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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-19
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
19.03.2001
CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL PROGRAM TO BE DECLARED
[02] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN ANKARA
[03] BARGAINING WITH G-7 FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
[04] TURCO-AMERICAN COUNCIL'S MEETING TO START
[05] HUMAN RIGHTS TOPIC NOT TO BE TAKEN UP
[06] NEW YORK TIMES: "INTEGRATION MAY BE HARD IF ECONOMY IS NOT HEALED"
[07] ALIYEV: "THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TURKISH MILITARY BASES WOULD BE A REASONABLE INITIATIVE"
[08] CAKMAKOGLU VISITS UAE
[09] INTERNATIONAL TERROR AT THE AGENDA OF TURCO-RUSSIAN
[10] WWC MEETING IN ISTANBUL
[11] BAHCELI'S STATEMENT ON RECENT ECONOMIC CRISIS
[12] JORDAN TO MEDIATE BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA
[13] MOGULTAY QUITS CHP
[14] TURKISH-GREEK BORDER DEAL CONCLUDED
[15] TURKEY: EU AID TO BATTLE HUMAN SMUGGLING NEEDED
[16] GERMAN PARLIAMENT DEBATES PKK BAN
[17] MAY 1 TERROR IN BRITAIN
[18] FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED WITH THE IMF
[19] THE VICTORY OF CANAKKALE SEA CAMPAIGN COMMEMORATED
[20] THREE NEW BOOKS ON MASSACRES OF TURKS BY ARMENIANS
[21] IRANIAN NATURAL GAS TO BE RECEIVED IN JULY
[22] FOREIGN CREDIT TO BE RECEIVED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GAP HIGHWAY
[23] GARANTI SEALS 350 MILLION EURO SYNDICATED LOAN
[24] INTERNAL BORROWING SCHEDULE TO BE DECLARED
[25] TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR IS FIFTH IN WORLD
[26] ZEUGMA INCLUDED TOURISM AGENCY'S PROGRAM
[27] DERVIS, ANOTHER CABINET MINISTER? BY ILNUR CEVIK (TURKISH DAILY NEWS)
[01] NATIONAL PROGRAM TO BE DECLARED
The National Program will be declared today after
the Council of Ministers' meeting. It will then be submitted to the
European Union (EU). The Prime Minister's Office released a press
statement saying, the Program will be a turning point in Turkey's
relations with the EU. Additionally, it said, "The National
Program will be proof of Turkey's determination for EU membership, her
self-confidence, and a national compromise." /Turkiye/
[02] MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN ANKARA
Macedonian Foreign Minister Srgjan Kerim arrived in
Ankara last night for a two-day visit amid continuing tension on the
Kosovo-Makedonia border. Kerim will meet with his Turkish counterpart
Ismail Cem, and will seek Turkey's support in ending the violence in
Kosovo. Kerim leaves Turkey tomorrow. Cem has previously stated that
Turkey was backing Macedonia in these issues. /Turkish Daily News/
[03] BARGAINING WITH G-7 FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
At a dinner he gave yesterday, State Minister for
Economy Kemal Dervis explained to the Ambassadors of G-7 countries
that Turkey was in need of urgent foreign resources. IMF European
Director, Michael Deppler, World Bank Turkey Representative, Ajay
Chhibber, and EU Representative, Ambassador Karen Fogg were also
present at the dinner. Before the dinner Dervis spoke to the press,
" We have to discuss in detail with the public at large the
nature of the new economic program and receive their support.
Therefore, we need some time for the final version of the
program." /Milliyet/
[04] TURCO-AMERICAN COUNCIL'S MEETING TO START
A number of Turkish high level authorities and
businessmen including Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and State Minister
Kemal Dervis, delegations from the General Staff and Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources, TUSIAD members and representatives of
certain firms, will travel to the US to participate in the March 25
Turco-American Council meeting. During the three-day meeting, the US
Administration is expected to ask Turkey to put her economy on the
right track with fighting against corruption and providing
transparency. /Hurriyet/
[05] HUMAN RIGHTS TOPIC NOT TO BE TAKEN UP
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is scheduled to meet
with the US Vice- President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin
Powell and White House National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice,
March 30. Reportedly, for the first time in eight years, human rights
and democratization issues will not be on the agenda during the
meetings. Previously, during the eight-year Clinton's Administration,
human rights and democratization topics were the first articles on the
agenda to be discussed in all meetings with Turkey. On the other hand,
one of the judges at the European Court, Riza Turmen, said there is a
decline in the number of accusations against Turkey in the European
Court of Human Rights. However, there is an increase in accusations
over the freedom of expression. /Hurriyet/
[06] NEW YORK TIMES: "INTEGRATION MAY BE HARD IF ECONOMY IS NOT HEALED"
The prestigious US newspaper, The New York Times
commented, "If the economic situation of Turkey is not adjusted,
her integration with the West becomes difficult." Yesterday the
newspaper issued a commentary on Turkey stressing, "Up to now,
Turkey has been saying her strong economy would be sufficient to
become a full EU member after implementing changes in the human rights
and democracy areas. However, the recent economic crisis gives rise to
the question, "Where is Turkey going now?.'" /Turkiye/
[07] ALIYEV: "THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TURKISH MILITARY BASES WOULD BE A REASONABLE INITIATIVE"
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev said that for
the first time Turkish military bases may be established in
Azerbaijan. Aliyev said it would be better if they were established.
