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Turkish Press Review, 99-07-23Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>23.07.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] ECONOMIC PACKAGE UNVEILEDPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit, in a press conference he held, has announced a package of measures aimed at relieving the economy. Among the measures taken are the provision of fresh resources for the country's Eximbank; 210 trillion Turkish liras were being provided under the 1999 budget, while another $1.3 billion will also be added to Eximbank funds from other sources. Companies delaying debt repayment will get 50% additional credit in comparison to the 20% they obtained previously. The grace period at maturity will be extended from 30 days to 60 and the term for the renewal of loans has been raised from three to five years. The Prime Minister also stated that the Treasury would provide 100 trillion Turkish lira government bonds to state banks to make up the losses they incurred due to subsidized loans. The levy imposed on consumer loans provided by banks will be cut to three percent from eight percent. Another measure taken was the increase of the term recognized for foreign loans to 18 months from 12 months.The changes in the tax laws can be explained thus: a three-year delay in the assessment of incomes based on expenditure and savings; a cut in the temporary corporate taxes to 20% from 30% and a move to half-yearly payments from quarterly as of 2000. Furthermore,the taxing of the deposit accounts and repo incomes will be made at source. As for real estate tax, those who wish could give new statements and attempts will be made to eliminate procedural injustices. The real estate tax will be collected with the environment tax. In the taxation of intellectual property rights, stoppage will be considered final. /All papers/ [03] FISCHER IN TURKEYVisiting German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer yesterday reaffirmed Germany's support for Turkey's EU membership bid and, hinting at what Ankara should work on most in order to increase its chances, emphasized that human rights is the most significant common value of the Union. "We support Turkey's full membership of the EU and we will make every effort to overcome the existing obstructions", Fischer said.Fischer's visit is the first by a high-level German official since 1997, when Turkey was excluded from the list of full membership candidates at the EU Summit in Luxembourg. In his meeting with Human Rights Association (IHD) leader Husnu Ondul, Human Rights Foundation (IHV) leader Yavuz Onen and the Head of the Association for Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed People (MAZLUM-DER), Yilmaz Ensarioglu, Fischer discussed the present state of human rights in Turkey. Fischer's official programme included talks with President Suleyman Demirel, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, who holds both the EU and Human Rights portfolios, and Kamran Inan, the Head of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs' Commission. In remarks to reporters at a reception held in his honour in the German Embassy, Fischer commented on an array of issues including suggestions that the ultimate fate of the head of the PKK terrorist organization Abdullah Ocalan will have a considerable impact on the EU's stance towards Turkey at its upcoming Summit in Helsinki. He said that the issue would not be of great significance since the judicial procedures regarding the death sentence passed on Ocalan were still continuing and they would not be finalized before December when the Helsinki Summit will take place. He added: "The fact that Turkey has not carried out the death penalty since 1984 is really significant. This is a very good tradition and I hope it will continue". /All papers/ [04] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL CONVENES IN ISTANBULThe National Security Council is implementing its usual meeting of the mount today, headed by President Suleyman Demirel in Istanbul. The meeting will be held in the War Academies Command Centre and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, the Chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, State Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, Deputy Prime Minister and the Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer, National Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan, Army Commander General Atilla Ates, Navy Commander Admiral Salim Dervisoglu, Air Force Commander General Ilhan Kilic, Gendarme General Commander General Rasim Betir, the General Secretary of the National Security Council General Ergin Celasin, the Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Korkmaz Haktanir, MIT Undersecretary Senkal Atasagun, Deputy General Director of Security Turan Genc and Emergency Rule Region Governor Aydın Arslan, are to participate