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Turkish Press Review, 00-06-05
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
05.06.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[02] SEZER ON FREE PRESS
[03] SEZER'S REQUEST CONCERNING THE ANTIQUE CITY OF ZEUGMA
[04] ZEUGMA ON 'NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE'
[05] BENDIT'S STATEMENT CONCERNING SEZER
[06] ECEVIT IN NORWAY
[07] TURK IN ENGLAND
[08] CAKMAKOGLU IN THE US
[09] ORAL RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE
[10] TGNA EXPECTED TO RATIFY BAKU-CEYHAN AGREEMENT
[11] HAYDAR YILMAZ TO VISIT COPENHAGEN
[12] CONFESSIONS OF AN IRANIAN SPY
[13] TURK: "AMNESTY BILL STILL ON THE TGNA'S AGENDA"
[14] SECURITY OF THE AEGEAN TO INCREASE
[15] TURKEY MARKS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
[16] US GUESSES THE INFLATION RATE IN TURKEY AS 35%
[17] EXPORT TO THE MIDDLE EAST REGION INCREASES
[18] AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY TO BE DISCUSSED
[19] IVECO'S ADVENTURE OF SILK ROAD COMES TO AN END
[20] TURKISH LEATHER FOR ECCO COMPANY
[21] SAKARYA UNIVERSITY TO ENSURE EMPLOYMENT FOR 96 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
[22] ALSTOM ELECTRICITY
[23] TURKEY'S SUCCESS IN TRANSPORTATION TO INCREASE
[24] WOMEN CONFERENCE OF THE UN TO BEGIN
[25] 'LITERATURE EXPRESS'
[26] BORDER TRADE TO BE REDUCED
[27] CONCERT OF FRIENDSHIP IN ANKARA
[28] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[29] THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT GO TO IRAN BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[02] SEZER ON FREE PRESS
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer stated that Turkish press was one of
the indispensable aspects of democracy and said, "The existence
of free press in a country is an indication of democracy." Sezer
issued a message to the Chairman of Journalists' Association on
the meeting of its General Council. Sezer also said, "The press,
which is most influential in the freedom of disseminating the
news, is one of the most important elements in the functioning of
democracy."/Milliyet/
[03] SEZER'S REQUEST CONCERNING THE ANTIQUE CITY OF ZEUGMA
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's first important request concerned
a cultural issue. Sezer asked for an additional period for the
excavation to save the ancient Zeugma city, which is bound to be
inundated by the waters of the Birecik dam lake. After his
request, Ministry of Energy began to work on the issue and gave
an additional period of time of ten days for the excavations to
save the city. These developments began when the Chairman of the
Chamber of Architectures, Oktay Ekinci, made a written
application to President Sezer. Ekinci requested additional time
from Sezer for the excavations. Sezer, who found Ekinci's request
to be fair and gave information to the Minister of Energy, Cumhur
Ersumer, on this issue. Then a meeting was held at the Ministry
during which it was decided that the regime of water will be
balanced. Thus, the excavation to save the city of Zeugma will
continue by 28 June. /Sabah/
[04] ZEUGMA ON 'NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE'
'New York Times Magazine', which is published in the US on each
Sunday, published a news on the antique city of Zeugma in Belkis
village, Gaziantep's district of Nizip. The magazine stated that
they became aware of the city of Zeugma and its unique mosaics a
short period of time ago and added that the Turkish
administration did not want the ruins to be inundated due to the
urgent need of electricity." /Cumhuriyet/
[05] BENDIT'S STATEMENT CONCERNING SEZER
Joint Economic Commission's (KEK) Chairman to the European Wing,
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, stated that the election of Ahmet Necdet
Sezer as the Turkish President, was a very important step on the
path to Turkey's integration with the European Union. Bendit
added, "Sezer is not only a good jurist, but also is known for
the importance he attaches to human rights, democracy and the
freedom of expression. Sezer will be able to make important
contributions when Turkey tries to reach the European norms. The
support he received from all political parties indicates a
positive change. I will support the steps that will be taken by
the new Turkish President." /Turkiye/
[06] ECEVIT IN NORWAY
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit went to Norway yesterday as the
official guest of the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg.
