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Turkish Press Review, 01-10-15
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Foreign
Press in Turkey
Turkish
Press Review >>
Press
Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
15.10.2001
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT: A POSSIBLE OPERATION TO IRAQ HARMS TURKEY
[02] CEM: THE IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY AND THE US IN CENTRAL ASIA WILL INCREASE SIMULTANEOUSLY"
[03] TRNC SUPPORTS THE US
[04] CAKMAKOGLU: "WE ARE NOT SENDING TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN FOR A LAND OPERATION"
[05] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENT
[06] TREACHEROUS TRAP TO POLICEMEN
[07] COMCEC TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
[08] BOSTANCIOGLU OFF TO UNESCO'S 31ST GENERAL CONFERENCE
[09] TURKEY'S AIRSPACE TO BE CONTROLLED BY ONE CENTER
[10] EURASIAN ECONOMY SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL
[11] 2002 BUDGET TO BE SUBMITTED BY OCT. 17
[12] DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN DEPT REPAYMENT
[13] FUJITSU SIEMENS
[14] SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET FOR STRAITS' RADAR
[15] POLICE SEEK TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TIES
[16] RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT TO MEET IN ANKARA
[17] EXPECTATIONS FOR WINTER TOURISM SEASON
[18] TURKISH ADVENTURE TEAM
[19] INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BIENNIAL IN TOKYO
[20] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[21] WHY ARE WE HESITATING? BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] ECEVIT: A POSSIBLE OPERATION TO IRAQ HARMS TURKEY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit attended a program on NTV Channel yesterday
and answered questions posed by Murat Akgun. On a possible strike to Iraq,
Ecevit said, "We do not wish an intervention to Iraq, as there are issues
other than terrorism which cannot be solved by occupation in the region. We
have close relations with Iraq, however we support the precautions against
Iraqi disarmament. A strike against Iraq would make it hard to keep her
territorial integrity. Turkey would suffer the most from such a situation."
Ecevit also pointed out that the US had not requested any Turkish troops
for the operation yet. He also noted that the government, President and the
Office of General Staff were working in great harmony. /Turkiye/
[02] CEM: THE IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY AND THE US IN CENTRAL ASIA WILL
INCREASE SIMULTANEOUSLY"
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem evaluated the latest developments in
the world in regard to Turkey's position on TRT 1 yesterday. Stating that
circumstances and balances of power in Central Asia were being re-shaped
nowadays, Cem said Turkey's and the US importance in the region would
increase simultaneously. He added, "We are closely following Russia's
activities in the region. We are determined to launch any initiative
necessary to protect the territorial integrity of Georgia. An agreement
will be signed between Turkey, the US and Georgia in the following days.
Georgia is our door to Central Asia." Cem said they would be ready to
present certain proposals to the European countries soon, on re-defining
terrorism in accordance with the newly emerging conditions after the
September 11th attacks. Recalling that Turkey clearly stated in what ways
she would support the US since September 11, Cem said that certain
countries tended to withdraw their support as the operation continued. Cem
said that the US was satisfied with Turkey's support. He added," It would
harm us to say that Turkey would join the war. We should refrain from such
speculative statements. Tourism is negatively affected by such untrue
statements." /Cumhuriyet/
[03] TRNC SUPPORTS THE US
The government of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has decided to
support the US in combating terrorism. The government announced that the US
could use the airports and airfields in the TRNC, if she requested.
Reacting to the Greek Cypriot Administration's statement announcing that
the US could use the airspace and territorial waters of Cyprus, Turkish
Cypriot officials said that it was the TRNC government who has the right to
take such a decision for the Northern part of the island, not the Greek
Cypriot Administration. /Cumhuriyet/
[04] CAKMAKOGLU: "WE ARE NOT SENDING TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN FOR A LAND
OPERATION"
Attending a political discussion program on CNN Turk, Minister of National
Defense Sabahattin Cakmakoglu evaluated the "Enduring Freedom" operation.
