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Turkish Press Review, 01-05-15
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
15.05.2001
CONTENTS
[01] CRUCIAL BILLS ARE WAITING FOR THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL
[02] BLAIR'S LETTER TO ECEVIT
[03] ANKARA'S LETTER TO UNITED NATIONS
[04] CEM AND CAKMAKOGLU TRAVEL TO BRUSSELS
[05] AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY THANKS PRESIDENT BUSH FOR HIS SUPPORT TO
TURKEY
[06] GREEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER KAKLAMANIS: "TURKEY IS OUR FRIEND"
[07] DENKTAS' STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ECHR DECISION
[08] FRANCE CONTINUES TO PROTECT TERRORISTS
[09] IRAN PLAYS WITH FIRE
[10] 'REALITY' SYMPOSIUM TO START FOR US LECTURERS
[11] SCHREIBER WANTS TO BECOME A TURKISH CITIZEN
[12] MCMFORMED HAND-OVER CEREMONY
[13] TOP CHINESE COMMANDER SHUGEN QIAN IN TURKEY TO IMPROVE TIES
[14] SECCP ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD
[15] VIRTUE PARTY'S LAST DEFENSE
[16] CABINET DEBATES AID MEASURES IN FLOOD-HIT REGIONS AROUND ANTAKYA
[17] CARGO SHIPS COLLIDE, NO ONE HURT
[18] IMF MEETING
[19] BELGIAN FINANCE MINISTER IN ANKARA
[20] "THE US NEVER CUTS HER AID TO TURKEY"
[21] ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE INDEX INCREASE
[22] MARKOWITZ'S WARNING ABOUT PRIVATIZATION
[23] UZUNER'S BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED IN BRITAIN
[24] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[25] THE REASONS OF THE CRISIS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] CRUCIAL BILLS ARE WAITING FOR THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL
The Banking and Telekom Laws, among the 15 priority laws, were sent for
the approval of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Ruling parties are
expecting the ratification of the bills soon, while opposition claims
the bill will turn back from the President, as they are against the
Constitution. The Parliament passed the Banking Bill on May 11 and
Telekom Bill on May 12. /Turkiye/
[02] BLAIR'S LETTER TO ECEVIT
After the support extended by the US President George W. Bush, French
Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and Prime Minister of the European Union's
(EU) current term-president, Sweden, Goran Persson, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair also said he supported Turkey to overcome the
economic crisis. Blair wrote a letter to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
and expressed his pleasure over the joint work carried out with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). In his letter, Blair wrote, "I know
that this period, in which you try to ensure a stability in the
economy, is very hard. I just wanted to assure you of our support."
/Hurriyet/
[03] ANKARA'S LETTER TO UNITED NATIONS
Turkey has sent letters to the chairmen of the UN General Council and
UN Security Council stating the Armenian terrorism was still a threat
for the world. Main issues mentioned in the letter concened the
Chairman of the Armenian National Committee in America (ANCA), Murat
Topalyan and the threat caused by the Armenian terrorism in general.
/Cumhuriyet/
[04] CEM AND CAKMAKOGLU TRAVEL TO BRUSSELS
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem and Minister of National
Defense, Sabahattin Cakmakoglu left for Brussels yesterday to attend EU
Foreign and Defense Ministers' meeting. /Turkiye/
[05] AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY THANKS PRESIDENT BUSH FOR HIS SUPPORT TO
TURKEY
American Jewish Committee and Bnai Brith International Administration
have sent letters to President George W. Bush stating they supported
Turkey and thanking him for his support and sincerity towards Turkey.
