|
|
|
Turkish Press Review, 00-11-06
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
06.11.00
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] CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER IN ANKARA
[03] BAHCELI REELECTED AS MHP LEADER
[04] TURCO-US RELATIONS
[05] FOREIGN MINISTRY'S AGENDA
[06] REPORT: PKK INVOLVED IN LIVESTOCK SMUGGLING
[07] BAR ELECTONS HELD IN ISTANBUL
[08] STATE MINISTER ONAL: INFLATION BETTER THAN EXPECTED
[09] TURKEY: 18TH COUNTRY IN SERVICE EXPORTS
[10] SALOMON SMITH PRAISES TURKEY
[11] TOSCANA IN US MARKET
[12] UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN'S STATEMENT ON IRAQI MARKET
[13] AGREEMENT FOR CREDITS BY EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
[14] HIGH RATE OF PRODUCTION INCREASE IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
[15] PROPOSAL TO DISCUSS THE SEIZED BANKS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
[16] `EUROPEAN UNION AND GLOBALISATION' PANEL
[17] PROF. WALTER'S STATEMENT
[18] EARTHQUAKE RESEARCH
[19] BRIDGE PROJECTS
[20] AKSA GENERATOR IN KAZAKHSTAN
[21] TREASURY'S FOREIGN DEPT REPAYMENT WEEK
[22] TOURISM DEVELOPS IN TURKEY
[23] DAYS OF DEDE KORKUT
[24] TURKISH DAY IN BOSTON
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[26] FRANCE AND THE ARMENIANS BY IZZET SEDES (AKSAM)
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[02] CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER IN ANKARA
Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan arrived in Ankara yesterday
to pay an official visit at the invitation of Premier Bulent
Ecevit. During his three-day visit, Mr. Racan will meet with
Turkish authorities to exchange views on the recent developments
in the Balkans and on regional and multi-national issues. He will
also be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Turkiye/
[03] BAHCELI REELECTED AS MHP LEADER
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli was
reelected leader of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) for the
third time. During the MHP's Sixth Ordinary Big Congress, Bahceli
obtained 1,283 votes of 1,301 delegates. After his election,
Bahceli addressed the congress and listed the party targets for
the new period. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliamentary
Speaker Omer Izgi, Premier BUlent Ecevit, Motherland Party (ANAP)
leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz and True Path Party
leader (DYP) Tansu Ciller sent messages of congratulation to him
on the occasion. /Turkiye/
[04] TURCO-US RELATIONS
Whoever is elected President after the upcoming elections in the
US, a change in the positive relations between Turkey and the US
is not expected. The Democratic candidate Al Gore, and George W.
Bush, the Republican candidate, are neck and neck according to
political polls. Political observers note the different
approaches of the candidates important issues for
Turkish-American relations: The Democrat Gore will probably try
to soften the Turkish side on the Cyprus issue. During the
presidential race, Gore has previously stated that even if a
solution cannot be found for the Cyprus problem, then the
Greek-Cypriot's membership to the EU should be accepted.
Meanwhile, the Republican Bush says he is against finding an
outside solution for some issues such as the Cyprus issue or the
crisis between Israel and Palestine. If Bush is elected
President, he is not expected to be as interested in the Cyprus
problem as Clinton. In addition, if Gore is elected President, he
is expected to support Turkey's membership to the EU pending a
solution to the Cyprus issue. For Bush, the Cyprus problem is not
expected to be a priority. /Cumhuriyet/
[05] FOREIGN MINISTRY'S AGENDA
Turkey will turn its attention to foreign policy this week and
therefore Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be hard at work.
Ankara, which has been working toward becoming a member of the
European Union (EU) for many years, will learn EU's expectations
from Turkey with the Accession Partnership Document to be
declared on November 8. A draft bill on the so-called Armenian
genocide bill, withdrawn from the US House of Representatives,
will be discussed in the French Senate on November 7. One reason
the bill is being discussed in the French Senate is the
approaching elections in France. Meanwhile, the US Presidential
elections will be one of the issues closely followed by Ankara.
/Aksam/
[06] REPORT: PKK INVOLVED IN LIVESTOCK SMUGGLING
The PKK terrorist organization is engaged in smuggling livestock
on the Turkish-Iraqi and Turkish-Iranian borders to finance its
terrorist activities according to a report prepared by the
Gendarmerie Forces Command`s Anti-Organized Crimes Division. The
report stated some five million animals are smuggled from Iran
and Iraq into Turkish territory each year. The report included
comments blaming Iranian authorities for allowing the livestock
smugglers to operate. This happens, it says, out of a desire to
harm the Turkish economy. /Turkish Daily News/
[07] BAR ELECTONS HELD IN ISTANBUL
Yucel Sayman was reelected as the president of the Istanbul Bar
Association yesterday. The Istanbul Bar Association is the second
largest Bar with 15,000 members, after the Tokyo Bar Association.
Elections were held in the Law Faculty of Istanbul University.