Ecevit stated that he admired and loved Norway and that Turkey
had so much to learn from Norway. Ecevit issued a statement at
the airport before his departure to the capital of Norway, Oslo,
saying, "During my visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail
Cem, high-ranking public administrators and diplomats will
accompany me. I am the first Turkish Prime Minister, who will
visit Norway after 22 years. I visited Norway 22 years ago again
as Prime Minister. Now I am very happy to find this opportunity
again. Norway is one of the countries expert in the issue of
energy. There is also the opportunity of cooperation with this
country in the issue of energy." /Cumhuriyet/
[07] TURK IN ENGLAND
Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, arrived in London to
attend the 23th European Justice Ministers Meeting, which will be
held between 7 and 9 June. Turk issued a statement concerning the
extradition of Fehriye Erdal at Ataturk Airport before his
departure, saying, "The international cooperation in regard with
the extradition of the criminals and the struggle against crime
is necessary. Otherwise, a person, who committed a crime in a
certain country can be saved from punishment by escaping to
another country. We consider Erdal to be a terrorist, who should
be punished." /Cumhuriyet/
[08] CAKMAKOGLU IN THE US
Minister of National Defence, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, stated that
Turkey was in favour of a full and equal participation in a
formation, which will be determined within the European Union of
Security and Defence. Cakmakoglu said that the European Union
should consider the situation of Turkey, while establishing an
organization concerning the security and defence of Europe.
Cakmakoglu, who arrived in the US as the official guest of the US
Defence Secretary, issued a statement at Ataturk airport before
his departure, saying, "I will also attend the opening ceremony
of the National Victory Museum, which was prepared to commemorate
the anniversary of the landing on Normandia on 5 and 6 June
during the World War II. After these celebrations, I will fly to
Brussels on the special plane of the US Defence Secretary with
the Defence Ministers of the NATO-member countries to attend the
meeting of the NATO's Defence Ministers on 8 and 9 June."
/Cumhuriyet/
[09] ORAL RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE
Girne American University, which is the first private university
in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), gave the title
of honorary doctorate to the Turkish Minister of Finance, Sumer
Oral, due to his services in the economy sector. During the
ceremony, which was organized for the presentation of this award
to Oral, 21 students, who graduated from this university were
presented their diplomas. Oral issued a speech during the
ceremony, saying, "The 21st century is progressing with a rapid
change, during which education and science gains importance."
/Turkiye/
[10] TGNA EXPECTED TO RATIFY BAKU-CEYHAN AGREEMENT
This week the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is expected
to debate a proposal envisaging the ratification of the agreement
pertaining to the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Anatolia news
agency reported. The agreement was originally signed between
Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and in order for it to go into
effect the parliaments of the three countries must give their
approval. With the approval, the legal phase in the project will
be completed. The agreement is expected to be the priority in the
TGNA this week. Reports say that Parliament will have a busy
schedule throughout June, since the coalition parties would like
to start the legislative holiday by early July. Meanwhile,
Parliamentary commissions have been set to debate a series of
proposed amendments to the Highway Transportation Law and the
Anti-terrorism law. /Turkish Daily News/
[11] HAYDAR YILMAZ TO VISIT COPENHAGEN
Mayor of Cankaya, Haydar Yilmaz, will visit the capital of
Denmark, Copenhagen as the official guest of the World Health
Organization. Yilmaz will attend the meeting of the Healthy
Cities in Copenhagen. /Turkiye/
[12] CONFESSIONS OF AN IRANIAN SPY
Iranian spy Belladi Berbahani Said Shahram who took refuge in
Turkey conveyed information to CIA officials concerning the fact
that Iran was using terrorism as a tool. Shahram, in an interview
he gave to CBS spoke on the 'Iran's ties to international
terrorism' and 'Turkey's role' in bringing them out. He also
stated that Tehran Administration was behind the Lockerbie
disaster of 1988, which took 270 lives. It was stated during the
TV program, that Shahram who was being kept in Turkey for
protection purposes, had served as the Coordinator of Iran's
Terroristic Activities Abroad. /Milliyet/
[13] TURK: "AMNESTY BILL STILL ON THE TGNA'S AGENDA"
Minister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, said in a panel discussion
in Istanbul that the amnesty bill is still on the agenda of the
Turkish Grand National Assembly, the Anatolia news agency
reported. Turk did not give the amnesty bill a scheduled date
since this could cause further disappointment among inmates. The
amnesty bill has been discussed in the Turkish Grand National
Assembly (TGNA) since last year, but no concrete decision has yet
been made. There have been a number of prison riots since then.
Experts believe that disappointment among inmates and their
relatives was the principle reason for the unrest in the prisons.
"There is expectation in prisons about the amnesty bill.
Sometimes this feeling turns into a restless waiting," Turk said.