Aliyev added that they agreed in principle with Turkey to sign a
military cooperation agreement. Aliyev said he is hopeful about the
results of negotiations with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan to be
mediated by the US. /Milliyet/
[08] CAKMAKOGLU VISITS UAE
Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu flew to the
United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, yesterday to take part in the
IDEKS defense fair. Speaking before his departure from Ankara Esenboga
Airport, Cakmakoglu said the Turksih Armed Forces (TSK) opposes paid
military service, and if any law in this regard is approved in
Parliament, the TSK will reject it. A total of 17 Turkish firms are
participating in the fair. Cakmakoglu will also hold bilateral
meetings with the defense ministers of various countries during his
stay in Abu Dhabi. After completing his visit to the mirates,
Cakmakoglu will travel to Kuwait for another official visit. /Turkish
Daily News/
[09] INTERNATIONAL TERROR AT THE AGENDA OF TURCO-RUSSIAN
RELATIONS
The Russian Federation has begun to pressure Turkey
about international terrorism after the recent hijacking of a Russian
plane by Chechen terrorists. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov is
expected to bring Turkish support of Chechen militants to the agenda
during his April 2 visit. He is expected to convey Russia's views over
mounting security and cooperation mechanisms. Arguing Chechen
terrorists receive financial support, weapons and an open border from
Turkey, the Russian Administration demanded security mechanisms be
strengthened. It sees the security protocol signed during Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit's Moscow visit as inefficient. Meanwhile,
Russian Head of State Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Turkey next
October at the invitation of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Putin is
expected to discuss international terrorism and the Caucasus with
Turkish officials. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] WWC MEETING IN ISTANBUL
The World Water Council (WWC), an organization
coordinating the world's water strategies, met in Istanbul. Egyptian
Water Resources Minister and WWC Chairman Mahmud Abuzeid also attended
the meeting. On the first day of the four day summit, high-level
organization officials met and given information on the WWC and its
meetings. WWC French Vice President Rene Coulomb, who chaired the
initial meeting, said the WWC was the most important organization in
the world concerning world-wide water issues. Stating the GAP
(Southeastern Anatolia Project) was a world famous project, Coulomb
said the project included not only water issues, but also regional,
social, cultural and economic issues. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] BAHCELI'S STATEMENT ON RECENT ECONOMIC CRISIS
The Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP),
Devlet Bahceli, said $35 million was needed to overcome the economic
crisis. Bahceli stated, "At the first stage, $13 million is
necessary to relieve the shock of the crisis. Works to find this
amount will be carried out this week. As soon as we find the money,
the market fluctuations will stop and equilibrium will be
regained." /Star/
[12] JORDAN TO MEDIATE BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA
Jordan will mediate between Turkey and Syria
concerning highway transportation. On its recent visit to Jordan, the
Foreign trade delegation secured the promise of Jordanian officials to
help find solutions to certain problems between Turkey and Syria.
