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Turkish Press Review, 00-05-11
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
11.05.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] ENGLAND AND AMERICA ARE THE NEW MARKETS IN THE READY-TO-WEAR
CLOTHES
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] DEMIREL VISITS ALBANIA
[04] COUNCIL OF STATE'S FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY
[05] INTERROGATION OF MUMCU MURDER SUSPECTS CONTINUE
[06] CILLER: "THERE SHOULD BE NO UNSOLVED MURDERS"
[07] IRANIAN AMBASSADOR MEETS FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS
[08] OYMEN: "TURKEY MUST BE INCLUDED TO ESDI"
[09] NIGERIAN MINISTER ARZIKA VISITS ANKARA
[10] CEM VISITS YILMAZ
[11] EU MEMBERS AND NON-EU NATO ALLIES TO MEET
[12] IRANIANS ACCUSE ISRAEL OF FABRICATING ALLEGATIONS
[13] CHINESE GOVERNOR VISITS ISTANBUL
[14] TURKISH JETS FLY ON GREECE
[15] CYPRUS TO BE DISCUSSED
[16] POSITIVE STEP FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
[17] CEM TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN
[18] ISRAEL'S RECEPTION
[19] INCIDENT AT THE BORDER BETWEEN IRAN AND TURKEY
[20] OPERATION IN IRAQ
[21] BAKU-CEYHAN TO OPEN FOR SERVICE BY 2004
[22] BROTHERHOOD BETWEEN ATHENS AND ISTANBUL REFLECTED ON PHOTOGRAPHS
[23] THE YOUNGEST FLEET IN THE TURKISH AIRLINES
[24] PRIVATIZATION LAW TO BE CHANGED
[25] ENGLAND AND AMERICA ARE THE NEW MARKETS IN THE READY-TO-WEAR
CLOTHES
[26] FIVE TURKS' SUCCESS
[27] 'RELIGIONS IN FAITH AND TOLERANCE ERA OF 2000' MEETING BEGINS
[28] TURKEY URGES SYRIA TO LIFT NON-TARIFF BARRIERS ON TRADE
[29] TURKISH MANAGER GETS SENIOR POST AT ALCATEL INTERNATIONAL
[30] OTTOMAN WORKS OF ART IN ISTANBUL
[31] TURKEY IN FINANCIAL TIMES
[32] STATIONERY FAIR OPENS
[33] THERMAL SPRINGS IN TURKEY
[34] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[35] CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE AMENDED BY ESEN UNUR (STAR)
[01] ENGLAND AND AMERICA ARE THE NEW MARKETS IN THE READY-TO-WEAR
CLOTHES
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] DEMIREL VISITS ALBANIA
President Suleyman Demirel headed for Albania on Wednesday,
following an invitation by Albanian President Recep Meydani, the
Anatolia News Agency reports. Demirel said at the airport that
the friendly relations which had existed for centuries between
Albania and Turkey are continuing today. "In addition to
bilateral relations, we will exchange our views on regional
matters, such as Kosovo, that concern both Turkey and Albania in
our meeting with Meydani" said the President.
[04] COUNCIL OF STATE'S FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY
The Council of State celebrated its 132nd foundation anniversary.
President Suleyman Demirel, President-elect Ahmet Necdet Sezer,
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Speaker of the TGNA, Yildirim
Akbulut, the Acting Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Hasim
Kilic, State Minister Suayip Usenmez, Justice Minister Hikmet
Sami Turk, the Chief Prosecutor of the High Court of Appeal,
Vural Savas, and members of the judiciary, attended a meeting
organized to mark the anniversary. During his speech, stressing
that juridiciary circles were proud of Sezer's new office, the
Chairman of the Council of State, Erol Cirakman, said that two
bills had to be enacted as soon as possible which would enable to
end cases in a short time. He also underlined that reactionary
still threated the State and added, "The legacy of the founders
of the Republic of Turkey could not be protected." /Cumhuriyet/
[05] INTERROGATION OF MUMCU MURDER SUSPECTS CONTINUE
Police will extend for three days the interrogation of 21
suspects who were arrested in Bursa in connection with the 'Umut'
police operation launched to find the murderers of journalist
Ugur Mumcu, the Anatolia News Agency reports. A total of 121
people have been arrested in connection with the operation.
[06] CILLER: "THERE SHOULD BE NO UNSOLVED MURDERS"
The Leader of the True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller, stated
that the developments in clarifying the Ugur Mumcu assasination
was welcome. During her speech at DYP's group meeting Ciller
said, "There should be no unsolved murders left. Turkish nation
cannot accept it. Whatever or whoever is behind the murders has
to be unearthed." /Cumhuriyet/
[07] IRANIAN AMBASSADOR MEETS FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS
While allegations about Iranian involvement in the Mumcu murder
mount, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu met Iranian
Ambassador to Ankara Mohammed Huseyin Lavasani yesterday.
Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli told
reporters yesterday that the Ministry was staying out of the
issue for the time being. Speaking at a weekly press meeting,
Atacanli stressed that they had not received any concrete
evidence from the Interior Ministry that may pave the way for
taking any diplomatic action against Iran. He added that they had
to wait and see the results of the investigation before they
began any diplomatic initiative. /All papers/
[08] OYMEN: "TURKEY MUST BE INCLUDED TO ESDI"
The Turkish Representative to NATO, Ambassador Onur Oymen stated
that Turkey must be included to the European Security and Defense
Identity (ESDI). Turkey's anxieties concerning ESDI were
discussed at a meeting organized in Washington by the Turkish
Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) and Turkey
Surveys' Institute. The American State Department Director of
European Security and Political Affairs, Walter Andrusyszyn and
Counsellor of France Embassy to Washington, Philippe Errera
attended the meeting. Recalling that in the aftermath of the Cold
War fights concerning NATO had arisen around Turkey, Oymen said,
ESDI's decisions relating to those issues might effect Turkey's
security. He stated, "NATO is responsible for the security in
Europe. Creating two separate security regions in Europe within
the framework of NATO cannot be accepted." He also emphasized
that Turkey didn't want to be excluded but wanted to take part in
the formation it deserved. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] NIGERIAN MINISTER ARZIKA VISITS ANKARA
The Minister of Transport, Enis Oksuz, received Nigerian Minister
of Communications Alhaji Mohammed Arzika, who was in Turkey for
the World Radiocommunication Conference in Ankara yesterday.
After meeting with the Nigerian Minister, Oksuz said that Turkey
can purchase oil and natural gas from Nigeria. Arzika invited
Turkish companies to join in bids in telecommunications,
transportation and operation of ports and other facilities in his
country. /Turkish Daily News/
[10] CEM VISITS YILMAZ
Motherland Party (ANAP) Leader Mesut Yilmaz met Foreign Minister
Ismail Cem, the Anatolia News Agency reports. After the meeting,
Cem stated that from time to time he visited party leaders to
give information about the relations with foreign countries.
[11] EU MEMBERS AND NON-EU NATO ALLIES TO MEET
EU countries and non-EU NATO allies' political directors will
meet today in Brussels in two separate meetings. The directors
will discuss the development of cooperation and solidarity
mechanisms. Turkey will be represented by the Foreign Ministry's
international security works general director, Ambassador Omer
Orhun. /Turkish Daily News/
[12] IRANIANS ACCUSE ISRAEL OF FABRICATING ALLEGATIONS
An Iranian diplomat accused Israel of fabricating the latest
allegations over Iranian involvement in the Mumcu murder. He
claimed that pro-Israeli circles in Turkey were mobilized after
13 Iranian Jews confessed that they had been spying for Israel.
"Now that Iranian Jews have admitted their crimes, Israel is in a
very difficult situation. They have mobilized Zionist circles in
Turkey to blame Iran in a bid to dynamite Turkish-Iranian
relations" said the diplomat. /All papers/
[13] CHINESE GOVERNOR VISITS ISTANBUL
Republic of China Guandong State Governor Lu Riuhua and 40
Chinese businessmen visited Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir
yesterday in Istanbul, the Anatolia News Agency reports. After
bilateral discussions between the two governors, a friendship and
cooperation procotol was signed between Istanbul and the Guandong
State. At the end of the visit, the two governors exchanged
gifts. The Chinese delegation later visited the Istanbul
Municipality Office and met Istanbul Deputy Mayor Umit Ozerol.