Cakmakoglu said that it was out of question for Turkey to send troops to
Afghanistan. Stating that they did not consider sending troops to
Afghanistan for a possible land operation, Cakmakoglu said, "The US has not
requested such a support from us yet. If she does and the circumstances
contradict Turkish nation's grand interests, we will never send Turkish
troops there. Our priority is to protect our own people." Pointing out that
the war tended to spread to other countries, Cakmakoglu said, "Turkish
Armed Forces are ready for such a possibility." Stating that Turkey could
send troops to Afghanistan not to join a possible land operation but to
train Northern Alliance forces fighting against Taleban Administration,
Cakmakoglu said he believed that the US would continue to fight via the
Northern Alliance forces rather than carrying out a land operation. He
added, "The US has requested intelligence support and to be able to use
Turkish air space so far. Our soldiers who traveled to Florida will help
the American officials on the issues concerning intelligence and
communications." /Cumhuriyet/
[05] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENT
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated that in case Turkey
respects the European Union (EU) principles, Ankara would be considered as
a close friend and would be supported by Athens. Speaking at the 6th
Congress of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement Party (PASOK), Papandreou
talked also about Turkey and Cyprus issues. Stating that they have been
supporting Turkey's European process enabling her to take place in the EU,
which is a society of laws.,Papandreou said that they have been supporting
Turkey in trying to make her closer to a society which respects the
International Court of Justice at the Hague and International law. /Turkish
Daily News/
[06] TREACHEROUS TRAP TO POLICEMEN
A terrorist attack on a patroling police car was made yesterday morning in
Kucukcekmece district of Istanbul. Two policemen, Mustafa Kocak (35) and
Koksal Bulut (42) were killed while, Mustafa Biricik was seriously injured
in the attack. An investigation is underway./Turkiye/
[07] COMCEC TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
The Standing Committee for Commercial and Economic Cooperation (COMCEC) of
the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) will have its 17th meeting in
Istanbul between October 18 and 21, 2001. State Planning Organization (DPT)
issued a statement and said delegations led by ministers responsible for
economic affairs, were invited to the meeting from member countries. Turkey
will be represented at the meeting by a delegation led by State Minister
and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer is
also expected to address the meeting on Oct. 20. /Turkish Daily News/
[08] BOSTANCIOGLU OFF TO UNESCO'S 31ST GENERAL CONFERENCE
Minister of Education Metin Bostancioglu held a press conference before his
departure to Paris for the 31st general conference of UNESCO, saying that
they had started a new review of religious education. He mentioned
UNESCO's conference stating that it would be held between Oct. 15 and Nov.
3 and new strategies would be determined for the years 2002 through 2007.
"Studies will be carried out for the decisions accepted in the World
Education Forum in 2000," he pointed out. "Our aim is to provide basic
education opportunities, including pre-school education, to all social
segments equally. Increasing the quality of education, benefiting from up-
to-date communication technologies and developing literacy among adults are
other major goals." /Turkish News/
[09] TURKEY'S AIRSPACE TO BE CONTROLLED BY ONE CENTER
The State Airfields General Directorate is carrying out studies to provide
better services in airports in Turkey. The authorities said that a new
control center would be established in Ankara to control all Turkish
airspace. Turkey will buy nine new radars to control her air traffic more
safely, and efficiently under the EUROCONTROL standards. The project aims
to provide air traffic control services automatically, which means
operation without human assistance. /Turkish News/
[10] EURASIAN ECONOMY SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL
The Fourth Eurasian Economy Summit will begin on Nov. 8th and will last
three days.. Representatives from 36 countries will attend the Summit to be
organized by the Foundation of Marmara Group. During the meeting regional
issues and ways for a further cooperation will be taken up. /Turkiye/
[11] 2002 BUDGET TO BE SUBMITTED BY OCT. 17
The draft 2002 Budget is to be submitted to Parliament by Oct. 17. The bill
is expected to reach the Plan Budget Committee on Oct. 25. and be reviewed
by the Committee in November according to a time-table yet to be
determined. /Turkish Daily News/
[12] DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN DEPT REPAYMENT
The Treasury will pay some of its foreign debt amounting to 197.8 million
US dollars and domestic debt amounting to 1.1 quadrillion TL this week. The
Treasury will pay 30.7 million US dollars today, 27.7 million US dollars on
Tuesday, 9.8 million dollars on Wednesday, 126.7 million US dollars on
Thursday and 2.8 million US dollars on Friday. /Cumhuriyet/
[13] FUJITSU SIEMENS
Fujitsu Siemens promoted its new production and services during the beer
festival "October Fest 2001" in Ausburg, Germany. The Chief Executive
Officer of Fujitsu Siemens, Paul A. Stodden, said that they were attaching
importance to the Turkish market and that they were closely following the
economic crisis in Turkey. Stodden said before the crisis, the Turkish
market had been a rising value and that it was attracting the attention of
the whole world. He added that Turkey would overcome this crisis in a short
period of time and would become an attractive market again. He further
stated, "As a company, we have confidence in Turkey. In spite of everything,
our perspective concerning Turkey has not changed. Therefore we will
continue our investment in Turkey in spite of the economic crisis."
/Milliyet/
[14] SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET FOR STRAITS' RADAR
The Finance Ministry has approved the Maritime Undersecretariat's request
for a supplementary budget for the sea radar system in the Bosphorus and
Dardanelles straits, Anatolia reported over the weekend. The system will be
installed by Lockheed Martin of the United States and the TL 5 trillion for
the project has been found. Officials stated that if the project is
implemented without any problems, the system will be fully operational in
June 2002. Due to the increase in the US dollar in recent months, the
supplementary budget has reached TL 12 trillion, of which TL 5 trillion has
been received from the Finance Ministry. They indicated that all equipment
for the system will arrive in Turkey this month. The construction of the 15
radar towers is being carried out along the shore of the two straits, and
the entire project will cost some TL 25 trillion. All finances for the
system will be provided by the undersecretariat's budget, and nearly 35
public and private institutions will use the system for safe passage
through the straits. /Turkish News/
[15] POLICE SEEK TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TIES
The Interior Ministry has launched a campaign to develop ties between the
police and the public. A circular issued by Interior Minister Rustu Kazim
Yucelen said improving police ties with the public would be helpful in
preventing crime. "An organization which lacks public support is bound to
fail," said Yucelen's circular, and added, "The most important element in
the fight against crime and criminals is good relations with the public."