Jordan is also expected to persuade Syria on the issue of transferring
Egyptian oil and natural gas. /Star/
[13] MOGULTAY QUITS CHP
Following Honorary Chairman Erdal Inonu's
resignation from the Republican People's Party (CHP), another leading
opposition leader to CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal, former minister and
CHP Vice Chairman, Mehmet Mogultay, were sent to the party's
discipline committee. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] TURKISH-GREEK BORDER DEAL CONCLUDED
Officials from Turkey and Greece signed a
cooperation deal Saturday between villages and towns on either side of
their often-tense common border. State Minister Yuksel Yalova, who
represented the Turkish government at the signing ceremony, said the
positive outcome was the result of three years of work. The Greek
government was represented by Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
Papandreou, with his Turkish colleague Ismail Cem, engineered the
current rapprochement between the two countries. "We are seeing
that the closeness between Turkey and Greece has developed quickly in
the past few years, and that, as Mr. Papandreou always points out, the
peoples diplomacy dimension, as well as the relations between
universities, trade unions, students groups, and artists. are also
developing," Yalova said. Papandreou, for his part, praised the
deal as a symbol of cooperation in the Balkans. /Turkish News/
[15] TURKEY: EU AID TO BATTLE HUMAN SMUGGLING NEEDED
Interior Ministry Undersecretary Saim Cotur and
Justice Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Seref Unal represented Turkey
at the European Union Commission's interior ministers meeting last
week in Brussels. Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan, who was invited
by the commission, could not attend the meeting due to his scheduled
appointments with Turkish opposition leaders in Ankara. The commission
organized the meeting right after a ship carrying refugees ran aground
near Cannes in France. The fight against organized crime, drug
smuggling and illegal immigration constituted the main topics of the
meeting. The participating countries searched for new ways to
cooperate in combatting the incidence of these serious crimes. Saim
Cotur, who spoke on behalf of Turkey at the meeting, asked the EU to
extend financial aid to Turkey and to work together with the Turkish
government to prevent human trafficking. /Turkish News/
[16] GERMAN PARLIAMENT DEBATES PKK BAN
During debates over the banning of terrorist
organizations, the German Federal Parliament was asked to continue its
ban on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Relating PKK terrorist
activities committed in Germany, German Interior Ministry
Undersecretary Sonntag-Wolgast indicated the PKK continues to disturb
the peace in Germany with its activities. Sonntag-Wolgast said he was
in favor of continuating the ban as the PKK is still a threat to peace
in Germany. Social Democrat Party (SDP) Deputy Reinhold Hiller said
the internal peace of Germany has been under threat ever since Ocalan
was arrested. Speaking on behalf of the opposition Union Parties
(CDU_CSU), Martin Hohman said the PKK declared Germany "enemy
number two" in October 1991. He also added the PKK has been
involved in all kinds of crimes such as murder, assault, arson and
bribery since 1984. /Turkish Daily News/
[17] MAY 1 TERROR IN BRITAIN
According to reports prepared by British
intelligence and the Metropolitan police forces responsible for
London's security, 150,000 people from around the world are expected
to participate in the May 1st anti-capitalist demonstrations to be
held in London. The reports said certain terrorist organizations,
including the PKK and DHKP-C, will be active during the demonstration.
Members of the PKK and DHKP-C were accused of violence in Westminister
during last year's demonstrations. According to the report, Turkish
groups will gather at Waterloo Station and arrive in Westminister
region together. /Cumhuriyet/
[18] FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED WITH THE IMF
IMF European Director, Michael Deppler, and the
State Minister for Economy, Kemal Dervis will announce today the
framework agreement for the urgent measures package. Economy
bureaucrats will also give some pivotal economic indicators, but will
refrain from determining a target inflation and growth rate in order
to prevent a negative psychological impact on the public. Target
export and import amounts were readjusted according to the rise in
exchange rates. The target for exports was increased from $31 billion
to $35-37 billion, and the target for imports was decreased from $54.5
billion to $50 billion. A band of around 40-45 % inflation will be
targeted. With the signing of the framework agreement, around $5-7.5
billion in fresh money will be transferred for the rehabilitation of
the state-owned banks and to compensate their duty losses. The US
Treasury and G-7 countries will give the same amount of additional
resources within the framework of the same agreement. The total amount
of foreign resources will be around $10-15 billion. /Milliyet/
[19] THE VICTORY OF CANAKKALE SEA CAMPAIGN COMMEMORATED
The 86th anniversary of the Canakkale (Dardanelles)
Sea War was commemorated. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and
Parliamentary Speaker Omer Izgi issued celebration messages. Ecevit
said, "The Canakkale Campaign was the first war Turks fought on
their homesoil. After this war, the concept of a "land of the
