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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-27
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> Press
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Turkish
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Foreign
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#F0F0F0"> Turkish
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Press
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Summary of the political and economic
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<td width="100%">27.02.2001</td>
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CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
[01] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL APPROVES FRAMEWORK
REGULATION
[02] IMF AND WORLD BANK DELEGATIONS MEET WITH BDDK
OFFICIALS
[03] MEETING OF TREASURY, CENTRAL BANK AND MARKET
ANALYST BANKS
[04] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[05] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING
[06] SHARON'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ROSENNE IN TURKEY
[07] CEM IN BRUSSELS
[08] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL APPROVES FRAMEWORK
REGULATION
[09] US VOICES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU BID
[10] ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN TURKEY'S ACCESSION PERIOD
[11] ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN BLACK SEA
[12] GOOD NEWS FROM CAGAN
[13] SECOND SHAME ON FRANCE
[14] ARMENIAN WARNING TO SWITZERLAND
[15] TSK COMPLETES RESTORATION OF ALBANIAN PASHA HARBOR
[16] TRNC IS A SEPARATE COUNTRY
[17] PKK IS NOT ON THE AGENDA ANYMORE
[18] BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT COSTS 2.7 BILLION US DOLLARS
[19] DEMIRALP RESIGNS
[20] PROPOSAL OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
[21] TUBE TUNNEL PROJECT FOR ISTANBUL STRAITS
[22] IMF AND WORLD BANK DELEGATIONS MEET WITH BDDK
OFFICIALS
[23] CENTRAL BANK EASES LIQUIDITY IN MARKETS
[24] MEETING OF TREASURY, CENTRAL BANK AND MARKET ANALYST
BANKS
[25] WORLD PRESS IN IMKB
[26] TURKS CONSTRUCT THE EU CENTRAL BUILDING
[27] PAYMENT FACILITY IN EXPORTS
[28] 22 COUNTRIES MEET IN TOURISM FAIR
[29] RESTORATION OF GALATA TOWER
[30] BLUE FLAGS ON THE AEGEAN COASTS
[31] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[32] EU SUPPORTS TOO, BUT..... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[01] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL APPROVES FRAMEWORK
REGULATION
MINISTER OF STATE KECECILER: "CRISIS WILL BE
OVERCOME"
[02] IMF AND WORLD BANK DELEGATIONS MEET WITH BDDK
OFFICIALS
[03] MEETING OF TREASURY, CENTRAL BANK AND MARKET
ANALYST BANKS
RASPINO: "TURKEY WILL ALSO OVERCOME THE
CRISIS LIKE BRAZIL"
[04] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[05] NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING
The National Security Council (MGK) meeting,
interrupted last week due to the argument between President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, was completed
yesterday. President Sezer, Prime Minister Ecevit, Deputy Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz, Devlet Bahceli and Husamettin Ozkan, Chief of
the General Staff Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Commander General of Gendarmerie
General Aytac Yalman and member Ministers attended the meeting. Among
the decisions taken at the MGK meeting is the suggestion to extend the
emergency rule period in certain provinces of East and Southeastern
Anatolia regions and the establisment of a Turkish Space Institution.
It was stated the atmosphere of the meeting was constructive and
positive. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz delivered a speech during
the meeting and referring to the recent economic recession said,
"Turkey has entered a very important phase concerning the
relations with the EU. We have to work harmoniously order to be
successful in this period." Other members also mentioned the
importance of harmony among state institutions in their short
speeches. Replying to questions after the meeting, Ecevit stated the
meeting was very efficient and positive. He said they received
information on the Turkish aero-space studies and agreed to
established an official institution for the issue. A written statement
issued after the meeting, said the MGK evaluated security problems
throughout the country and the domestic and foreign developments
concerning security problems were discussed during the meeting. The
chapter on security parts in the National Program was also taken up.
