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Turkish Press Review, 99-11-09Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>09.11.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] ANNAN: "OSCE SUMMIT WILL BE A FORUM DURING WHICH COMMON PROBLEMS WILL BE DISCUSSED"[02] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[03] FALLING WALLS, OPENING UP OF NEW HORIZONS BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)[04] PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT TO TURKEYUS President Bill Clinton will speak before the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on November 15, during his visit to Turkey. The US President will address the plenary session of the TGNA and will be the first US President to do so.Prior to the President's visit, American security and technical service officials arrived to thoroughly inspect the TGNA building for a second time yesterday, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [05] SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS IN PARISThe Congress of the world's most comprehensive international and political organization, Socialist International, has began in Paris with the attendance of its 148 members, including the Republican People's Party (CHP) from Turkey. At the 21st Socialist International Congress, which has also brought together Ehud Barak, Yaser Arafat, Kostas Simitis and Celal Talabani, besides the party leaders of the social democrat parties' and socialists who are in power in the three-quarters of the EU countries, the 'future of socialism` has been discussed. On behalf of the CHP, Chairman Altan Oymen, Honorary Chairman Erdal Inonu and Deputy Chairman Inal Batu have attended the Congress and they had an opportunity to meet with nearly all the leaders. Inonu took office as the Deputy Chairman at the 21st Congress. /Milliyet/[06] NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE CONVEYSThe NATO Military Committee Meeting is beginning today in Brussels. Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu is going to represent Turkey during the meeting. One of the most important subjects discussed there will be the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), which the EU has been trying to develop. While Ankara fears being excluded from this process, she insists on her request to be included in the deliberating period for the ESDI. The meeting will last two days and the General Staffs of the NATO members will express their views on the ESDI. /Milliyet/[07] INTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON BAKU-CEYHAN PIPELINEIt is stated that in order to carry out the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline scheme which was developed by Turkey to transfer Azerbaijani petroleum to world markets, the petroleum located in the east of the Caspian Sea should also be transported via this pipeline. The petroleum companies included in the International Consortium set up to implement the venture declared that to fulfill the pipeline scheme, more petroleum is needed. Thanks to that, they suggest this should also be agreed on with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. In spite of the declaration by the American, Turkish and Azerbaijani Presidents that the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline agreement would be signed during the OSCE Summit, the petroleum companies assert that some technical problems have not been overcome yet; one of them is the amount of petroleum which will flow through the pipeline. Meanwhile, the US' Caspian Region's Energy Coordinator John Wolf, who had official meetings in Turkey recently said that there was no problem concerning the implementation of the venture. /Cumhuriyet/[08] FINE FOR 'SEMELE`The inquiry into the maritime collision which occured yesterday in the Bosphorus is underway. The crews of both ships have been questioned and the captain of the 'Sipka` has been detained. Meanwhile, The Sea Control Team punished the sunken 'Semele` with a fine of 19,650 billion TL due to the fact that she had caused pollution in the sea. /Cumhuriyet/[09] 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF OTTOMAN EMPIREThe Evaluation and Management Seminar concerning the activities organized to mark the 700th anniversary of the Ottoman Empire began yesterday. The Culture Minister, Istemihan Talay, speaking at the Seminar, stated that the share of investments in cultural affairs should be increased. At the opening of the seminar, which is to last 5 days, the Minister said that positive democratic research was being undertaken by non-governmental organizations in the field of culture. Minister Talay stated that the promotion of masterpieces from the Ottoman Empire and ancient Anatolian civilizations held an important place in increasing overseas interest in Turkey. He also added that these works of art should be uncovered and protected. Culture Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Fikret Uccan pointed out the importance of the people's participation in cultural life and in the preservation and improvement of Turkey's cultural character. Prof. Halil Inalcik said that the Ottoman Empire had paved the way for the economic and political atmosphere of today and had acted without discrimination towards any