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Turkish Press Review, 98-09-09
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
09.09.98
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] BAKU SUMMIT
[02] YILMAZ: MEDIATOR IN MIDDLE EAST
[03] TURKISH-ISRAELI RELATIONS
[04] SEZGIN GOES TO LONDON
[05] LOGAN IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA
[06] PRIVATIZATION OF ERDEMIR
[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY IN TURKMENISTAN
[08] HEROIN IN VAN
[09] TURCO-CHINESE RELATIONS
[10] TURKISH PLANT IN GERMANY
[11] $2.3 BILLION FROM TURKISH WORKERS ABROAD
[12] STATEMENT BY OHAL GOVERNOR
[13] TURKEY DENIES GREEK CLAIMS OF AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS
[14] TURKEY, IRAN DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
[15] WORLD BANK GIVES A LOAN OF $11.6 MILLION
[16] PFP OPERATIONS
[17] TANER TO EVALUATE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA
[18] NORMALISATION PROCESS STARTS IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA
[19] MEETING OF TURKISH INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH (TIR)
[20] TURKEY UPGRADES STATUS IN UN INDEX FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
[21] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT APPROVES SALE OF TURKBANK
[22] FOREIGN CONSULTANCIES FOR TURKEY
[23] RABOBANK FOUNDS BRANCH IN ISTANBUL
[24] TAX COURSE STARTS
[01] BAKU SUMMIT
Thirty-two European and Asian countries signed yesterday a
landmark agreement in Azerbaijan's capital of Baku aimed at the
establishment of a vital transportation corridor linking Europe
with the Caucasus and Asia, signaling the revival of the ancient
"Silk Road" from China to Spain. The agreement laid the
foundations for the improvement of land, sea and rail
transportation along the Europe-Caucasia-Asia Corridor (TRACECA).
In addition, four technical addenda on customs implementations
and registration were signed within this major project.
President Suleyman Demirel, accompanied by Foreign Minister
Ismail Cem, represented Turkey at the summit. "Today the Silk
Road is one gain at the international stage bringing new hopes,
opportunities and potentials for peace and welfare for the
nations it connects" Demirel said in his speech at the summit.
Demirel also touched on the issue of the oil pipeline routes to
carry the Caspian oil to the international markets. He emphasized
that the proposed route from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port
of Ceyhan will guarantee the energy security of the region.
Referring to Russia's suggestions that the oil be carried from
its Black Sea port of Novorossisk via the Bosphorus, Demirel said
that Turkey is not against the utilization of the Black Sea, but
the transportation of oil through the Turkish Straits would
endanger the safety of Istanbul and the surrounding environment.
/All papers/
[02] YILMAZ: MEDIATOR IN MIDDLE EAST
Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who met with Palestinian
Leader Yasser Arafat on the last leg of his Middle Eastern tour
for three-days, conveyed a message from Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu to Arafat, saying: "We can achieve peace if we
hold bilateral meetings". Arafat said for his part that they
supported a solution within the framework of a US plan also
boosted by Turkey and added that he did not trust in Netanyahu.
Yilmaz stated that Turkey would make further initiatives for the
establishment of peace in the Middle East and said: "A country,
which supports the PKK terrorist organization in the region, is
Syria". Syria has previously described Yilmaz's visit to Israel
as a "hostile step". "Speaking about hostility, it is Damascus'
support for separatist terrorism that should be brought under a
magnifying glass" Yilmaz said.
Yilmaz and Arafat, who met in the West Bank city of Ramallah,
discussed various issues including Turkey's financial assistance
to Palestine. The two leaders later held a joint press
conference. Yilmaz stressed that the deterioration of the peace
process would harm Palestine. He added that Turkey extended $1
million to Palestine and for the rest of the aid ($49 million), a
delegation headed by Palestinian Planning and International
Relations Minister Nabil Saas will visit Turkey in the upcoming
days and meet with Turkish Eximbank officials. Yilmaz also noted
that three cooperation agreements in environment, sports and
standardization were signed between Turkey and Palestine. Arafat
expressed thanks to Yilmaz for the Turkish unit in El-Halil.
