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Turkish Press Review, 01-09-25
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
25.09.2001
CONTENTS
[01] CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
[02] CEM TO VISIT THE US
[03] CEM'S SUPPORT MESSAGE TO PAKISTAN
[04] TULGAR EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER BOSPHORUS TRANSIT OF THE VARYAG
[05] HIKMET CETIN: EUROPE WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE TERROR GROUPS
[06] GENC ELECTED DEPUTY PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER
[07] FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL CALLS FOR CALM
[08] RUSSIAN PRESS: "TURKEY IS THE KEY COUNTRY"
[09] ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR THE TRNC
[10] DERVIS: "WE LOST 45 BILLION DOLLARS IN THE GULF WAR"
[11] FINANCIAL TIMES: "IMF MUST KEEP SUPPORTING TURKEY"
[12] MONGOLIA CALLS ON TURKISH INVESTORS
[13] VOLKSWAGEN: TURKISH ECONOMY WILL RECOVER SOON
[14] REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADERS SEND LETTER TO ECEVIT
[15] TUNCAY SPOKE DURING THE 3RD ECONOMIC SUMMIT
[16] AKBANK RECEIVES SYNDICATION LOAN AMOUNTING TO 350 MILLION US DOLLARS
[17] NO NEED FOR PANIC IN TOURISM
[18] UNIVERSITIES START NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
[19] DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM HELD
[20] HONORARY DOCTORATE FOR DENKTAS
[21] AVIATION AND MARITIME FAIR 2001 TO BE OPENED
[22] NINE TURKISH WOMAN WERE ADDED TO THE "WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS" LIST
[23] INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL
[24] DOGAN FOUNDATION'S CARTOON CONTEST
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[26] EUROPE IS NOT INTERESTED BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)
[01] CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
The Plenary Session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will work
for all day, including the weekends, for the Constitutional amendments. The
debates, which will be held between 11:00 and 23:00, are expected to be
completed on October 5. If a proposal of change is given, this period of
time will be extended.
Meanwhile, The move to the articles of the amendment package was accepted
with 428 votes. The discussion about the articles will begin today. In the
voting that has been done yesterday, with exceeding the 367 votes limit,
the possibility of accepting the amendment package without a referandum
increased. /Sabah-Hurriyet/
[02] CEM TO VISIT THE US
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem will travel to Washington tomorrow.
Cem is expected to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and high-
level American officials. He will discuss the military operation which the
US will carry out against Afghanistan with the American officials. Cem, who
is expected to leave the US on Friday, will travel to Germany to meet with
his German counterpart Fischer. Meanwhile, one day after Cem's departure
for the US, Turkey will evaluate the recent developments regarding the US
retaliation to Afghanistan in the National Security Council (MGK) on
September 28th. It was stated that the Council will analyze the effects of
the September 11th incident on military, politics and intelligence and will
take certain measures for the security of Turkey. Discussing a new defense
strategy depending on intelligence, Turkey is trying to forecast the
possible developments in the region by sending delegations to Uzbekistan
and Iran. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] CEM'S SUPPORT MESSAGE TO PAKISTAN
Making a phone call to his Pakistani counterpart, Abdul Sattar, Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem conveyed the message that Turkey stands by
Pakistan in her difficult times. Cem voiced his satisfaction with
Pakistan's determined attitude and positive reaction to international
cooperation against terrorism. Sattar stated that Pakistan was experiencing
troubles because of the radical Islamic groups and thanked Cem for his
support. /Cumhuriyet/
[04] TULGAR EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER BOSPHORUS TRANSIT OF THE VARYAG
Director General of Coast Guard and Ship Rescue Enterprises Hucum Tulgar
said on Monday that the possibility of an accident during Varyag's passage
through the Straits was 30 percent, noting that the Turkish Straits would
be closed to sea traffic at least for six months in the event of an
accident. Tulgar told reporters that there were several conditions by which
the Chinese ship Varyag had to abide, in order to be able to pass through
the Straits, and went to say: "We will check the Varyag for a second time
after it fulfills the necessary conditions. Of course, in addition to the
technical conditions, the natural conditions, like currents, weather, and
visibility, too have to be convenient." and continued "I am especialy
concerned about the Kandilli Turn because there, the current is the
strongest and the distance between the two shores is as narrow as 700
meters. The platform has to make an 80 degree turn, which is really very
difficult." /Turkish News/
[05] HIKMET CETIN: EUROPE WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE TERROR GROUPS
Former Parliamentary Speaker and Foreign Minister Hikmet Cetin said that
despite Turkey's warnings, European countries had tolerated various
terrorist organizations, but from now on they would not. "For years,
European countries tolerated such groups. But there is no place for
tolerance in the fight against terrorism. Previously European countries had
denied Turkey's requests for the extradition of some terrorists." /Turkish
News/
[06] GENC ELECTED DEPUTY PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER
As the result of a symbolic vote in Parliament, True Path Party (DYP)
Tunceli Deputy Kamer Genc has become the deputy parliamentary speaker.