/Cumhuriyet/
[06] SHARON'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ROSENNE IN TURKEY
Ankara's first official contact with newly elected
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been held with Sharon's
special representative Meir Rosenne. Rosenne was received by Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and former
President Suleyman Demirel. Rosenne discussed the future of the Middle
East peace process and bilateral relations between the two countries
with Turkish officials. Stating that violence must cease in order to
resume the peace talks, Rosenne said, "No country can accept a
continuation of peace talks when its people are dying on the streets
everyday." Conveying Sharon's friendship message to Prime
Minister Ecevit, Rosenne requested Turkey continue her constructive
role in the Middle East peace process. Emphasizing the importance of
protecting the acquirements of the peace process, Rosenne said further
steps should be absolutely taken. Meanwhile, the Turkish side said the
Palestinian side was encountering serious problems due to the embargo
and, therefore, the embargo should be softened to prevent an increase
in violent incidents. Rosenne said Israel was quite pleased over its
close relations with Turkey. Stating that Turkey contributed a lot to
the peace process, Rosenne said, "Turkey's good will and positive
stance in the region are very important for peace and stability."
/Cumhuriyet/
[07] CEM IN BRUSSELS
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, in Brussels for the
NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting, will hold two critical meetings. Cem
will initially meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and
discuss the European Security and Defence Idendity (ESDI) and the
recent developments in Iraq. Later, Cem will meet with the EU
Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement, Gunther Verheugen, and take
up Turkey's National Program for full EU membership. /Hurriyet/
[08] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL APPROVES FRAMEWORK
REGULATION
The Framework Regulation was approved at the
meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels. The Council
consists of foreign ministers from EU member countries. The framework
regulation foresees the money needed during Turkey's accession period.
The framework regulation which constitutes the legal basis of the
National Program and was approved before by the European Parliament,
will be published in the Official Gazette in the following days.
Turkey is also expected to present its National Program to Brussels in
March. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] US VOICES SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU BID
A session arranged in Brussels yesterday by the
Transeuropean Political Studies Association (TEPSA) and attended by
both the US and Turkey's Permanent Representatives to the EU, debated
Turkey's relations with the EU. The US Permanent Representative
Richard Morningstar addressed those present at the session. The topic
under discussion in the session was 'Does Europe Understand Turkey?'.
Morningstar said that EU members should not argue over such issues as
border recognition but instead concentrate on more important issues
like the political and economic issues that must be resolved. He added
that both Europe and Turkey should take into account each other's
sensivities. /Turkish Daily News/
[10] ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN TURKEY'S ACCESSION PERIOD
The Ministry of the Environment Commission's report
on "Turkey-EU relations in the Accession Period" states the
draft environmental law, on the TGNA agenda, must be immediately
enacted. The report says there are certain measures Turkey should take
to meet the EU conditions concerning environmental issues. The report
listed the issues which must be given priority as follows:
"Administrative, technical and financial capacities should be
increased for these institutions to be able to complete the accession
period successfully. The division of labor and authorities among the
related institutions must be clearly defined. Investments to protect
the environment should be promoted." /Cumhuriyet/
[11] ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN BLACK SEA
New projects are being developed to prevent
environmental pollution in the Black Sea Region. Zonguldak and Black
Sea Environmental Union Chairman, Governor Ismet Metin, said he was
assigned as the coordinator governor to establish facilities to
eradicate hazardous waste materials in the region. Metin said,
"One million dollars are allocated for the establishment of
facilities in 14 cities." /Cumhuriyet/
[12] GOOD NEWS FROM CAGAN
The Minister of Forestry, Nami Cagan, stated the
Meric Delta-Igneada Longo, a stop in the migratory path of many bird
species, was placed under protection. Cagan added the Trakya
River-basin would also be protected. /Sabah/
[13] SECOND SHAME ON FRANCE
A call was made in France, which accepted the
so-called Armenian genocide draft law, to gather the Kurdish
conference. Spokesman of the Socialist Party, Vincent Peillon, wanted
the International Kurdish Conference to be convened. Peillon's call
caused a negative reaction by Ankara. In a statement Peillon said,
"Europe should intervene in the problems of the Kurdish people at
all costs. Kurdish immigration began because Kurds do not have the
opportunity to live in health and peace in Iran, Turkey and Iraq. The
US and the European Union should take the initiative and call together
an International Kurdish Conference." /Aksam/
[14] ARMENIAN WARNING TO SWITZERLAND
An initiative, which aims to have the claims of
Armenian massacre during the World War I accepted at the First Council
of the Swiss Parliament as a genocide, caused tension between Turkey
and Switzerland. A statement issued by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, said if the proposal by Josef Zisyadis, a Swiss deputy of