/Hurriyet/
[03] TURKISH-ISRAELI RELATIONS
It was stated that Turkey and Israel would hold the second of
'search and rescue' operations in November and that the
participation of Egypt and Jordan would be sought in the
maneuvers. Israeli Haaretz newspaper stated that the date of
operations has not been set as yet. Maariv newspaper stated that
the Chairman of Jordanian Intelligence Organisation Samih Battihi
went Sunday to Israel to attend the meeting between Jordanian,
Israeli and Turkish officials aiming to establish a strategic
partnership. /Cumhuriyet/
[04] SEZGIN GOES TO LONDON
Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ismet Sezgin went to
London to attend the Farnborough Ineternational Space and
Aviation Fair. In a statement prior to his departure Sezgin said
that Turkey was taking initiatives in all platforms to secure
peace and stability in the Balkans. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] LOGAN IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA
British Ambassador to Ankara David Logan visited Gaziantep
Governor Muammer Guler and received information regarding the
industrial infrastructure of the city. Logan noted that the
Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP) was one of the most attractive
projects in the world and said: "Turkish-British relations are
further developing year by year. Turkey is one of the most
important 10 markets for Britain and the trade volume between
Turkey and Britain totals $5 billion. /Hurriyet/
[06] PRIVATIZATION OF ERDEMIR
The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) will hold a roadshow
for the privatization of a part of the 51.66 % public share in
the Erdemir Eregli Iron-Steel Factories Corp. at the end of
October 1998, the Anatolia news agency reports. The OIB officials
said the iron-steel sector gained an important position following
the crisis in Russia, stressing that the markets will play a
determinative role in the privatization of Erdemir.
[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY IN TURKMENISTAN
Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Mehmet Ali
Irtemcelik, who is visiting the Turkish-speaking republics in
Central Asia, arrived in Turkmenistan yesterday. Irtemcelik, who
was received by Head of State Saparmurat Turkmenbasi, conveyed a
special message from President Suleyman Demirel regarding
Afghanistan. Irtemcelik also conveyed an invitation letter from
Demirel to Turkmenbasi to attend celebrations of the 75th
anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Completing his visits to
Turkish-speaking republics, Irtemcelik left Turkmenistan
yesterday, the Anatolia news agency reported.
[08] HEROIN IN VAN
It is reported that 4.1 kilograms of heroin have been seized in
the Gevas district of Van. The market value of the heroin totals
TL 20 billion. Officials noted that investigations to the
incident are continuing, the Anatolia news agency reports.
[09] TURCO-CHINESE RELATIONS
Parliament Speaker Hikmet Cetin yesterday received administrators
and members of the Turkish-Chinese Women Friendship and Culture
Association. Cetin said that there were many similarities between
Turkey and China even though they are far to each other. He noted
that the relations between the two countries were not sufficient
and everyone should exert efforts for the development of these
relations, the Anatolia news agency reported yesterday.
[10] TURKISH PLANT IN GERMANY
A Turkish company, TIRSAN, which has been producing trailers,
gasoline trucks and frigorific vehicles for 20 years, started
production in a plant opened in the Goch city of Germany within
the framework of cooperation and advisory services. The company,
which has a DM 3.400 million capital, plans to produce 500
trailers every year and sell them within the European Union (EU)
countries. /Hurriyet/
[11] $2.3 BILLION FROM TURKISH WORKERS ABROAD
During the January-June period of this year, foreign exchanges
sent by Turkish workers abroad totalled $2.290 billion. According
to Central Bank data, foreign exchanges sent by these workers
amounted to $348 million in January, $285 million in February,
$410 million in March, $342 million in April, $424 million in May
and $481 miilion in June. /Hurriyet/
[12] STATEMENT BY OHAL GOVERNOR
Governor of the Emergency Rule Region (OHAL) Aydin Arslan has
said that terrorism is not the primary problem in the region,
anymore. Arslan stated that terrorism has been reduced by 40 %
and that the people in the region are dealing with their own
problems. Briefing reporters in his office yesterday, Arslan
stressed that last year alone 237 soldiers from the security
forces died and 1,412 terrorists were killed. He said that the
reason why the PKK terrorist organization declared a cease-fire,
is because it needs time to reorganize and rearm itself. /All
papers/
[13] TURKEY DENIES GREEK CLAIMS OF AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS
Ankara denied yesterday allegations by Greece that Turkish
military aircraft had repeatedly violated its national airspace
and areas controlled by Greek civil aviation authorities. "The
allegations are totally untrue. The Turkish Air Force is carrying
out routine activities within international airspace" Turkish
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sermet Atacanli said. /All papers/
[14] TURKEY, IRAN DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
The Turkish-Iranian joint transportation committee gathered in
Ankara yesterday with the transportation ministers of each
country participating. Transportation Minister Arif Ahmet
Denizolgun and his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Hodjati, are
co-chairing the committee talks, during which a number of
bilateral problems have been addressed. The meetings will
continue until September 10.
