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Turkish Press Review, 01-12-21

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

<LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <map name="FPMap1"> <_map> Press &amp; Information Turkish Press Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt; Foreign Press Guide Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

21.12.2001


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY TO TAKE OVER COMMAND OF PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN
  • [02] ECEVIT: "THE TURKISH MODEL COULD SAVE AFGHANISTAN"
  • [03] COALITION LEADERS TO MEET, DISCUSS LAEKEN AND HARMONIZATION
  • [04] WHITE HOUSE: "ECEVIT'S VISIT IS AN IMPORTANCE OPPORTUNITY"
  • [05] KAMRAN INAN: "ECEVIT'S VISIT TO THE US IS THE EVENT OF THE NEW YEAR"
  • [06] TURKEY LIFTS EMBARGO ON FRANCE
  • [07] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN TELLS OF RECENT GERMANY VISIT
  • [08] US JEWS ASK GOVERNMENT TO BOLSTER SUPPORT FOR TURKEY
  • [09] DENKTAS TO VISIT CLERIDES NEXT WEEK
  • [10] DEMIREL HAILS LAEKEN SUMMIT
  • [11] DERVIS: "ECONOMIC CRISIS CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFORMS IN TURKEY"
  • [12] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: "NO RETREAT FROM THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM"
  • [13] IMF OFFICIAL: "TURKEY IS GOING THE RIGHT WAY"
  • [14] ENERGY AGENCY CALLS FOR NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES
  • [15] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [16] TURKEY AND ARGENTINA BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
  • [17] LET'S LEARN ANEW BY MEHMET Y. YILMAZ (MILLIYET)

  • [01] TURKEY TO TAKE OVER COMMAND OF PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN

    Turkey is stepping into the forefront of the international stage concerning Afghanistan, as the focus of discussions moves towards peacekeeping and nation-building in that country. During recent meetings in London between the representatives of 21 countries which supported the US operation in Afghanistan, it was decided that Turkey would take over the command of international peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan after a space of three months. Great Britain will lead the force, before handing over control to Turkey and Turkey had indicated previously that it would be willing to lead the international force. Turkish troops to be sent to Afghanistan will be responsible for delivering humanitarian aid as well as maintaining peace and security in the region. British and Turkish troops to be deployed in Afghanistan will be self-sufficient and qualified to carry out a range of operations. Turkey's proposal that a Turkish general would be in charge at the central headquarter of the international peacekeeping force was also approved at the recent London meeting. The international peacekeeping force will work in coordination with the US military headquarter in Afghanistan. /Cumhuriyet/

    [02] ECEVIT: "THE TURKISH MODEL COULD SAVE AFGHANISTAN"

    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told reporters yesterday that since Turkey is the best model for Afghanistan, it should certainly play an important role in the establishment of the new Afghan regime and its army. "There is no national army in Afghanistan, there are only various armies clashing with one another," he stated. Turkish soldiers could train the Afghan army, Ecevit added, because Turkey is a Islamic state and it, values its army highly, and a state cannot be established without an army. Turkey would be the best model for an secular Afghan state, he remarked, adding that Turkey was better suited to solve Afghanistan's problem of reactionary extremists than Christian nation. Addressing Turkey's current economic crisis Ecevit stated that "the improvement in our inflation, interest and foreign exchange rates are important signs that Turkey has overcome its crisis." /Sabah/

    [03] COALITION LEADERS TO MEET, DISCUSS LAEKEN AND HARMONIZATION

    In the wake of the EU's Laeken meeting, the leaders of the coalition government will meet on Monday to evaluate the summit and to take up constitutional amendments to harmonize Turkey's laws with those of the EU. The leaders will also discuss on Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the US scheduled for mid-January. Meanwhile, a package regarding harmonization laws, prepared by the Secretariat General for European Affairs and finalized by the Justice Ministry, has been sent to the Prime Ministry. /Hurriyet/

    [04] WHITE HOUSE: "ECEVIT'S VISIT IS AN IMPORTANCE OPPORTUNITY"

    The US White House yesterday released an official statement on Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the US scheduled for the New Year. Stating that President George W. Bush and Ecevit would meet on Jan.16, the statement went on to say that the main items on the agenda would be the fight against terrorism, Afghanistan, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Cyprus, NATO, the European Union, the Balkans and implementation of economic reforms in Turkey. The statement concluded that the meeting would be a good opportunity to deepen and strengthen cooperation between the two countries. /Turkiye/

