout the country." /Turkiye/
[18] TOBB TO CONVENE IN IZMIR
The Turkish Chambers and Stock Exchanges Union (TOBB) Industry Chambers
Council will convene in Izmir today. The Minister of State for Economy
Kemal Dervis is also expected to attend the meeting to be hosted by Aegean
Region Industry Chamber. Economic issues will be debated at the meeting.
/Turkiye/
[19] ALPTURK ON AYCELL
Turk Telecom's preparations about Aycell, the fourth GSM mobile phone
system in Turkey, are continuing. Aycell will give service to 7 provinces
and 1,5 million people are expected to use Aycell by next April. General
Director of Turk Telecom, Ismail Hakki Alpturk, said the new system, which
will bring inexpensive conversations on the mobile phone and improve the
quality, will serve all Turkey next April. In addition, the preparations
concerning the establishment of the infrastructure of the new system, are
about to be completed. An investment of nearly 300 million US dollars is
envisaged for the infrastructure and base stations of the new mobile phone
system." /Sabah/
[20] TREASURY BIDDING
The Treasury will organize a 105-days term Treasury bond bid tomorrow. The
export date of the bonds to be sold by the Treasury through a bid was
determined as September 12 and the repayment will be made on December 26,
2001. /Sabah/
[21] SUDAN CALLS ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN SUDAN
Sudan, which will soon be petroleum-rich, has called on Turkish businessmen
to invest in Sudan, in what they call, "The country of opportunities."
During the business trip, organized by the Aegean region Chamber of
Industry (EBSO) to Sudan, businessmen from Izmir have found the opportunity
to do business with Sudanese businessmen. At a meeting held by the Sudan
Investment and Industry Ministry, Sudanese Minister of Finance, Abelrahim
Hamdi, talking to the Turkish Daily News, said that they expected Turkish
businessmen to make industrial investments in Sudan: "Turkey is an
experienced country, and we are a new agricultural country. We need
expertise and know-how, but we have begun to launch the infrastructure.
Furthermore we have made some arrangements about investment encouragement
and taxation, but we need more than this. We should inform Turkish
investors that there are big opportunities in Sudan. For that reason EBSO's
visit to Sudan is very important." /Turkish Daily News/
[22] PROMOTION OF TURKISH ECONOMY
Turkey is launching a campaign to promote her economy today. A delegation
consisting of representatives from the Treasury, the Central Bank and the
Banking Supervision and Regulation Board will participate in a road show in
Los Angeles today to inform investors about the Turkish economy. The
delegation will hold other road shows in the finance centers of the US and
Europe until September 20th. /Cumhuriyet/
[23] ODTU ECONOMY CONGRESS BEGINS
The international ODTU (Middle East Technical University) Economy Congress
will begin today in Ankara. Many prominent economists including Federal
Reserve Bank of New York Assistant Governor Kenneth Kuttner, World Bank
Economist William Easterly and famous Marxist theoretician Ricardo
Bellofiore will attend the congress to evaluate the current economic
policies in Turkey. The congress will begin with the conference to be held
by the Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti today. /Cumhuriyet/
[24] "TURKISH TOURISM" EXHIBITION IN GERMANY
With cooperation from the Turkey Researach Center (TAM) and Duisburg Public
High School (Volkshochschule), a photographic exhibition named "Turkish
Tourism" has opened in Duisburg. At the exhibition, photographs by Turkish
Daily News correspondent and Tour News photographic director Halil Tuncer
about Turkish tourism have been exhibited. Volkshochschule Manager Wolfgang
Esch, who made a speech at the opening of the exhibition, stated that the
exhibition showed the beauty of Turkey and wished for the Turkish and
German nations to have close relations. Duisburg Foreigners Assembly
President Niyazi Sahin said in his speech that during the 40th year of
migration, Germans need information about Turks and Turkish tourism, and
that Tuncer exhibited the cultural treasure of Turkey. Tuncer said that his
photos showed the unknown cultural and historical face of Turkey and added
that Turkey should be saved from its "sun and sea country" image. /Turkish
Daily News/
[25] THE WORLDS OLDEST BOAT
In Ödemiş, Izmir, architects Uğur Bengisu and his wife Rose Bengisu have
discovered a boatwreck estimated to be 2600 years old in Gölcük Lake. The
4.5 meter long, 65 cm wide and 1 ton weight boat was brought to the Bodrum
Underwater Archeology Museum. The curator of the museum Oguz Alpözen said:
" The oldest wreck known so far was from the year 1400 BC in Kaş. It was a
merchant ship. The boat that has been found in Gölcük is the world's oldest
fishing boat known so far. It is about 2600 years old and from the Lidian
period. The boat was made of chesnut tree by cartving it." /Hürriyet/
[26] TURKEY COMES FIRST IN MEDITERRANEAN GAMES
Turkey became the first in the 14th Mediterranean Games held in Tunisia,
with 26 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze medales in Weight Lifting, Wrestling,
Boxing and Swimming categories. /All Papers/
[27] THE SUCCESS OF TURKISH ROWERS
As the 27th Balkan Rowing Championship wound down on Saturday, Turkey
paddled its way to two gold, one silver and one bronze medal. /Turkish
News/
[28] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[29] A STEP AHEAD IN CYPRUS BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)
Columnist Derya Sazak comments on the amendments to the Constitution and
the Cyprus poblem. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The TGNA meetings on the amendments to the Constitution which will begin
on 17 September are of great importance as they will influence Brusssels'
report on Turkey to be presented in the Fall. The State Minister
responsible for human rights
Nejat Arseven stated that if the climate of conciliation seen in the
Commission is reflected in the Constitutional Commission, these amendments
will pass through the Turkish Grand National Assembly without having to
resort to a referendum. In answer to the question if there would be an
imposition on Cyprus following the acception of amendments to Constitution,
Arseven said, "I believe it will be beneficial to review the Cyprus issue
by all the sides within the framework of the EU once more. Turkey who wants
to enter the EU, which is ready to abandon national monetary units, the
most important symbol of sovereignty, will review the question rather
differently. I believe an important step taken forward and a solution
reached in Cyprus during the premiership of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
will bear great importance for our Government." An ANAP deputy Arseven's
messages on Cyprus, following the debate Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz
has started are interesting. It is reported that the military has presented
a 26 page report on the amendments to the Constitution to the Prime
Minister. On the other hand new arrangements have to be made on human
rights violations in Turkey. A historical duty awaits the Turkish Grand
National Assembly to increase the prestige of politics.
If Turkey makes amendments to her Constitution she will make a great leap
forward. The path to EU will be opened before us."
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