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Turkish Press Review, 01-05-16Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning16.05.2001CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT IN DISASTER REGIONPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit visited Antakya which was recently inundated due to the heavy rain. Stating the disaster of flood caused a great damage in Antakya, Ecevit said, "As the Turkish state managed to overcome the problems caused by the 1999 Marmara earthquake in cooperation with Turkish nation, it will also show the same strength and cooperation for overcoming the negative consequences of the disaster of flood." Adana Governor and Crisis Center Chairman Oguz Kagan Koksal informed Ecevit about the recent conditions in Antakya. /Cumhuriyet/[02] CEM IN BRUSSELSForeign Minister Ismail Cem, currently holding meetings with EU authorities in Brussels, met with the EU commissioner responsible for Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, and EU Comman Foreign Policy and Defense Higher Representative, Javier Solana, yesterday. Talking to journalists, Cem said regarding the relations with the EU, the ball is now in Turkey's corner. /Turkiye/[03] DERVIS TO TRAVEL TO PARISState Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, will travel to Paris today to attend an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting. Dervis will brief the OECD member countries on the new economic program and recent economic situation in Turkey. Minister Dervis is also expected to meet with international investment institutions' and banks' representatives to obtain financial support. /Turkiye/[04] KIVRIKOGLU AT NATO MEETINGThe 142nd NATO Military Committee meetings began in Brussels. During the meeetings, which will end today, Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu is representing Turkey. Reportedly, alliance's various military plans and European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) topics will be discussed at the meetings. /Turkiye/[05] DENKTAS: EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE UNFAIR ABOUT CYPRUS ISSUETurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas Turkish Cypriots were subjected to unfair treatment by the EU member countries who are submissive to Greek blackmail. Denktas said, "EU countries support Greek Cypriots without taking the possible damages that may occur into account and closed all the ways for reconciliation." He added that the aim of Greek Cypriots for entering the EU was to make Cyprus a part of the European land in order to expel Turkish soldiers out of the island and then to reduce Turkish people to a minority on the island. /Cumhuriyet/[06] GUREL: NEW INITIATIVE NECESSARY FOR CYPRUS TALKSState Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, who is in the United States to take part in the annual Turkish parade to be held in New York and to attend a meeting with US officials in order to explain Turkey's view on the Cyprus issue, participated in a conference on Monday. Sukru Sina Gurel said since the parameters had been changed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan must launch a new initiative that will constitute the basis of the negotiations. Gurel, in his second day, attended a conference at the George Washington University and said it would be wrong to link the Cyprus problem with Turkey's EU membership. Gurel critisized both the European Union and the United Nations for turning the green light for the Greek Cypriots' EU membership and once again warned that in case of the Greek Cypriots' membership, the dispute will become complicated more than before. /Turkish Daily News/[07] ISA KAMBER IN ANKARAIsa Kamber, the leader of the main opposition party in Azerbaijan, al-Musavvat came to Ankara upon the invitation of the Eurasian Strategic Studies Foundation (ASAM). Kamber was greeted by Bulent Akarcali, Istanbul Deputy of the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the head of the Turkish Democracy Foundation at Ankara's Esenboga Airport. Kamber will have regional and bilateral discussions and visits in Istanbul and in Ankara until May 25. /Turkish Daily News/[08] TURKISH DELEGATION TO VISIT AFGHANISTANA Turkish delegation headed by Ambassador Aydemir Erman, the coordinator on Afghan affairs, is planning to visit Afghanistan on May 19. Erman and his accompanying delegation will conduct searches on humanitarian aid projects to be carried out by Turkey. /Turkish Daily News/[09] JUSTICE MINISTER TURK IN ROMANIAJustice Minister Prof. Hikmet Sami Turk has gone to Romania on an official visit to speak with his counterpart Michalea Rodica Stanoiu. Speaking at a joint press conference, the two Justice Ministers said they had discussed drug trafficking, illegal immigration, money laundering and other international and cross-border crimes, and how to combat them. They also mentioned an exchange program by which five judges from their respective countries would go to the other for work experience. /Turkish Daily News/[10] LORD JOHNSTON COMING TO ANKARACouncil of Europe Parliamentarians Council Chairman Lord Russel-Johnston is coming to Ankara as the official guest of Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi and will stay between May 17-18. Lord Johnston will also be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer as well as the Prime Minister and other coalition leaders, the Foreign Minister and Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Mustafa Bumin. /Turkish Daily News/[11] REACTION TO EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECISIONTurkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chairman Kursat Eser negatively reacted to the recent European Court of Human Rights decision finding Turkey guilty as charged by the application of the Greek Cypriot Administration as a state. Eser stated the decision ignored the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the name of privileging the rights of the Greek Cypriots. /Cumhuriyet/[12] AMBASSADOR KOKSAL RETURNS TO FRANCETurkish Ambassador to Paris, Sonmez Koksal, who had been summoned to Turkey for "political consultations" upon the French approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill, returned to France to resume his duty. French officials stated they were pleased with Koksal's return. France conveyed the message that she wanted to improve bilateral relations with Turkey. French Foreign Ministry said, "French officials are pleased with the return of an ambassador from such a country who is a friend and an ally of France." /Cumhuriyet/[13] AVIATION MARTYRS COMMEMORATEDAviation martyrs were commemorated throughout the country and in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday. Relatives of the martyrs, military personnels and citizens joined the ceremonies. Additionally, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, the True Path Party (DYP) leader, Tansu Ciller, issued messages to mark the May 15 Aviation Martyrs Commemoration Day. /Turkiye/[14] CAVANO: "ARMENIANS ARE INVADERS"The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) American Co-Chairman, Cary Cavano, said, "It is a reality that Armenia invaded the Azeri territory and everybody knows it." Addressing a meeting with the participation of US citizens of Azeri origin, Cavano said, "Azeri territory is still under occupation and we should find a solution to this issue." /Turkiye/[15] NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAMAt the press conference organized a couple hours prior to the meeting of the IMF Executive Directors, State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, said every citizen should support the new economic program to achieve a stronger Turkey with a stronger economy. The targets of the new economic program are as follows: 1.By the year's end consumer price index(CPI) will be around 52%. 2.The budget deficit will not exceed $26.5 billion. 3. Privatization of Turk Telekom, Tupras, State Monopolies(Tekel), Sugar Factories, Tedas and Teas will be completed. A revenue of $1 billion will be obtained through privatization. In 2002, state revenues from privatization will rise to $3.5 billion. /Milliyet/[16] NEW MONETARY POLICYGovernor of the Central Bank, Sureyya Serdengecti, announced yesterday the new monetary policy. Serdengecti said exchange rates will be determined according to demand and supply conditions in the market. The Central Bank will interfere the exchange rates if extreme fluctuations occur at the rates.In order to enhance financial stability, a policy which would result in achieving low level interest rates would be followed. /Milliyet/[17] TURKISH AND RUSSIAN BUSINESS CIRCLES TO MEETA seminar arranged by different Russian and Turkish business groups affiliated to the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and discussing "General Problems in Russian and Turkish Economic Policies" will take place in Moscow on May 22. The seminar will look at how crises have affected both countries' economic relations. The switch to the market economy, seen in Turkey in the 1980s and in Russian in the 1990s, will also be look at with respect to the successes and failures of the process. In addition, the standby agreements made by both countries with the IMF as well as the restructuring of the banking sector and other financial reforms will be discussed. /Turkish Daily News/STATE BOND OFFER WITH AN 89.7% INTEREST RATE The Treasury sold state bonds worth around $750 million with 89.7% interest rate. The experts considered the bidding succesful. The banks purchased the bonds with the expectation that interest rates will fall after the announcement of the monetary policy in the economic program. The repo interest rates also declined by 2%. /Milliyet/ [18] NEW TURKISH COMPANY IN THE NETHERLANDSAnadolu Cam will establish a company in Amsterdam with a capital worth 2.7 million Euros. This new company will establish a factory in Russia for glassware production. /Milliyet/[19] ISBANK AMONG THE BEST BANKS IN THE WORLDThe American financial journal "Global Finance" published the results of the "Best Banks of 2001" survey. The evaluation was carried out through analyzing the assets, number of branches and the position of the banks in respective markets in 56 different countries. The journal identified Isbank as the best and most reliable bank in Turkey. /Milliyet/[20] CHANGES IN PETROL OFISIPetrol