    [05] KAMRAN INAN: "ECEVIT'S VISIT TO THE US IS THE EVENT OF THE NEW YEAR"

    Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Kamran Inan yesterday characterized Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the US next month at the invitation of the US President George W. Bush as "the most important diplomatic event of the New Year." Regarding recent developments in the Middle East, Inan said at a press conference that Israeli-Palestinian clashes had reached a level which could jeopardize peace in the entire region. Commenting on signs that the conflict in Afghanistan could end in the near future, he stated, "I hope that peace and prosperity may come to this country, which has been at war for 20 years." Pointing to the importance of Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's recent visit to Afghanistan, Inan also voiced his concerns over recent disputes between Pakistan and India. /Turkiye/

    [06] TURKEY LIFTS EMBARGO ON FRANCE

    With a decision to award a government contract to a French firm, Turkey has officially lifted its embargo on military relations with France, a measure which was taken in wake of the French Parliament's passage this January of a law recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide. The French firm won $350 million bid on the purchase of equipment for naval police planes. Following the passage of the controversial law, the Turkish General Staff had cancelled mutual military visits, as well as contracts for a military observation satellite and F-16 projects which had been entered into with French companies. /Turkiye/

    [07] INTERIOR MINISTER YUCELEN TELLS OF RECENT GERMANY VISIT

    Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen gave a press conference yesterday briefing reporters on his recent visit to Germany. Yucelen remarked that Turkey no longer had any problems concerning the death penalty or violations of human rights. The minister stated that he had presented to German officials, a list of the names of 155 suspected terrorists. "The extradition of those 155 suspects is of great importance to Turkey," remarked Yucelen. He said that German Interior Minister Otto Schilly was scheduled to visit Turkey next spring and added that an agreement on bilateral security cooperation was expected to be signed during that visit. Stating that the main issue addressed during his recent meetings was the possibility of extraditing Union of Islamic Communities leader Metin Kaplan, Yucelen said, "German officials told me that they were seeking official assurances from Turkey that Kaplan wouldn't face the death penalty if handed over. I'll convey these views to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and other members of the government." /Cumhuriyet/

    [08] US JEWS ASK GOVERNMENT TO BOLSTER SUPPORT FOR TURKEY

    Nine Jewish-American groups yesterday released an open letter calling on US President George W. Bush to give additional economic support to Turkey. In light of Turkey's recent economic woes, the letter said this support might be in the form of erasing debts, granting trade privileges or forwarding new IMF loans. It added, "The Jewish-American community believes that it is time to consider furnishing Turkey with additional support." /Turkiye/

    [09] DENKTAS TO VISIT CLERIDES NEXT WEEK

    Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas is set to visit Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides as a guest next week, making it his first foray into Greek Cyprus in over 26 years. Greek Cypriot spokesman Mihailis Papapetru said yesterday that the exact date of the lunch has not yet been fixed but that it would probably be on Dec. 27 or 28. Denktas said that he has yet to receive his counterpart's invitation. /Hürriyet/

    [10] DEMIREL HAILS LAEKEN SUMMIT

    Former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel remarked yesterday that Turkey's admittance to the European Union would be a historic turning point. "Turkey wants to be a EU member because it wants to be a European country," said Demirel. He stated that the Laeken summit had paved the way to positive new developments and had brightened the future for European Union and Turkey alike. /Cumhuriyet/

    [11] DERVIS: "ECONOMIC CRISIS CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFORMS IN TURKEY"

    State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis said yesterday at the Monaco World Summit that Turkey's economic crisis had created opportunities for reforms in Turkey. After the Sept. 11 attacks Turkey took up the role of a bridge between different cultures, but to play this role Turkey needs to have a strong economy, Dervis added. Dervis remarked that for its economic program to be successful Turkey needs to fully enact the budget program that it recently passed. Turkey has to adopt the criteria of the International Monetary Fund in order to win support back for its economy, the minister stressed. /Hürriyet/

    [12] FINANCE MINISTER ORAL: "NO RETREAT FROM THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM"

    Finance Minister Sumer Oral stated yesterday that since Turkey was pursuing a consistent and highly credible economic program, there was no need to make concessions from its 2002 monetary policies. "We are planning to simplify our tax system to be able to meet European Union criteria," said Oral. "Through using new Internet technology, we will be able to wage a more effective war against tax evasion." /Cumhuriyet/

    [13] IMF OFFICIAL: "TURKEY IS GOING THE RIGHT WAY"