in the meeting. /Turkiye/[05] RECEP ONAL NAMED AS NEW ECONOMY MINISTERDemocratic Left Party (DSP) Bursa Deputy Recep Onal has been appointed the State Minister responsible for the economy, replacing Hikmet Ulugbay, who attempted suicide and whose resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on Wednesday. Onal's appointment was announced in Parliament yesterday afternoon and published in the Official Gazette. /All papers/[06] GERMANY: "SOSYAL RECEIVED REFUGEE AID"It is reported that one of the leading figures of the PKK terrorist organization, Cevat Soysal, who was captured two days ago in Moldovia, has received refugee aid since 1998. Meanwhile, Monchengladbach City Administration declared that Soysal came to Oberhausen city on 16 June 1997 and had the status of 'refugee' since his political asylum request was accepted on 28 February 1995. It was also declared that he had been given the right to travel freely until the year 2008, in line with Article 28 of the Geneva Convention, by the Monchengladbach Foreign Affairs' Department. /Milliyet/[07] FOREIGN PRESS PRAISES MITThe European press has praised the Turkish National Intelligence Service (MIT) which brought the PKK's number two man in Europe, Cevat Soysal, to Turkey. Greek newspapers said that MIT has achieved a level even envied by MOSSAD, the Israeli Intelligence Service, which is one of the best in the world.France- Le Figaro: Soysal's capture has also been confirmed by the PKK. Soysal's capture shows similarities to Ocalan's capture. Turkey is increasing its operations against the PKK also in Southeastern Anatolia and Northern Iraq. Germany- Die Welt: Soysal casts a shadow on Fischer's visit to Turkey. Kolner Express also devoted wide coverage to Soysal's capture. Greece- Eksusia: Soysal's capture is a new blow to the PKK. The newspaper claimed that MIT had cooperated with the US, Israeli and German intelligence services. Italy- La Stampa: The German passport owned by Soysal made Germany ashamed. Corriere della Sera: The newspaper claimed that Moldova had delivered Soysal to Turkey. Il Giornale: The Turkish Intelligence Service which captured Ocalan five months ago has announced the capture of another PKK figure as a victory. Britain- The Times: The newspaper also outlined the similarities between Ocalan's and Soysal's capture. It also pointed out that Abdullah Ocalan and his brother, Osman Ocalan, held different points of views concerning the PKK terrorist organization. The Guardian: The newspaper said that Ocalan has confssed that Soysal has been a PKK supporter for many years. /Aksam/ [08] ANKARA DGM TO TRY SOYSALIt is reported that the PKK's number two man in Europe, Cevat Soysal, will be tried by Ankara's State Security Court (DGM). Soysal will be tried according to Articles 138/1 and 125 of the Turkish Penal Code. /Aksam_[09] NEW PAGE IN TURCO-GERMAN RELATIONSCompleting his round of talks in Ankara, German Foreign Minister Joscka Fischer with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem held a joint press conference. In his statement during the conference Fischer said he hoped a new page would be opened in Turco-German relations. He stressed that there was no pre-condition imposed on Turkey to meet in order to obtain a positive result from the Helsinki Summit. Fischer was also very careful not use the expression "Kurds" but instead he "Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin". He stated Germany always accepted that Turkey should fight terrorism within the guidelines of the Law. /Milliyet/[10] MARKETS WILL BE MORE ACTIVEIndustrialists and bankers welcomed the economic package announced yesterday by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. The Chairman of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) said that they were very optimistic about the package. He added, "The package of economic measures will awaken the domestic market and support the competition power of industrialists in foreign markets. The Turkish business world expect that the package will be put into effect without delay. The new measures are expected to decrease the negative effects of the economic crisis on the domestic market." The Chairman of the Istanbul Industrialists' Chamber, (ISO) Husamettin Kavi, said for his part that the economic measures declared by the Prime Minister would bring new opportunities for exports. And also, he added, it would bring relief to the Turkish economy.The Chairman of ETIBANK, Zeki Unal, said with the new measures the competitive power of the exporting companies would be increased. He stated, "The incentive rates will be decreased to 3% from 8 %. This will a very positive step in order to awaken domestic markets. Another very pleasing development is Recep Onal's appointment as the new State Minister responsible for the Economy. Onal has a thorough knowledge and extensive experience of Banking and Capital Markets. We believe that he will