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Anadolu Agency: News in English, 99-07-03Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>AA Daily03 July 1999 SaturdayCONTENTS
[01] TURKEY-PRESS SCANThese are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on July 3, 1999. The Anadolu Ajansi does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.HURRIYET (LIBERAL)PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''IT IS WRONG TO EXPECT MONEY FROM IMF NOW''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit stressed that International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation expended support to the program of the government, adding that ''they will be seen in contradiction if they do not expend the required support despite this.'' Ecevit said we should not wait for aid to come from the IMF immediately. Prime Minister Ecevit said IMF praised the program which the government has prepared. WORLD BANK: WE WILL SUPPORT THE HISTORICAL PROGRAM MILLIYET (LIBERAL)FROM GOVERNMENT TO IMF: ''PEOPLE TO REVOLT IF WE CAN NOT ARRANGE THE DOSEOF THE MEDICINE'' Turkish delegation told IMF delegation (who said it might expend 2.250 million U.S. dollars after stand by agreement), that ''you are generous to others. You have given 20 or 40 billion U.S. dollars to Southern Korea and Malaysia.'' Responding to the demand of IMF to freeze the salaries, the officials said ''Turkey is a democratic country. There are pressure groups and non- governmental organizations. People will revolt against your demands. We should arrange the dose of the medicine well.' CYPRUS CALL IN THE CONVENTION SABAH (LIBERAL)IMF: ''OPERATION IS OVER''International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank gave vote of confidence to the program of the government which targets reducing inflation to 10 percent in two years. A two-year stand-by agreement will be signed with IMF after economic reforms are completed. IMF and the World Bank will extend financial support to Turkey. KIVRIKOGLU WANTS PRIORITY IN 28 LAWS CUMHURIYET (LEFT)OCALAN CASE. ECEVIT: ''WE WILL NOT MAKE BARGAINING''Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said pressure of European countries related with Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization, may cause wrong results, adding that ''we will not make this the issue of bargaining with others. It is not something normal that public of the West is interested in the issue. It is also not something that should be proud of.'' U.S. DIRECTED SOLUTION CALENDER RADIKAL (LEFT)''REFORM PROMISE TO IMF''The program, submitted by the government, is defined as a ''having historical importance'' by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Yet IMF will wait for the reforms to be completed before expending the aid. IMF delegation, which concluded contacts in Turkey, gave the first signals that a stand-by agreement, that will cover the years 2000 and 20001, will be signed. Carlo Cottarelli, IMF Turkey Desk Chairman, said the credit that will be extended, will be determined following talks that will take place in Washington D.C. Cottarreli defined Turkish government's reform promises as ''having historical importance.'' Meanwhile, Ajay Chibber, World Bank Turkey Representative, said World Bank was ready to expend necessary financial support. He said this program included imporant reforms on the contrary of the other programs. TÜRKİYE (RIGHT) HARSH REACTION TO ITALY HISTORICAL PROPOSAL FROM MHP LEADER BAHCELI ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)CONVENTION ENTHUSIASMSeventh Turkish World Convention, started in Pamukkale county with ceremonies participated by President Suleyman Demirel, Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Muradov, Prime Minister of Turkmenistan. Studies of the Convention will be concluded within three years. The leaders, in their speeches in the Convention, wanted their relations to be strengthened. President Demirel and MHP leader Bahceli mentioned about economic relations between Turkish Republics. TRNC President Denktas wanted the support of brotherly Republics. [02] OCALAN, HEAD OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, SENTENCED TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT - PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT: ''U.S HAS SHOWN A FAR MORE UNDERSTANDING ATTITUDE THAN OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday that ''the U.S. has shown a far more understanding attitude than our European allies on the issue of the capital punishment given to Abdullah Ocalan, head of terrorist organization.''Responding to the questions of reporters regarding the attitude of the U.S. related with the death sentence given to Ocalan, Ecevit said ''they have shown a far more understanding attitude than our European allies.'' Ecevit also held a brief meeting with Uri Bar-Ner in the reception which the U.S. Embassy hosted due to the national day of the U.S. During the meeting Ecevit's scheduled visit to Israel between July 14 and 15 was discussed. Ecevit will hold contacts with Israeli officials, participate in Economic summit that will take place in this country and is expected to visit High Technology Park and Ataturk forest during the visit. