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Turkish Press Review, 01-04-17Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning17.04.2001CONTENTS
[01] CEM MEETS WITH DENKTASTurkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are preparing to discuss the issue of the full EU membership of the Greek Cypriot Administration in order to determine the international outcomes of a possible membership. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met yesterday with TRNC President Rauf Denktas to evaluate the recent developments. Authorities from the Foreign Ministry stated that Turkey must do her utmost and plan the next 1-2 years very carefully. Meanwhile Cem is expected to meet with Turkish Peace Forces Commander in TRNC, General Sukru Sariisik, Republican Assembly Chairman Ertugrul Hasiboglu, Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Akinci in the morning today. He will meet in the afternoon with the Chairmen of the opposition parties, representatives from business circles and the media. He is expected to return to Turkey tomorrow. The most important topic to be discussed during his meetings is whether to return to the proximity talks held within the framework of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's goodwill mission. They will also discuss a new strategy to be pursued until 2002 which is the possible date for the approval of the Greek Cypriot Administration's EU membership. /Cumhuriyet/[02] PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT INVITED TO EU PRIME MINISTERS SUMMITAlthough Turkey, announced as a candidate European Union member at the Helsinki Summit, was not really treated as a candidate member during the term presidencies of France and Sweden, it seems that Turkey-EU affairs will gain impetus during the Belgian term of presidency, which kicks off in July. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, unlike the prime ministers of previous terms presidents who preferred to isolate Turkey, despite its candidate membership, has invited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to a meeting on "The Future of EU" due to take place on June 26, shortly before Belgium assumes the term presidency. Ecevit will take part in the summit, which will host the prime ministers of 15 EU members and 13 candidate members, as a "Doyen Premier," being the longest-served politician in Europe. /Turkish News/[03] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETINGAt the Council of Ministers' meeting, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said, "We should clearly explain the economic program, and what we want to achieve to the public. We should adopt the law that need to be urgently implemented. We should make everybody see that we back the economic program and are determined to implement it." At the meeting, a decision was taken to keep constant the interest rates applied to the credits of the farmers. /Milliyet/[04] POLITICAL AGREEMENT WITH COSTA RICATurkey and Costa Rica signed an agreement concerning a political and technical cooperation between the two countries. After the contacts held during Costa Rica Foreign Minister Roberto Rojas's official Turkey visit, a memorandum concerning the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the two countries and a framework convention on technical cooperation were signed. /Cumhuriyet/[05] IDENTITY CARD BILL PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENTA bill to allow the use of modern technology in population registration has been presented to Parliament, Anatolia News Agency reported on Monday. The bill envisions certain amendments to the Population Law, according to which births inside the country will have to be reported within 30 days, and those outside the country within 60 days. Besides registry books, population registration details will be kept on computer. Moreover, under the bill, identity cards will not be confiscated. Besides personal and administration information, individuals' identity numbers and religion will also be logged into the computer database. /Turkish News/[06] YUCELEN'S STATEMENT CONCERNING SIX LAWSThe Council of Ministers stated that it supported the economic program, announced by the State Minister Responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis on last Saturday. The consensus was reached that the Turkish economy would recover and it would enter into a growth trend during the second half of the year. Following the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, a statement was issued by the State Minister and the Government Spokesman Rustu Kazim Yucelen. Six of the urgent laws were taken into the agenda of the Council of Ministers. Yucelen, further stated that the Banking Law and the Borrowing Law would be sent to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) after it is