Modernization efforts in the Police Directorate are underway to achieve
better relations with the public, the circular said. Yucelen noted that
social, economic and technological developments at the global level
necessitated changes within the police to better handle the tasks it is
facing. "The policy of the General Directorate of Security will be to
accomplish the task of ensuring public security with due regard to people's
well-being and pleasure." /Turkish News/
[16] RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT TO MEET IN ANKARA
The International Red Cross and Kizilay (The Turkish Red Crescent) will
hold a meeting in Ankara on October 18-19, to discuss the latest sitution
in Afghanistan, Anatolia news agency reported over the weekend. According
to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, representatives from 15 countries
will participate in the meeting. Due to the raids on Afghanistan, problems
have increased in Pakistan and Iran because of the refugee crisis. "Our
government is paying great attention to the human element of the problems
in Afghanistan," it said. "The meeting will support and coordinate aid
programs to that country." /Turkish News/
[17] EXPECTATIONS FOR WINTER TOURISM SEASON
After a good summer season, Turkey will have an active winter tourism
season. So much in fact that some European countries have added new flights
to Antalya. Antalya Airport Regional Director Hasan Ozsahin told Anatolia
news agency that many airline companies from Russia, France, Romania and
Italy added additional flights to Antalya. Ozsahin said that the operations
agains Afghanistan would not affect Turkey's tourism very much. /Turkish
News/
[18] TURKISH ADVENTURE TEAM
A team of four will represent Turkey during the "International Eco
Challenge Competition", which is considered to be the hardest contest
throughout the world, and the 7th of which will be held in the New Zeland
this year. The team set off yesterday. The Turkish adventure team,
consisting of Zeynep Atabay, Cemal Gulas, Serdar Kilic and Oguz Omur, held
a press conference in Istanbul the day before. Atabay, who will participate
in the competition for the second time this year, said they were going to
New Zeland to get a good degree. During the competitions that will begin on
October 21, certain stages of mountaineering, rafting, cycling and horse
races will be held. The competitions cover an area of 350 kilometers and 76
teams from 28 countries will participate in them.. /Hurriyet/
[19] INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL BIENNIAL IN TOKYO
The curator of the 7th International Istanbul Biennial, Yuko Hasegawa,
moved a small part of the Biennial, which gathers together 63 artists from
22 countries, to Tokyo. The artists from the Istanbul Biennial, Omer Ali
Kazma, Huseyin Caglayan, Francis Alys, Maja Bayevic, Evgen Bavcar, Chris
Cunningham, David Noonan&Siman Trevaks, Odani Motohiko, Philippe Parreno,
Sone Yutaka, Magnus Wallin, Apichatpong Weersasethakul and Jane&Louise
Wilson had been invited to the exhibition titled "Ego Fugal: From the 7th
International Istanbul Biennial/Ego." /Cumhuriyet/
[20] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[21] WHY ARE WE HESITATING? BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the war against terrorism and the
stance taken by Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
"The war against terrorism will go on for years. It will pass through
various phases. However, it does not seem to be possible to erase
terrorism from the face of the world, just as other crimes against
humanity. Turkey, one of the countries who has paid a high price to
eradicate terrorism is still hesitating. The reasons may be listed as such:
Even though we were subjected to terrorist attacks supported from abroad,
the most important and crucial article of the NATO agreement, Article V was
not invoked despite our repeated calls on the issue. Turkey was the
country who suffered the most, second to Iraq because of the Gulf War. At
the time, she supported Washington openly and sincerely without
hesitation. Egypt's debt amounting to nine billions of dollars were erased
immediately. However, Turkey lost $ 100 billion despite the fact that since
1952 she sincerely defended the free world against the Soviets who were
bent on to take the whole world under the Russian authority. Turkey
maintained the strongest army in Europe. This is one of the reasons why we
have not been able to reach the economic growth seen in countries like
Germany, Italy and Japan. We defended the southeast flank of the European
continent with determination. We could not receive American aid as much as
Egypt, Pakistan or Israel. The Turkish Government could only comprehend the
meaning of the September 11 tragedy a week later and she was not able to
explain the stance Turkey had to take to her people since the most
reasonable explanations coming from the Government would be received with
doubt and reaction due to the economic crisis stemming from the
incapability and clumsiness of the Cabinet. Hesitations on the issue were
largely due to these facts. However, these should be left in the past and
cannot be valid for today."
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