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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-05
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Turkish
Press Review >>
Foreign
Press Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
05.02.2002
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT WARNS SADDAM
[02] ECEVIT: "ALL NEEDS OF THE QUAKE VICTIMS WILL BE
MET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
[03] DERVIS: "STOP COMPARING TURKEY TO
ARGENTINA"
[04] CEM MEETS WITH PAPANDREOU, ANNAN
[05] DENKTAS, CLERIDES DISCUSS SECURITY ISSUES
[06] BAHCELI VISITS QUAKE-STRICKEN AREAS
[07] GREECE, FRANCE, GERMANY OFFER AID AFTER QUAKE
[08] TAYLOR: "TURKEY HAS IMPRESSED ME GREATLY"
[09] $9 BILLION ON THE WAY FROM IMF
[10] WORLD BANK BOARD MEETING POSTPONED
[11] WORLD BANK DELEGATION VISITS TOBB
[12] ISRAELI NAVAL OFFICIAL VISITS TURKISH COUNTERPART
[13] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN SELECTED AS NORTHERN IRELAND
RAPPORTEUR
[14] FOREIGN MINISTRY REBUKES SWEDISH AMBASSADOR OVER
BROCHURE
[15] CHIBBER: "TAXES SHOULD BE CUT FURTHER"
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[17] WHO'S AFRAID OF DIALOGUE? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
[18] GREECE AND THE PKK BY SAYGI OZTURK (STAR)
[19] NO PROGRESS IN SIGHT SO LONG AS DASHAK MENTALITY
PREVAILS BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
[01] ECEVIT WARNS SADDAM
In a letter sent to Iraqi embassy in Turkey this
week, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit told Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein
that he should allow United Nations weapons inspectors back into his
country to carry out their work. Otherwise, Ecevit warned, US
intervention in Iraq might follow. "Turkey may also be adversely
affected by the severe consequences which could come if Iraq does not
allow in the UN inspectors," Ecevit stated. Turkey is concerned
that a military operation to Iraq would compromise the country's
territorial integrity, and has taken pains to stress its opposition to
such an operation. But of course the success of its efforts requires
some important steps to be taken by Saddam, Ecevit added in his
letter. /Hürriyet/
[02] ECEVIT: "ALL NEEDS OF THE QUAKE VICTIMS WILL BE
MET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"
The Cabinet met yesterday to evaluate developments
in the wake of Sunday's earthquake which struck the Western Anatolian
province of Afyon. Stating that state institutions had learned
important lessons from previous earthquakes, Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit remarked that the government had mobilized rapidly after the
quake and immediately dispatched teams to the quake-hit region to help
the victims. The members of the Cabinet were briefed on the current
situation in Afyon, the numbers of dead and injured people, collapsed
and damaged buildings as well as ongoing search and rescue efforts.
"Our civil defense units are continuing their work in the
region," said Ecevit. "I believe the needs of quake victims
will be met as soon as possible." The Interior Ministry's Crisis
Management Center also announced yesterday that 43 people had been
killed and 300 others injured by the quake. /Cumhuriyet/
[03] DERVIS: "STOP COMPARING TURKEY TO
ARGENTINA"
Speaking to French daily Le Figaro yesterday, State
Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis asserted that Turkey's situation
was very different from Argentina's, adding in a plea, "Stop
comparing Turkey to Argentina." Speaking also at the World
Economic Forum in New York, Dervis said that Turkey has received the
support of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank at the
right time. Dervis also said that Turkey should break out of the
boom-and-bust economic cycle and work to establish a pattern of steady
growth. /Hürriyet/
[04] CEM MEETS WITH PAPANDREOU, ANNAN
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek
counterpart George Papendreou, both of whom are attending the World
Economic Forum in New York, met yesterday for talks. During their
one-hour meeting, the two ministers reportedly agreed to begin work to
explore controversial issues between the two countries concerning the
Mediterreanean. Meanwhile, Cem also met with UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan yesterday and exchanged views, on the Iraq and Cyprus issues in
particular. /Turkiye/
[05] DENKTAS, CLERIDES DISCUSS SECURITY ISSUES
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides met
yesterday in the third week of the their direct talks process to find
a solution to the Cyprus issue. Following their one-and-a-half-hour
meeting, Denktas told reporters that the two sides were negotiating
security issues and that after completing discussions on it, they
would take up discussions of land and ownership. /Turkiye/
[06] BAHCELI VISITS QUAKE-STRICKEN AREAS
Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli yesterday
visited the areas which were hit by Sunday's earthquake. He first
visited the crisis center in the town of Bolvadin in the Afyon
province. Proceeding to the town of Sultandagi, where the quake was
centered, accompanied by State Minister Faruk Bal, Bahceli said that
the government and all other state authorities had mobilized to heal
the damages wrought by the quake. He also visited the town of Cay, one
of the locales hit hardest. Talking to citizens whose shops in the
small industrial compound were destroyed by the quake, Bahceli vowed
to reconstruct them. /Turkiye/
[07] GREECE, FRANCE, GERMANY OFFER AID AFTER QUAKE