religion, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[10] TUSIAD DELEGATION IN HOLLANDDutch Deputy Prime Minister Annemarie Jovitsma said that Holland was in full support of Turkey concerning its full EU membership. A delegation from the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), which is continuing with its round of talks to disseminate the views of the Turkish business world on Turco-EU relations prior to the EU Summit in Helsinki in December, has started its latest meetings in The Hague. The TUSIAD delegation led by the Head of the Executive Board Erkut Yucaoglu met Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Jovitsma yesterday. Following the meeting, Jovitsma said that Holland backed Turkey's EU membership without any prejudice whatsoever, and they would defend their opinion during the Helsinki Summit. Yucaoglu said for his part that Turkey had participated in the Customs Union (CU) with the EU without receiving any financial assistance, and recalled that Turkey had carried out all its responsibilities. Yucaoglu added that during the full EU membership process, Turkey's past performance should not be ignored, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[11] TURCO-DUTCH BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETINGThe annual meeting of the Turco-Dutch Business Council, which aims to bring Turkish and Dutch businessmen together and to further develop cooperation between the two countries, was held in Rotterdam yesterday. During the meeting, mainly the earthquake disaster which happened in Turkey on August 17 and its negative effects on industry were discussed. Members of the Foreign Economic Relations Council and other industrialists and businessmen who took part in the meeting outlined the progress of the re-construction work following the earthquake and deliberated how Dutch bsuinessmen could contribute to these efforts. Within these guidelines, issues such as mutual investments to strengthen the Turkish industry badly affected by the earthquake and the development of trade were discussed. During the meeting, it was also decided that a joint working group would be established to that end and the Dutch members of this group will tour the earthquake disaster region. During the meeting, Turkish industrialists and businessmen requested Dutch support for Turkey's EU candidacy and full membership, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[12] ANNAN: "OSCE SUMMIT WILL BE A FORUM DURING WHICH COMMON PROBLEMS WILL BE DISCUSSED"UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that the OSCE Summit in Istanbul would be a forum during which common problems will be discussed. Annan underlined that the OSCE Summit would enable him to be in the same place as 53 Heads of State and give him the opportunity to meet them. Annan stated that issues such as the Cyprus problem, a common point of interest, would be deliberated and said that the many incidents which had occurred in the region were further increasing the importance of the OSCE Summit. Annan added that, as the UN, they saw the OSCE as of great importance and were cooperating with the OSCE in many areas, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[13] DENKTAS WARNS KLERIDESPresident of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Rauf Denktas has warned Greek-Cypriot Leader Glafkos Klerides, who will go to Istanbul to attend the OSCE Summit, not to call the Greek-Cypriot Administration the 'Cyprus Government'. Denktas stated that they would not permit any distortion of the facts of the Cyprus issue. /Aksam/[14] ANNAN CALLS ON THE SIDES ON CYPRUSUN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that he may invite the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, and Greek-Cypriot Leader Glafkos Klerides to meetings in New York in the near future. Annan stated that negotiations between the sides and the guarantor countries were underway. He added he hoped that a decision would be given on this issue within one month. /Aksam/[15] MEDITERRANEAN EXERCISEThe first part of the Mediterranean MED '99 by Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy and the US ended yesterday. The ships and frigates which participated in the exercise arrived at Marmaris Aksaz Naval Base to prepare for the second part of the exercise which will begin tomorrow and last for three days east of the Island of Rhodes. /Hurriyet/[16] SCHILLY BRINGS EU SUPPORTGerman Interior Minister Otto Schilly was welcomed by his Turkish counterpart, Sadettin Tantan, at Ankara's Esenboga Airport yesterday. Otto Schilly stated that Germany would support Turkey's membership during the EU Summit in Helsinki in December. Schilly said that he was continuing his meetings aware of Sweden and Greece, which are expected to cause trouble over Turkey's membership. Schilly stressed that Turkey should continue with its moves forward on human rights and democratization. Schilly also wished that meetings headed by State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik with human rights organizations and other non-governmental organizations would again continue.Schilly met Interior Minister Tantan, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, President Suleyman Demirel and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli yesterday. During the meeting, Tantan requested Germany