In addition, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will be going to Tehran
next week to meet with his counterpart, Kamal Kharazzi, and will
probably be received by Iranian President Mohammad Khatemi. /All
papers/
[15] WORLD BANK GIVES A LOAN OF $11.6 MILLION
Cemal Ayman, the Governor of Karabuk, said yesterday that the
World Bank has provided a loan of $11.6 million in order to meet
the damage caused by the flood waters, the Anatolia news agency
reports.
[16] PFP OPERATIONS
The first Partnership For Peace (PFP) Operation which will be
held in Macedonia in order to protect peace within the framework
of PFP countries will start on September 10, the Anatolia news
agency reports. "Cooperative Best Effort-98" is the first of the
three operations that will be hosted by Turkey, Macedonia,
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
[17] TANER TO EVALUATE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN RUSSIA
The economic crisis in Russia will be discussed at a meeting
organized by the Turkish and Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) Business Councils in Istanbul on September 10, the Anatolia
news agency reports. The Foreign Economic Relations Committee
stated that the meeting will focus on the influences of the
deepening economic crisis in Russia and the necessary measures to
be taken in response to the crisis. State Minister Gunes Taner
will give information to the businessmen about the crisis and the
measures at the meeting.
[18] NORMALISATION PROCESS STARTS IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA
Reporters from the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, who
are preparing a report on the implementation of human rights in
Turkey yesterday started their meetings in Diyarbakir. Reporters
Andras Barsony and Walter Schwimmer said that normalisation
process on human rights and democratisation had started in
southeast Anatolia. The reporters who passed on to Diyarbakir
following their meetings in Ankara and Istanbul met with the
Governor of the State of Emergency Region and the Chairman of the
Diyarbakir Bar. Schwimmer said that their aim was to see and
observe the implementation of human rights, democracy and
supremacy of law principles in Turkey. He added that their first
impression was that the normalisation process had started on
these issues. /Cumhuriyet/
[19] MEETING OF TURKISH INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH (TIR)
Upon the invitation of Turkish Institute of Research,
representatives from the embassies of the countries sending
immigrant workers to Germany have met in Bonn with the officials
of the organisation. The officials including representatives from
Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Poland and Tunisia decided to
increase the dialogue among themselves in solving the problems of
immigrants living in the Rhine-Westphalia region. Director of
(TIR) Faruk Sen said that the meeting had been very productive.
/Cumhuriyet/
[20] TURKEY UPGRADES STATUS IN UN INDEX FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
An index published annually by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), covering economic, social, educational and
health data, shows that Turkey is gradually upgrading her status
every year. Turkey which was 74th on the list last year, placed
69th this year. Turkey which stands above average regarding life
span and national income per capita is below average on literacy.
/Cumhuriyet/
[21] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT APPROVES SALE OF TURKBANK
The Treasury Undersecretariat has approved the sale of the
Turkish Trade Bank (Turk Ticaret Bankasi), a state-owned bank, to
Korkmaz Yigit, who made the highest bid in a tender put out on
August 4. The Competition Council had also approved the sale
saying that it would give no harm to the sector with regard to
competition. /Sabah/
[22] FOREIGN CONSULTANCIES FOR TURKEY
The Treasury Undersecretariat announced that it had given
authority to Salomon Smith Barney and Chase Manhattan,
international finance organizations, to observe markets for
foreign borrowing of Turkey. According to a written statement by
the secretariat, the two consultancies will hold a series of
meetings for investors in the US and England on behalf of Turkey.
/Sabah/
[23] RABOBANK FOUNDS BRANCH IN ISTANBUL
Rabobank, a leading Dutch bank active in the sectors of food,
insurance and health, will open a branch in Istanbul. /Milliyet/
[24] TAX COURSE STARTS
The tax course on "Transfer Pricing" organized together by the
Ministry of Finance and the OECD started on Monday in Ankara. A
total of 25 experts from 11 countries are attending the course,
which was organized by the Tax Education Centre aimed at
providing technical assistance to some European and Asian
countries and to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
which declared their independence following the collapse of the
former Soviet Union in their period of transition to a market
economy. The tax course will continue until September 11, the
Anatolia news agency reports.
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