Talking about the situation of prisons in Turkey, Turk said that
newly constructed F-type prisons were being built according to
the U.N. and European Council standards. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] SECURITY OF THE AEGEAN TO INCREASE
Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Papandreou, stated that
the mutual proposals, on which Turkey and Greece reached an
agreement about the increase of mutual security precautions in
the Aegean by decreasing the tension and through the good
neighbourly relations, will be discussed during the meeting of
the political directors on 23 June. Papandreou said, "Now the
ball is in Turkey's court. The important thing is that Turkey
should act within the framework of legal systems." Meanwhile, 'To
Vima' daily stated that Athens would present a proposal to Ankara
concerning the freezing of armament in the Turkish and Greek
navies. /Aksam/
[15] TURKEY MARKS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
Ministry of Environment has organized a number of activities for
World Environment Day, the Anatolia news agency reported on
Sunday. The activities will take place between June 5 and 11.
World Environment Day (June 5) is celebrated worldwide. It is an
effort to boost environmental awareness and to increase
activities that promote protection of the environment. In a press
conference over the weekend, the Minister of Environment, Fevzi
Aytekin announced that the Ministry would hold several ceremonies
in schools around Ankara in order to give children access to
information about environmental issues. There will also be
environmental conferences, competitions, concerts and exhibitions
throughout the week. /Turkish Daily News/
[16] US GUESSES THE INFLATION RATE IN TURKEY AS 35%
The US thinks that the inflation rate in Turkey will be 35% at
the end of the year in terms of the Consumer Price Index (TUFE).
Officials from the US Department of Treasury and Trade stated
that if the structural reforms and the economic program
continues, the inflation rate in Turkey will decrease during the
next years as well. US officials from the economy sector point
out that Turkey had one of the biggest potentials in the region
and that it was among 10 biggest markets. They also stated that
Turkey had a dynamic private sector. According to the US
officials in the economy sector, Turkey has shown a strong
performance thanks to the economic reforms and thus, the interest
rates began to decrease. While the foreign trade volume reached 6
billion dollars, the amount of the American companies' investment
in Turkey reached 2.5 billion dollars. American businessmen are
also interested in investment areas such as energy,
infrastructure, telecommunication and agriculture. /Cumhuriyet/
[17] EXPORT TO THE MIDDLE EAST REGION INCREASES
It was stated that the Southeastern Anatolia Region's
agricultural and animal husbandry export to the Middle East
amounted to 43 million 394 thousand dollars in the first four
months of the year. According to the data finished by the
Southeastern Anatolia Exporters' Association, during the period
between January and April of the year 2000, export of animal
products to the Middle East countries amounted to 83,000 dollars,
export of grains, oily seeds and their products and dried beans
reached 23 million 453 thousand dollars, export of dried fruits
reached 893 thousand dollars and export of textiles amounted to
965 thousand dollars during the same period. /Cumhuriyet/
[18] AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY TO BE DISCUSSED
The international conference, the subject of which is the
'Turkish Autovotive Industry and the Markets Around It',
organized by the Euro Forum, will be held on 26 and 27 June.
During the conference, the Turkish Automotive Industry will be
discussed and the production, export, new products, commercial
vehicles and electronic trade will also be examined. /Hurriyet/
[19] IVECO'S ADVENTURE OF SILK ROAD COMES TO AN END
The tour of Silk Road, which was organized by Baraka Nature
Sports and Organization, was carried out by Iveco's midibus,
called 'M 29.12'. 12 members of this adventure traveled through
he world's oldest trade road on 'M 29.12', which was prepared by
Iveco specially. In addition, Pirelli and Magnetti Marelli also
supported this tour, on which the route through Iran, Pakistan
and India was followed. /Hurriyet/
[20] TURKISH LEATHER FOR ECCO COMPANY
In the news concerning Danish Ecco and Turkish Desa Companies,
which have shoe manufacturing companies in 11 countries in the
world, it was stated that Desa Company would produce shoes for
Ecco Company. As part of this agreement, Turkish Desa will also
produce the leather-ware for Ecco Company, which will be marketed
in 90 countries. /Hurriyet/
[21] SAKARYA UNIVERSITY TO ENSURE EMPLOYMENT FOR 96 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
96 earthquake victims, who lost their jobs after the earthquakes
that occurred in the Marmara region this year, will work in
various projects, developed by Sakarya University (SAU). Rector
of the SAU, Prof. Ismail Calli, stated that these projects will
contribute to finding solutions for the problem of an employment,
which increased after the earthquakes, and will create new areas
of employment in the city. Calli added that these projects were
developed as part of the 'Volunteer Work Projects', which was
coordinated by the Employment Bureau with the support of the
World Bank. /Hurriyet/
[22] ALSTOM ELECTRICITY
Alstom Electricity, which is located in Gebze, will begin
delivery of its first production, which was established by it as
part of the agreement with the American Dynegy Power Development
Company concerning the production of the generator transformer,