Out of 8,262 votes, Yucel Sayman acquired 3,303 votes. Kazim
Kolcuoglu received 2,212 votes. Mr. Sayman said they will
establish a Scientific Research Institute in which the young
advocates will be active. /Hurriyet/
[08] STATE MINISTER ONAL: INFLATION BETTER THAN EXPECTED
Over the weekend, state Minister Recep Onal said that successful
results were achieved in the first nine months of the government
implemented macro-economic program. Speaking at a conference on
"Legal Dimensions in Manufacturing" in Marmaris Saturday, Onal
said inflation expectations had been broken in the last seven
months. He added that the program would be implemented in 2001
decisively. Stating that in January and October the lowest price
increases since 1987 were realized, Onal said, "Any doubt about
the program's future has completely disappeared. Th disinflation
program has caused real interest to drop remarkably and the
Turkish economy, which shrunk dramatically last year, to get
ahead in international and domestic markets. Under this program
consumption and production have taken on new life." /Turkish
Daily News/
[09] TURKEY: 18TH COUNTRY IN SERVICE EXPORTS
According World Trade Organization's data, the US leads the world
exporting the most services totalling $ 252 billion. Britain with
$ 101 billion and France with $ 79 billion follow the US. Turkey
places 18th on the list at $ 16 billion. /Sabah/
[10] SALOMON SMITH PRAISES TURKEY
The International Consultancy Company Salomon Smith mentioned the
success of Turkey's current economy program in its monthly
report. Stating that most of the objectives set in the economic
program by the Turkish government were reached, the report said
the Turkish government contended not just with macro economic
measures but also pursued certain structural reforms and achieved
a decrease in the inflation rate. The report also stated that the
Turkish government was determined to continue the program and to
overcome all obstacles which could appear during the program's
implementation. /Sabah/
[11] TOSCANA IN US MARKET
Toscana, which entered the US market last year, wants to increase
its annual sales this year. Chairman of the Leather Industry
Executive Council Yahya Uz said, "We aim to increase our sales in
the US market this year. We also want to be influential in the
manufacturing industry." Toscana will also export its products to
Spanish and Chinese markets. /Sabah/
[12] UNDERSECRETARY TUZMEN'S STATEMENT ON IRAQI MARKET
Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said Turkey would be
among the three leading countries exporting goods to Iraq. Mr.
Tuzmen said, "The export rate to Iraq will increase with the
opening of the second border gate. Iraq will give bigger portions
to the Turkish companies in biddings for agricultural products
and energy industries." /Sabah/
[13] AGREEMENT FOR CREDITS BY EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
An agreement for the second installment of 150 million euros from
a loan totaling 600 million euros from the European Investment
Bank (EIB) will be signed in Ankara today. The loans are for
reconstruction projects in Turkey's earthquake-devastated region.
Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp and EIB Vice President,
Ewald Nowotny will sign the agreement. Yesterday the Treasury
Undersecretariat reported the EIB had pledged to lend the money
to partially finance recontruction work. Last year's two
earthquakes left more than 18,000 people dead and many towns in
ruins. The agreement for the first 150 million euros was signed
on Feb.9. The loans will be used for rehabilitation of
municipality infrastructure, repair of damaged railways and
highways, housing rehabilitation, new housing construction and
rehabilitation of small businesses destroyed in the quakes.
Another 150 million will be used for financing small- and
medium-sized enterprises(KOBI). /Milliyet/
[14] HIGH RATE OF PRODUCTION INCREASE IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Turkey is the champion with the highest increase rate of
production in the automotive industry. According to the figures
in the first six months of 2000, automotive production increased
46 percent. /Hurriyet/
[15] PROPOSAL TO DISCUSS THE SEIZED BANKS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The pre-session will be convened in the Turkish General National
Assembly to discuss the proposal submitted by a Deputy of Virtue
Party, Ali Coskun, regarding the banks currently under the
control of the Deposit Account Insurance Fund. If the proposal is
approved in the presession, the issue will be taken up in the
Nov.14 general convention of the assembly. /Hurriyet/
[16] `EUROPEAN UNION AND GLOBALISATION' PANEL
European Union (EU) and globalization were discussed during two
panels organized at the TUYAP Book Fair. European Parliament
member and German Socialist Democrat Party deputy, Ozan Ceyhun,
said, "A common interior policy will be of immense benefit to
Turkey. Turkey also has many cooperation alternatives in the
international arena. I defend neither localization over
globalization, nor globalization over localization. I think the
best solution is to have both under the same roof." /Cumhuriyet/
[17] PROF. WALTER'S STATEMENT
Deutsche Bank's Chief Economist and General Director of Research
Centre, Prof. Norbert Walter, said the luckiest countries
concerning membership to the EU in 2003 were Turkey and Poland.
Prof. Walter held a seminar on the 'Euro and the European
Integration' at Sabanci University' organized by Akbank and
Deutsche Bank Private Banking. He said, "The countries which want
to be a member of the EU have to leave their independence to the
EU and to some extent surrender their sovereignty to the EU."