be very successful in solving the present problems of the Turkish economy." /Sabah/ [11] 'GERMANY IS BASE FOR TERRORISM'One of the leading newspapers in Germany, "Die Welt", claimed that Germany had become a base for terrorism as a result of its misguided policies. After the PKK terrorist Cevat Soysal was captured in Monchangladbach in Germany, the German media reported that their country played host to terrorist organizations including the PKK. An article entitled "Action Base Germany" by Guido Heinen in "Die Welt" claimed that as a result of policies that Germany has followed for years, it has become the base of the international terrorist organizations. Concerning Sosyal's capture the article said: "In considering this incident the most important thing is that a terrorist feels he is trusted due to having official documents which were given to him by German authorities in his possession. It is a shame that there are suspicions among international circles that terrorists can find a secular area for themselves in which to move in Germany." The same article claimed that PKK terrorists, who would like to change the regime in their country can easily conduct their activities in Germany, were nothing to do with the concept of democracy in Germany. /Sabah/[12] ECEVIT: "OPERATION WAS 100 % TURKISH"Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Moldovia was disturbed the their name had been put forward concerning the Soysal issue but everyone should know that no other country or institution had played a role in his capture. The operation had been the supreme achievemtn of the Turkish Intelligence Service (MIT) alone, stated Ecevit.Meanwhile, Moldovian officials restressed that they had not been involved in any way whatsoever. The Moldovian National Security Minister Valeriu Pasat arrived to Turkey to meet with representatives of MIT. After the meeting he said, "Soysal has stayed in Moldovia since May 1999. His contacts and trips inside or outside Moldovia are known. However, Moldovia did not make any contribution to Sosyal's being brought to Turkey." /Sabah/ [13] PRISON DEMONSTRATIONS ENDConvicted terrorists have been brought under control once again. The demonstrations in many prisons in support of two their comrades on hunger strike hava ended, reported the Anatolian News Agency.[14] S AND P CONCLUDES MEETING IN TURKEYStandard and Poor's delegation under the chairmanship of Mary Cavanaugh has completed its two-day meetings with Turkish economic officials in Ankara. It was announced that S and P would issue a report in a month's time concerning their appraisals in Turkey. The report would also includes Turkey's rating grade. Turkish economic officials said that the meetings were very fruitful and they expected that Turkey would be given a positive outlook and be placed on the B+ list. /Milliyet/[15] $ 5.6 BILLION PAID IN FOREIGN DEBTTurkey has repaid a total of $ 5.6 billion foreign debt since the beginning of the year, it was reported by Anatolian News Agency. The Cantral Bank data shows that the Treasury paid 4.5 billion; the Central Bank repaid $ 248 million; the Ministry of National Defence and the Defence Industry paid $ 430 million; the Defence Fund paid $ 17.1 million and the International Monetary Fund was repaid $ 303.6 million in foreign debt between January 1 and July 21, 1999.Meanwhile, a total of $ 347.2 million of foreign debt was repaid between July 1 and 21. [16] TURCO-EUROPEAN RELATIONS ON THE COVERIn its recent issue, of the French "Courrier International" magazine placed Turco-European relations on the cover. In its headline article entitled "Will Ocalan be Executed?", it reflected on the articles of Turkish and foreign journalists. Thierry Meyer said in his article in "Le Temps" that although relations with Brussels are chilly it is not expected that Turkey will turn her back on Europe. He stated Turkey is the greatest economic partner of the European Union (EU). The magazine also reflected the ideas of Robert D. Kaplan from the "New York Times". Kaplan remarked that in the new millenium there would be a Kurdish issue in the Middle East which would comprise Turkey, Iraq and Syria. He pointed out that with the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Turkey would declare her power in the region. An evaluation by the "El Hayat" newspaper isued in Arabic in London was also given a place in the magazine. The newspaper said that Turkey should solve the problem of the criminal, Ocalan, without causing new fighting. It reported: "The Kurdish population in Turkey is united with the Turkish nation. However, an armed struggle is not accepted in order to gain their cultural identity." /Cumhuriyet/[17] OIL REVENUE FOR PKKThe Leader of the Azerbaijani People's Front Party, Ebulfeyz Elcibey, claimed that half of the oil revenues of Azerbaijan were flowing to the PKK terrorist organization. Elcibey said: "The PKK is active in Azerbaijan. The