|
|
|
Turkish Press Review, 01-06-11
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
11.06.2001
CONTENTS
[01] BAHCELI: "OUR FIGHT WILL CONTINUE"
[02] BUSH TO MEET ECEVIT IN BRUSSELS
[03] ECONOMY LAWS TO DOMINATE PARLIAMENT'S AGENDA THIS WEEK
[04] GEN.KIVRIKOGLU RETURNS TO TURKEY
[05] DENKTAS SPEAKS TO "TO VIMA"
[06] FP CASE NEARING AN END
[07] RUSSIAN MISSILES IN ARMENIA
[08] ANKARA IS PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS OF IRANIAN ELECTIONS
[09] PKK'S SELF-DESTRUCTIVE PERIOD
[10] SEISMIC SHIP PURCHASE ON THE AGENDA
[11] EARTHQUAKE IN THE AEGEAN SEA
[12] NEW LAW ON INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
[13] FOGG: ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION
[14] MUMCU: "INVESTORS' WAY SHOULD BE OPENED"
[15] FOGG: ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION
[16] MUMCU: "INVESTORS' WAY SHOULD BE OPENED"
[17] PROJECT ON MINED LAND PLEASES VILLAGE RESIDENTS
[18] KRUGER: THE NEW IMF FIRST DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR
[19] SCHROEDER: "LET'S RESCUE TURKEY FROM THE ECONOMIC CRISIS"
[20] OZINCE: "STATE BANKS SHOULD NOT WITHDRAW FROM THE SECTOR IMMEDIATELY"
[21] TREASURY'S SECOND TENDER
[22] EXPORTS TO ITALY INCREASE THE MOST
[23] ANKARA MAYOR IN KAZAKHSTAN
[24] GOLD MEDAL IN BOXING
[25] ISTANBUL BREAKS A RECORD IN THE AMOUNT OF RESTAURANTS
[26] INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY
[27] LATIFE TEKIN TRAVELS TO GREECE
[28] SUCCESS OF ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL
[29] TURKISH ORCHESTRA IN SYRIA
[30] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[31] SHADOWS OF OLD SINS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] BAHCELI: "OUR FIGHT WILL CONTINUE"
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli headed his party, Nationalist Action Party (MHP),'s meeting yesterday in Kayseri. Addressing the meeting, Bahceli said they will continue to fight against unjustice and corruption to the end. Stressing Turkey is a country struggling against many problems at the same time with limited capabilities, Bahceli said, unfair in income distribution and unemployment are the major topics on the agenda. Bahceli returned to Ankara following a visit to the Kayseri Governor and a briefing about the problems in the province. /Turkiye/
[02] BUSH TO MEET ECEVIT IN BRUSSELS
The US President George W. Bush will visit Europe this week. Bush will attend the NATO summit in Brussels and the EU Summit in Sweden. Bush will meet with Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit for the first time in Brussels. /Hurriyet/.
[03] ECONOMY LAWS TO DOMINATE PARLIAMENT'S AGENDA THIS WEEK
Parliament will set its agenda for the week as the economic program's priority bills are submitted one by one. The TGNA is expected to debate, one after another, bills contemplated by the economic recovery program. The supplementary budget bill is among them, and it is expected to be taken up by Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee on Tuesday. Other bills contemplate the deregulation of the tobacco industry, provide tax incentives for bank mergers or divisions, and regulate the so-called duty losses of banks. All will be taken up by Parliament's relevant committees within the week. /Turkish News/
[04] GEN.KIVRIKOGLU RETURNS TO TURKEY
Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu returned from a 10 day trip to Far Eastern countries. Kivrikoglu, during his stay in China, received information on air crafts without pilot , known as "bird" in military literature. Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) want to use these in the South eastern border for reconnaissance purposes. The TSK decided to invite Chinese firm CATIC to join the bidding for the procurement of nine "birds". These air crafts have been used for years by many countries, such as Israel and the US. /Milliyet/
[05] DENKTAS SPEAKS TO "TO VIMA"
President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktas, addressed Greek-Cypriots through the newspaper "To Vima" for the first time. Denktas said Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration made wrong calculations and asked if they really believed that the EU will fight for the Greek-Cypriots acquiring sole sovereignty on the island at the expense of the Turkish-Cypriots. Denktas said former proximity talks had started on a wrong footing, therefore, it was doomed to failure. But, Turkish-Cypriots welcome negotiations based on concrete facts. Regarding the possibility of the Greek-Cypriot Administration's full EU membership, Denktas said, "In that case we will establish a similar political and economic integration with Turkey. In 10-15 years, when Turkey will be a full EU member, we will also be a member. At that time, the possibility to discuss the reunion of Cyprus will arise." /Hurriyet/
[06] FP CASE NEARING AN END
The case, which was launched against the Virtue Party with the demand for its closure, is nearing an end. Members of the Constitutional Court will begin debating the case tomorrow. A permanent decision on the case is expected to be taken within the next two weeks. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] RUSSIAN MISSILES IN ARMENIA
Reportedly, the S-300 missiles, deployed in Armenia by Russia will be put into action by Sep. 1. During his visit to Armenia, Lower House of Russian Parliament Duma's Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee, Arkadi Vorobyov, said, "In accordance with the agreement signed between Russia and Armenia in 1998, the missiles deployed in Armenia will begin functioning beginning Sep.1." /Turkiye/
[08] ANKARA IS PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS OF IRANIAN ELECTIONS