After Genc's election, parliamentary speaker Murat Sokmenoglu, who was
directing the meeting, welcomed him. /Turkish Daily News/
[07] FORMER PRESIDENT DEMIREL CALLS FOR CALM
Former President Suleyman Demirel states no country could exclude itself
from the new global circumstances after the terrorist attack in the US, and
Turkey must wait for her role in this new world in a calm manner. In the
opening ceremony of Istanbul Technical University, Demirel delivered a
speech on the general situation that Turkey and the world are facing.
Noting that Turkey was at a critical stage, Demirel said that Turkey
mustn't lose her manageability, because she doesn't deserve the crisis she
is in, and she believes she will recover soon. /Turkish Daily News/
[08] RUSSIAN PRESS: "TURKEY IS THE KEY COUNTRY"
The Russian press stated that Ankara and Moscow would play key roles in
the US retaliation to Afghanistan. Russian newspaper Izvestia said that
Turkey would support Uzbek commander General Rashid Dostum, while Russia
was supporting Tajik and Hazer groups within the Afghan opposition.
According to the paper, after the opposition groups start fighting against
Taleban, Taleban Administration will lose the war. /Milliyet/
[09] ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR THE TRNC
The mutual agreement of cooperation concerning the Economic and Financial
Cooperation Supplementary Protocol and the Economic Stability and
Transition Program Based on Production was signed between Turkey and the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The protocol was signed by the
State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel on behalf of Turkey and the State Minister
and Deputy Prime Minister, Salih Cosar, and the Minister of Finance, Mehmet
Bayram, on behalf of the TRNC. During the signing ceremony of the economic
program and supplementary program, held at the Prime Ministry, Gurel said,
"Turkey does not discriminate between the political and economic
improvement of Turkey and that of the TRNC." Gurel added that the Economic
Stability and Transition Program Based on Production would contribute to
the economy of the TRNC a great deal. Meanwhile, Cosar pointed out that
their only guarantee was their motherland, Turkey, in every field and that
the economy of the TRNC was working hard to be self sufficient. /Turkiye/
[10] DERVIS: "WE LOST 45 BILLION DOLLARS IN THE GULF WAR"
In his response to Felicity Party (SP) Ankara deputy Zeki Celik's motion,
Minister of State Kemal Dervis said that Turkey lost $40-45 billion due to
the embargo imposed on Iraq in the Gulf War. Dervis stressed that Turkey
was among the countries who suffered huge amount of losses. Stating
Turkey's exports revenue had decreased significantly due to the UN embargo
on Iraq, Dervis said, "Turkey was one of the countries who suffered
considerable amount of losses since Kerkuk-Yumurtalik Oil Pipeline could
not be used, certain Turkish banks could not collect their receivables from
Iraq and our exports and transportation activities were stopped."
/Milliyet/
[11] FINANCIAL TIMES: "IMF MUST KEEP SUPPORTING TURKEY"
The Financial Times stated that Turkey still needed IMF's support due to
the economic crisis she was suffering. "Increase in the military expenses
and instabilities in world financial markets would probably affect Turkish
economy negatively and the economic program which is being pursued in
Turkey. The US must not allow Turkey, which is the only NATO ally in the
Islamic world, to suffer a bigger crisis.", said the Financial Times.
/Cumhuriyet/
[12] MONGOLIA CALLS ON TURKISH INVESTORS
A Mongolian delegation in Turkey is continuing its contacts before Turkish-
Mongolian Third Joint Economic Commission meeting to enhance relations
between the two countries. The delegation visited State Minister Abdulhaluk
Mehmet Cay to assess the prospects of further relations with Turkey.
