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Turkish Press Review, 00-08-25
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
25.08.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] US AMBASSADOR PARRIS PAYS FAREWELL VISITS TO PRESIDENT SEZER AND
SPEAKER AKBULUT
[02] TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN IZMIR INTERNATIONAL
FAIR REACHES 870
[03] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING
[04] CEM MEETS ARAFAT
[05] TURKEY: NEW GEOSTRATEGIC POWER IN THE REGION
[06] US AMBASSADOR PARRIS PAYS FAREWELL VISITS TO PRESIDENT SEZER AND
SPEAKER AKBULUT
[07] DEMIREL VISITS AZERBAIJANI EMBASSY
[08] HAND-OVER CEREMONY AT GENDARMARIE
[09] 50 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ZEUGMA
[10] TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN IZMIR INTERNATIONAL
FAIR REACHES 870
[11] MINISTRY TO EXCAVATE ANCIENT CITY OF ANTANDROS
[12] 2 MILLION TOURISTS VISITS ANTALYA
[01] US AMBASSADOR PARRIS PAYS FAREWELL VISITS TO PRESIDENT SEZER AND
SPEAKER AKBULUT
[02] TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN IZMIR INTERNATIONAL
FAIR REACHES 870
[03] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' MEETING
The Council of Ministers met yesterday under the chairmanship of
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Following the 2.5-hour meeting,
State Minister and Government Spokesman Rustu Kazim Yucelen said
that during the meeting issues such as the disputed decree with
the power of law (KHK), municipal workers strikes and an hydrogen
energy center to be established were discussed. Stressing that
the government would take the KHK issue to the Turkish Grand
National Assembly (TGNA) when it returns from summer recess on
Oct. 1, Minister Yucelen said: "From now on, all Ministers will
try to explain the contents of the KHK to the public clearly."
[04] CEM MEETS ARAFAT
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem conveyed Turkey's views on the Middle
East peace process to the Palestinian Head of State Yasser Arafat
in Gazze yesterday. Mr. Cem assesed the Camp David Meetings as an
important step for the peace process. Mr. Cem said: "The
leaderships of Clinton, Barak and Arafat is a good chance for the
peace process. This opportunity should not be missed." Diplomatic
sources reported that Palestinian side was pleased with Mr. Cem's
visit. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will travel to New York in
early September to attend the United Nations Millenium meeting
where he will meet with US Secretary of State Madeline Allbright
and Israeli Foreign Minister Slomo Bem-Ami. Mr. Cem will brief
them on his talks with Mr. Arafat.
[05] TURKEY: NEW GEOSTRATEGIC POWER IN THE REGION
The RAND, a US-based think-tank organization, published a report
stating Turkey appeared as a new geostrategical power in the
region. According to the report, increasing number of missile
systems in the Middle East is a threat to the security of Turkey,
therefore Turkey should be placed under the umbrella of
anti-missile system to be established against this threat. In the
report entitled "The Future of Turkey-West Relations, "Turkey is
considered being in a unique geostrategical position, due to its
proximity to the Persian Gulf and oil and natural gas fields in
the Caucasus and Central Asia regions. The report also stressed
that Turkey's access to the European Union should be supported.
[06] US AMBASSADOR PARRIS PAYS FAREWELL VISITS TO PRESIDENT SEZER AND
SPEAKER AKBULUT
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received outgoing US Ambassador Mark
Parris in the Presidential Palace yesterday for a 40-minute
farewell visit. Mr. Parris is scheduled to leave Turkey in the
first week of September. He will be replaced by Robert Pearson, a
career diplomat who is specialized on the Balkans and security
issues. Mr. Parris also paid a farewell visit to Parliament
Speaker Yildirim Akbulut.
[07] DEMIREL VISITS AZERBAIJANI EMBASSY
Former President Suleyman Demirel paid a visit to the Azerbaijani
Embassy in Ankara to extend his condolences over the death of
former Azerbaijani President Ebulfez Elcibey. In the book of
condolence, Mr. Demirel wrote: "We will remember the Turkish
world's distinguished leader Ebulfez Elcibey for his invaluable
services for Azerbaijan's independence."
[08] HAND-OVER CEREMONY AT GENDARMARIE
The Commander of Gendarmerie Gen. Rasim Betir handed over his
duty to Gen. Aytac Yalman. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Speaker
of the TGNA Yildirim Akbulut, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Chief
of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Ministers, force
commanders and a number of guests attended the hand-over
ceremony. During his speech, Gen. Betir said: "Turkish Army will
be a defender of the secular republic, Ataturk's principles and
reforms and our national unity forever."
[09] 50 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ZEUGMA
The World Bank's Turkey Director Ajay Chibber yesterday visited
the ruins of the Zeugma ancient city. Mr. Chibber said he will
try to do his utmost for extention of a loan amounting to $50
million from the World Bank for the Zeugma ancient city.After he
toured the region with Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay, Mr.
Chibber said: "It is very pleasing to see that all parts of the
society in Turkey have been trying to protect the Zeugma ancient
city." Mr. Talay, on the other hand, said: "Mosaics and the
region near the lake will be turned into be an open air museum
with the loan to be received from the World Bank."
[10] TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN IZMIR INTERNATIONAL
FAIR REACHES 870
The number of companies to take part in the International Izmir
fair rose to 870, according to Izmir Fair and Cultural Activities
General Manager Fevzi Hepsenkal. 320 foreign and 540 domestic
firms will be represented at the Izmir International Fair (IIF)
which will be opened for the 69th time on Saturday, Aug. 26.
[11] MINISTRY TO EXCAVATE ANCIENT CITY OF ANTANDROS
The Culture Ministry will launch a project to excavate the
historical riches of the Aegean area between Edremit and
Kucukkaya, including the ancient city of Antandros. A team to be
formed by the Aegean University's archaeology department will be
in charge of carrying out the excavations. Excavations will start
on Aug. 28 and are set to last for 45 days. The ancient city of
Antandros, known for its historical riches, is located in the
Edremit district of the Aegean province of Balikesir. Academics
say that the city faces the danger of being destroyed by the
rapid construction in the area.
[12] 2 MILLION TOURISTS VISITS ANTALYA
Turkey has been enjoying a good tourism season this year
especially in Antalya region. According to Antalya Governor's
office, the number of tourists visiting Antalya reached over 2
million in the first eight months of this year. Last year the
figure was around 1.3 million in the same period.
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