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is also expected to meet with Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Head of State, in Palestinian Autonomous Region on July 16. [03] PRESIDENT DEMIREL RECEIVES PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT - ECEVIT: ''IT IS NOT TRUE TO FEEL DISAPPOINTMENT FROM THE STATEMENT OF IMF''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Friday that it was not true to feel disappointement from the statements of the officials of International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that ''I also have optimism because they have openely expended support to the program of the government.''Responding to the questions of reporters following his 45-minute with President Suleyman Demirel, Ecevit said he conveyed his views to Demirel regarding the latest developments. When a journalist recalled the statements of IMF officials and asked about his evaluations, Ecevit said the IMF delegation stayed longer than the usual period of time they stayed in Turkey, adding that they held detailed studies and met with the representatives of various organizations. Ecevit said IMF delegation, in its news conference, praised the program which the government has prepared. They expressed pleasure over the determination of the government. ''Yet, it is understood that several circles had the expectations that the quantity of the aid would be disclosed today. In fact, I did not know such a thing.'' Ecevit said the representatives of the IMF would go to the U.S. to hold several talks with their authorized committees and that the quantity of the aid, if there is such a promise, would be disclosed after this.'' Ecevit said ''I think it is not true to feel disappointment from their statements. You know I was always prudent regarding relations with the IMF. I did not have much optimism earlier. Yet, I have an optimism now. Because they have openly disclosed support to the program.'' ''If they fail to provide the required support despite all these, they will be seen in a contradiction. I hope IMF will not give opportunity to such an impression'' Ecevit pointed out. [04] FOREIGN MINISTRY: ''NO DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HOLD A JOINT MILITARY MANOEUVRES WITH ISRAEL IN JULY''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Foreign Ministry said on Friday that no joint military manoeuvres will take place with Israel in July.A statement of Foreign Ministry said news reports appeared in local and foreign press that Turkey and Israel would hold a jount Military naval manoevres in July, adding that: ''There is not such a decision that has been taken, or a date that was determined for a joint military manoeuvres with Israel in July, as it was mentioned in the press.'' [05] TURKEY-IMF RELATIONS - ULUGBAY, MINISTER OF STATE: ''IMF AND WORLD BANK POINT OUT THAT THEY WILL EXPEND REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR THE SUCCESS OF ANTI-INFLATION PROGRAM''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Hikmet Ulugbay, Minister of State, said on Friday that International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank pointed out that they will provide the required support for the success of the anti- inflation program.Addressing a joint news conference with the IMF officials in Treasury Undersecretariat, Ulugbay stressed that IMF said the anti-inflation program which the government prepared, was ''hope giving.'' Pointing out that technical talks on the issue of stand-by would be carried out mutually with the IMF, Ulugbay said the issue of letter of intention would be discussed within stand-by period. Ulugbay said talks related with stand-by would be carried out within the normal period. Responding to a question Ulugbay said stand-by agreements started to provide support to struggle against inflation programs. Noting that IMF was convinced that Turkey would complete its targets, Ulugbay said real interests, which is one of the most important problems of Turkey, would be reduced to a realistic level in the coming period. Responding to another question Ulugbay said privatization has not stopped in Turkey, adding that there were several legal obstacles preventing it from improving, and recalled that the government worked on several legal arrangements, mainly international arbitration issue. Meanwhile, Carlo Cottarelli, IMF Turkey Desk Chairman, responding to a question, said Turkey has a great potential, adding that it is not able to use this potential as the inflation was very high. Responding to another question Cottarrelli