Mongolian Education, Science and Culture Minister A. Tsanjid called Turkish
entrepreneurs to Mongolia. Tsanjid said the relations were initiated by the
individual efforts of former President Suleyman Demirel, and had improved
relatively in the last couple of years. /Turkish Daily News/
[13] VOLKSWAGEN: TURKISH ECONOMY WILL RECOVER SOON
The greatest showroom of Volkswagen, Dogus MarktPlatz was opened in
Istanbul Haramidere. In the opening speechVolkswagen AG Executive Board
Chairman Dr. Ferdinand Piech said: "I am more optimistic and think that
there won't be a dramatic change in Turkey. For these days export is a
great chance for Turkey." and added "The Turkish economy will recover soon.
Volkswagen trusts Turkey" /Hurriyet/
[14] REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADERS SEND LETTER TO ECEVIT
Chairman of the Turkish Traders and Small Businessmen's Confederation
(TESK), Dervis Gunday, sent a letter to the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
and requested that the Constitutional amendments should not be delayed for
long. Gunday expressed his support to the government and expressed his
opinion that the Constituion should be changed. /Sabah/
[15] TUNCAY SPOKE DURING THE 3RD ECONOMIC SUMMIT
State Minister Toskay delivered a speech at the 3rd Economic Summit,
organized by the Tourism, Economy, Scientific Research and Promotion Centre
(TEBI-AT) in Antalya and pointed out to the economic developments in Turkey
since 1980s. Toskay stated that during the first 8.5 months of the year,
Turkey's exports increased by 13.5% when compared to the same period of
last year and reached 21 billion 553 million US dollars. He added, "During
this 8.5 months, the income earned by exports has surprassed 21.5 billion
US dollars. There are three main sectors that lead the exports; automotive
and its by-products sector and electricity, textile and raw material
sectors." /Turkiye/
[16] AKBANK RECEIVES SYNDICATION LOAN AMOUNTING TO 350 MILLION US DOLLARS
Akbank received the syndication loan amounting to 350 million US dollars.
In his statement, General Director of Akbank, Zafer Kurtul, said Akbank has
received this loan from the markets abroad and with the participation of
respectable international banks in order to support Turkey's exports.
Kurtul added, "In spite of the negative developments in the world economy
in the latest days, our bank could have received this loan thanks to the
international financial institutions' confidence in our bank and in our
country." /Sabah/
[17] NO NEED FOR PANIC IN TOURISM
Several tour operators stated that the news after the terrorist attacks
that many tourist reservations had been cancelled was untrue, and that
there was no need for panic and anxiety. Kayi Tour Board of Directors
President Talha Gorgulu said that creating the image of an economic crisis
was not right and continued: "We have no fear, Turkey is a safe country.
rumors may circulate and may be exaggerated, but our hotels are full until
Oct. 20. We have no worries about the winter season." /Turkish Daily News/
[18] UNIVERSITIES START NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
The 229th academic year opening ceremony of Istanbul Technical University
(ITU) was held in Ayazaga Campus' Suleyman Demirel Culture Center, with the
participation of Higher Education Board (YOK) Chairman Professor Kemal
Guruz, Anatolia news agency reported on Monday. He delivered a speech in
which mentioned that the main principles of the Turkish Republic were the
reason for universities' existence. He said that he had wanted to talk
about higher education's problems and aims in Turkey, but due to terrorist
actions in the United States, he had changed his mind. He mentioned the
attacks saying that they were crimes against humanity and should be
considered as asymmetrical war. Professor Guruz indicated that Turkey knew
the pains of such terrible events and should play a "key role" in the
struggle against terrorism. /Turkish News/
[19] DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM HELD
Interior Minister Rustu Kazim Yucelen has stated that a comprehensive
approach restructuring the responsibilities and institutional structures of
local administrations as well as developing an effective integrity among
the institutions in Turkey regarding effective disaster management should
be established, Anatolia news agency reported on Monday. An "administration
methods for effective disaster management" symposium has been organized by
Marmara and Straits Municipalities Union and the Netherlands Municipalities
Union at the Stad Hotel, Ankara. Interior Minister Yucelen mentioned during
his speech that one of the most important factors hindering the
sustainability of economic and social development is the negative results
that naturally occur after disasters. Yucelen also underlined that disaster
management in Turkey is divided into many bodies and is ery centralized in
terms of determining the strategies for general disaster policy and
management. /Turkish News/
[20] HONORARY DOCTORATE FOR DENKTAS
It was revealed that President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC), Rauf Denktas, was given honorary doctorate by Kirikkale University.
