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Turkish Press Review, 01-09-14
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Foreign
Press in Turkey
Turkish
Press Review >>
Press
Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
14.09.2001
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT: "WE ALWAYS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM TOGETHER WITH NATO"
[02] ECEVIT: ATTACK ACTUALLY AGAINST PEACE AND HUMANITY"
[03] CEM'S STATEMENT
[04] COOPERATION BETWEEN MIT AND US
[05] BAHCELI ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST THE US
[06] US EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES TO OPEN TODAY
[07] REINFORCEMENT TO INCIRLIK AIR BASE
[08] ANKARA IS PLEASED WITH NATO'S INVOKING OF ARTICLE V
[09] EUROPE ON TERRORISM
[10] TERROR AFFECTS CYPRUS MEETINGS
[11] OYMEN: NATO MAKES HISTORIC DECISION
[12] ERDOGAN'S STATEMENT
[13] BAYKAL: TURKEY IS A SECULAR COUNTRY
[14] ANTI-FRAUD COMMISSION'S CONTACTS
[15] KISSINGER: OCALAN'S CAPTURE SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR US
[16] SUCCESS AGAINST HIZBULLAH IN GAZIANTEP
[17] ERDAL TO BE TRIED IN BELGIAN COURTS
[18] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT VISITS ECHR
[19] TURKISH ECONOMY TO BE TOLD
[20] LETTER OF INTENT READY
[21] TURKISH ECONOMY CIRCLES : "EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL"
[22] IGDIR GOVERNOR TAMER: "ARMENIAN GANGS MURDERED SOME 800,000 TURKS IN IGDIR AND ITS SURROUNDINGS"
[23] SSSB'S STATEMENT
[24] TURKISH COMPANIES GET A FOOTHOLD IN IRAQ
[25] IIF VISITED BY OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE
[26] TURKEY AND BURKINA FASO COOPERATE IN FIELD OF EDUCATION
[27] THE SUCCESS OF A TURKISH ACADEMICIAN
[28] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[29] TERRORISM CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED BY FATIH ALTAYLI (HURRIYET)
[30] LESSONS TO LEARN BY EMIN COLASAN (HURRIYET)
[01] ECEVIT: "WE ALWAYS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM TOGETHER WITH NATO"
In his interview with the CNN International reporters, Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit said he shared the grief of American people. He stated that
Turkey alwalys fought against terrorism together with NATO. Terrorism has
no religion or nationality. Terrorism is just what it is. The stance you
have against it is important." /Milliyet/
[02] ECEVIT: ATTACK ACTUALLY AGAINST PEACE AND HUMANITY"
Speaking yesterday night on TRT 2, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said he
could not conceive that any state could have carried out the terrorist
attack on the Unites States on Tuesday. Noting that Turkey and the rest of
the world would now experience a few hardships, Ecevit said: "There is no
reason for the people to panic at this stage. There is no possibility of
any friction that could spread to this region. There is no such evidence."
Noting that some circles had been pointing the finger at the Middle East,
Ecevit said: "The US has declared a war, but it is not yet clear with whom
it is going to fight. The target is unknown..." Speaking about the
uncertainties that surrounded everything, Ecevit then said, "This was
probably the most terrifying incident in the history of mankind. It looked
like it was aimed at the US, but it was in fact like a declaration of war
against peace, humanity and the entire world." On the subject of prevention
of terrorism, Ecevit said new strategies had to be drawn up by all nations
that rejected terrorism. /Turkish Daily News/
[03] CEM'S STATEMENT
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, considered the terrorist attacks
against the US as murders carried out against all humanity and said, "This
is the fight between democracy and terrorism and the struggle between the
wise and fanatic. We believe that this fight will be won by our side.
Turkey will be the biggest obstacle before those who want to divert this
fact to a wrong path such as a fight between the religions. Turkey has been
defending the decision by NATO and she has been telling it in all the NATO
meetings. We believe that this decision is beneficial for NATO and all NATO-
member nations. Security has utmost importance. In these new conditions,
the security of the Turkish people is more important than everything." Cem
added that they had held a meeting yesterday with the officials from the
General Staff and said, "We consider the cooperation and solidarity within
the state as an indispensable condition for a life with minimum problems."