[14] TURKISH JETS FLY ON GREECE
The rapprochement between Turkey and Greece, observed in politics
also reflects to the military. At the end of May, Turkish Armed
Forces will take part in a NATO manoeuvres which will be carried
out in Greek territory in May. Before that, last week, Greece
allowed Turkish four F-16 planes to use its air space for the
first time, while they were flying to Germany to attend "Elite
2000" manoeuvres. /Milliyet/
[15] CYPRUS TO BE DISCUSSED
Officials from the European Union (EU) and from the US will
discuss the issue of Cyprus. EU Commission's member responsible
for expansion, Gunter Verheugen, EU Foreign Policy and Defence
High Commissioner, Javier Solana, US Coordinator to Cyprus, Tom
Weston and Bill Clinton's special representative to Cyprus,
Alfred Moses will meet and try to find a solution for the Cyprus
problem before the discussions planned to be made within the
framework of the United Nations (UN). The delegation from the US
will discuss the Cyprus issue in Brussels for the first time
after the Helsinki Summit and later will inform Washington on
these discussions. /Turkiye/
[16] POSITIVE STEP FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
Europan Union (EU) Commission will appoint Alain Servantie to the
Turkish desk. If there will not be an unexpected event, Servantie
will begin his duty in June officialy. Servantie, is currently
working at the telecommunications department of expansion
discussions. Servantie knows Turkey very well and previously
worked at the EU Commission's representation in Ankara. /Turkiye/
[17] CEM TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, will continue President
Suleyman Demirel's effective foreign policy concerning the
petroleum in Caucasia and the Caspian region. It was revealed
that although Cem was not included in this programme, he will be
directed to this area with the request of Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit and will pay his first visit to Azerbaijan at the end of
May. /Turkiye/
[18] ISRAEL'S RECEPTION
Israel's 'National Day' was celebrated in a reception at Israel
Embassy in Ankara. However, the Turkish government protested
Israel by not attending this reception due to the fact that
Israel's Minister of Education, Yossi Sarid, allowed the claim on
the Armenian genocide during the era of the Ottoman Empire to be
included in the curriculum of high schools. Turkish Armed Forces
attended this reception on the Major General-level and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was represented by the Middle East
Department. /Sabah/
[19] INCIDENT AT THE BORDER BETWEEN IRAN AND TURKEY
A group of 153 people, comprising the Afghans, Bangladeshis and
Pakistanis, who wanted to cross the border between Turkey and
Iran and to enter Turkey illegally, did not obey the security
forces' warning to stop. Thus, nine people died and five people
were injured as a result of the fire opened and mines exploded.
/Sabah/
[20] OPERATION IN IRAQ
The Peshmerge forces, under the leadership of the Turkish Armed
Forces (TSK) and Barzani, started a clamp operation against the
PKK terrorist organization in Northern Iraq at the beginning of
this week. During the operation, thirty members of the PKK were
killed and one soldier died as he stepped on a mine. TSK units
attended this operation from the Cukurca Region and Peshmerges
supported this operation with cleansing manoeuvres. It was
revealed that this operation, attended by nearly 5,000 TSK
personnel and peshmerges, was started after the rumor that the
PKK members will enter Turkey from the Iraqi border. /Sabah/
[21] BAKU-CEYHAN TO OPEN FOR SERVICE BY 2004
"The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline will definitely be built by the
year 2004 and be ready for service" Advisor to the US President
and Secretary of State for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy, John
Wolf. "I am here today not just to express my belief in this
project, but to make it clear that this project will definitely
be built by the year 2004 at the latest". Wolf was speaking on
Wednesday at a three-day conference organized by the Cambridge
Energy Research Associates (CERA) and is being co-sponsored by
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Turkish Foreign
Economic Relations Council (DEIK) in Istanbul. /All papers/
[22] BROTHERHOOD BETWEEN ATHENS AND ISTANBUL REFLECTED ON PHOTOGRAPHS
A book including the photographs picturing Istanbul and Athens
will be prepared thanks to the cooperation between Pamukbank and
the History Foundation in order to contribute to the friendship
between Greece and Turkey. Ara Guler, Izzet Kehribar, Arif Asci,
Cem Turgay and Sinan Kocaslan will continue to take the
photographs of Athens until 14 May for this book, which will be
entitled 'Istanbul-Athens: The Other Shore From the Eyes of
Photographers'. /Aksam/
[23] THE YOUNGEST FLEET IN THE TURKISH AIRLINES
General Director of the Turkish Airlines (THY), Yusuf Bolayirli,
stated that THY was the youngest airline within Europe with its
plane fleet, the average age of which is six. Bolayirli added,
"According to the results of the survey held by a tourism
magazine in 1998, THY is the best one among ten airlines, who
give a service of highest quality." /Aksam/
[24] PRIVATIZATION LAW TO BE CHANGED
The personnel of the Privatization Board Administration (OIB),
will be dependent upon contract by the draft law, which envisages
a change in the law numbered 4,046 concerning the arrangement of
the privatization implementations. State Minister Yuksel Yalova
stated that the structure of the personnel of the OIB had been
determined again and that their aim was to turn the whole
personnel out to be contractual personnel. /Aksam/
[25] ENGLAND AND AMERICA ARE THE NEW MARKETS IN THE READY-TO-WEAR
CLOTHES
The ready-to-wear producers, who export their goods mostly to the
European Union (EU) member countries, are in a difficult
situation due to the fact that the ready-to-wear exports
increased by only 0.6% during the first four months of the year
2000 and reached 2 billion 480 million dollars. The most rapidly
ceveloping market became England with an increase by 27% and the
second was the US with an increase by 22%. Chairman of the
Turkish Clothing Industrialists' Association, Gungor Kesci,
stated that nearly 60% of the sector was badly affected by the
instability of the dollar-euro parity. /Sabah/
[26] FIVE TURKS' SUCCESS
The Turkish team, comprising five people, lead by Associate
Professor, Suleyman Sevinc, developed the 'Infinity' software,
which started a new period in the electronic trade. Sevinc, who
worked as an advisor for Microsoft and Unisys Companies abroad
after returning to Turkey developed the 'Infinity' software in 14
months within the Functional Internet Systems with his friends
and said that the obstacles before the electronic trade were
removed thanks to this software. /Turkiye/
[27] 'RELIGIONS IN FAITH AND TOLERANCE ERA OF 2000' MEETING BEGINS
'Religions in Faith and Tolerance Era of 2000' meeting organized
by the Religious Affairs Directorate began yesterday in Tarsus,
the Anatolia News Agency reports. At the opening ceremony,
Culture Minister Istemihan Talay made a speech saying that Tarsus
had been a city of tolerance throughout its 6,000-year history.