In the wake of the earthquake which hit the towns
of Afyon on Sunday morning and left 43 dead and some 300 wounded, as
well as scores of collapsed buildings, the first offer of
international aid came from Greece. It was soon followed by offers
from Germany and France. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President Rauf Denktas and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu also expressed
their grief and condolences to the Turkish nation. During his meeting
yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in New York at the
World Economic Forum, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou
conveyed his condolences and said that Greece was ready to extend any
help necessary to Turkey. German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer sent
a message to Cem offering whatever help was needed. In addition,
French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder sent messages to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit conveying
their condolences and offers of aid. /Turkiye/
[08] TAYLOR: "TURKEY HAS IMPRESSED ME GREATLY"
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in New York
yesterday, John Taylor, the US Treasury's undersecretary for foreign
affairs, said, "Turkey has impressed me greatly." He also
stated that the US was very happy with Turkey's performance and that
it should continue to make reforms. /Hürriyet/
[09] $9 BILLION ON THE WAY FROM IMF
The International Monetary Fund Executive Board
yesterday approved Turkey's new standby agreement. Under this
agreement, Turkey will receive $16.2 billion over the period
2002-2004, with $9 billion of that sum on the way immediately. /Hürriyet/
[10] WORLD BANK BOARD MEETING POSTPONED
A World Bank Executive Board meeting which had been
scheduled for today has been postponed. The Reuters news agency
reported yesterday that the bank would instead hold the meeting in
March, where it will discuss a $1.3 billion Programmatic Financial and
Public Sector Adjustment Loan (PFPSAL) to be given to Turkey. The WB
loan will be used for completing the reconstruction of Turkey's
banking sector, the privatization and reconstruction of its public
banks, and the improvement of the entire banking sector. In the public
sector, this loan is to be used for work on Procurement Law and Public
Investment Law, improving the tax system and management, and
initiating public expense reform. /Aksam/
[11] WORLD BANK DELEGATION VISITS TOBB
A World Bank delegation chaired by Regional Manager
Joseph Battat yesterday paid a visit to Turkish Union of Chambers and
Stock Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Risat Hisarciklioglu. Stating that the
two had discussed establishing an Investment Promotion Agency in
Turkey to attract more foreign investment, Hisarciklioglu said,
"The delegation requested our help on the issue." Another
meeting is expected to be held with the delegation today to discuss
preparations for the next Turkish-American Business Council meeting.
/Cumhuriyet/
[12] ISRAELI NAVAL OFFICIAL VISITS TURKISH COUNTERPART
Israeli Naval Chief Vice Admiral Yedidia Yaari, who
is currently visiting Turkey, met with Turkish Naval Chief Admiral
Bulent Alpkaya yesterday. Alpkaya stated that he believed the Israeli
vice admiral's visit would greatly contribute to the improvement of
relations between the two nations' navies. Vice Admiral Yaari is to
leave Turkey on Feb. 8. /Cumhuriyet/
[13] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIAN SELECTED AS NORTHERN IRELAND
RAPPORTEUR
The Council of Europe Parliamentarians Assembly (COEPA)
announced yesterday that it had selected Democratic Left Party (DSP)
Izmir Deputy Atilla Mutman to a post where he would be assigned to
study Catholic-Protestant clash in Northern Ireland. In the leadup to
a planned bureau in Northern Ireland, the council said, there is a
need for an interim representative, which is where Mutman comes in. As
a Muslim, the council reasoned, Mutman can be more objective and help
to facilitate peace. Mutman is currently waiting for the council's
Secretariat to complete a preliminary study and will soon thereafter
go to the country. There he will listen to the various parties and
after completing his investigation, he will prepare a report for the
COEPA. /Milliyet/
[14] FOREIGN MINISTRY REBUKES SWEDISH AMBASSADOR OVER
BROCHURE
The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Sweden's
Ambassador in Ankara Anne Dismorr yesterday to express Turkey's
official dissatisfaction with a brochure which was prepared and
recently distributed by the Sweden Institute in Izmir. The brochure
titled "Sweden and Turkey" included certain statements
alleging that Turks do not constitute a nation. Foreign Ministry
Undersecretary Ambassador Ugur Ziyal received Dismorr yesterday and
stated that he considered the distribution of the brochures a grave
mistake which could seriously damage relations between Sweden and
Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] CHIBBER: "TAXES SHOULD BE CUT FURTHER"
World Bank Turkey Director Ajay Chibber visited
Istanbul Greater Municipality Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna yesterday and
received a briefing on the municipality's investments from Dursun Ali
Codur, the city's deputy secretary-general. Following the briefing,
Gurtuna spoke about a new law that would reduce the municipalities'
share of task revenues from 5% to 4%. Chibber stated, "In spite
of its problems, the situation of Istanbul has improved. The
government should make further cuts to taxes and interest rates.