Ofisi (Petroleum Company) Director-General Ertugrul Tuncer said they aimed to modernize 400 stations this year. After the privatization of the Petrol Ofisi, the restoration is continuing under the name of "silver project". Tuncer stated this was a new period for the company. /Hurriyet/[21] HEIDELBERG: CRISIS WILL BE SHORTA member of the Heidelberg Executive Board, Klaus Spiegel, who is currently in Istanbul to visit the ninth Printing Fair, said that as Turkey had regional potential she would weather the crisis in a very short period. Stating their confidence and investments in Turkey are continuing, Spiegel said they would start a campaign in Turkey to support printers. /Hurriyet/IMF APPROVES $19-BILLION LOAN TO TURKEY The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $19-billion loan to be granted to Turkey. At the four-hour yesterday meeting in Washington, IMF Executive Directors Board discussed Turkey's new economic program. The Board decided to grant Turkey $19-billion loan in total. The loan will be given in slices. The first slice worth $3.8-billion will be transfered to Turkey soon. /Turkiye/ [22] TOFAS' EXPORT TARGET IS ONE BILLION DOLARSBulent Ozaydinli, the Chairman of the Koc Holding Tofas Group, declared Tofas Turk Automotive Factory Stock Company and Tofas Auto Trade Stock Company decided to merge. He said following the merge of the marketing and sale departments, Tofas aims at $1-billion exports this year. /Turkiye/[23] ZIRAAT AND HALKBANK TO BE PRIVATIZEDThe Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK) declared the "Restructuring Program of the Banking Sector" yesterday. Accordingly, Ziraat and Halkbank will be privatized in three years. Emlak Bank will be liquidated and transferred to Ziraat Bank. Additionally, the program also foresees the privatization of Vakiflar Bank. /Turkiye/[24] GOLDEN WINGS TO TAKE THE SKIES AGAINTwo aircraft named "Fethi" and "Sadik" and that are going to retrace the 2,515 km. route first flown by Turkish pilots in 1914, took to the skies in Istanbul. The ceremony was held at Yesilkoy military airfield and was attended by Air Forces Commander Air Chief Marshall Ergin Celaisn, Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir and Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) Director-General Yucel Yener. /Turkish Daily News/[25] HELICOPTERS TO FIGHT SUMMER FOREST FIRESThe Forestry Ministry is establishing helicopter squadrons to combat forest fires during the summer. These squadrons will be deployed in fire hazard areas from June on. The Forestry Ministry will continue to rent helicopters this year, including eight general purpose and eight airborne fire fighter helicopters. /Turkish News/[26] TURKISH PRISONS DISCUSSED IN EU GENERAL AFFAIRS MEETINGThe situation in Turkish prisons was discussed at the EU General Affairs Council the previous day. Belgian Foreign Minister, Louis Michel critized the administration of prisons in Turkey. The EU's Commissioner responsible for enlargement Gunter Verheugen said they are observing the situation very closely and are in touch with the Turkish officials. Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, said Turkey should not be pressurized on this issue, because Turkey took some important steps for reform in prisons and before taking an initiative at the Union level, they should wait and see the results of these efforts. /Milliyet/[27] MEDALS FOR SUPERIOR SERVICES TO TURKISH DIPLOMATSTurkish Foreign Ministry presented medals for their high level performances to the Turkish diplomats Namik Kemal Yolga, Necdet Kent and Selahattin Ulkumen, who rescued Jews from the Nazi cruelty during the Second World War. Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Faruk Logoglu said "Turkish diplomats added another success to their dignified past by rescuing thousands of Jews from the Hitler cruelty." Additionally, Israeli Ambassador to Ankara Uri Bar-Ner thanked Turkish diplomats. /Cumhuriyet/[28] STUDENTS' HISTORY CONGRESSTurkish and Greek students attended a congress on the "Historiography and History Education" and said the history books in both countries should be rewritten by putting aside political concerns. Middle East Technical University and History Foundation organized the congress. Elina Stergatou, Panagiotis Kontolaimos, Mary Saukalopoulou, Murat Yasar, Neslihan Tekelioglu and Secil Yilmaz criticized the style of history writing in two countries. Greek history students said their history books have such expressions as "Asia Minor Disaster" for the Turkish War of Independence. Turks are defined as enemies in the books. Turkish students also enumerated some proverbs labeling the Greeks as hypocrats. /Milliyet/[29] TURKISH FOLK MUSIC CONCERT IN CENTRAL PARKA culture and art foundation named the "Moon and Stars Project" organized a Turkish folk music concert in New York Central Park within the framework of MayFest 2001. New Yorkers showed great interest in the concert. Stating that the concert was the first for both the Turkish community and New York, New York Municipality Parks Director Henry J. Stern said, "We want every culture to exhibit their art and culture. Art helps people get closer and destroys all negative predijuces about