Ankara has been pleased with Iranian reformist leader Muhammed Hatemi's re-election as the President of Iran. Ankara, who has been supporting and closely following the recent developments in Iran, is trying to establish sound relations with Iran. Turkish diplomats say both countries have inclinations towards improving bilateral relations. One of the most significant issues concerning bilateral relations between Turkey and Iran is increasing the trade volume, which is lower than the desired amount. Meanwhile, Iranian Trade Minister Muhammed Seriatmadari is expected to arrive in Turkey today to improve relations and reinforce the economic cooperation between the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] PKK'S SELF-DESTRUCTIVE PERIOD
It was reported that since the capture of its leader, Abdullah Ocalan in 1999, PKK terrorist organization had entered a period of self-destruction which brings about the dissolution of the organization. According to the intelligence resources, there are also significant struggles within the PKK itself. Opposition members within the organization began to be killed. /Sabah/
[10] SEISMIC SHIP PURCHASE ON THE AGENDA
State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali stated that a project to purchase a seismic ship by MTA (Mining Exploration Institute) Headquarters might be put on the agenda again as it was essential for Turkey. Gaydali pointed out that Turkey needed that a ship that was equipped with advanced technology as Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides, and added that the project was postponed for a short time due to the government's recent economy program. He also said new tenders would be started after current economic crisis ended. /Turkish News/
[11] EARTHQUAKE IN THE AEGEAN SEA
An earthquake with 5.7 on the Richter scale which occured in the Aegean yesterday caused panic in the region. The epicenter of the quake was west of Khios Island and 100 km north west of Cesme town of Izmir. /Turkiye/
[12] NEW LAW ON INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
The draft of law on the implementation of International Arbitration was presented to the Parliament. The draft includes regulations on the solution of the disputes related with the acts of foreign investors in Turkey, which is being stated in the article 125 of the constitution. /Turkish Daily News/
[13] FOGG: ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION
Representative of the European Commission in Turkey, Karen Fogg speaking at the international symposium titled "Freedom of Thought and Expression", said that freedom of expression was very important for the development of a country. Referring to the Copenhagen Criteria, Fogg said that candidate states for the European Union needed a sound economy, and that each new state will feel the pain of unification. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] MUMCU: "INVESTORS' WAY SHOULD BE OPENED"
The development of Turkey depends totally upon investors, not the State, said Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu. He added that the State alone could not achieve the development of the country. Mumcu said that the State should not enrich the people and that there was no other economic policy like that in the world. He said that the Turkish people should be aware of a collectivist State policy, and such a policy should not help us avoid the plight of the current economic and political crisis. /Turkish Daily News/
[15] FOGG: ON FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION
Representative of the European Commission in Turkey, Karen Fogg speaking at the international symposium titled "Freedom of Thought and Expression", said that freedom of expression was very important for the development of a country. Referring to the Copenhagen Criteria, Fogg said that candidate states for the European Union needed a sound economy, and that each new state will feel the pain of unification. /Turkish Daily News/
[16] MUMCU: "INVESTORS' WAY SHOULD BE OPENED"
The development of Turkey depends totally upon investors, not the State, said Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu. He added that the State alone could not achieve the development of the country. Mumcu said that the State should not enrich the people and that there was no other economic policy like that in the world. He said that the Turkish people should be aware of a collectivist State policy, and such a policy should not help us avoid the plight of the current economic and political crisis. /Turkish Daily News/
AGREEMENT REACHED ON ISTANBUL+5 DECLARATION
An agreement has finally been reached after a long session at the United Nations in New York entitled 'Istanbul+5'. The declaration, which envisages "guarantee of enough housing for everyone" was finally agreed on in the early hours of Saturday morning. Pledges were written into the declaration on the subject of 'sustainable development of human settlement in an urbanizing world'. The initial wording of the declaration stating that everybody had the right to accommodation was objected to by the United States and replaced with the sentence "guarantee of sufficient accommodation for everyone." /Turkish Daily News/
[17] PROJECT ON MINED LAND PLEASES VILLAGE RESIDENTS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, after clearing the landmines from southeastern Anatolia, donated the land to local residents, pleasing the residents who previously did not own land. According to a statement given by Nusaybin Agriculture Chambers Nizamettin Basak, the 840 kms of land, previously a minefield, from Antakya to Sirnak's Silopi district is very fertile and he appreciated the project. /Turkish Daily News/
[18] KRUGER: THE NEW IMF FIRST DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ann Kruger, who became the IMF First Deputy Managing Director, had a phone call the State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis. They expressed their hopes for the other to be successful in their posts and reiterated their pleasure to work together. Kruger, known as someone looking warmly towards Turkey, has visited Turkey for many times. /Milliyet/