They said Turkey would sustain stability and complete its democratic
and financial restructuring to integrate with Europe within a few
years. Stating Turkey deserved support as one of the closest allies of
the US, the Jewish community said the American support to Turkey must
continue. Claiming Turkey's success was very important for the
realisation of the US long-term targets in the Middle East, the
Caucasus and Central Asia, the letters said American support is vital
for Turkey in the economic recession period. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] GREEK PARLIAMENT SPEAKER KAKLAMANIS: "TURKEY IS OUR FRIEND"
Visiting Western Thrace on the occasion of 80th anniversary of
Komotini's annexation to Greece, Greek Parliament Speaker Apostolos
Kaklamanis stated in the press conference he held in Komotini that
Greece regards Turkey as a friend. Stating Greece showed her friendship
in Helsinki very clearly, Kaklamanis alleged that Greece has a
consistent policy regarding her relations with Turkey however Turkey
does not react in the way Greece expects. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] DENKTAS' STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ECHR DECISION
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf
Denktas, said the recent European Court of Human Rights decision which
found Turkey guilty left no reason for proximity talks. Denktas said,
"This is not the first ECHR decision which is biased. This Court is
politicised." Stating political struggle has been continuing in Cyprus
for 38 years, Denktas said, "We would not name a court, which takes
decisions privileging Greek-Cypriot human rights but at the same time
ignoring rights of the Turkish Cypriots, as a Human Rights Court.
Claiming the ECHR decision was a decision solving the Cyprus problem in
favour of the Greek Cypriots, Denktas said, "Giving the chance to apply
to the courts as a state to one party and then trying to bind the other
party for the proximity talks are not in line with justice. Such a
stance makes the proximity talks meaningless." /Cumhuriyet/
[08] FRANCE CONTINUES TO PROTECT TERRORISTS
France granted the free movement right to the terrorist organization
PKK's so-called presidential council member, terrorist Riza Altun.
Previously, France rejected his demand for political asylum in July
2000 and gave him residence permission until June 2001. Turkish
Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced France for the decision as it
will be an example for other PKK terrorists. /Turkiye/
[09] IRAN PLAYS WITH FIRE
Iran continues to support the PKK terrorist organization violating the
anti-terror agreement she signed with Turkey. The investigations of the
security forces showed that Iran continued to support the PKK. It was
reported the Iranian Intelligence Organisation SAVAMA trained PKK
militants in military barracks in Tehran. SAVAMA is reported to change
the locations of the PKK militants in every 10-15 days. It was informed
that 50 militants, who are being trained by Iranian officers would
enter Turkey after completing their training. SAVAMA also helps PKK
militants concerning accommodation and health facilities. /Sabah/
[10] 'REALITY' SYMPOSIUM TO START FOR US LECTURERS
The Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) and World
Turkish Council will hold a joint "Turkish Reality" symposium for US
history lecturers and teachers, Anatolia News Agency reported
yesterday. The symposium will begin on May 18 at the New York Hilton
Hotel. The truth about the Armenian problem, the so-called Armenian
Genocide, and other information about Turkey will be furnished to
participants. Turkey's Ambassador in Washington Baki Ilkin, FTAA
Chairman Egemen Baris and World Turkish Council Chairman Ata Erim will
attend the symposium. Panel discussions will be headed by Lousville
University lecturer Justin McCarthy and Hunter College lecturer Pierre
Oberling. /Turkish News/
[11] SCHREIBER WANTS TO BECOME A TURKISH CITIZEN
The German Bremen State's Second Chairman of the Red Cross, Ulrike
Schreiber, is preparing to apply to the Turkish Ministry of the
Interior to be a Turkish citizen. Schreiber, who began to live in
Dalyan, Turkey, in 1992, said she loved Turkey and the Turkish people
very much. Schreiber was a Deputy of the German Christian Democratic
Party and the Turco-German Community in Bremen until 1999. She said, "I
have always tried to develop the friendship between Turkey and Germany.
I have struggled for the Turkish people living in Germany for many
years. I admire the revolutions of Ataturk and the country he created.
I want to live my life in Turkey as a Turkish citizen." /Hurriyet/
[12] MCMFORMED HAND-OVER CEREMONY
The Command of the Mine Counter Measures Forces Mediterranean
(MCMFORMED) were hand over to Turkey by Greece yesterday with a
ceremony in Marmaris Aksaz Naval Base Command. Although he was invited,
Greek Naval Forces Commander Vice Admiral Georges Theodoroulakis did
not attend the ceremony. Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ilhami
Erdil said Turkey has provided MCMFORMED with minehunters and
minesweepers since 1999 and would continue with her support. Mentioning
the recent Rhodes crisis between Turkey and Greece, Erdil said,
"Despite the fact that there are many alternative transportation ways
to Turkey, Greece stated the Commander would fly over Rhodes, a
disarmed region according to the 14th article of 1947 Paris Treaty,
with a military helicopter. Greece also wanted to land the helicopter
on the island of Rhodes while waiting for the ceremony to end. Turkey
conveyed the message that it would be an honour to host the Greek
Commander in the ceremony if he chooses another way of transportation."