PKK holds some villages and has some members who receive a wage from them". He stated that there were PKK camps in various districts of Azerbaijan in addition to Baku and Nakhichevan. /Aksam/[18] PKK KILLS THREE CIVILIANSA group of PKK terrorists opened fire on an oil station in the Solhan township of Bingol, killing three civilians, last night. Military sources announced that a search is underway to find the terrorists who were responsible for the incident.In another incident, five people were placed in custody accused of hosting and supporting PKK terrorists in Iskenderun. Together with the accused, a number of outlawed publications were also seized. /Hurriyet/ [19] TWO PKK MEMBERS CAPTURED IN MUSErol Aktar and Huseyin Cintosun, two members of the PKK terrorist organization who were trying to escape from the PKK and settle in a city, were captured in Mus yesterday. The terrorists have been allegedly involved in more than 30 bloody activities. Ten terrorists were also taken into custody following the confessions of the aforementioned terrorists; two PKK members were seized in Istanbul. /Star/[20] FOUR ENERGY POWER PLANTS IN ALIAGAAliaga Sub-Governor Cengiz Horozoglu said that four huge power plants would be set up in Aliaga. Horozoglu stated that the first step had been taken for the power plants, which will cost $2 billion, and remarked that these plants would create employment for 3,000 people. These power plants will have 2,725-megawatt capacity. /Aksam/[21] INDIAN HEMP SEIZED IN EASTERN MALATYAA total of 26,750 roots of Indian hemp was seized in eastern Malatya province on Wednesday. The security forces, acting on a tip-off, seized a total of 26,570 Indian hemp cultivated in six separate fields. The security forces captured six persons who were involved in illegal Indian hemp cultivation Anatolia News Agency reports.[22] HISTORICAL AND ETHNOGRAPHICAL PIECES FOUND IN NORHWESTERN SAMSUNA total of 8,144 historical and ethnographic pieces, including 13 skulls which underwent surgery, were found in Ikiztepe Ruins in Bafra, Samsun it was reported on Thursday. The officials told that the skulls which were found in the excavations that started in 1974, will lead to significant results for the history of medicine, Anatolia News Agency reports.[23] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN EDIRNEThe officials told Anatolia Agency correspondent that a total of 46 illegal immigrants, including 34 Iraqis, three Iranians, three Afghans, three Syrians, two Romanians and one Tunisian were captured in Meric, Edirne. The illegal immigrants were handed over to Edirne Police Organization to be deported.[24] SWEETCORN FROM JAPANMartin P.A. Van Der Voort, the European representative of the Japanese seed firm Sakata, visited Sapeksa, an agricultural institution owned by the Sabanci Holding Company. Voort said that Sakata ranks eighth in vegetable and flower seeds in the world and added that Turkey had great potential for seed firms. Voort pointed out that he believed that sweetcorn, which is one of Sakata's products, will also be greatly consumed in Turkey. /Aksam/[25] TURKCELL IN TRNCTurkcell has extended its service to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Mobile phones using the 0532 code registered in Turkey can also be used in the TRNC. Meanwhile, the representative of TRNC Turkcell, Gunay Cerkez, said that they would also begin to register subscriptions within a month in the TRNC. Cerkez stated that Turkcell would register clients under the 0533 code in the TRNC. /Aksam/[26] HONOURABLE DAY FOR THE FLEETChief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu said that the main duty of the Turkish Armed Forces was to act as a deterrent. Gen.Kivrikoglu made a speech during a ceremony delivering 15 vessels and boats to the Fleet Command and said that Turkey was in a volatile region where peace and stability are sometimes endangered. During the ceremony, the first weld to the beam of 'TCG Canakkale' submarine to be built at the Golcuk Ship Building Yard was carried out by President Suleyman Demirel. Meanwhile, President Demirel received the Statesman of the 20th Century Award during a ceremony organized by the 'Nokta' magazine yesterday. /Aksam/[27] BOEING MORE LIKELY TO GET EARLY-WARNING AIRCRAFT CONTRACTIn a tender put out by Turkey to purchase four early-warning aircraft worth $1 billion, the US Boeing company has an advantage vis-a-vis the consortium led by the US Raytheon firm. Turkish Defence officials remarked that the Turkish Air Forces wil be able to closely observe the military activities in neighbouring countries, especially in the Aegean. /Aksam/[28] ANKARA DENIES GREEK ALLEGATIONSAnkara angrily denied Greek statements claiming that two Turkish war planes harrassed the Greek Transport Minister Tassos Mandelis, who was returning from Southern Cyprus to Greece by plane. The Greek complaint was conveyed to the Turkish Foreign Ministry's Deputy Undersecretary Faruk Nogoglu by the Greek Ambassador to Ankara Yannis Korandis. Turkish officials told Korandis that Greek allegations were unfounded. Nogoglu also denied the Greek allegations. /Aksam/[29] ANKARA-ATHENS DIALOGUE TO BEGINThe Foreign Ministry stated that officials from Turkey and Greece will meet on July 26 in Ankara, according to an agreement reached between the two countries. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry recalled that during the meeting held between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries on June 30 in New York, they decided to discuss six issues which concern bilateral relations. The statement added that the initial three issues would be taken up in Ankara on July 26-27 and the folllowing three subjects would be discussed in Athens on July 29-30. The issues include tourism, the environment, trade, culture, regional cooperation, organized crime, drug smuggling, illegal immigration and terrorism. /Aksam/[30] 24TH EUROPEAN SWIMMING, DIVING, SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPThe 24th European Swimming, Diving and Synchronized Swimming Championship started yesterday in Istanbul; 995 sportsmen and sportswomen from 43 countries including Turkey are attending the Championship which will last for 11 days at the Atakoy Olympic Swimming Pool. /Aksam/[31] CUSTOMS DRAFT APPROVED BY COMMISSIONThe Customs Draft Law which places all Customs regulations under a single law was approved by the Turkish Parliament's Planning and Budgetary Commission yesterday. The draft law also re-defines the Customs Tariffs and brings Customs regulations in line with the EU and with international agreements signed by Turkey. /Star/[32] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UPCentral Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $297 million between July 9-16. According to Central Bank data, Central Bank foreign exchange reserves which were $22.312 billion on July 9, rose to $22.609 billion on July 16. As of July 2, gold reserves stood at $1.012 billion, while foreign exchange reserves in commercial banks amounted to $10.290 billion. /Hurriyet/[33] FINLAND: IT IS TIME FOR TURKEY TO ENTER EUThe EU Term-President and Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari said that it was time for Turkey to enter the European Union (EU). Ahtisaari remarked that he would offer every assistance to Turkey concerning this issue. Sarik Tara, the Head of the Executive Board of the Foreign Economic Relations' Council (DEIK) and the Enka Holding Company, was received by Ahtisaari yesterday. Ahtisaari said that he might come to Turkey. Sarik Tara and his accompanying six-man Turkish business delegation, who met German Prime Minister Gerhard Schroder two days ago, proceeded on to Finland yesterday. During the meeting between the Turkish delegation and Ahtisaari, the Balkans and Turkey's situation in the EU were taken up. /Hurriyet/[34] NICK NOLTE TO DEPICT ATATURKThe film 'The Blond Wolf' which will depict the life of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, will be made in Hollywood. Nick Nolte will depict Ataturk during the film to be filmed in Hollywood and on location in Turkey. Ben Kingsley will play Ismet Unonu, the second President of Turkey in the film. Sir Richard Attenborough and Jacqueline Bissett will also take part in the film. /Hurriyet/[35] BUMIN BECOMES WORLD MATHEMATICS CHAMPIONM.Bumin Yenmez, a student from Izmir's Yamanlar High School, became the World Champion during the World Mathematics Championship held in Bucharest, Romania. Huseyin Acan from the same High School received the bronze medal at the Championship. /Hurriyet/[36] PROTOCOL BETWEEN TOBB AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTRYA waste exchange protocol has been signed between Ali Osman Ulusoy of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Minister Aytekin stated that under the protocol, cooperation between companies producing waste and those taking the waste for further use will be increased. Aytekin stated that the project will be financially supported by the World Bank.[37] EP: EXECUTING OCALAN WILL HARM TURCO-EU TIESThe European Parliament has warned Turkey that its rapprochement with the EU will suffer if the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, is executed. In a resolution adopted yesterday, the European Parliament condemned the death sentence and questioned the fairness of the Ocalan trial, saying a significant proportion of it had been carried out in the presence of a military judge. The presence of the military judge, although changed during the second part of the trial, had been criticized by the European Parliament.In a reference to the presence of a considerable number of pro-PKK Kurds all over Europe, the European Parliament said that European countries would face serious problems of security and stability if Ocalan is executed. /All papers/ [38] ATO VOICES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONAnkara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun has stated that Turkey should ease arbitration restrictions in order to increase the amount of foreign capital influx into Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Aygun said: "International arbitration, which has been implemented in more than 50 countries, is an important element in the global economy".