to take strict measures against the PKK terrorist organization. During the meeting between Schilly and Ecevit, State Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik was also present. /Hurriyet/ [17] OSCE EXCITEMENT IN ISTANBULThe 'Review Conference' prior to the OSCE Summit in Istanbul on November 18-19 started yesterday. The Conference, as the continuation of the meeting held last month in Vienna, is being attended by the representatives of 54 OSCE-member countries and the representatives of 170 non-governmental organizations. During the Conference, issues such as human rights, security and economy will be discussed in addition to the re-structuring of the organization. During the Conference, the extent to which OSCE countries are abiding by OSCE principles will be evaluated. /Hurriyet/[18] UP-DATED CFE DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE SIGNED DURING OSCE SUMMITSpokesman of the US State Department James Rubin said that the signing of the up-dated document on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) during the OSCE Summit in Istanbul was far from certain while the Russian military operations in Chechnya are on-going. Rubin held a press conference yesterday and said that Russian military operations were not in line with OSCE principles or with the Geneva Convention. /Aksam/[19] VIRTUE PARTY GIVING ITS DEFENCE ON 15TH NOVEMBERThe Virtue Party, whose request to the Constitutional Court for of an additional period of one week was accepted, will give its written defence on 15th November concerning the lawsuit to close the Virtue Party that was brought against them by Vural Savas. /Turkiye/[20] PROMISE FROM GEN. MUSERREFThe leader of the Pakistani military administration, Gen. Pervez Muserref, said that his country would return to democracy. General Muserref, who became the leader of the military administration in the coup d'etat that occurred on 12th October, left Turkey after his one-day visit with gratitude. Muserref said that he had come to Turkey in order to improve relations between the governments and the people of the two countries. General Muserref arrived in Turkey by private plane and was welcomed by State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel, Ankara's Garrison Commander Lieutenant General Erol Tutar and other officials. After laying a wreath at the tomb of Ataturk, the Pakistani leader observed a minute of silence. Later he met Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.During the press conference that was held at the Pakistani Embassy, Muserref said that there was a special bond between himself and Turkey, where he had spent most of his childhood, and added that he loved Turkey very much. Furthermore, President Suleyman Demirel welcomed General Pervez Muserref at Cankaya Presidential Palace. President Demirel also gave a dinner in honour of his guest. During the dinner, Demirel said, "States should respect each other. How they came to power is another issue entirely. He has come to Turkey and his visit has been admitted. I would conform to the delicate treatment that this situation requires." /Turkiye/ [21] HOPELESS SITUATION IN THE TERRORIST ORGANISATIONThe war for a position of power has hotted up within the PKK. PKK is divided into two groups; "Those who are for Ocalan" and "Those who are against Ocalan". The quarrelling has reached the stage that they have carried out surprise attacks on each others' houses in Europe, and have even kidnapped people. Yasar Kaya, who is one of the leading members of the PKK, criticized Ocalan for his decision to disband the so-called Kurdish Parliament and, thus, these quarrels have begun. Kemal Burkay, who is in opposition to Ocalan, said, "The PKK has just reached the line that we defend. There is no inner-organization democracy within the PKK. Everything is dependent on what Ocalan will say" and unfurled the flag of rebellion. People around Ocalan have become united around the `Ozgur Politika' newspaper and the opposing group established an organization called `Navend', The war between them has begun. /Turkiye/[22] SIX IBDA-C MEMBERS CAPTUREDDuring a raid in Istanbul, six members of the illegal IBDA-C organization were captured by members of the Anti-Terrorism Department of Istanbul Security Office. Some illegal documents and material used to make bombs have also been seized. While being questioned, the IBDA-C members confessed that they had been about to organize bomb attacks in many places, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[23] STAND-BY AGREEMENT FOR THREE YEARSIt is on the agenda that the stand-by agreement as yet to be signed between Turkey and the IMF may cover a period of three years instead of two years. Officials said in the letter of intent presented to the IMF Executive Directors' Council for Emergency Aid Loan offered by the IMF that a programme embodying a fierce fight against inflation could be supported by a three-year stand-by agreement. Meanwhile, a significant portion of the performance criteria for a stand-by agreement has been determined. The public sector's general balance and surplus, except for interest on loans in the public sector, are initially being considered. /Hurriyet/[24] 'BLUE STREAM' VENTUREIt was stated that the construction of the 'Blue Stream' scheme, which will transport