/Hurriyet/
[04] COOPERATION BETWEEN MIT AND US
Following the terrorist attack organized against the US, the Middle East
and the regions centered in the Near East, where the radical Islam is seen,
began to attract the attentions. Meanwhile, there is a busy traffic in
Ankara. During the meeting chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ismail Cem, and the Second Chief of the General Staff, General Yasar
Buyukanit, the issues concerning the use of Incirlik Air Base by others and
the landing of planes, who arrive in the air base without permission, have
been discussed. In addition, it was stated that the National Intelligence
Organization (MIT) and the US were in cooperation to follow the activities
of the Radical Islamic organizations in the country. /Hurriyet/
[05] BAHCELI ON THE TERRORIST ATTACK AGAINST THE US
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader and the Deputy Prime Minister, Devlet
Bahceli, said the "cowardly attack" organized against the US has displayed
once more that the most important problem of today was terrorism. Bahceli
gave a banquet to the Ambassadors of the Central Asian Republics to Turkey,
which have gained their independence with the disintegration of the Union
of Soviet Socialist Republic, yesterday in Ankara. In his speech, Bahceli
said that Turkey had been affected by terrorism seriously and added, "The
last attack organized against the US shows that the regional and global
cooperation should be increased to continue a more effective fight against
terrorism in the international arena. /Hurriyet/
[06] US EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES TO OPEN TODAY
According to a statement issued by the US Embassy to Ankara, all the public
services, including the visa operations, which were stopped to be given due
to the terrorist attack organized against the US, will begin to be given
again at the US Embassy to Ankara and the US Consulate to Istanbul and
Adana as from today. /Hurriyet/
[07] REINFORCEMENT TO INCIRLIK AIR BASE
The flags were hoisted at half-mast yesterday in the Incirlik Air Base,
where high level security measures were taken after the terrorist attacks
in the US. It was stated that the US was planning to send reinforcements to
Incirlik. Meanwhile, CNN International stated that Incirlik Air Base was
expected to be used in possible US retaliation operations. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] ANKARA IS PLEASED WITH NATO'S INVOKING OF ARTICLE V
Ankara is pleased with the NATO decision to invoke Article V, which is the
North Atlantic Treaty's mutual defense clause saying that if one member
state is under attack all other member nations would defend it. Turkey's
NATO Permanent Representative Ambassador Onur Oymen, "We have always called
for terrorist activities to be included within the Article V." It was
stated that Turkey, who has been fighting against terrorism for years, will
receive more support from the European countries after NATO's invoking of
Article V. Oymen said, "We have always stated that an attack does not only
mean a country's intrusion to another country's territory but it also
covers terrorist attacks which is an international problem. That's why
NATO's invoking of Article V is very important for us." NATO's decision is
of great importance for Turkey who has been fighting against PKK terrorism
but not receiving much support from the European countries. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] EUROPE ON TERRORISM
Following the terrorist attack organized against the US, the Belgian radio
and television channel, RTBF, described the subject of terrorism and the
situation in Turkey concerning the issue. In the program, it was recalled
that Turkey had been fighting against terrorism for many years and Turkey
was considered as the "most sensitive and experienced country" in Europe as
far as terrorism is concerned. It was stated that 30,000 people have died
due to terrorism and that a bombing attack was organized in Istanbul a few
days ago. During the program, it was pointed out that a positive answer was
not received from Europe about the problem of terrorism up to now. In
addition, NATO's decision to invoke the fifth article following the attack
against the US and to get in union against terrorism were discussed.
Experts recalled that Turkey wanted to put the issue of terrorism within
the agenda of the NATO but she had been left alone in her effort many
times. However, it was also pointed out that the tragic incident
experienced by the US showed that Turkey was right. /Hurriyet/
[10] TERROR AFFECTS CYPRUS MEETINGS
The scheduled meeting between UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Greek
Cypriots leader Glafkos Clerides was cancelled due to the terrorist attack
incidents in the US. Clerides, waiting for the meeting in Canada for two
days, will return the Island tomorrow. Reportedly, Annan and Clerides are
expected to come together at the first UN's General Assembly meeting.