/Sabah/
[13] TOP CHINESE COMMANDER SHUGEN QIAN IN TURKEY TO IMPROVE TIES
Chinese Land Forces Commander and Deputy Chief of General Staff,
General Shugen Qian, visited the Army Command in the Aegean province of
Izmir, as part of his official visit to Turkey. This visit was
scheduled as part of a prior invitation by Turkish Land Forces
Commander Hilmi Ozkok. He was welcomed by a military ceremony by the
Aegean Army Commander General Cetin Dogan upon arrival at the command's
headquarters. Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Qian said that
he and the delegation accompanying him expressed the friendly views of
the Chinese people to Turkey. /Turkish News/ 12TH EUREKA CONFERENCE TO
BE HELD IN MADRID The 12th Pan-European Cooperative Research and
Development (EUREKA) inter-parliamentary conference will be held in
Madrid on May 16-18, Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday.
Democratic Left Party (DSP) Adana Deputy Ali Tekin, Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) Agri Deputy Nidai Seven and Virtue Party (FP)
Bursa Deputy Altan Karapasaoglu will depart for Madrid today as the
delegation representing the Turkish Parliament. EUREKA aims to
establish and develop joint projects to research highly competitive
technologies and services between small and medium-sized companies in
Europe. /Turkish News/
[14] SECCP ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD
The Southeastern European Countries Cooperation Process (SECCP)
interior ministries' annual meeting will be held in Tirana on May 16,
Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday. The Foreign Ministry has
issued a statement saying that Deputy Undersecretary Ambassador Yigit
Alpogan will participate in the meeting as Turkey's representative. The
decisions which came out of previous meetings of the SECCP and other
international events will be evaluated in the meeting, the statement
said. Every year, one member country holds the SECCP chairmanship and
once a year a presidents' and government leaders' summit and a foreign
ministers' meeting are held. /Turkish News/
[15] VIRTUE PARTY'S LAST DEFENSE
Virtue Party (FP) will submit its final plea to the Constitutional
Court today concerning the closure of the party. The case was opened
due to the allegations that the Virtue Party is the successor of the
Welfare Party which was previously closed and a center for the
anti-secular movements in Turkey. The final plea will be given by FP
Deputy Mustafa Kamalak. After listening to the verbal plea, President
of the Constitutional Court Mustafa Bumin will determine a specific
date for the delegation to give the final decision on the case.
/Cumhuriyet/
[16] CABINET DEBATES AID MEASURES IN FLOOD-HIT REGIONS AROUND ANTAKYA
The cabinet has decided to provide aid and subsidies to the southern
province of Antakya, which was badly hit by heavy rainfall. Announcing
the results of a one-and-a-half hour Cabinet meeting on Monday to the
press, State Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen said he, together with
Agriculture Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp and State Minister Mustafa
Yilmaz, briefed the Cabinet about the flood disaster in the province.
They were visiting the region last week. "Our government has said that
it would display the same sensitivity over this disaster it has so far
displayed for all other natural disasters," Yucelen told reporters.
Accordingly, the government has postponed the tax due date for
tradesmen and artisans in Antakya by two months. /Turkish News/
[17] CARGO SHIPS COLLIDE, NO ONE HURT
Two cargo ships, one Greek and the other Turkish, were confined to the
Greek port of Neapolis pending an investigation into their collision
late Sunday. No injuries or serious damage were caused by the incident
that occured near the island of Kythria, about 200 kilometres (124
miles) southwest of Athens. The Turkish vessel had 16 people on board
and was carrying iron, while details of its route were not immediately
known. /Turkish Daily News/
[18] IMF MEETING
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Directors' meeting will
be held in Washington today. During the meeting, Turkey's 30-page
Letter of Intent will be discussed. The letter which includes the new
economic program and the $14.3-billion loan to Turkey is expected to be
ratified. Following the approval, $3.9 billion will be released soon.