[39] JUSTICE COMMISSION ADOPTS ARTICLES AIMED AT FIGHTING CRIMEIt was reported by the Anatolia News Agency that Parliament's Justice Commission has adopted two articles of a Bill prepared to fight organized crime. Under the articles, those who establish 'mafia-type' organizations will be sentenced to prison for three to six years. Those who become members of these kinds of organization will be sentenced to prison for two to four years. If the organization is armed, the punishment can be increased to up to nine years in prison.[40] BILL TO PROTECT ANIMALSLegal regulations will be enforced in the area of animal rights. Any automobile driver who runs over an animal will be obliged to take the animal to the nearest veterinary and pay the treatment bill, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The bill which aims to protect animals was approved by Parliament's Environment Commission and envisages heavy fines against people who abuse animals.[41] EU SHOULD DETERMINE ITS ATTITUDEWhile European countries are carrying out their research into the European Security and Defence Initiative (ESDI), the Permanent Representative of Turkey to NATO, Ambassador Onur Oymen, has evaluated the developments and declared the Turkish view. He said that the attitude of the UN is not clear and it learn its lesson from the Kosovo crisis. The Ambassador pointed out that European security has been ensured for 50 years relying on a consensus of votes, speeches and the unity of strength of all the NATO countries and Turkey has always defended the right to equality of speech and rights of the Allies. /Turkiye/[42] TRAITORS ATTACK AGAINPKK terrorists attacked a coal mine in Deresoran, Kemah, Erzincan. After a clash with the workers, the terrorists set the vehicles in the mine on fire and then they escaped. Meanwhile, an ambulance standing in front of the health centre in Adaklı, Bingol, has been destroyed by gunfire. /Turkiye/[43] "SOLAR ECLIPSE TOURISTS" COMING TO TURKEYAfter NASA recommended Turkey as the country from where the last solar eclipse of the century will be best watched, it is reported that thousands of tourists, particularly from America and Japan, will arrive in Turkey. According to the Ministry of Tourism all hotels have already been booked in Bartin, Kastamonu, Corum, Merzifon, Amasya, Turhal, Tokat, Sivas, Elazig, Diyarbakir, Batman and Cizre, the best regions from which to watch the solar eclipse, reported the Anatolian News Agency. The Ministry has also printed brochures in German, English, French and Turkish about the tourist sites of the above-mentioned cities. It is noted that regional people who would like to rent their houses to tourists should apply to the Regional Tourism Offices in their cities.Travel agencies announced that the Japanese are greatly interested in the last solar eclipse of the century. It was noted that some of the hotels in Bartin have been fully booked by Japanese scientists. [44] ELECTRIC PRODUCTION BY GAPAccording to the Anatolian News Agency the financial value of the electricity produced by the Karakaya and Ataturk Dams in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) region since the beginning of their operation has reached $ 9.1 billion. It is reported that 93.4 billion kw/hr of electricity has been produced by the Karakaya Dam and 59.1 billion kw/hr of electricity has been produced by the Ataturk Dam up to now. On the other hand, the same source reported, the GAP dams produced 37.7 % of the 18.5 billion kw_hr of electricity for the first six months of this year.[45] HUNGARIAN BALLET GROUP IN ISTANBULThe Hungarian National State and Opera Ballet group was invited to the Young Pamukbank Art Events. The group which is still in Istanbul will stage "Anna Karenina" by Tolstoy. It is expected that the performance by the Hungarian National Ballet group, which has a 150-year history, will enchant Turkish audiences. /Cumhuriyet/[46] TURKISH GOLF TEAM SECOND IN THE NETHERLANDSThe Turkish Golf Team has come second at the Netherland's Open Air Golf Tournament held in Hilversum. The team formed by Ahmet Agaoglu, Kaya Cilingiroglu and Osman Esen attained 13 points at the end of the tournament and become the runner-up. Members of the team said that they had played against very tough competition but they had managed to overcome most of them. /Sabah/[47] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[48] ANKARA-BERLIN -BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)Columnist