presented to the Prime Ministry. He added that the Civil Aviation, Natural Gas, Central Bank and the Nationalization Laws would be debated at the TGNA this week. /Hurriyet/[07] PERES' STATEMENTIsraeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shimon Peres, considered the claims of the Armenian lobby in the US that they have suffered from genocide as meaningless. The Armenians in the US reacted negatively to Peres' statement. The Israeli Consulate General in Los Angeles stated, "This issue should be left not to the politicians, but to the historians." The Armenian lobby then started a campaign of message, denouncing the statements. The American National Armenian Council called on the Armenians in the US to denounce Peres' statements. /Hurriyet/[08] JEWISH LOBBY SENDS A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO BUSHThe Jewish lobby in the US sent a letter to President Bush requesting the US Administration's support for Turkey in its efforts to resolve the economic crisis and in its relations with the IMF. The head of the American Jewish Community, Bruce Ramer, and director Shula Bahat said in the letter they appreciated Bush's personal support for Turkey. The letter stressed the development of Turkey's political and economic modernization is necessary for US strategic, political and economic interests in the region. /Milliyet/[09] AN ACCUSED IN OKKAN CASE CAPTUREDMehmet Fidance, accused of being an accomplice in Diyarbakir's Head of Security, Gaffar Okkan's assassination was captured. Fidanci said he served as a watchman during the incident and fired his gun when he was escaping. /Milliyet/[10] FLEXIBILITY IN THE F-TYPE PRISONSPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave information regarding some new activities in the F-type prisons. Ecevit said, "Justice Ministry will change some implementations in the F-Type prisons. Common rooms will be arranged for inmates to participate in activities together. Sports places and libraries are to be organized and handicraft courses will be held." /Milliyet/[11] BOOK ON DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS TO BE TAUGHT IN THE ARMYIn line with harmonization efforts for the full EU membership, the Office of the General Staff began a new program for preparing half of the population that is being drafted, to adapt to the European Culture. The Office published a book "Information of Citizenship" giving information about democracy, human rights and functioning of the state. The book will be taught to the soldiers. /Sabah/[12] MODERNIZATION OF LEOPARD TANKS POSTPONEDThe modernization of Leopard tanks located mostly in the Thrace against a possible clash with Greece was postponed with other 31 projects that were delayed by the Office of the General Staff due to the economic crisis. The tank production project costing $7 billion was postponed. On the other hand, the Office of the General Staff hastened the modernization of American tanks positioned on the borders with Syria, Armenia and Iran. /Milliyet/[13] BANKING BILL PRESENTED TO RELATED MINISTRYThe bill concerning a regulation in the Banking Law and prepared by the Banking Supervision and Regulation Board (BDDK) was presented to the related State Ministry. The bill includes certain articles to prevent the abuse of the banks for private interests. /Cumhuriyet/[14] FOREIGN PRESS GIVES WIDE COVERAGE TO ECONOMIC PROGRAMForeign press is continuing to give wide coverage to Turkey's new economic program declared by the Economics Minister Kemal Dervis. Prominent French Daily Le Monde stated this was a critical period for Kemal Dervis. Le Monde said Dervis was honest and courageous while preparing the economic program. In addition, Le Figaro stated the Turkish Government would pursue a belt tightening policy and wanted to accelerate the privatization process. Stating the IMF positively reacted to the new economic program, the Wall Street Journal said the new laws to be enacted in Turkey would bring about the liberalizations of the sugar, tobacco, natural gas, airways and telecommunications sectors. Meanwhile, the Japanese press also gave coverage to the new economic program. The daily Yomiuri Shimbun stated the reforms which are a priority to the Turkish government are reducing the expenditures, expediting privatization and regulating the state banks. /Cumhuriyet/[15] TGNA SPEAKER IZGI: "WE GIVE OUR FULL SUPPORT TO THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM"The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker, Omer Izgi, said they would give full support to the Economic Program. Izgi said, "There should not be any obstacles in front of the government. I also support giving the government the authority to enact decrees with the power of law (KHKs). He added, "I said previously to Mr. Dervis that we could enact the necessary