Denktas will deliver a speech at the Blue Hall of Kirikkale University
during the ceremony to mark the opening of the 2001-2002 academic year of
the university on October 1. In addition, the Veterinary Faculty's Annex
building, which was constructed and donated by the Motherland Party's
(ANAP) Group Deputy Chairman and the deputy to Kirikkale, Nihat Gokbulut,
will be opened. /Turkiye/
[21] AVIATION AND MARITIME FAIR 2001 TO BE OPENED
The International Defense Industry, Aviation and Maritime Fair 2001 will be
opened at the Turkkusu Facilities in Etimesgut on September 27. The fair
will be opened under the auspices of the Ministry of National Defense and
the responsibility of the Turkish Armed Forces Strengthening Foundation at
the CNR International Fair Organization and will be open until September
30. 275 companies from 32 NATO-ally countries, including the US, Germany,
France, Spain, England, China and Russia, will participate in the fair,
which aims to bring together the leading defense industry companies and to
give information on the latest technologic developments in the defense
industry, aviation and maritime. /Turkiye/
[22] NINE TURKISH WOMAN WERE ADDED TO THE "WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS" LIST
The United Nations European Comission of Economy (UNECE), added nine
Turkish woman enterpreneurs to its "Perfect Woman Enterpreneurs" list. The
Turkish women in the list take their places in the textile sector,
marketing consultancy and information technology. /Hurriyet/
[23] INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN ISTANBUL
The International 1001 Documentary Film Festival and the Documentary
Producers' Vth Conference will be organized in Istanbul on October 17-21.
The festival and conference will be held by the Union of Documentary
Producers, with the cooperation of the TRT, French Cultural Center and ARTE
and with the contributions of the Mimar Sinan University, Faculty of Fine
Arts, Bilgi University and Galatasaray University. During the festival, a
total of 101 documentary films from 22 countries will be shown. The
performances will be viewed at the Ataturk Cultural Centre, French Cultural
Centre and Bilgi University for free. /Turkiye/
[24] DOGAN FOUNDATION'S CARTOON CONTEST
The Aydin Dogan Foundation has determined the theme of the 19th
International Cartoon Foundation as "terrorism". Stating that the US
experienced the most horrible terrorist attack in the world history,
Chairman of the Foundation's Executive Council, Orhan Birgit, said, "Our
criteria in selecting the cartoons which will participate in the contest
will be the deterrence of terrorist inclinations in people." /Milliyet/
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
[26] EUROPE IS NOT INTERESTED BY CUNEYT ARCAYUREK (CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Cuneyt Arcayurek comments on the recent incidents and the
decision on terrorism adopted by the European countries. A summary of his
column is as follows:
"During these days when we thought Turkey would be an indispensable asset
for the West since she had long suffered the pains of terrorism, the
Turkish press mentioned the EU decision regarding terrorism only once and
the official circles did not even touched upon it. Where will Turkey take
her place when a new world is being constructed? The leaders of the EU
members did not include Turkey into a plan for combatting terrorism which
even covered the candidate countries. It is clear that the EU does not see
Turkey as one of its own since the membership negotiation process has not
begun. The second reason is more interesting, which shows that it does not
care for the facts we have been trying to explain. It does not think of
benefitting from the experiences of Turkey who has fought against terrorism
for years. The EU has other intentions. It is trying to put more obstacles
in the way of giving out visas which concerns millions of Turks. When we
recalled that they had promised to deal equally with other members they
decided that we could take place in the plan for tackling terrorism. At
present it is not clear how the EU will deal with the extensions of the
PKK terrorist organization. For example, Germany began waging a war against
the PKK years ago. However, it stopped this fight with the PKK which
continued its operations through various associations and federations. The
reason was that the activities of the PKK damaged the security of the
German society and they had given permission to these organizations to work
as long as they did not disturb the German society. Similar attitudes were
adopted by other EU countries such as Sweden and Holland.
The EU decision calls for the preparation of a joint list for terrorist
organizations. In fact, many European countries who are banning the
activities of the PKK or the religious terror groups, are providing
opportunities for the free activities of their offsprings. If Turkey
participates in the process of preparing lists she will try to add the
names of PKK's and religious terror groups offsprings continuing their
acitivies under the name Islam into the list."
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