natural gas through a pipeline that will be laid under the Black Sea to Samsun and then on to Ankara, is underway. The venture, which was set out in four equal time periods and which is being constructed by the "OHS" group comprising Turkish and Russian firms, will be speeded up after signing the additional protocol. Officials stated that the "additional protocol", which consists of double tax assessment and other technical issues, had not yet been signed. Officials further added, "This issue will become certain during the OSCE Summit, and the 'Blue Stream' project will be probably taken over within the scheduled period." /Turkiye/[25] TURKEY REACHED THE TOP'The Economist' magazine published in the U.S.A. described the political, economic and military developments in Europe as at "the peak" and added the Istanbul Summit might speed up the improvement of Turkey. The 'Economist', recalling that Turkey would welcome the American President and leaders of 50 states and governments at the final large Summit of the century, added, "Even the smallest chance may help Turkey to end this century successfully in military and political terms. The OSCE Summit is expected to contribute to the end of the disagreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, which has been desired by Turkey and the U.S.A. for a long time. The 'Economist' also pointed out the importance of a possible accord concerning the Upper Karabag and stated that this would not only remove the obstacles to commercial and economic improvements in the region, but also increase the influence of the West upon the region. /Turkiye/[26] RUSSIA: "THIS WILL BE THE TURNING POINT"The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igor Ivanov, said that the Istanbul Summit would be a 'very important turning point' in terms of relations between themselves and Europe, particularly with NATO and European security. Igor Ivanov claimed that NATO's operations in Kosovo meant that the Alliance had not kept the promises that it had previously made to Russia. The Russian Minister further added that they wanted some guarantees that will not only commit NATO as far as relations are concerned, but also insure that it will keep the promises that it has made to Russia in order for it to re-establish ties with NATO. Ivanov added, "If we can sign the newly-adopted version of the Conventional Forces in Europe agreement and the European Security and Defence Identity, then this development will create the basis for the establishment of a cooperation that will reflect the benefits of the two sides." /Turkiye/[27] PEACEFUL MEETING OF TURKISH AND GREEK WOMENAs part of the 'Review Conference' prior to the OSCE Summit in Istanbul, the effect of non-governmental organizations on Turco-Greek peace were discussed yesterday. The WINPEACE (Peaceful Initiatives for a Solution to Turco-Greek Women's Problems) organized a meeting on 'Women's Human Rights' in Istanbul yesterday. /Hurriyet/[28] TURKISH CONGRESS FOR 250 SCIENTISTSThe seventh International Turcology Congress organized by the Turcology Research Institute of Istanbul University started yesterday, attended by 250 scientists from 20 countries. During the Congress, the importance of the Turkish language was underlined. Scientists who have contributed greatly to the Turkish language and culture were awarded with the 'Honorary Degree for Service to Turcology'. /Hurriyet/[29] ACADEMIC COOPERATIONAn agreement on academic cooperation between Sabanci University and Exeter University, a leading university in Britain, was signed yesterday by Rector of Sabanci University Tosun Terzioglu and the Deputy Rector of Exeter University, Stephen Wilks. According to the agreement, post-graduate students from the Political Science and History Departments of both Sabanci University and Exeter University will take advantage of the training opportunities at both universities and have their qualifications ratified by both. /Hurriyet/[30] IMKB INDEX RISESThe Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) Index reached 7,176 points yesterday, an increase of 0.61 %. The IMKB Index began its rapid rise on October 22 and has registered its seventh record since that date. Meanwhile, the Banking Sector Index, which exceeded 10,000 points on October 26, has now reached 11,498 points. /Sabah/[31] 1999 TECHNOLOGY AWARDApplications for the 'Technology Award' organized by the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institution (TUBITAK), the Turkish Technological Development Foundation and the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) have begun to pour in. The Head of the Executive Board for the Technology Award, Dr.Cemil Arikan, said that application forms for the 'Supreme Technology Award', which will be given only to one institution, and the 'Technology Success Awards' which will be given to three institutions in the category of small and medium-scale enterprises (KOBI) would be accepted by them up until the cut-off date of December 31. A presentation ceremony will be held for the winners on September 12, 2000. /Aksam/[32] SYNDICATION LOAN FOR KOC CONGLOMERATEThe Koc Conglomerate has reached an agreement for a $110 million syndication loan with 12 international banks headed by Citibank. According to an article published