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Turkish Press Review, 00-10-11
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
11.10.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] EP FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION REJECTS THE PROPOSALS OVER THE
SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] CZECH PRESIDENT HAVEL VISITS TURKEY
[04] TURKEY OPENS IRAQIAN OIL PIPELINE
[05] THE US ADMINISTRATION INTENSIFIES ITS PRESSURE
[06] EP FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION REJECTS THE PROPOSALS OVER THE
SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
[07] BAHCELI'S REACTION TO THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
[08] NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PROTEST AGAINST THE US
[09] CEM'S TELEPHONE DIPLOMACY FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
[10] CANDIDATES FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER
[11] OKUYAN IN LONDON
[12] YILMAZ'S STATEMENT ON ECONOMIC STABILITY
[13] A TURK RECEIVES GERMAN ORDER OF MERIT
[14] BULGARIA ASSIGNS A THERMIC POWER-PLANT FOR TURKEY
[15] STANDARD AND POOR'S ANALYSTS VISIT TURKEY
[16] AMERICAN FIRMS' INTEREST IN TURKEY'S ENERGY PROJECTS
[17] TURKISH-ISRAELI TEXTILE FIRMS MERGE
[18] EURASIA MANAGER WOMEN'S CONGRESS
[19] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[20] A RAY OF HOPE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
[01] EP FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION REJECTS THE PROPOSALS OVER THE
SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] CZECH PRESIDENT HAVEL VISITS TURKEY
Czech President Vaclav Havel arrived in Ankara for a three-day
visit. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer received the Czech President.
At the reception, Mr. Sezer said, "Both Turkey and the Czech
Republic place great importance on democratic principles, the
rule of law and human rights. We are members of the NATO and West
European Union and must improve our mutual close relations. Mr.
Havel is highly regarded for the historic process which paved the
way for the development of modern democratic states in his
region." The delegations have signed three separate agreements on
customs, agriculture and veterinary. /Milliyet/
[04] TURKEY OPENS IRAQIAN OIL PIPELINE
After dispatching humanitarian aid to Iraq, a second retaliation
for the Armenian bill will be made through the reconnection of
the Iraq-Turkey crude oil pipeline, which was out of use for many
years. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer
ordered BOTAS to implement the necessary preparations for the
openning of the pipeline. Within the framework of Iraqi embargo,
the pipeline, consisting of two sections, has been closed down
for almost ten years. However, one section of the pipeline was
partially opened in 1996 under the supervision of the UN. The
pipeline has a transfer capacity of 70 million ton crude oil in
total. As it has been closed, Turkey has a loss of $225 million
yearly only for the transfer of the oil. Turkey has often
expressed concerns over its losses due to the embargo, however,
it was not taken into consideration. Meanwhile, a second Turkish
plane carrying medical materials and five medical doctors will
land in Baghdad today. /Turkiye/
[05] THE US ADMINISTRATION INTENSIFIES ITS PRESSURE
The US Administration increased its pressures to prevent the
so-called Armenian genocide bill's approval on the floor of the
House of Representatives. Moreover, the criticisms issued by two
prominent American liberal newspapers have had an effect.
Diplomatic circles are noting Turkey's importance which has
increased due to the recent developments in the Mideast and
Yugoslavia. /Turkiye/
[06] EP FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMISSION REJECTS THE PROPOSALS OVER THE
SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The Foreign Relations Commission of the European Parliament (EP)
approved the Turkey report, prepared by the French
Parliamentarian Phillippe Morillion, which did not include the
statement of so-called "Armenian genocide". All the proposals
presented to the commission to include the statement in the draft
resolution affiliated with Morillion's report were rejected by
the Commission. However, the report approved by the commission
added two paragraphs concerning Turkey's relations with Armenia.
Noting that the tragic past of the Armenians should be taken into
consideration by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), the
paragraphs stated that the TGNA should respect the Armenian
minority and that Turkey should improve its relations with the
Causasus countries in accordance with the security pact. The
report will be discussed in the EP's General Council in November.