Armenian origin, is accepted, then relations between the two countries
might be damaged. The statement pointed out the issue should not be
used as a tool for political gains and added, "Parliaments are
not the fora to make subjective and groundless accusations concerning
the past of another country." The Turkish side noted the issue
should be left to the academic research of historians. /Turkiye/
[15] TSK COMPLETES RESTORATION OF ALBANIAN PASHA HARBOR
Pasha Harbor and Shipyard is almost ready to be
re-opened for service. The area was seriously damaged during Albanian
civil unrest in 1997. Turkey contributed $16 billion for the
restoration of the Harbor and Shipyard. A ceremony will be held to
commemorate the occasion on February 28. The Office of the Chief of
the General Staff issued a written statement and announced the
restoration activities launched by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) were
continuing as planned. The shipyard will serve not only the Albanian
Navy Forces but also NATO-owned ships. /All papers/
[16] TRNC IS A SEPARATE COUNTRY
The parliamentary delegation chaired by Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) National Assembly Chairman Ertugrul
Hasiboglu visited TGNA Speaker Omer Izgi. Speaking before the meeting,
Izgi said the TRNC was an independent country. Stating that the TGNA
is very sensitive over the Cyprus issue, Izgi said, "There are
two different nations on Cyprus. They can only discuss the
establishment of a confederation. The TGNA is not in favor of other
alternatives." He added, "The TGNA accepts that TRNC must be
included in every platform where political decisions are to be made
over the Cyprus issue. The TGNA has always been determined on the
issue and always will be. Meanwhile, Hasiboglu said Turkey was the
only country supporting the TRNC. The delegation also visited Minister
of State Sukru Sina Gurel. /Turkiye/
[17] PKK IS NOT ON THE AGENDA ANYMORE
The US Secretary of State has published its report
evaluating human rights issues in the world during 2000. The report
said the Turkish army managed to reduce the activities of the PKK
terrorist organization and that the PKK was not a current issue
anymore. Stating the Turkish government's respect to human rights, the
report added that contrary to the past, the allegations of torture
decreased in 2000. /Cumhuriyet/
[18] BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECT COSTS 2.7 BILLION US DOLLARS
It was stated the total cost of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was 2.7 billion US dollars, including
the financing cost. The Chairman of Foreign Investors Department of
the Azerbaijani Petroleum Company SOCAR, Valekh Aleskerov, held a
press conference to explain the point reached in the basic engineering
works. He said, "It will be out of the question to surpass this
figure, though it is not certain yet. The project is given utmost
priority in terms of cost, environment and security. Other companies
also continue their meetings to participate in the project. Deputy
Chairman of BP Petroleum Exports Development, Wref Digings, one of the
project partners, said it would be possible to activate the pipeline
by the end of 2004. /Aksam/
MINISTER OF STATE KECECILER: "CRISIS WILL BE
OVERCOME"
The Turkey-Oman Joint Economic Commission's initial
meeting was held. The Turkish delegation was chaired by Minister of
State Mehmet Kececiler and the Oman delegation by the Secretary
General from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, Muhammed
Bin Nasr El Kusaybi. Kececiler stated the recent crisis was not an
important one, and added Turkey had the potential to overcome the
crisis easily. /Turkiye/
[19] DEMIRALP RESIGNS
After the resignation of Central Bank Governor Gazi
Ercel, Treaury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp also left his post and
resigned yesterday. Demiralp was at his office at the Treasury
Undersecretariat until noon. After the National Security Council (MGK)
meeting, he presented his formal resignation to State Minister Recep
Onal. Ferhat Emil will become the Treasury Undersecretary by proxy.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Central Bank, Aykut Ekzen,
responsible for the banknote printing-house, construction materials,
workers' remittances and various departments, will be the Central Bank
Governor until 1 March. /Aksam/
[20] PROPOSAL OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Chairman of the Turkish Geothermal Association,
Orhan Mertoglu, visited the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources,
Cumhur Ersumer, together with the World Geothermal Congress
Organization Committee members. According to the written statement
issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Mertoglu told
Ersumer they followed and appreciated the contribution and support for
geothermal energy in Turkey, which is environmentally friendly and
recyclable. Delegation members stated they warmly welcomed the support
of the Turkish government and Ersumer for the World Geothermal
Congress to be organized in Antalya in 2005 by the Turkish Geothermal
Association. /Turkiye/
[21] TUBE TUNNEL PROJECT FOR ISTANBUL STRAITS
Tokai University Marine Engineering Department
member Professor Omer Aydan said that the Tube Tunnel Project, which
envisages the construction of a tube tunnel between Sirkeci and Harem
in Istanbul, would be carried out only after being evaluated by a
committee comprised of Turkish scientists. Speaking at a conference,
Aydan noted that Turkish scientists should detect the area of
construction in relation to earthquake zones. /All papers/
[22] IMF AND WORLD BANK DELEGATIONS MEET WITH BDDK
OFFICIALS
Delegations from the IMF and the World Bank met
with the officials of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board
(BDDK) yesterday. A banking delegation headed by Lalit Raina, Chairman
of the World Bank Banking Sector Group, began initiatives to determine
the damage caused by the recent economic crisis in the banking sector.