/Turkiye/
[19] BELGIAN FINANCE MINISTER IN ANKARA
Belgium Minister of Finance Didier Reynders, who arrived in Turkey on
Sunday, met with Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral after a breakfast with
State Minister for Economics, Kemal Dervis. Reynders said, "Turkey
presented her program to the IMF. This plan is important for Turkey to
enter the EU." /Turkiye/
[20] "THE US NEVER CUTS HER AID TO TURKEY"
A commentary in The Wall Street Journal said even if Turkey cannot
implement the reforms and use loans efficiently, the US cannot stop her
aid to Turkey. As Turkey is a NATO member and a base for operations
against Iraq, the article said, in every case the US continues to aid
Turkey. /Turkiye/ BLUE STREAM PROJECT TO START IN 2002 The
Transportation Pipeline Company (BOTAS) declared the gas purchase from
Russia will begin in January or February 2002 in the scope of the Blue
Stream Project. The pipes produced in Japan and then processed in
Malaysia will be transported to Turkey. The pipes are expected to be
installed beneath the Black Sea at the beginning of September.
/Turkiye/ $10.2 MILLION FOR SOUTHEASTERN OIL Turkish Petroleum Joint
Company (TPAO) announced $10.2 million was spent for oil exploration in
Southeastern Anatolia last year. According to the statement, during
last 13 years, 612,471 meters of drilling has been carried out.
/Turkiye/
[21] ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE INDEX INCREASE
Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) index increased by 117 points and ended
the day with 11,896 points yesterday. The rates of the shares in the
IMKB rose by 0.99 points. /Hurriyet/
[22] MARKOWITZ'S WARNING ABOUT PRIVATIZATION
Nobel prize winner, economist Harry M. Markowitz, came to Turkey as the
guest of Sabanci University and answered the questions of the
journalists before the conference at Sabanci University. While replying
to the question of a journalist concerning the privatization, Markowitz
said, "Privatization is useful but great attention should be paid while
privatizing. Every privatization effort may not be successful. In
California, where I live, the electricity privatization is an
unsuccessful example." /Hurriyet/
[23] UZUNER'S BOOK TO BE PUBLISHED IN BRITAIN
Milet Publishing will issue a selection of the books of Buket Uzuner
titled "A Cup of Turkish Coffee" in Britain. The selection consists of
Uzuner's stories. Milet Publishing will also publish the books of other
Turkish writers including Aziz Nesin, Rifat Ilgaz and Furuzan.
/Cumhuriyet/
[24] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[25] THE REASONS OF THE CRISIS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on the recent crisis, its reasons and
effects. A summary of his column is as follows: "Foreign pressure on
Turkey has increased. Crisis in the country activates the negative
factors abroad. This is the general rule. As we have repeated many
times Turkey's problems abroad will lessen as much as she gets closer
to Europe, and increase to the extent she will move away from it. We
are on the verge of being treated as a country beyond the borders of
the European system. The reason why they cannot pressurize us further
is our ties with NATO and the Customs Union. However, the European
Union is determined to take the Greek-Cypriot Administration as a
member to the organization. The US follows a similar policy. They want
to carry out this decision by getting the Turkish approval and not
inspite of her. The policy of maintaining the status quo has come to an
end. This had gone on long enough. Russians are deploying missiles in
Armenia, close to our borders. The situation on our eastern and
southern neighbours is known by all. There is no problem with Georgia.
Relations with Bulgaria and Greece are improving. As these countries
began to adhere to the European standards they are acting more wisely.
Armenian and Kurdish issues will last for a long time and occupy our
agenda in the future too. However, the decision of the European Court
of Human Rights on Cyprus is in the forefront now. It is apparent that
such a decision which considers Turks in Cyprus as second class
citizens outside the European system and believes Greek-Cypriots to be
worthy of modern human rights is devoid of all legal and humane
considerations. It cannot be implemented. However, it will always hang
over us as the sword of Damocles. Turkey has suspended all problems in
the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia because of the economic
crisis. We are faced with all these problems because we have discussed
the principles of modern civilization standards too long and hesitated
in adopting them claiming we had special conditions."
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