in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) bulletin, the term of the loan will be for 370 days. /Aksam/[33] GREAT INTEREST IN TURKISH FIRMS AT BAGHDAD FAIRA great deal of attention has given to firms representing Turkey at the 32nd Baghdad International Fair. A statement issued by the Forum Fair Company said that interest in the Turkish firms participating in the Baghdad Fair, which began last Monday and will end tomorrow, by both Iraqis and companies from other countries was very pleasing. /Aksam/[34] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[35] NO PASSAGE -BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)Columnist Gungor Mengi comments on Sunday's accident in the Bosphorus. A summary of his column is as follows:"When the two ships collided in the Bosphorus on Sunday, we shivered at the notion that they might have been oil tankers. The answer to what would have happened if it had been so lies in considering the possibility that had not the Romanian 'Independenta' oil tanker collided with another vessel while entering the Bosphorous but during its passage through the Straits, the oil flowing from the tanker would have accumulated the bays on both sides of the Bosphorus and a small spark would have been enough to blow the whole city up. It would have taken years to rid the coasts of the Marmara and the Aegean off the oil brought down by the currents. No sea-life would have remained and tourism would have died. Drops of oil penetrating into the land would have killed farming and the greenery all along the coastline. It would have left thousands of dead and injured, a historic city in ruins and a destroyed natural environment. When the 'Exxon Valdez' oil tanker sank with her full load near the shores of Alaska in 1989, the whole world was up in arms. It took three years and $18 billion to clean up this remote and unpopulated region. Istanbul not only belongs to Turkey but the responsibility of protecting it as a historical legacy left to the whole world is ours also. Russia is pressurizing us for the transport of Caspian oil by tankers, loaded up in her ports, through the Straits to the world market. This would be the end of Istanbul. Turkey should declare to the whole world during the OSCE Istanbul Summit she will host that she won't permit the Straits to be a channel for the passage of petroleum. The Baku-Ceyhan pipeline is not an alternative for the transport of Caspian oil to the whole world, but it is the only way. If we cannot make other States accept this fact, in a world where environmental sensitivity has reached such a great extent, this would be not only our failure but also the bad fortune of mankind." [36] FALLING WALLS, OPENING UP OF NEW HORIZONS BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)Columnist Hasan Cemal writes his thoughts on the tenth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. A summamry of his column is as follows:Ten years ago today, on November 9 1989, the Berlin Wall was destroyed. It was one of the most important turning points in the history of democracy. This was indeed a revolution which changed the whole world and ended the Cold War. Forty years later Germany was reunited. Both Eastern and Central European States had made great strides towards democratization and freedom. This was followed by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Just as Fascism and Nazism, Communism was destroyed with the collapse of the Berlin Wall. In other words the journey towards democracy and freedom was accelerated by it. Communism lost because it was defeated in the economic race, left far behind in technology and it failed in the practice of freedom. Western democracies provided a freer, more prosperous environment for their people. The competitive atmosphere in the economy, the courage to launch initiatives, freedom of expression and of conscience became the keys in development in Western societies. The Wall fell and liberalism won. However, it was not the end. Old ghosts frozen by communism revived. They were seen in the Balkans and Caucasia. Aggressive nationalism, xenophobia and racism continued to oppress mankind. The chaos in Russia, who wanted to open up to the West by way of a market economy, did not end. On the other hand, China took a step towards a market economy using a different model, but did not feel it necessary to restrain herself from having a bad human rights record. In short, the ten years following the fall of the Berlin Wall have been a good decade for humanity. Certainly, there is still inequality, injustice and poverty in the world. In some places the State of Law is still a dream as yet to be achived. Has Turkey learnt any lesson from this process? We are on the right track. The track of a secular, democratic Republic... There is no turning back from this path. Certainly we have many shortcomings, and the State is still an obstacle with its clumsy uneconomical structure. Everyone is complaining but we are not able to cross the fine line between freedom of expression and creativity. We still have some problems as far as the freedom of conscience is concerned. However, I believe that our future is bright. I am optimistic because I see the signals of such a bright future." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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