/Cumhuriyet/
[18] EARTHQUAKE RESEARCH
The Italian ship `Odin Finder', which began to work on the
Marmara Sea ten days ago to determine cracks resulting from
historical earthquakes, has completed its work. The results of
the research were sent to the Scientific and Technical Research
Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and will be announced to the public
after being evaluated. /Cumhuriyet/
[19] BRIDGE PROJECTS
The bridge projects planned for the Istanbul and the Canakkale
Straits will be discussed again next year. The General Director
of Highways, Dincer Yigit, said, "Research into the type of
construction and site selection for the new Istanbul bridge is
continuing. The bridge project planned for the Canakkale Strait
will be a part of the 2001 investment program, together with the
3rd bridge on the Bosphorus. /Aksam/
[20] AKSA GENERATOR IN KAZAKHSTAN
Aksa Generator, which has been active for two years in Almati
Kazakhstan's former capital, moved to its own headquarters in
Kazakhstan. The new company building was opened by the Turkish
Ambassador to Almati, Cinar Aldemir. Aksa Generator's Chairman to
the Region of Central Asia, Cagri Oncul, said, "Despite the
intense competition with European and American companies and the
global economic crisis which occurred two years ago, Aksa
Generator climbed to the top of its branch in Central Asia."
/Aksam/
[21] TREASURY'S FOREIGN DEPT REPAYMENT WEEK
The foreign debt repayment to be made by the Treasury will be
93.9 million US dollars. The payments will be made at the
beginning and at the end of this week. The total repayment to be
made by the Treasury between 1 and 10 November will reach 211.6
million US dollars. /Cumhuriyet/
[22] TOURISM DEVELOPS IN TURKEY
Turkey played host to 9,389,293 tourists during the first ten
months of this year. According to information received by the
Ministry of Tourism, the number of tourists visiting Turkey
increased by 40% when compared with the same period last year.
Chairman of Oger Travel Agency, Vural Oger, said, "Turkey had a
very good tourist season. The data we have show that 2001 will be
a good year." Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Association of
Tour Operators, Hasan Baraner, said the number of tourists
expected to visit Turkey will increase by 20-25% next year."
/Aksam/
[23] DAYS OF DEDE KORKUT
Dede Korkut Days, organized by the Ministry of Culture and the
Foundation for the Protection and Research of Anatolian Culture,
will be held in Ankara Nov. 7-8. A number of academicians are
expected to join the symposium in which Dede Korkut stories will
be discussed. /Turkiye/
[24] TURKISH DAY IN BOSTON
The Turkish Festival, which commenced in the US city of Boston
October 29th, has been an enthusiastic celebration. Mayor of
Boston, Thomas Menino declared October 29th as 'Turkish Republic
Day' for the festival. The declaration Mr. Menino signed was read
aloud by the Speaker of the Municipality, Gaston Poupon, and the
Turkish flag was hoisted in front of the Municipality building.
The Turkish Festival in Boston will continue until 28 November,
and includes the Turkish films and concerts. /Aksam/
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[26] FRANCE AND THE ARMENIANS BY IZZET SEDES (AKSAM)
Columnist Izzet Sedes writes on the bill waiting in the French
senate on the so-called Armenian Genocide. A summary of his
column is as follows:
"Soon local elections will be held in France. Mayors will be
elected in a number of important cities such as Marseilles, Lyon
and Villeurbane where citizens of Armenian descent are in the
majority. The French Senate will debate a bill claiming Armenians
were oppressed during the Ottoman Empire. Some opposition party
senators, with provocation from politicians of Armenian descent,
brought the bill (formerly debated in the Parliament but not put
into effect) with a few changes to the Senate agenda. They will
try a vote on the bill tomorrow.
The day before yesterday, French Ambassador To Turkey, Bernard
Garcia, said President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Lionel
Jospin, ministers and socialist senators firmly opposed the bill
and were working for its rejection. However, certain opposition
senators were raising the issue to gain votes. The Ambassador
also said the number of senators against the bill was high, but
the ruling socialist party, were in a minority in the Senate. The
opposition party senators, trying to make use of the situation,
put the issue on the Senate program in the hopes of securing a
few votes.
The bill may be accepted or rejected by a hair's breadth. As it
will be discussed late tomorrow night, it is difficult to
ascertain which senators will be present during the debate. The
French public is not interested in the issue. The bill has been
mentioned in a few French newspapers in cities where elections
will be held. As French Ambassador Garcia has said, a majority of
the French people are against bringing up issues detrimental to
relations with Turkey. In the US, President Clinton averted a
vote on such a bill by wielding his authority. President Chirac
and and Prime Minister Jospin could not do the same due to the
weakness of the 'cohabitation' system. Both the President and
Prime Minister have lost their strength for different reasons.
The approval of the bill is not important as there is the
possibility of sending it to the Constitutional Court. First,
however, we must await the outcome of the voting."
|