Istanbul has many needs, and we want to support this city." /Cumhuriyet/
[16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[17] WHO'S AFRAID OF DIALOGUE? BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the Turkish-Greek
dialogue. A summary of his column is as follows: "The dialogue on
the Aegean finally went public a few days ago when Turkish Foreign
Minister Ismail Cem met with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou
in New York. From now on, during meetings between Turkey and Greece,
our disagreements on the Aegean will also be discussed. Cem and
Papandreou will hold these meetings with the participation of the two
foreign ministries' political directors, that is, deputy
undersecretaries, and some experts. Of course meanwhile the two
ministers will direct the negotiations and when they meet again at the
joint European Union-Organization for the Islamic Conference meeting
in Istanbul next week, they will discuss these issues. It is
interesting that while announcing their dialogue in New York, Cem said
that they were not trying to raise hopes and that they do not claim
that great results will follow. According to him, both parties will
discuss their views and concerns in joint talks to be held on the
Aegean issue and try to discover their points of agreement rather of
disagreement. We should not be surprised that Cem has a cautious
manner just like Papandreou. First of all, expectations should not be
exaggerated at the beginning of this decision. In addition, both
countries are overly sensitive about the positions they have argued up
to now. On such a stage, declarations and behavior that might cause
misunderstandings should be avoided. The articles appearing in the
Greek press last week showed that circles in Athens are viewing the
dialogue through their own particular slant. For example, the Greek
Elefterotipia daily said in an article entitled 'Who's Afraid of
Dialogue?' that issues that considered off the table, such as the
territorial waters and airspace, could not be discussed and that the
discussions would only be about the continental shelf. But on the
contrary, Cem's declaration gives the impression that issues besides
the continental shelf will also be discussed as part of these 'study
meetings.' For if Cem and Papandreou had not reached a consensus of
principle on the issues to be discussed during their contacts, they
would not have ordered officials at their ministries to start such
negotiations. It is inevitable that during discussions on the
continental shelf, the other disagreements on the Aegean issue in
connection with this problem will also be discussed. There is a
non-governmental group called the 'Turkish-Greek Forum,' which is made
up of experienced Turkish and Greek ex-foreign ministers, diplomats,
scholars and writers, who work for a rapprochement between Turkey and
Greece and for a solution to the problems between the two countries.
In July 2000, the forum presented a report to the ministries of the
two countries about ways to discuss the Aegean problems. As I wrote
then, this report drew a sort of road map for the Greek and Turkish
ministries about their manner in these discussions. Now we hope that
as indicated in the forum's report, the dialogue that covers the
Aegean issues will from now on continue uninterrupted."
[18] GREECE AND THE PKK BY SAYGI OZTURK (STAR)
Columnist Saygi Ozturk writes on allegations that
the Greek government is employing PKK members as spies. A summary of
his column is as follows: "No matter how much Turkey acts with
good intentions, there are no signs that Greece is returning the favor
by abandoning its bad old habit of supporting the PKK. Reportedly,
Greece's November 17 terrorist organization, which is believed to have
state support, has launched a new arrangement to use members of the
terrorist PKK in actions against Turkey. Greece, through the help of
PKK sympathizers, is gathering information about our military units in
Thrace. A new report issued by the Directorate General of Security
points to the close state of relations between the PKK and November 17
and states that November 17 is in close touch with Abu Nidal, the RAF
(a faction of the Red Army. The German terrorist group), Action
Directe (Direct action in France), CCC (Fighting Communist Cells, in
Belgium). The report also puts forth that Nov. 17 is in collaboration
with a number of other illegal groups, among whom the PKK is also
cited. It alleges that Nov. 17 has close ties with Greek intelligence
and security units. A close, disciplined group of 20 forms the nucleus
of Nov. 17. The report levels harsh criticism against the Greek
government on issues such as Cyprus as well as Greek-Turkish,
Greek-NATO and Greek-EU relations, which it considers to be of utmost
importance for the country's national interests. Greece is the clearly
the weakest link in the international alliance against terrorism. The
unwillingness of Greek security forces to capture the members of
November 17 and the ELA terrorist group has been noted by everyone.