people" was adopted instead of the land of the sultan." Izgi
said, "This victory proved to those people trying to invade
Turkey that their wish would never be fulfilled." /Milliyet/
[20] THREE NEW BOOKS ON MASSACRES OF TURKS BY ARMENIANS
The Prime Ministry Directorate General of State
Archives published three new books on the massacres of Turks by
Armenians. In the books there are documents proving that 518,000 Turks
were killed. It is also known that around 2 million Turks were killed
during the World War I. The documents are comprised of reports by
committees which conducted investigations in the region, the
depositions of people given to the investigation committees and
reports of the army commanders, army inspectors, provincial governors,
district governors and police officers. /Milliyet/
[21] IRANIAN NATURAL GAS TO BE RECEIVED IN JULY
The Pipelines Company (Botas) Director, Gokhan
Yardim, said, the construction of pipelines carrying Iranian natural
gas to Turkey was completed except for the 300km. portion. The
Pipelines will be ready by July 2001. 57 provinces will be able to use
the gas. /Aksam/
[22] FOREIGN CREDIT TO BE RECEIVED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GAP HIGHWAY
The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) will build
a highway between Gaziantep and Sanliurfa using $492 million in
foreign credits. Turkish firms will construct the highway, which will
later be extended to Trabzon in the Black Sea and Mersin in the
Mediterranean regions. /Aksam/
[23] GARANTI SEALS 350 MILLION EURO SYNDICATED LOAN
Garanti Bank yesterday sealed a 350 million euro
syndicated loan with 18 arrangers in London. In a written statement
the bank said the loan was secured at a Euribor+0.6 percent interest
rate. Garanti said its ability to undertake such a substantial amount
of borrowing at a time marked by the economic crisis shows continued
international market confidence in the bank. /Turkish Daily News/
[24] INTERNAL BORROWING SCHEDULE TO BE DECLARED
The Treasury will declare its internal borrowing
schedule today. Reportedly, a strategy for borrowing is expected to be
determined. There are two methods under discussion: limiting the
maturity dates to one or three months and issuing papers with a longer
than one year-maturity at floating rates and one month coupon payment.
Meanwhile, the Treasury will realize a TL 2.4-quadrillion internal
debt repayment March 21. /Turkiye/
[25] TURKISH TEXTILE SECTOR IS FIFTH IN WORLD
The Turkish textile sector ranks fifth in world
textile exports, Serdar Yavasoglu, the Chairman of the Aegean Clothing
Industrialists' Association said. Stating that despite the hard
economic conditions in Turkey, the textile sector has survided. He
added that according to European Union data, Turkey is the second
country in the world after China in respect of supplying
ready-to-wear. /Turkish Daily News/
[26] ZEUGMA INCLUDED TOURISM AGENCY'S PROGRAM
Since Zeugma Antique City was in the international
eye recently, tourism agencies have begun including the city in their
tour programs. TURSAB Gaziantep branch Executive Council Chairman
Mehmet Bacaksiz said, "Zeugma has greatly contributed to the
region's promotion. It is a very important historical site for us, as
well as for the people living in the region. /Cumhuriyet/
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[27] DERVIS, ANOTHER CABINET MINISTER? BY ILNUR CEVIK (TURKISH DAILY NEWS)
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, the Chairman of
the Motherland Party (ANAP) which is the junior partner of the
coalition, says Kemal Dervis is just "another" minister in
the Cabinet. The leader of the senior coalition partner Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli, who is also a deputy prime
minister, says the same things and stresses Dervis is just one of the
32 ministers in the cabinet... If this is the case and the government
just wanted a simple reshuffle in the Cabinet by assigning State
Minister Recep Onal to another duty after failing to manage the recent
economic crisis and replacing him with Kemal Dervis from the World
Bank we feel this was all a great mistake. The government could have
easily found a replacement for Onal among its 351 deputies in
Parliament and thus would not have had to enlist someone all the way
from Washington to solve our problems. Both Bahceli and Yilmaz are
playing internal politics. They simply could not tell their
supporters: "We failed badly, we were in a hopeless position. We
had lost all credibility. We simply needed someone which would restore
this credibility and get the country back on track. So we enlisted
Kemal Dervis as an economic supremo with full authority to run the
economy without any interference. We will give him all the political
backing he needs and we will not interfere in his good work".
Instead we hear that the coalition partners tried to get Dervis to
join Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's Democratic Left Party (DSP) in a
bid to trap him in their own petty political games and make him a
partner fort their own blunders. We are sure some DSP people close to
Ecevit are also in this game to push Dervis into the Turkish political
mess and hurt his long-term prospects in Turkey... The mission of
Dervis will never succeed as long as it is not supplemented with
democratic and social reforms. Here we feel Dervis has to push for
such reforms in the next few months provided he is really given a free
hand to correct the current mess...
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