Previously, Annan had invited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafkos Clerides to
New York on Sep. 12 to hold meetings for a settlement in Cyprus. However,
Denktas rejected the invitation as the ground for the meetings was not
established yet. /Turkiye/
[11] OYMEN: NATO MAKES HISTORIC DECISION
Evaluating NATO's latest decision regarding the assaults on New York and
Washington, within the scope of Article 5, regulating collective security,
Turkey's Permanent Representative to NATO, Onur Oymen, said that the
decision was a historic one. Ambassador Oymen said that NATO member
countries will decide on how to assist the US in its retaliation against
the assailants, if it is proved that the attack was launched by an outside
power. Turkey is one of the 19 members of NATO. Members agreed that the
attacks against the US are those which require a collective retaliation of
NATO, at the end of a meeting of the permanent representatives in Brussels
on Wednesday. /Turkish News/
[12] ERDOGAN'S STATEMENT
Justice and Progress Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan received
Russian Ambassador to Ankara Alexander Lebedev at his office yeterday.
Erdogan and Lebedev discussed the bilateral relations between Turkey and
Russia Before the meeting, referring to the terrorist attack in the US,
Erdogan said, "I believe it would be very wrong to accuse anyone, any
organization or any state for the attack without evidence." /Turkiye/
[13] BAYKAL: TURKEY IS A SECULAR COUNTRY
Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said yesterday that
they condemned the terrorist attack launched against the US, and added, "It
would be a grave mistake to turn terrorism into a matter of civilizations
or religions. Speaking to reporters about the terrorist attack against the
US, he said that the incident proved that terrorism could transform at
times into an unimaginable threat with an inconceivable extent, and added,
"This is why politicians should stay away from using people as a political
tool and refrain from involving people in political struggles. Everyone
should be aware by now that terrorism is something which cannot be excused
any means." /Turkish News/
[14] ANTI-FRAUD COMMISSION'S CONTACTS
The Directing Committee responsible for the development of the fight
against corruption in Turkey began its contacts. The delegation chaired by
the Chairman of the Prime Ministry's Inspection Council, Osman Nuri Oduncu,
visited the Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Omer
Izgi. The delegation will visit the President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today.
/Sabah/
[15] KISSINGER: OCALAN'S CAPTURE SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR US
The former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stated that in the struggle
against terrorism great importence has to be given to the political and
secret service works besides military opperation. Kissinger cited Turkey's
arrest of Abdullah Ocalan as an example. Kissinger continued and said that
the U.S. will have to take action against the countries which give shelter
to the terrorist groups and that this is the only way to prevent terrorism.
Kissinger added that a U.S reaction is inevitable in a short time of
period. /Milliyet/
[16] SUCCESS AGAINST HIZBULLAH IN GAZIANTEP
Anti-terrorist police in Gaziantep have captured Hizbullah terrorists
including the so-called military wing commander for the Kiziltepe-Mazidag-
Derik region. Briefing journalists yesterday, Gaziantep Chief of Police Ali
Kalkan said the operation had been called "Kayaonu" (Rock Face) and had
resulted in the capture of people known either to be in the organization's
military wing or to have aided and abetted Hizbullah terrorists. The
operation had involved identifying the suspects, working out their
movements and then moving in to detain them and seize their weapons.