The pressure of the French government and that of the Turkish
Foreign Ministry were influential in persuading the Commission to
reject the proposals. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem sent
strong messages to the EP through the Turkish Embassy in
Brussels. He also phoned Daniel Cohn Bendit who was trying to add
the statement to the report. Emphasizing two points in his speech
with Mr. Bendit, Mr. Cem said that the EP should not damage the
improving Turkey-EU relations since the Helsinki meetings, adding
that the Turkish nation was extremeley sensitive to the issue
because of the latest developments in the US. Therefore, the EP's
stance in favour of the Armenian lobbies would seriously damage
relations. In addition, Mr. Morillion recalled the Armenian
Patriarch's statement against the resolution. He also stated that
the EP did not have the right to use the term "Armenian genocide"
and wanted members of the Commission not to make the same mistake
as the Americans. /Cumhuriyet-Sabah/
[07] BAHCELI'S REACTION TO THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
The Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and Deputy
Prime Minister, Devlet Bahceli, has voiced his reaction to the
so-called Armenian genocide bill currently being discussed in the
US House of Representatives. Speaking at the first meeting of the
new legislative year, Mr. Bahceli said, "No objective or no
excuse could ever justify playing with the historical record of
the Turkish nation and trying to convict it in the eyes of the
world. History would not forgive this act of duplicity. Our
Western allies should refrain from supporting such attempts that
would neither contribute to the peace and stability of the
region, nor to friendship and cooperation. Everbody and all
institutions in Turkey should first comprehend what these
allegations of genocide would mean for Turkey and then act more
determinedly." /Cumhuriyet/
[08] NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PROTEST AGAINST THE US
The representatives of various nongovernmental organizations held
a street demonstration in Istanbul against the United States due
to the so-called Armenian genocide bill currently being discussed
in the House of Representatives. Chairman of Kemalist Thought
Club Halil Ibrahim Sahin evaluated the bill as "a concious and
determined effort" to harm the unity of the Turkish nation.
/Cumhuriyet/
[09] CEM'S TELEPHONE DIPLOMACY FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and the officials from the Ministry
have been engaging in telephone diplomacy in hopes of preventing
the violance in the Middle East from turning into a total war.
Turkish diplomats are trying to make parties accept the
establishment of an international commission to investigate the
events. For the time being Israel is against the establishment of
such a commission. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit sent messages to
both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader
Yasser Arafat and requested them to immediately come together.
Mr. Ecevit said, "Both of you have precious leadership abilities
that will ensure peace in the region. I trust that you will
prevent a catastrophe in the region. This is your duty to your
people." /Milliyet/
[10] CANDIDATES FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER
The first two rounds of the election to decide the new Speaker of
the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will be held tomorrow.
Eight official candidates from different parties are going to
compete in the election, which is held every three years. Three
of the candidates are from the Motherland Party (ANAP), two from
the True Path Party (DYP), two others from the Nationalist Action
Party (MHP) and the Virtue Party (FP), and one independent. The
voting will be made by secret balloting and the candidates will
seek the 367 votes needed to be elected. If the numbers are not
attained, rounds three and four will be held next Tuesday and
Thursday. /All papers/
[11] OKUYAN IN LONDON
Minister of Labour and Social Security Yasar Okuyan, currently in
London, delivered a speech in the "Struggle Against Poverty and
Social Isolation Conference" organized by the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in London. Mr. Okuyan
stated that the struggle against poverty is a prerequisite for
being a social state governed by the rule of law. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] YILMAZ'S STATEMENT ON ECONOMIC STABILITY
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Sadettin
Tantan Square in Sirinevler, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz
stated that Turkey is in an important period as decisions are
being made to determine Turkey's position in the international
arena in the 21st century. Noting that the continuation of the
Turkish government's economic stability program was highly
dependent on the support of the Turkish nation, Mr. Yilmaz said,
"The government is determined to continue the stability program."