[19] SCHROEDER: "LET'S RESCUE TURKEY FROM THE ECONOMIC CRISIS"
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said to the US President George W. Bush at a meeting in Washington on March 29 that they should help Turkey to recover from the economic crisis. German journal "Der Spiegel" published parts of the minutes of regarding Turkey of this meeting in its current issue. According to the minutes, Schroeder wanted international financial institutions to exert more efforts to help recover Turkey from economic crisis and to prevent any possibility of " the establishment of either a military or a reactionary regime" in Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[20] OZINCE: "STATE BANKS SHOULD NOT WITHDRAW FROM THE SECTOR IMMEDIATELY"
Is Bank Director General Ersin Ozince said an immediate withdrawal of state banks from the sector will cause certain troubles for the private banks. Stating there should be a sufficient number of banks within the economy, Ozince said, "Since there is a serious elimination within the Turkish banking system, a sufficient amount of banks should be sustained which will be capable of meeting the demands of both Turkish people and economy." /Sabah/
[21] TREASURY'S SECOND TENDER
The Treasury will hold the second tender of this month this week. The Treasury is planning to borrow a minimum amount of TL 100 trillion. The bills are June 13 value dated and the redemption is scheduled for Dec. 5. /Turkiye/
[22] EXPORTS TO ITALY INCREASE THE MOST
The country, to which Turkey has exported most in Jan-May period this year, is Italy. Turkey has realized exports of $1.18 billion to Italy in the first month of the year 2001 with an increase of $256 million when compared to same period last year. Germany and France followed Italy with an increase of $208.5 million and $215 million respectively. /Turkiye/
[23] ANKARA MAYOR IN KAZAKHSTAN
Ankara Greater City Mayor I. Melih Gokcek has been received by the Kazakhstan Head of State Nursultan Nazarbayev in the country's capital Astana. Gokcek went with a delegation of municipal executives and parliamentarians to Astana to celebrate not only 10 years of Kazakh independence following trhe collapse of the Soviet Union but also the third anniversary of the naming of Astana as the country's capital city. /Turkish Daily News/
[24] GOLD MEDAL IN BOXING
Ramazan Paliani received a gold medal in the 57 kg category after defeating his Kazakh rival in the 11. World Senior Boxing Championship. /Turkiye/
[25] ISTANBUL BREAKS A RECORD IN THE AMOUNT OF RESTAURANTS
There are 5,350 restaurants in Istanbul according a research of the Ekin Company. Following Paris and London, Istanbul ranks third in terms of the amount of restaurants. /Hurriyet/
[26] INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS VISITING TURKEY
The number of tourists arriving at Milas-Bodrum Airport has highly increased in the first five months of 2001, compared to last year's same period. The number reached 170,000 Turkish and foreign tourists. /Cumhuriyet/
[27] LATIFE TEKIN TRAVELS TO GREECE
Prominent Turkish writer Latife Tekin will go on a Greece tour on June 25 to promote her books. She will also travel to Germany on August. /Cumhuriyet/
[28] SUCCESS OF ISTANBUL MUSIC FESTIVAL
Istanbul Music Festival has been included in the list of the most prominent music festivals throughout the world published in "Time Magazine"'s June edition. /Cumhuriyet/
[29] TURKISH ORCHESTRA IN SYRIA
While bilateral relations between Turkey and Syria have been recently improving, a Turkish orchestra will give a concert in Syria for the first time after long years. Cukurova State Symphony Orchestra affiliated with Ministry of Culture will stage a concert in Damascus. /Cumhuriyet/
[30] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[31] SHADOWS OF OLD SINS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on the former mistakes, which led to Turkey's exclusion from the EU. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Old sins cast long shadows. The biggest mistake in Turkish history in the twentieth century was to declare war against Russia, France and Britain in 1914. At the end of the First World War (1918) we had lost two million of our people. The country was in ruins, her economy collapsed and the Empire disintegrated. Poor people had to enter the War of Independence. The culprits of this crime were a 33-year old major general and the head of the naval forces he convinced and the Prime Minister. No one else was informed of the situation. The second mistake, deciding Turkey's fate was asking for a ten year-period when we were invited to the then Common Market together with Greece twenty-five years ago. Spain and Portugal were not even in line at the time. Such a severe decision was taken by the Government and no serious opposition was heard. For years we have written that both our foreign and internal problems would lessen at the rate we came close to the European standards, and as long as we stalled idly both foreign and internal problems would increase. What are the European norms? They form the level of modern civilization as put forth by the greatest leader of the twentieth century, as a national goal by our leader Ataturk. There is no need to reiterate the internal problems we are facing. However, if we had been able to get close to these as Bulgaria, could the Armenian problem haunt us today? Would we have been subjected to words and actions wounding our national credibility abroad? Would Russia even have a fleeting thought of turning Istanbul, one of the greatest and famous cities of the world into a garbage site for nuclear wastes?
We must succeed in improving our economy radically and quickly as possible as conservatives can in no way imagine."
|