/Turkish Daily News/
[17] ERDAL TO BE TRIED IN BELGIAN COURTS
The Belgian Council of State has reached a decision that Fehriye Erdal, one
of the assassins in the Ozdemir Sabanci case, would be tried in the Belgian
courts for the crimes she committed in Turkey. The Council stated that the
weapon used in Sabanci's assassination fit the definitions of the Anti-
terror Law. The decision , which is very important for Turkey since it is
the first decision in favor of Turkey concerning a terrorism trial, is
expected to set an example for others. Judge De Wolf said, "This is a
serious crime. We must punish the assassins." /Milliyet/
[18] CONSTITUTIONAL COURT VISITS ECHR
Led by the head of the Constitutional Court, Mustafa Bumin, the
Constitutional Court Committee is expected to visit the head of the
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Luzuis Wildhaber, and
representatives of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Germany within
the next two weeks. Strasbourg being their first stop, members of the
committee will attend the Klashnikov_Russian Federation trial as observers
and will then be informed on the Human Rights Document Archive System
(HUCOC) website later on. Round table meetings are to be held with judges
from the European Court after visiting officials concerned with human
rights. /Turkish Daily News/
[19] TURKISH ECONOMY TO BE TOLD
The Minister of State for Economy Kemal Dervis, The Treasury Undersecretary
Faik Oztrak, the Central Bank Governor Sureyya Serdengecti, State Banks'
Chairman of the Joint Executive Board Vural Akisik and the Istanbul Stock
Exchange Market Osman Birsen, as well as IMF Turkey Desk Chairman Juha
Kahkonen will meet with British businessmen in London on Sep. 18 to inform
them about Turkish economy and recent developments. /Turkiye/
[20] LETTER OF INTENT READY
The Minister of States Kemal Dervis, Tunca Toscay and the Minister of
Finance Sumer Oral met yesterday. Reportedly, basic figures and principles
for the budget of the year 2002 and the content of the Letter of Intent to
be given to IMF, were discussed during the meeting. On the other hand the
IMF delegation is expected to leave Turkey tomorrow. /Turkiye/
[21] TURKISH ECONOMY CIRCLES : "EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL"
The Central Bank stated that the negative effects of the recent terrorist
attacks in the US on the Turkish economy and international financial
markets began to diminish. The Bank said that a relative balance was
maintained in the markets with cautious attitudes of the investors.
Chairman of the Eczacibasi Holding Executive Council, Bulent Eczacibasi
said that Turkey must show her determination to fight against terrorism in
all international platforms. He said, "It seems that imbalances will
continue for a short period in all markets around the world. However, I
believe negative effects will not last long." Deputy Chairman of the
Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) Executive
Council, Omer Sabanci said that the recent terrorist attacks in the US
would not lead to considerable problems in the Turkish economy. Stating
that 80 % of the Turkey's total foreign trade business was done with the EU
countries, Sabanci said," There was no panic in the Turkish financial
markets during the first day of the incident. I think this is a positive
signal. Meanwhile, Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce's Executive
Council Mehmet Yildirim said, "As long as the IMF's support continues,
there will be no significant problem for Turkish economy." /Milliyet/
[22] IGDIR GOVERNOR TAMER: "ARMENIAN GANGS MURDERED SOME 800,000 TURKS IN
IGDIR AND ITS SURROUNDINGS"
A memorial graveyard has been established to commemorate the murder of 98
Turks by Armenian gangs in Oba, Igdýr in 1919. Igdýr Governor Mustafa Tamer
spoke of the tragic incident at the opening ceremony, saying: "98 Turks
were forced into a room by Armenian gangs on Sept. 13, 1919, and burnt to
death. We have established this graveyard to prove that this incident has
not been forgotten." /Turkish Daily News/
[23] SSSB'S STATEMENT
The international investment and advising institution, Schroder Salomon
Smith Barney (SSSB), stated that Turkey would have met all the main
performance criteria by the end of September. According to the evaluation
made by the SSSB, the performance criteria required by the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) had been met by Turkey. It was added that the statement,
which announced that more Petrol Ofisi and Tupras shares will be privatized,
was a positive one. /Sabah/
[24] TURKISH COMPANIES GET A FOOTHOLD IN IRAQ
Turkish companies have proven to be a great success at a Health Fair in
Baghdad, earning tenders worth $ 65 million. The Health Fair was
coordinated by the Foreign Trade Undersecratary between Sept. 10-14 upon
the request of the Iraqi Health Ministry. /Turkish Daily News/
[25] IIF VISITED BY OVER 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE
The 70th International Izmir Fair (IIF), which was organized by the Izmir
Fair Services Culture and Art Affairs Trade Inc. (IZFAS), was visited by
over 1.5 million people while creating a trade volume of TL 86.5 trillion,
IZFAS General Manager Feyzi Hepsenkal said. Hepsenkal stated that the fair,
which was open between August 26 and September 10, ended successfully.
