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Turkish Press Review, 00-07-26
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
26.07.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] MEETING OF EURASIA ISLAMIC COUNCIL ORGANIZATION BEGINS IN
SARAJEVO
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
UNITY OF HEART AND MIND FOR ZEUGMA BY DOGAN HEPER (
[03] MILLIYET)
[04] AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BIDDING CANCELLED
[05] ECEVIT SUPPORTS KIVRIKOGLU
[06] MGK CONVENES TODAY
[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES G-8'S APPROACH ON CYPRUS
[08] FOGG: "SOCIAL IMBALANCE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED"
[09] TALABANI IN ANKARA
[10] EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF YOK'S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
[11] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS BILL AT PARLIAMENT
[12] FEHRIYE ERDAL NOT TO BE EXPELLED
[13] ERBAKAN APPLIES TO EUROPEAN COURT
[14] TREASURY THANKS ECEVIT
[15] YASAR OKUYAN WAS PRESENTED WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE
[16] ENERGY PRECAUTIONS
[17] KOCAELI EARTHQUAKE COORDINATION COUNCIL PLANS DEMONSTRATIONS
[18] KIZILAY AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS VISITS ISIKARA
[19] MEETING OF EURASIA ISLAMIC COUNCIL ORGANIZATION BEGINS IN
SARAJEVO
[20] TURKISH ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBERS AND STOCK EXCHANGES' MEETING
[21] ALPTURK: "TURKSAT 2A IS TURKEY'S POWER"
[22] LAW ON STATE BORROWINGS
[23] RATE OF INTEREST FURTHER DOWN AT THE BORROWING MARKET
[24] ARÇELIK IS THE BIGGEST AMONG 500
[25] OPTICAL NETWORK TO BE ESTABLISHED BY ALCATEL
[26] BANKS LOWER INTEREST RATES
[27] SUPPORT FOR EXPORTERS
[28] CENK KORAY LAID TO REST
[29] MAHRUKI WILL TEST TURKISH CERAMICS AT THE MT. EVEREST
[30] "ZORBA" IN ISTANBUL
[31] AYSE KIL WORLD CHAMPION IN SHOOTING
[32] FRIENDSHIP CUPS SAILING RACES IN ISTANBUL
[33] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[34] UNITY OF HEART AND MIND FOR ZEUGMA BY DOGAN HEPER (
MILLIYET)
[01] MEETING OF EURASIA ISLAMIC COUNCIL ORGANIZATION BEGINS IN
SARAJEVO
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
UNITY OF HEART AND MIND FOR ZEUGMA BY DOGAN HEPER (
[03] MILLIYET)
[04] AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BIDDING CANCELLED
The bidding concerning the Project of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
was canceled. Council of Ministers meeting which was held
yesterday and was chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. During
the meeting, Ecevit stated that the bidding concerning the
Project of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant was canceled, however,
after the three-year-term stability programme is carried out
successfully, this issue would be on the agenda again. Ecevit
said, "As a country which decided to build many natural gas and
hydroelectric power plants, we do not need to build a nuclear
power plant as this may also create some problems in terms of
economy". /Turkiye/
[05] ECEVIT SUPPORTS KIVRIKOGLU
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit evaluated the Chief of General
Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu's words concerning the increase
in the number of civilian members in the National Security
Council (MGK) and said, "In his statement, Mr. Kivrikoglu pointed
out to the fact that it is a tradition to take decisions by
voting at the MGK." Meanwhile, some Ministers also stated that
they interpreted Kivrikoglu's words positively. State Minister
Mehmet Kececiler issued a statement concerning the issue and said
that it was a correct decision. State Minister Mustafa Yilmaz
said, "We should ensure all sorts of easiness while trying to be
a member of the European Union (EU). If the Chief of General
Staff is saying something concerning this issue, I completely
agree with him. We should take all kinds of initiative for
Turkey's EU membership". /Turkiye/
[06] MGK CONVENES TODAY
The National Security Council (MGK) will convene for its monthly
meeting today at the War Academy in Istanbul. The meeting will be
presided by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and will start at 2:00
pm. /Turkiye/
[07] FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES G-8'S APPROACH ON CYPRUS
As Cyprus proximity talks continue in Geneva, Turkish Foreign
Ministry stated on Monday that the G-8 approach to the Cyprus
dispute had no chance of succeeding since it does not take the
thoughts of both the Turkish and Greek-Cypriots into
consideration. A Foreign Ministry statement said that a
comprehensive solution on the island must be based on the consent
of both sides. In the G-8 meeting's final communique on Sunday,
leaders at the summit in Okinawa had called for a solution based
on "an undivided Cyprus giving full consideration to relevant
United Nations Security Council resolutions." Meanwhile, the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf
Denktas, currently in Geneva for third round of proximity talks,
said on Tuesday that the talks were continuing satisfactorily.