Sedat Sertoglu comments on German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer's visit to Ankara. A summary of his column is as follows:"German Foreign Minister Fischer has completed his visit to Ankara during which many issues were deliberated. The Cyprus problem was one of the leading issues on the agenda. Berlin reiterated its well-known position, and in reply Ankara expressed its surprise at seeing Germany support the G-8 proposal. Berlin also gave some signs that they were getting close to accepting the Confederation proposal suggested by Rauf Denktas. Another important point was the small number of university graduate Turks in Germany. The two sides will start working jointly on the subject and will form an Integration Committee to determine what can be done. Another point to be discussed thoroughly by both sides was the defence industry. Human rights was one of the most important issues discussed. As Berlin voiced its proposals on the subject, Ankara accepted that it has some problems, but stressed that Turkey has shown some improvement on the issue and would continue to do so. It was also pointed out that Ankara would not accept anyone talking in a patronizing manner to her but was always ready to discuss the matter with her friends. The relations between Turkey and Greece was another subject taken up by the representatives of two States. Turkey expressed her good intentions on the matter and stated that she believed Greek Foreign Minister George Papadopoulos also bore good-will towards her, and therefore, there was reason for hope in improving mutual relations. On the European Union, Berlin stated that she would do everything in her power to bring up Turkey's candidacy and the acceptance of her membership within the same parameters as applied to other countries. Ankara, on the other hand, stated that if no improvement was seen during the Helsinki Summit, Turkey may not discuss the issue with anyone anymore. Finally the Ocalan affair was discussed. Berlin continued to express her opposition to capital punishment. The concern for the probable escalation of terrorism in Germany plays a great role in this view. Ankara replied that she knew the views of European countries on the subject however, she explained that the statements concerned neither the "unfairness" of the trial, nor the implementations during the trial process but contained political motives. Ankara stressed that this issue should not be chewed on any more as its repetition began to be counter-productive. The talks between Berlin and Ankara will continue in this civilized manner." [49] GOVERNMENT REVEALS ITS GOOD INTENTIONS -BY GUNGOR URAS (MILLIYET)Columnist Gungor Uras writes on the economic package announced by the Prime Minister yesterday. A summary of his column is as follows:"The package of measures" announced yesterday by the Government is an indication of its good will. Probably, both the public and different sectors will find the package lacking, and criticize it as their expectations have been very high. However, it should not be forgotten that the Government, which is facing difficult questions both within the country and abroad, trying to pass laws in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, encountering serious resistance from the workers due to the arrangements concerning the retirement age and the limitations on the wages of the civil servants, could not be expected to do any better. The economic package has three legs which can be cited as taxes, exports and loans. The obligation to state the source of wealth and the start of the fiscal reform was postponed. This has resulted in solving the problems of the large capital groups, while the implementation of stoppage for deposit accounts and repos has relieved small deposit account owners. Fresh sources have been transferred to Eximbank to solve foreign exchange loan problems which was the main issue of complaint by exporters. Concerning loans, the Government has aimed at easing the relations of those firms having difficulty in repaying the banks. The important question is, how will this package affect the economy? The package may be criticized as it may fall short of expectations but it will give a psychological boost to the market. Even those who criticize the package will accept the positive approach taken by the Government and its efforts to solve the problem. Therefore, it will be a ray of hope for the future. The fall of the Index on the Stock Exchange is the result of a temporary reaction shown for not including it in the package. In the medium-term, the Stock Exchange will also improve. With the psychological effect created by the Government's show of good will, the power of resistance to difficulties will be increased in the real economy. The package announced by Ecevit is better than none." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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