said amount of the financial aid has not become definite, and noted that talks related with the issue was underway in Washington D.C. He stressed that a strong economic program will get required financial aid. -IMF'S FINAL STATEMENT IMF published a final statement following their meetings in Turkey which lasted for two weeks. The statement said struggle with inflation requires a coordinated effort in financial and structural fields. The interest rates will drop significantly and the inflation will drop to 10 percent in 2001 if the government programme is implemented, the statement added. The statement said that the whole sale prices inflation rate for this year is expected to be between 50 and 55 percent and and 55 percent is targeted in consumer prices. Turkey can reach its economic target with the cooperation of all segments of its society including government, society, workers and entrepreneurs, it was pointed out in the statement. In the final statement of the IMF targets of staff monitoring agreement was disclosed. According to this, total incomes, as of the end of 1999, is envisaged as 18.7 quadrillion lira. According to the same targets, inflation is expected to be between 50-55 percent in wholesale prices and consumer prices are expected to be 55 percent in the year 1999. The final statement of IMF said ''staff monitoring agreement will be operated till the stand-by agreement and will play the role of a bridge. The statement said ''Turkish officials wanted the financial support of IMF for the coming three years to in order to implement economic program'', adding that Turkish economy, by means of a successful economic administration, could be saved from the global crisis and crisis in Russian economy, with a very small loss. The statement said structural reforms were vital for Turkey to be rescued from the problems of economy, adding that issuing of banking law was an important step to strengthen financial sector. The statement pointed out that ''IMF thinks that an economic program could be supported with financial sources within the framework of a stand-by agreement.'' It also said issuing of international arbitration law would speed up privatization. Pointing out that the officials were resolved to lift the obstacles that are in front of privatization, the statement said issuing of international arbitation in particular would speed up privatization in energy and telecommunication sector. [06] TURKISH TROOPS IN BULGARIA - FIRST CONVOY OF TURKISH BATALLION WHICH WILL ACT WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF KFOR, ENTERED TO BULGARIASOFIA, July 3 (A.A) - Transition of Turkish batallion, which will act within the structure of Kosovo Peace Forces (KFOR) continues, it was reported on Saturday.The first convoy of Turkish batallion, which is composed of 52 vehicles and 133 personnel, which departed Kapikule customs gate at 05.05 local time, entered to Bulgaria. Bulgarian Interior Ministry and General Staff took tight measures due to the transition of the first convoy. The convoy, which is under the command of Gen. Mehmet Ali Erdogan, is expected to enter to Macedonia at 18.00 local time. Kosovo Turkish Peace Forces is composed of a total of 993 personnel. The unit will at in Prizren, Dragas and Mamusa regions of Kosovo. Tanks and armoured vehicles, belonging to Turkish battallion, will be transported to Kosovo via Bulgaria and Macedonia through railways starting from Sunday morning. [07] TURKISH-KYRGZ BUSINESS COUNCIL - PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''A BRIGHT FUTURE WAITS FOR TURKISH WORLD IN THE 21ST CENTURY''ANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - President Suleyman Demirel said on Friday that a bright future was waiting for Turkish world in the 21st century, adding that ''our target is to create a better, prosperous Turkish World that is in peace and solidarity.''Addressing Turkish-Kyrgz Business Council held in Ankara Hilton Hotel, Demirel said Turkey was determined to further improve economic and trade cooperation with Kyrgzstan, and noted that first of all trade relations should be improved and trade volume should be increased. Demirel said ''we should expend efforts to lift bureaucratic obstacles to increase trade volue'' and recalled that trade volume between the two countries was 57 million U.S. dollars in the year 1998. Pointing out that this figure failed to reflect real potential between the two countries, Demirel wanted trade volume to increase to 500 million U.S. dollars in short term. Demirel said Turkish Banks founded and continue to found joint banks in Kyrgzstan, adding that cooperation can be made in the field of tourism. [08] PREMIER ECEVIT EVALUATES TALKS WITH THE IMFANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said on Saturday that talks held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has no connection with the attitude of Turkey