The economic managers will begin their studies in order to revise the
program and the monetary policy. /Milliyet/
[23] CENTRAL BANK EASES LIQUIDITY IN MARKETS
The Central Bank moved to ease the liquidity
problem in the banking sector yesterday by assuming an active role in
key money and repo markets and by opening foreign exchange deposits.
In a statement yesterday, the Central Bank said it would act as an
active counterpart in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) repo and
reserve repo market and would also announce quotes in the interbank
money market. The Bank said it would fund the market adequately so as
to prevent any payment problems, which had pushed interest rates to
record levels last week. The Central Bank also opened foreign exchange
deposits with banks, in a bid to help meet their external liabilities,
which by the afternoon amounted to approximately $830 million, in the
wake of the floatation of the lira. Markets have fixed their eyes on
the government for the announcement of a possible revision of the
economic program or competely renewed policies. Meanwhile, the US
dollar exchange rate decreased 13 % against TL and fell from 1,078,000
to 950,000 TL yesterday. The overnight interest rates decreased to 139
% in repo and to 102 % in the interbank. /All papers/
[24] MEETING OF TREASURY, CENTRAL BANK AND MARKET ANALYST
BANKS
The Treasury, Central Bank and market analyst banks
held a meeting yesterday in order to review the new monetary program.
Deputy Undersecretary of Treasury, Ferhat Emil, gave details of the
meeting, which will be announced today. He said, "We exchanged
our mutual belief that we will overcome the present situation together
through cooperation and good will. During the meeting, which was very
productive, we gave the necessary explanations to the market analyst
banks concerning the applications started by the Central Bank
yesterday and exchanged information. The meeting, attended by the
Deputy Undersecretary of Treasury, Ferhat Emil, Deputy Undersecretary
Hakan Ozyildiz, Deputy Governor of Central Bank Sureyya Serdengecti
and the representatives of the analyst banks, lasted for three hours.
/Aksam/
[25] WORLD PRESS IN IMKB
Representatives from press organizations such as
CNN International, Associated Press Television Network, BBC World and
The Wall Street Journal visited the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB)
yesterday. World financial markets are also closely following the
developments in Turkey following the crisis which emerged during the
National Security Council (MGK) meeting last week. /Hurriyet/
[26] TURKS CONSTRUCT THE EU CENTRAL BUILDING
Three Turkish companies have won a tender to build
the EU Central Building in Brussels. The 13-floor building will be a
centre for all EU Commission and EU Council administrators. The
building's construction is expected to be completed in 2004.