Talay stated that people from different faiths, living in a
peaceful environment, needed a secularism respectful of faiths.
Talay and some religious leaders and participants then visited
St.Paul's Church which is being restored. Head of the Turkish
Religious Directorate, Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz, also made a speech at
the meeting. Yilmaz said that inter-religious dialogue would
contribute to peace.
[28] TURKEY URGES SYRIA TO LIFT NON-TARIFF BARRIERS ON TRADE
Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen called on Syria to
lift non-tariff barriers in order to improve trade between Turkey
and Syria. Tuzmen, who accompanied State Minister for the
Economy, Recep Onal on his official visit to Damascus, told
reporters he hoped Syria would take steps toward removing
non-tariff barriers, particularly after the on-going joint
economic commission meetings. Yesterday, Recep Onal and Kursat
Tuzmen were received by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa
Miro. Syrian Economy Minister Mohammed Imadi was also present at
the meeting. /All papers/
[29] TURKISH MANAGER GETS SENIOR POST AT ALCATEL INTERNATIONAL
Alcatel Teletas Chairman Lutfi Yenel was appointed Vice-President
for Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India with
Alcatel International, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Yenel
will be responsible for Turkey, Caucasus and Central Asia and
will direct Alcatel International's operations in Turkey,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus (TRNC), Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Alcatel is a leading
provider of Internet access and optic communications and posted
sales of 23 billion Euros in 1999.
[30] OTTOMAN WORKS OF ART IN ISTANBUL
An auction consisting of Ottoman Works of Art will be held in
Istanbul on May 14. A total of 259 works of art are expected to
be sold during the auction. /Hurriyet/
[31] TURKEY IN FINANCIAL TIMES
The 'Financial Times', a daily economic and political newspaper
published in Britain, devoted wide coverage to Turkey in
yesterday's issue and said that Turkey should implement the IMF
reform programme in the best way in order to achieve her entry in
the EU. An article written by Martin Wolf stated that a large
part of the Turkish nation attached great importance to Turkey's
EU candidacy status. /Hurriyet/
[32] STATIONERY FAIR OPENS
The Sixth Stationery and Office Materials 2000 Fair organized at
the CNR Istanbul International Fair Centre will be held between
May 12 and 16. A total of 200 firms are expected to participate
in the fair. /Hurriyet/
[33] THERMAL SPRINGS IN TURKEY
Thermal springs in Turkey will be promoted to the world.
Investors from various European countries will come to Turkey for
partnership meetings. The Tourism Coordinator of the Oger
Company, Huseyin Baraner, stated that a decision was taken for
the establishment of the 'Turkish Union of Thermal Springs'.
Baraner pointed out that a new period would begin in Turkey in
the tourism sector and added that thermal tourism would not be
affected from political changes or others as far as health is
concerned. /Hurriyet/
[34] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[35] CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE AMENDED BY ESEN UNUR (STAR)
Columnist Esen Unur writes on the interview given by Deputy Prime
Minister Devlet Bahceli to daily 'Star'. A summary of his column
is as follows:
"In an interview he gave to Star newspaper, Deputy Prime Minister
Devlet Bahceli answered our questions. He was also disturbed by
the time spent for the Presidential Election when there was so
much to do. He complained about the fact that Constitution was
still a subject for discussion in Turkey who had accepted her
first Constitution 124 years ago. He gave the impression that
after Ahmet Necdet Sezer has sworn-in as the 10th President, the
Nationalist Action Party will activate the debates on
Constitutional amendments.
During the ceremony he stated that the three coalition parties
had to bring about a Constitution which will end all discussions
by an agreement reached through a compromise. He also added that
Turkey was entering a new millenium, and the first steps in the
first year of this millenium should be taken for social
compromise. Among his other suggestions were the changing of the
Law on Political Parties and the Election Law.
He stated that Turkish nation did not want polarization,
disputes, and degeneration in political style. Bahceli added that
people expected a clean political mentality which has not been
involved in corruption or bribery. It would please everyone to
see the implementation of Bahceli's words."
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