laws in 15 days. There are also other laws foreseen by the National Programme. We should do everything to support the government." /Cumhuriyet/[16] MARKETS SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROGRAMFinancial markets gave a positive response yesterday upon the announcement of the economic program on Saturday. The Istanbul Stock Exchange Index rose by 4.9 % and currency exchange rates and interest rates declined. /Milliyet/[17] TURKEY AND UZBEKISTAN TO DISCUSS TRADEThe First Joint Economic Council (JEC) meeting between Turkey and Uzbekistan will convene in Ankara on April 18-20. While Turkey will be represented by State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay, the Uzbek delegation will be headed by Foreign Economic Relations Minister Elyar Ganiyev. Ganiyev will arrive in Turkey with a delegation of five high-level officials on April 18. The agreement between the two countries to create a joint economic council was signed on July 9, 1995 in Tashkent. /Turkish Daily News/[18] GERMAN MINISTRY OF FINANCE CALLS GERMAN COMPANIES TO INVEST IN TURKEYThe first positive response to the call of the State Minister Responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, to invest in Turkey came from Germany. German Minister of Finance, Hans Eichel, called for German companies to invest in Turkey in terms of projects. Eichel particularly suggested to the German companies that if Turk Telekom is privatized, it would be a highly profitable investment. It was also revealed that Eichel has promised Dervis that he would call on the German companies to invest in Turkey during Dervis' visit to Berlin on 23 March. /Hurriyet/[19] TREASURY BIDDINGAfter the new economic program is announced, the Undersecretary of Treasury is preparing its first bidding today. The borrowing will amount to 300 trillion TL in the eight months term bidding. The participation in the bidding and the new interest rate will be a test of the new economic program. /Hurriyet/[20] WORLD BANK WELCOMES ECONOMIC PROGRAMReportedly, the World Bank welcomed the economic program declared by State Minister for Economics, Kemal Dervis, last weekend. In a statement regarding the new economic program, the World Bank said Turkey can overcome the crisis by implementing the program effectively and with the support of international finance establishments. The World Bank particularly appreciates the structural reforms and easing the situation for foreign investors, as well as social programs. /Turkiye/[21] DERVIS TO ATTEND SPRING PERIOD MEETINGSState Minister for Economics Kemal Dervis will travel to Washington at the end of April to participate in the IMF-World Bank Spring Period meetings. During the meetings between April 26 and 30, Dervis is also expected to meet with international finance circles and authorities from G-7 countries as they arrive in Washington for the meeting. He will inform them about the economic program and ask them for support. On his way to the US, Dervis will visit Frankfurt and London to meet with international banking circles. /Turkiye/[22] NEW POWERS OF CENTRAL BANKThe bill regarding the new powers of the Turkish Central Bank was submitted to the Parliament. According to the bill, Central Bank will have an autonomous structure and have the sole power to design and implement the monetary policy. A monetary policy board will be established within the Bank. /Milliyet/IMF TO GRANT $6 BILLION MORE Following the declaration of the new economic program, the IMF started to prepare a finance package to support it. Reportedly, the IMF will grant $5-6 billion in addition to its previously stated amount of $7.5 billion. Detailed work on the package will continue after completion of the IMF delegation's work in Turkey. /Turkiye/ [23] CHAIN OF FAIRSTurkish firms will attend various international fairs in the coming days to open to the world markets. Accordingly, they will participate in following fairs: April 26-29, 2001/Turkish Export Products Fair/Ghana, July 4-6, 2001/Leatherware Fair/Moscow, July 30- Aug.1, 2001/Fashion Show_ Tel Aviv, etc. _Turkiye/[24] UNDERWATER ATTRACTION STRENGTHENS ECONOMYThe underwater wealth of Turkey can strengthen Turkish tourism in the international arena, said a report prepared by the Izmir Branch of the chamber of Maritime Trade (DTO). According to the report, there were more than 300 diving centers in Turkey. "In the diving centers, while there are guides who will accompany people to dive, international diving certificates are issued", the report said. /Turkish Daily News/[25] ORHUN MONUMENTS TO LIGHT HISTORYA "Turkish Monuments in Mongolia" panel was held at Gazi University in Ankara. During the panel the work carried out by a team headed by Prof. Hakki Acun in 2000 on the Orhun Monuments in Mongolia was discussed. In his opening