regarding international political issues, adding that ''We can not give up the independence of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as we can not give up our independence. Nobody should have such dreams.''Ecevit responded to the questions of reporters related with the meetings held with the IMF delegation. When a journalist said financial support which IMF will provide depends on the reforms of the government and when asked ''will there be a period for all the sections to be economical'', Ecevit said talks held with IMF did not have connection with this. Pointing out that there were several misunderstandings while following the press conference of Carlo Cottarelli, IMF Turkey Desk Chairman, Ecevit said ''when Mr. Cottarelli mentioned about consolidation, stock exchange began to fall rapidly. It was clear that consolidation which Cottarelli mentioned had no connection with the baseless rumors mentioned in the markets earlier. I mean, it was not the consolidation of the debts but a financial consolidation in general means.'' Pointing out that IMF appreciated the program prepared by the government, Ecevit said ''this is a program which we should follow and conclude in the possible soonest time even if we did not have talks and expectations from the IMF'' Ecevit said IMF representative, currently in Turkey to hold contacts, was not in a position to issue a concrete statement about the issue of credit that may be expended, adding that ''Carlo Cottarelli refused to give a figure for a possible loan. He said that was still being worked out by IMF and World Bank officials in Washington. It also was not clear when an agreement would be signed. There is no reason to be demoralized or confusion. If we can put our own program into effect soon, problems in economy will be ended anyway.'' Responding to another question Ecevit said a program which Turkish Government has prepared is in question, not something that was proposed by the IMF, adding that this program was welcomed by the IMF. When recalled the evaluations that IMF would determine the financial aid according to Turkey's compromise performance in its international policies such us Cyprus and Northern Iraq, Ecevit said: ''No. We will not mix it with political issues. First of all, existence of TRNC is a fact. We can not give up the existence of TRNC. Nobody should have dreams about it. We are announcing our ideas towards this end to all the people in the world.'' [09] RAUF DENKTAS, PRESIDENT OF TRNC: ''U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL CAN NOT IMPOSE ANYTHING THAT ONE OF THE SIDES REFUSES TO DO''SAMSUN, July 3 (A.A) - Rauf Denktas, President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said on Saturday that the U.N. Secretary General can not impose anything that one of the sides refuses to do.Denktas responded to the questions of reporters in the Black Sea Samsun province, where he came on a five-day visit. When asked about news reports which appeared in a newspaper saying that the U.S. administration sent a message to him with his son Serdar saying that ''sit on the negotiation table. You will not regret'', Denktas said ''I have not received any news to sit at negotiation table.'' Denktas said ''there are several conditions to sit at negotiation table related with the talks. Everybody has to know this. We are making evaluations with Turkey. We have not received any invitation yet. Also, the U.N. Secretary General can not impose anything which one of the sides refuses to do. Thus, I don't think he can call us to a meeting which we refused to come.'' Denktas said they continue on their path with the support and tolerance of Turkey. Responding to another question Denktas said it should be understood clearly that Cyprus can not unite, ''Cyprus can not unite. Two separate Cyprus will live forever. What we mean about uniting is the agreement of the two states. Otherwise, they will come and try to rule us. They should give up such dreams. There are two separate states in Cyprus. There may be cooperation and joint action between the two states. Yet, going back to the past is a dream.'' [10] TURKEY-ECONOMY - WHOLESALE PRICES INCREASE BY 1.8 PERCENT AND CONSUMER PRICES INCREASE BY 3.3 PERCENT IN JUNEANKARA, July 3 (A.A) - Wholesale prices increased 1.8 percent and consumer prices increased 3.3 percent in June when compared to the figures of the previous month.State Statics Institude (DIE) said on Saturday that consumer prices increased 3.3 percent and wholesale prices increased 1.8 percent in June. Annual inflation as of June is determined as 50.3 percent in wholesale prices and 64.3 percent in consumer prices. Meanwhile, according to the 12 months averages annual inflation in wholesale prices is 55.2 percent and 69.5 percent in consumer prices. A.A Anadolu Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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