Despite certain steps it has taken against terrorism, the Greek
Government has been unable to gain the trust of the international
community in this fight. The report also states that the Tsamouria
Liberation Army (UCC) was responsible for a number of explosions in
Greece. Tsamouria is in the northeast of Greece, where Muslim
Albanians live. The Tsamouria Albanians, whose problems are still
beneath the international radar, not known by the international
community are claiming that Greece has carried out a genocide against
them and are requesting that the Greek administration grant them basic
human rights and the recognition of their right to own property,
compensation, and return to their own territories. The terrorist
actions stemming from the Tsamouria problem have a significant meaning
for those who can see the support that Greece is lending to the PKK."
[19] NO PROGRESS IN SIGHT SO LONG AS DASHAK MENTALITY
PREVAILS BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the relations
between Turkey and Armenia and the impossibility of improving
relations between both countries. A summary of his column is as
follows: "Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's meeting with
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian in New York may have led to
expectations in Armenia. Furthermore, the statements by Armenian
Foreign Minister Oskanian following the meeting may have fanned these
expectations. Oskanian said that there was a climate on both sides
which would allow for the discussion of problems through direct
negotiations. However, his warning that expectations should not be
exaggerated depicts the mood of the meeting more realistically. At the
moment, I don't believe that in Yerevan the mood for discussing the
problems through direct talks is prevalent. On the contrary, with the
active contribution of the Dashnak Party, Erevan has killed some
initiatives which could have been productive. This brings to mind the
question, where did Oskanian got the impression that there was a mood
suitable for direct talks? Even if there is such a mood in Turkey, it
is certain that the Armenians are not ready for it yet. For the
Armenian government who believes that it gained significant ground in
its campaign against Turkey in 2000, and it did everything it could to
dampen this conciliatory mood and continues to do so. If we take a
glance at the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission's studies, we
see that even the formation of such a commission exploded like a bomb
in Armenia. Dashnaks began to label as traitors those Armenians who
attended this commission and began to threaten them through Foreign
Minister Oskanian. The Yerevan government requested that the Armenian
members of the commission withdraw. The cooperation of the government
and the Dashnak Party yielded their desired result, and this
commission collapsed. The reason for the unwillingness of Yerevan to
take part in such independent commissions is not hard to guess.
Armenia, working arm-in-arm with the Armenian diaspora, believes that
it is scoring victories against Turkey and thus could not tolerate
such an independent and important initiative which would snatch the
reins from its hands, especially at a time when the 'Second
Armenia-Armenian Diaspora Conference' was expected to meet soon on
this 27-28 May. The aim of this conference was described as assessing
the successes achieved in the year 2000 for the Armenian national
cause and determine new strategies directed towards the future for new
successes. However, the Sept.11 terrorist attacks were a disaster both
for the diaspora Armenians and Armenia it self as, Turkey once more
became Washington's favorite ally and the Armenian issue was thrust
into a corner by US politicians. Notwithstanding this fact, Armenia
has expressed its intentions to resume its old course where it left
off through using influential politicians. Both Oskanian and Armenian
Ambassador to Washington Kirakosian reiterated in the past few weeks
that the recognition of the Armenian genocide was the focal point of
Armenian foreign policy. In other words, Sept. 11 didn't dissuade the
Armenian government from pursuing its stubborn single-track policy.
Against such a backdrop, we must wonder how exactly Yerevan is ready
for the dialogue that Oskanian mentioned. The mood in Yerevan seems
more suitable for a monologue than a dialogue, namely a monologue
consisting of a laundry list of things they want from Turkey and
expect to Turkey to comply with. In short, if the Armenians don't free
themselves from the strengthening Dashnak mentality, Oskanian's hopes
for a dialogue with Turkey will remain only a dream. The contacts
between Armenians and Turks should be continued, despite all
intimidation on the part of the Dashnaks and the obsessive policies of
the Armenian government."
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