amounting to 22 million dollars. Deputy Prime Minister and the
Minister of Energy, Cumhur Ersumer and the Motherland Party
(ANAP) leader, Mesut Yilmaz are also expected to participate in
the ceremony in the factory. /Star/
[23] TURKEY'S SUCCESS IN TRANSPORTATION TO INCREASE
Turkey will have the fifth biggest Ro-Ro fleet, when two ships,
called the International Association of Transportation (IAT)
Mediterranean and the IAT Aegean, the production of which are
still continuing, will begin to work. The Ro-Ro ship called IAT
Mediterranean, which was produced in Germany, was located to the
sea. When the IAT Aegean, the production of which is ongoing in
the same dockyard, will begin to operate, Turkey will be the 6th
best country in the Ro-Ro transportation. However, Turkey aims to
be the best fifth country in this category. /Aksam/
[24] WOMEN CONFERENCE OF THE UN TO BEGIN
The conference entitled 'Women 2000: Equality and Problems
Between Genders' will begin in New York today. A delegation
chaired by the State Minister Hasan Gemici will represent Turkey
during this conference. /Aksam/
[25] 'LITERATURE EXPRESS'
Nearly 100 authors from 43 countries in Europe, started a journey
of literature friendship in Europe in a special tour. The train
tour, called 'Literature Express', will begin today and end on 14
July. The memories of the authors will be written by themselves
throughout the tour and then they will be published, which will
begin to be sold during Frankfurt Book Fair in the year 2001.
Turgay Fisekci, Mahir Oztas and Asli Erdogan will participate in
the Literature Express from Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[26] BORDER TRADE TO BE REDUCED
In line with the reports prepared by the Prime Ministry, the
National Security Council decided to reduce border trade in
stages. Meetings were held under the supervision of Prime
Ministry officials, where representatives from the General Staff,
Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, customs bureaus, and the
governors of border provinces attended. During the meetings held
at the Prime Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, and General
Staff pointed out that Iran had begun new implementations which
would lend support to the PKK through border trade. /Milliyet/
[27] CONCERT OF FRIENDSHIP IN ANKARA
Bilkent Symphony Orchestra and the Greek pianist Dimitris Sgouros
will stage a Concert of Friendship on 8 June in Ankara for the
earthquake victims. The concert, which was organized by Bilkent
University and the Greek Embassy, will be organized at Bilkent
Odeon. /Cumhuriyet/
[28] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[29] THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT GO TO IRAN BY SUKRU ELEKDAG (MILLIYET)
Former Ambassador Sukru Elekdag writes on President Sezer's
participiation in the Economic Cooporation Organization summit. A
summary of his column is as follows:
In the news concerning the first National Secruity Council
(MGK)meeting President Ahmet Necdet Sezer chaired, it was stated
that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the view that it
would be better if the President participated in the Economic
Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit and that Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit agreed with this opinion. However, the final
decision was left to President Sezer himself. As these news are
not denied, the suggestion to the President can be accepted as
stated. However, this suggestion seems to be incorrect in two
respects. The first one being to give an inexperienced President
a proposal with two alternatives. It was reasonable to propose
Sezer a clear policy because President Sezer will make a decision
depending on the information he receives from the organizations
represented in the MGK and in the light of the consultations he
will make with the officials representing them. The second
mistake is not to evaluate President Sezer's visit to Iran taking
into consideration the hostile policy this state has been
following against Turkey.
A sound evaluation would note that at a time when Iran's
conspiracy plans and evidences of political murders have come out
into open, the visit of President Sezer to Iran would be viewed
as Turkey's desire to sofen the tense atmosphere and be seen as a
weakness. If Turkey is to follow a deterrent policy against Iran,
it should avoid the creation of such a climate.
Foreign Ministry officials state that their viwes are based on
various views, such as attending a multilateral organization
meeting and an official visit are two different events and should
not be mixed. Not to attend a summit may create an example and it
won't be possible to attend others as well. Secondly, it is in
Turkey's advantage to cooperate with the Central Asian Turkish
Speaking Countries in this platform where Turkey urges them to
participate. Finally, if we do not attend this conference general
public may expect the implementations of sanctions against Iran
and the relations become tenser.
I believe that none of these reasons, are as important to require
Turkish President to go to Iran in an atmosphere where we have to
send stern messages concerning our relations. This incorrect
evaluation may be the due to the lack of cooperation between the
Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The stage
of diplomatic initiatives has been left far behind in our
relation with Iran. The message to be issued to Iran is that,
unless they put a stop to all hostile policies immediately Turkey
will use its right of self-defense and resort to measures aiming
at Iranian interests and escalate them until it gets results."
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