different cultures. Therefore, I want to celebrate the Moon and Stars Project for taking such an important step in the name of the Turkish community." /Cumhuriyet/[30] KUSADASI SHORT FILM FESTIVALThe theme of the Kusadasi Short Film Festival to take place between June 19-24 will be "Environment and Culture" this year. Short films from Turkey, Germany, Spain, Britain, France and Greece will be screened during the festival. /Cumhuriyet/[31] 'NEMRUT DAGI' RECEIVES GOLDEN CAMERA AWARD'Nemrut Dagi' (Mountain of Nimrod) received the Golden Camera Award (Grand Prize within the section of History and Biography) at the Chicago International Film and Video Festival. The award will be presented to the producer of the film, Tolga Ornek with a ceremony on June 8. /Cumhuriyet/[32] TOURISM MINISTRY WINS BEST AD AWARDThe Tourism Ministry's new newspaper advertisement promoting Turkey as a holiday destination came first among 18 other ads in Helsinki's Sanomat daily newspaper. The Tourism Ministry issued a statement saying that the advertisement, which received much attention, was published in Finland's best selling newspaper. /Turkish News/[33] "LETTERS IN GOLD" IN FRANKFURTThe exhibition, "Sultan's Seal", including items from Sabanci Calligraphy Collection, will be opened today in Frankfurt by Sabanci Holding Executive Board Chairman, Sakip Sabanci, and Chairman of Deutsche Bank, Rolf Breuer. The exhibiiton will be open until July 24 at Frankfurt Museums Fur Angewandte Kunst Museum under Deutsche Bank's sponsorship. The "Sultan's Seal" was previously exhibited at various famous museums in the world between 1998 and 2001. /Turkiye/[34] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[35] FOR A BETTER SOLUTION BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the recent ruling of the European Court of Human Rights with regards to Cyprus and expresses the need for a better solution. A summary of his column is as follows:"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas reacted harshly to the ruling of the international court in a letter where he said, 'This is a result stemming from the consensus of those who recognize the criminal Greek Cypriot Administration as the only legal representative of the island, carrying injustice to the highest levels and leaving nothing to be negotiated at the table.' In other words, TRNC President says that it is out of the question for the Turkish-Cypriot side to come to the negotiation table and the possibility of restarting these talks is nil. Denktas also expressed his belief that even though the Cyprus problem is not on the right track for the Turkish-Cypriot side, it is not going in the direction Greek-Cypriots desire. The separation between both communities is getting deeper. 'We are faced with either living as a minority under the Greek-Cypriot Administration or a return to the pre-1974 period. It is certain that we shall not return to pre-1974 era.' Although President Denktas believes that deepening of separation and moving further away from the solution foreseen for years is a positive development, we do no share his views. If the Island wil remain divided, maybe the Greek Cyyriot Administration will not speak for the whole of Cyprus. However, the Greek Cypriots will always take their place as the Cypriot State in the international arena, sustain their high living standards, improve their political and economic ties with the whole world and finally enter the EU. The recent developments all point to that direction and therefore cannot be defined as negative for the Greek Cypriots. By pursuing the present policies, the result achieved can be the stiffening of separation and the presence of two states on the Island. The issue at hand is how the TRNC will maintain her status as a separate state. Integration with Turkey seems the only possible solution. However, it shoud be evalutated objectively how the presence of such a state will be recognized throughout the world if this 'integration' does not turn into an annexation. While making such an evaluation, the expectations and trends of the Turkish Cypriots should be taken into consideration with their pros and cons. Importance should be attached not only to the consequences of Greek Cypriot EU membership but also to Turkey's relations with the EU, Ankara's foreign policy priorities and targets while realistically evaluating the situation. The points mentioned in the letter sent by a university lecturer are worth taking into consideration. He says, 'We are a people who had long waited for Turkey and found a second chance in life in 1974. The memories of villages burnt, destroyed and demolished by Greek Cypriots are etched deeply in our minds. However, we, and among us, the children of those fallen for these lands want a peace in Cyprus which will open up Turkey's road as well... We would like Cyprus to be viewed from a different angle, and the issue must be discussed not with stereotype slogans but through a perspective of Turkey's high interests. We would like everyone to question who is representing whom, for what and how successful they have been." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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