    International Monetary Fund spokesman Conny Lotze said yesterday that Turkey was heading in the right direction towards solving its economic crisis. The Turkish government is carrying out the economic program correctly, Lotze remarked. Lotze added that the situation of Turkey was quite different from that of the beleaguered Argentina. /Hürriyet/

    [14] ENERGY AGENCY CALLS FOR NEW CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES

    Robert Priddle, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), has stated that the IEA wants the Turkish government to take further confidence-building measures to boost the morale and confidence of foreign investors. Priddle and Turkish Energy Minister Zeki Cakan held a joint press conference yesterday to unveil a new IEA report on Turkey. Priddle remarked that the IEA viewed Turkey as a country which has a high level of energy demand, with recent annual increases of 8% and added that Turkey should launch new initiatives to attract more foreign investors. /Cumhuriyet/

    [15] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [16] TURKEY AND ARGENTINA BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Fikret Bila writes on the economic crisis in Argentina and compares its economic situation to Turkey's. A summary of his column is as follows: "The collapse in the Argentinian economy has turned into a social and political crisis. People rushed to the streets and looting began. Now Argentina has hit rock bottom. Turkey and Argentina had been like twins; they were both countries implementing IMF programs and also being closely monitored on world markets. But now while Argentina is being dragged into social and political collapse, Turkey is entering the New Year with new signs that it is emerging from its own crisis. Certainly, there are great differences between the economies, administrations and customs of the two countries. The power and capacities of these two economies have differences as well. In these respects Turkey is much stronger. In Argentina the rejection of its loan demands and the cutting of ties with the IMF has played an important role in the collapse of its economy. Many important measures including restructuring, and enhancing the banking sector have bolstered the confidence in Turkey. The determined stand, and firm will displayed by Turkey have also played an important role in preventing Turkey's fall in international markets. The increasing share of Turkey's geopolitical importance post-Sept. 11 and its correct policy pursued in the developments vis-a-vis Afghanistan cannot be denied. These are two points in Turkey's advantage, and it must use them in the best way possible. There are two important lessons to be learnt from the Argentinian experience. First, there will always be a breaking point if the savage rules of capitalism are implemented ruthlessly. Second, the economy should not be left entirely in the hands of foreign aid and loans. Turkey must enter the New Year with these two facts in mind. Because, as we know, a lasting economic recovery cannot be sustained on the shoulders of Turkey's geopolitical importance alone."

    [17] LET'S LEARN ANEW BY MEHMET Y. YILMAZ (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Mehmet Yilmaz writes on Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's recent ambitious remark that the government would 'teach the world the facts about Cyprus' from Turkey's point of view. A summary of his column is as follows: "Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has issued an ambitious statement regarding Turkey's initiatives on Cyprus saying that Turkey would teach the world new facts and erase old judgments. In fact, recent developments seen in Europe on Cyprus seem to confirm this statement. It is important to comprehend the changing world conditions and balances in time, erasing the old prejudices created by former policies and adopting a stance in line with the new situation. When all is considered, not only Europe but also others will also have to learn certain lessons. In order to convince one's counterpart, one has to learn the facts of the issue and believe in them. One must be able to form a new policy in line with the new situation, to relate it, and bring one's opponents over one's side. For example, Cyprus should not be compared with Crete. The developments which led to the deportation of Turks from Crete must not be confused with today's events. Turks must see that in a new constitutional order to be shaped by the Copenhagen criteria within the European Union, the Greek Cypriots will not be able to act as they did before. It should be known that national interests cannot be protected by quarreling with all neighboring countries. Therefore, supported by the confidence given by the country's military power, peace talks must be conducted. As the Greek Cypriots have based their policy on the intransigence of the Turkish side, the negotiations must be continued taking this card out of their hands. On Iraq, new policies must be pursued. Saddam should not be seen as the sole guarantor of Iraq's territorial integrity. The international community must give the guarantees on the issue. Turkey should defend free and democratic Iraq, not Saddam's .When the economic embargoes and sanctions are lifted Turkey will be one of Iraq's most important trade partners. It should be recalled that the reason why trade with Iraq has slowed to a trickle is the aggresiveness of Saddam and his presence in Baghdad. The Copenhagen criteria, must be reavaluated and it must be understood that Turkish creative power can be seen more clearly in a more democatic climate. It is our belief that Turks will not be satisfied with a lesser democracy than those in Western European countries. In fact, no one would be dissatisfied by a country where there are broad democatic and legal rights and which is a part of a free Europe."

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