/Hurriyet/
RASPINO: "TURKEY WILL ALSO OVERCOME THE CRISIS
LIKE BRAZIL"
Chief Executive Officer of the TOFAS Auto Company,
Ferruccio Raspino, has drawn a parallel between Turkey and Brazil over
the recent economic crisis. Raspino said: "The devaluation will
make Turkey a more competitive power. The inflation rate will
initially rise, but then will decrease like it did in Brazil. We
believe Turkey will overcome this crisis". /Hurriyet/
[27] PAYMENT FACILITY IN EXPORTS
State Minister Tunca Toskay issued a written
statement and reported, "If the companies request, terms of the
long-term TL and foreign exchange credits amounting to nearly 160
million US dollars to be repaid on 26 February-13 March 2001 will be
extended to 14 March 2001." According to the statement, the
present interest rates will be applied to the above-mentioned terms
and the loans will be collected in a lump sum with interest on 14
March 2001. These loans will not require additional exports
undertaking or an additional guarantee. /Aksam/
[28] 22 COUNTRIES MEET IN TOURISM FAIR
The International Travel and Tourism Fair 'ITTE
2001' organized at the CNR International Fair Centre with the
contributions of the Turkish Travel Agencies' Union (TURSAB) and
Turkish Hotel Managers' Union (TUROB) ended on Sunday. 184
institutions from 22 countries attended the fair which brought
together Turkish and foreign tourism companies. Tourism Minister Erkan
Mumcu participated in the opening of the fair. TURSAB Chairman Basaran
Ulusoy said that Turkey's future was based on the tourism sector.
/Hurriyet/
[29] RESTORATION OF GALATA TOWER
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will restore the
Galata Tower. The restoration is expected to cost TL 700 billion. The
Metropolitan Municipality announced the restoration would include
redesigning the interior of the tower, establishing new spaces for
public use and modernizing the interior spaces. The bid for the
restoration has been put out by the Municipality. /Cumhuriyet/
[30] BLUE FLAGS ON THE AEGEAN COASTS
Izmir Tourism Director Ayla Karamete said that last
year 12 beaches and a one marina held blue flags, meaning that they
were clean. "This year an additional 17 beaches and one marina
will have blue flags". She added that this year more attention
will be focused on thermal therapy and religion tourism. /Turkish
Daily News/
[31] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[32] EU SUPPORTS TOO, BUT..... BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the recent
economic crisis in Turkey and the support received from abroad. A
summary of his column is as follows: "Does the European Union
support Turkey during the economic crisis, as the United States does?
How will this crisis affect Turkey's EU membership process? In fact,
the stance of the EU does not differ in essence from that of the US.
In other words, Europeans support the recent decisions Turkey has made
to overcome the crisis. However, the EU is keeping its distance and
not making any official statements expressing clear support for the
time being. No European leaders called Ankara or sent a message.
Certainly, this does not mean that Europeans are not interested in
what is going on in Turkey or are not concerned about the problem. An
EU diplomat said, 'The EU is as concerned over the crisis in Turkey as
the US is. Turkey is an important country for both the EU and the US.'
However, the fact is, Europeans are not acting in the same way as the
US. Regarding the effect of the crisis on the EU membership process,
officials state it would have no impact on integration. On the other
hand, independent circles are openly talking about such a relation.
According to the Center of European Political Studies (CEPS) Director
Michael Emerson, this crisis will delay Turkey's membership process
and will decrease the momentum achieved recently. The British daily
'The Times' sees the crisis as an obstacle on the path to enter the
EU, 'The Guardian' states the crisis has dealt a severe blow to
Turkey's request for membership. Both the EU and Turkey are continuing
their studies regarding EU membership. Yesterday, the EU Council
approved the framework agreement. In Ankara, the National Security
Council debated the National Program's chapter on security. This
Program is expected to be announced on March 8. However, the real
issue will begin after all these formalities are completed and the
contents of the National Program are enforced. As long as the tremors
in the economy continue, Turkey will find herself far behind the EU
standards. In other words, Turkey has to conform to the EU's economic
criteria as well as the political criteria. If she cannot succeed in
this, the EU may easily say Turkey is not ready economically to enter
the Union. The US has given moral support. Certainly, this has a
psychological effect and is an important contribution. The influence
of Washington on the IMF and the World Bank is known by all. However,
the US is also conveying the message that it is Turkey's problem to
rectify the problems in the economy. The path to overcome these
problems does not pass from seeking help from the US or Europe. Both
the US and Europe are giving the message that only Turkey can solve
the problem. She has to carry out the necessary political and economic
reforms and she should not expect a saviour from abroad. Turkey has to
rely on herself to correct matters.
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