Mr. Yilmaz reminded that to be a member of the EU is a great
opportunity for Turkey. He also said that the government aims to
put the reforms of local administrations into effect by the end
of the year. /Cumhuriyet/
[13] A TURK RECEIVES GERMAN ORDER OF MERIT
German President Johannes Rau presented an order of merit to
Tayfun Keltek, who is the chairman of the North Rhein-Westfallen
Union of Foreign Assemblies (LAGA). At the 10th anniversary of
the union of two Germanies, 50 people were presented the order of
merit for their public works. /Milliyet/
[14] BULGARIA ASSIGNS A THERMIC POWER-PLANT FOR TURKEY
After signing a supplementary agreement with Russia and Georgia
on a 1.2 billion Kw_ph annual electricity sale, Energy Ministry
agreed with their Bulgarian counterparts that Bulgarian
authorities will assign the electricity production of a thermic
power-plant for use in Turkey. Furthermore, Turkey will increase
the annual purchase of electricity by 1.5 million Kw/ph.
/Milliyet_
[15] STANDARD AND POOR'S ANALYSTS VISIT TURKEY
The analysts of Standard and Poor will come to Turkey to meet
with economic bureaucrats and representatives of the private
sector. The director of Standard and Poors David Beers had said
that depending on the progress of economic reforms in Turkey,
they could increase the credit note of Turkey from B+ to BB.
/Star/
[16] AMERICAN FIRMS' INTEREST IN TURKEY'S ENERGY PROJECTS
In case the so-called Armenian Genocide bill is accepted in the
US House of Representatives, the deals with American firms worth
$11 million will be negatively affected. The largest energy
project with a cost of $7.9 million is the construction of a
thermic power-plant. American firms are interested in 18 thermic
power-plants to be built in Turkey. /Star/
[17] TURKISH-ISRAELI TEXTILE FIRMS MERGE
One of the five largest cloth producing firms in Europe, Guney
Sanayi (affiliated with Baser Holding), and Israeli Polgat
Textiles have merged. The new firm, Guney-Polgat, will be based
in Adana and %55 of the shares will belong to Guney Sanayi.
/Hurriyet/
[18] EURASIA MANAGER WOMEN'S CONGRESS
The Eurasia Manager Women's Congress will be held in Istanbul on
Nov. 2. In addition to Turkey and Turkish Speaking Republics, 17
participant and 15 observer countries from the Caucasus and the
Balkans will take part in the Congress. The topic of the Congress
will be "Sexual Equality in Societies Leads to Development and
Peace." Many famous women from the political and business world
are expected to join the Congress, including wife of the
President, Semra Sezer. /Hurriyet/
[19] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[20] A RAY OF HOPE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
Columnist Gungor Mengi comments on the recent developments in the
European Parliament on the report concerning Turkey. A summary of
his column is as follows:
"There are some promising developments in the European Parliament
Foreign Relations Committee. As the motion to include the
Armenian genocide claims to the 'Turkey Report' was debated, the
awakened consciences did not let the prejudices and slanders pass
unnoticed. French deputy Daniel Cohn-Bendit speaking on behalf of
the Greens Party, apologized in his speech and said he was ready
to withdraw the motion. He added that it would not be correct to
include the genocide claims in the report.
The author of the report, Morillon said that the EP did not have
to follow the US lead unwisely. Noting that the EP has to listen
to the Patriarch of Turkish Armenians, Mutafian, Morillon said "
We do not have any right to speak of a genocide. If we have to
talk of a historical conscience, first we have to question
ourselves on colonization, Indians in America, and the Aborigines
in Australia." British deputy Emma Nicholson requested that the
term genocide not be used in any discussions concerning Turkey.
A prestigious and influential US newspaper, The Washington Post
gave space to an article full of harsh criticisms and strong
warnings. The newspaper said that it would be crazy to lose
Turkish friendship over the House elections. The Armenian lobby
may secure the voting on the so-called genocide resolution in the
House of Representatives tomorrow. ANAP deputy Kamran Inan who is
an experienced diplomat said, 'Right now, the congressmen have
focused all their attention on the coming elections and are
unaware of the impact of the genocide debate. It would be
beneficial to inform them of the talks taking place in the
European Parliament.'
The next 24 hours is critical for us. Turkish politicians and
diplomats should do whatever they can to protect Turkey from
slander."
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