speech, State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay recalled the Turkish and Mongolian governments signed a protocol in 1995 for carrying out excavations in the region and agreed to take the monuments under protection. Minister Cay said he believes the Orhun Monuments together with some 7-8 tombs will enlighten Turkish history. He also emphasized the monuments are not only artefacts that give us historical information, but they are also invaluable literary examples. /Turkiye/[26] THEATER COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND GERMANYOne of the most prominent theater groups in Germany, the Schaubuhne, and Izmit Greater City Municipality Provincial Theater Group initiated an attempt to work together. Theater dramaturge Emre Koyuncuoglu traveled to Berlin to be a observer in the rehearsals of Yugoslavian writer Biljina Srblijanovich's play "Supermarket", to be performed by the Schaubuhne. The Goethe Institute also supports this project. /Cumhuriyet/[27] TURKISH TASTES IN 'FOOD AND WINE'America's prestigious magazine, 'Food and Wine', promoted Turkish cuisine with the famous journalist and gourmet, Engin Akin, in its latest issue. The article in 'Food and Wine' titled 'Engin's Empire' was written by Anya Von Bremzen and photographed by Zubin Shroff. The magazin also praised Engin Akin, who also prepares chat programs for the radio and authors cook books. The author of the magazine article also went shopping in Istanbul with Akin, who will give a banquet for ten people. Her article promoted original Turkish foods and provided recipes. /Hurriyet/[28] EXHIBITION OF AZERBAIJANI ARTISTSThe painting exhibition organized by the "Keeping the Culture of Ankara Alive" Association during the Tourism Week was opened at the Ministry of Culture 75th year Culture Center. The paintings of Azerbaijani artists are to be exhibited until April 21. /Cumhuriyet/[29] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[30] DERVIS HAS TO ENTER POLITICS BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the need for the State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis to enter politics. A summary of his column is as follows:"Certain circles are disturbed by the invitation of Kemal Dervis to Turkey. It is needless to say that those disturbed come mostly from political circles. As soon as he arrived, he occupied a place in the minds of the people. Most politicians work all their lives to achieve such popularity but cannot succeed. Meanwhile there are rumours to the effect that restlessness is growing within the Democratic Socialist Party(DSP).The reason for this restlessness is apparent. Sensing this, Dervis was saying all along that he did not intend to enter politics in the future. However, with the announcement he made at the weekend it seems this situation will change. He accepted that his 'above politics' position was not normal and therefore he has to change this situation soon. He expressed his preference for social democracy. He has both declared his political tendencies and given an address for the future. This has encouraged the Republican People's Party(CHP). Some time ago RPP Chairman Deniz Baykal had said that there was always a place for people like Dervis in his party. It seems that leftist parties will compete with each other to attract Dervis to their parties. Kemal Dervis' policy of staying aloof from politics was not correct as he convincingly projected the air of a man in service to his people. Dervis has gathered all necessary elements for politics in his personality. First of all, the public has accepted him in no time. Secondly, he is the 'new face' the voters are longing for. Thirdly, there are no rumours concerning him. Fourthly, he has the self-confidence which is an essential characteristic for a politician to sport. Meanwhile, he portrays a multilingual Turk aware of the developments throughout the world. The surveys conducted show that Dervis still maintains his credibility among the people. There may be some who may be working against him behind his back as Dervis' success will show their failure. However, even these activities serve to increase his popularity. If Dervis cannot succeed in his mission, no one will blame him for failure, as everyone will be thinking that he was not given the opportunity to succeed. We would like to see Mr. Dervis in politics. How he enters the political arena, either from an existing party or a newly formed one is up to him. However, if he has undertaken the difficult mission of restoring the economy he must enter politics. Economy and politics are intertwined and one cannot survive without the other. There does not seem to be anyone on the horizon who can combine these two other than Mr.Dervis." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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