Diplomatic sources said that Denktas and Clerides were due to
give their responses to proposals which had been submitted by
the U.N mediator Alvaro de Soto before the talks took a break on
July 12. The proposals were on key issues of security, territory,
distribution of powers and property. /Turkish Daily News/
[08] FOGG: "SOCIAL IMBALANCE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED"
The EU Turkey representative Ambassador Karen Fogg stated that
there was significant social imbalance in Turkey. Emphasizing the
unjust income distribution in Turkey, Fogg said that Turkey
should begin the reforms which would eliminate huge income
differences among the regions. Fogg stated that besides the
political reforms, Turkey should also make economic and social
reforms to reach the EU standards. Fogg claimed that during EU
Commissioner responsible for Enlargement Verheugen's visit to
Turkey, Southeast Turkey's economic and social shortcomings were
discussed and added that EU is searching for means to help the
region. /Cumhuriyet/
[09] TALABANI IN ANKARA
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani was
received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday and later met
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.
Stating that they were trying to eliminate PKK terrorist
organization in Northern Iraq, Talabani said, "I think that
Turkey has been satisfied with our policies against the PKK."
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that Turkey appreciated PUK's
efforts. After the meetings, Talabani stated that they had
briefed Turkish officials about Iraq as a whole. Talabani said,
"The basic aim of my visit is to strengthen our relations with
our Turkish brothers." /Cumhuriyet/
[10] EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF YOK'S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday sent both the list of
rectors and the letters to YOK regarding Prof. Orhan Uslu and
Guzin Gokmen's withdrawal to YOK. YOK's Executive Council held an
extraordinary session to discuss the new list of rectors to be
sent to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The members of YOK's
Executive Council decided to add Prof. Ozcan Gokce and Prof. Emin
Alici to the new list. Prof. Ozcan Gokce had received one vote
and Prof. Emin Alici 449 votes in the elections of 9 Eylul
University. Prof. Fethi Idiman who had received 389 votes in the
elections was excluded from YOK's list again. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] CHILDREN'S RIGHTS BILL AT PARLIAMENT
Draft legislation which states that the European Agreement on
Children's Rights can be ratified was submitted to the Office of
the TGNA Speaker. The European Union Agreement is based on the
implementation of UN Children Rights Charter Articles 4 and 12
which state that all states should take all necessary measures to
protect children. The agreement also contains provisions which
recognize certain procedural rights protecting children's
individual and collective human rights. /Cumhuriyet/
[12] FEHRIYE ERDAL NOT TO BE EXPELLED
Belgium decided not to expel Fehriye Erdal, one of the suspects
of the Ozdemir Sabanci assassination as Belgium Council of State
has suspended the decision of the Ministry of Interior regarding
her expulsion. Erdal had applied to the Council of State through
her lawyers to suspend the decision of expulsion. Authorities in
the Ministry of Interior said that Fehriye Erdal was a danger for
Belgium and a new decision would be taken that day. /Aksam/
[13] ERBAKAN APPLIES TO EUROPEAN COURT
Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of closed Welfare Party (RP), has
applied to the European Court of Human Rights after the Turkish
High Court of Appeals' ruling on his imprisonment and lifetime
ban from politics. He was charged with violating Article 312 of
Turkish Penal Code during a speech he made in 1994 in the city of
Bingol. /Sabah/
[14] TREASURY THANKS ECEVIT
Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp thanked all the members
of the Council of Ministers, particularly Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit, due to the cancellation of the project of Akkuyu nuclear
power plant. Demiralp said, "If they had started the bidding of
Akkuyu, then the three-year term economic programme would have
been hindered a great deal. Now the economic programme will be
able to be implemented without any problems thanks to the
cancellation of this bidding". /Turkiye/
[15] YASAR OKUYAN WAS PRESENTED WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Yasar Okuyan, attended
the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Firat University in
Elazig and during the celebrations he was given the title of
honorary doctorate with a decision taken by Firat University's
Senate. /Sabah/
[16] ENERGY PRECAUTIONS
State Minister Tunca Toskay stated that the Council of Ministers
had decided in principle that some of 17 precautions, can be put
into practice. These were prepared to improve the financial
structure of the State Economic Enterprises (SEE) in the energy
sector. Toskay issued a speech after the Meeting of the Council
of Ministers and said, "The results of the works concerning the
SEEs, which are operating in the energy sector, were discussed at
the Council of Ministers and the evaluated protocol was approved.