/Turkish Daily News/
[26] TURKEY AND BURKINA FASO COOPERATE IN FIELD OF EDUCATION
Gendarmeries of Turkey and Burkina Faso have signed an agreement aiming to
cooperate in the field of education. Chief of the Gendarmerie, Aytac Alman,
spoke before the signing ceremony and said he believed this cooperation
would have fruitful results. /Turkish Daily News/
[27] THE SUCCESS OF A TURKISH ACADEMICIAN
Professor Aysin Bakkaloglu from Hacettepe University's Faculty of Medicine
has been chosen as the first Turkish member of the International Pediatric
Nephrology Association. The World Pediatric Nephrology Congress was held in
Seattle on Sep. 1-5, and membership elections were carried out at a
meeeting prior to the congress. /Turkish News/
[28] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[29] TERRORISM CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED BY FATIH ALTAYLI (HURRIYET)
Columnist Fatih Altayli comments on the terrorist attacks in the USA and
says that terrorism cannot be justified. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"It is claimed that the 'radical terrorist' Usame Ben Laden, who was
trained by the Americans and has turned on them, has close ties with
Abdullah Ocalan, the chieftain of the PKK terrorist organization. If this
allegation proves to be right, Turkey's call for 'universal cooperation
against terrorism' which has been going on for years is once more
justified. Terrorism has no religion, language or ideology. Terror equals
terror.Whatever their aims, so-called ideologies may be, terrorists are all
fostered by the same source. The only action they are engaged in is harming
innocent people. Terrorism should never be justified and its reasons
tried to be understood. Wherever it comes from no one deserves to be faced
with terrorism.
[30] LESSONS TO LEARN BY EMIN COLASAN (HURRIYET)
Columnist Emin Colasan comments on the terrorist attacks in the US and
draws attention to the imminent danger of oil tankers passing through the
Bosphorus. A summary of his column is as follows:
"We have to draw lessons from the incidents which happened in the US. The
strongest buildings of the world collapsed when three planes slammed into
them. Fires broke out, towers collapsed and Pentagon was in ruins. These
were known as the indestructible buildings of the world. Each of the
planes probably had 30 or 40 tons of fuel at the most. Even this amount of
oil sufficed to turn these buildings into rubbles. Let's take a look at the
Turkish Straits. In compliance with the Montreux Agreement signed in 1936
civilian vessels are permitted to pass through the Straits both during war
and peace. At present, hundreds of ships are passing through these Straits
every day. There are giant oil tankers among them. Every one of these
tankers has tens of thousands of tons of fuel. The kind of fuel they carry
range from oil, diesel, to LPG. Some are 200 meters long. Today all crude
oil and petroleum products from Russia and Romania are carried through
the Straits by giant tankers. The Turkish Straits have turned into an oil
road. When Montreux Agreement was signed in 1936 there was no such
traffic. The ships were smaller and tankers were not even in sight.
Therefore Istanbul and Turkey were not under any danger. However the
conditions have changed now and we are still watching idly as everyday many
oil tankers are passing through the Straits in compliance with the Montreux
Agreement. Let us suppose that an act of terrorism was carried out while
such a tanker was passing through the Istanbul Strait. Let us assume that
the tanker was shot by a missile from the shore in 50 meters range or the
tanker collided with another ship and exploded. Hundreds of people will die,
fires will break out and all hell will break loose and we shall experience
a far graver danger than that of the Marmara earthquake. What shall we do
then? Who will pay the moral and material indemnities? That is why Turkey
has to launch an initiative to bring the Montreux Agreement into the agenda
of the world. The attack against the US sets an example. If 100 tons of
fuel turn the strongest buildings into rubble, we shall be roasted and left
under the burnt rubbles. The negotiation process will be a hard and long
one. However, if we do not open a 65 year old international agreement to
discussion we will have prepared the way for a disaster."
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