The above-mentioned precautions are both short-term and long-term
ones and aim at decreasing the energy expenses". /Turkiye/
[17] KOCAELI EARTHQUAKE COORDINATION COUNCIL PLANS DEMONSTRATIONS
Kocaeli Earthquake Coordination Council prepared an demonstration
plan due to the first anniversary of the August 17 Earthquake. It
was decided in the plan that people living in Kocaeli will put
black ribbons on their houses, work offices and cars as of August
25. Additionaly, on August 17 at 03:02 am the lights of all
houses will be on in Kocaeli. /Cumhuriyet/
[18] KIZILAY AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS VISITS ISIKARA
Chairman of the American National Red Cross, Bernardine Healy,
and the Chairman of the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay), Ertan
Gonen, visited Bogazici University's Kandilli Observatory and the
Director of the Institute of Earthquake Researches, Prof. Ahmet
Mete Isikara. Healy said, "As the US Red Cross, we began to focus
our works on earthquakes after thousands of people died during
the earthquake that occurred in San Francisco. We aim at
minimizing the tragedies that threaten human life with the
cooperation protocol that we signed with Turkey". Meanwhile,
Gonen said, "US Red Cross will establish a system of early
warning for Kizilay". Finally, Isikara said that a big step will
be taken thanks to this cooperation". /Turkiye/
[19] MEETING OF EURASIA ISLAMIC COUNCIL ORGANIZATION BEGINS IN
SARAJEVO
Eurasia Islamic Council Organization convened in Sarajevo at
Holiday Inn Hotel. The Head of Religious Affairs Mehmet Nuri
Yilmaz, who is also the chairman of the meeting, delivered an
opening speech. Yilmaz said,"The representatives of monotheistic
religions should come together and work for ensuring peace,
happiness and peace of mind of the people. The aim of religion is
to make people happy. Religion cannot be against peace." Yilmaz
said that the canonical jurisprudence written 600-700 years ago
could not meet the current needs of modern life. /Milliyet/
[20] TURKISH ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBERS AND STOCK EXCHANGES' MEETING
Turkish Association of Chambers and Stock Exchanges' (TOBB)
Council of Industrial Chambers' 2000-2004 Period's First term
meeting will be held on 28 July in Kocaeli. In a written
statement by the TOBB, it was stated that the meeting will start
with the opening speech of the Chairman of the Council, Kemal
Colakoglu, and then economic and other issues on the agenda and
the professional problems of the industrial chambers and their
members and be discussed. It was further stated that Minister of
Industry and Trade, Kenan Tanrikulu will also attend this
meeting. /Turkiye/
[21] ALPTURK: "TURKSAT 2A IS TURKEY'S POWER"
General Director of Turk Telecom, Ibrahim Hakki Alpturk, stated
that Turkey's third satellite, Turksat 2A, which will be sent to
the space, will be the biggest and the most modern satellite of
Europe. Alpturk added, "When this satellite begins to operate,
Turkey will achieve an important and considerable power. Turkey's
third satellite will go to its orbit, which is 36,000 km away, in
September and play an important role in communication". /Turkiye/
[22] LAW ON STATE BORROWINGS
Undersecretary of Treasury and Ministry of Finance are working on
two separate draft laws regulating the preparation of state
budget and administration of state borrowings. The draft includes
internal, foreign and guaranteed debts which were formerly
regulated by the budget law enacted each year. According to the
second Letter of Intent given to IMF, these draft laws will be
submitted to the parliament until the end of this year. The rules
and limits of state borrowings will be defined with the law,
which will be the first law ever enacted regulating Turkey's
internal and external debts. /Milliyet/
[23] RATE OF INTEREST FURTHER DOWN AT THE BORROWING MARKET
At the auction of t-bonds issued for three months, yesterday, the
Treasury borrowed on the minimum compound interest rate of the
last three years. Treasury collected TL 307 trillion on simple
interest rate of %28.72 yearly which equals to the compound rate
of %31.96. The bids offered totalled TL909 trillion./Hurriyet/
[24] ARÇELIK IS THE BIGGEST AMONG 500
The monthly economic magazine `Capital' conducted a research,
called "The Biggest 500 Private Industrial Companies" which
revealed that Arçelik is the biggest industrial company. Sales of
Arçelik is more than TL 569 trillion this year which was TL 274
trillion last year.
[25] OPTICAL NETWORK TO BE ESTABLISHED BY ALCATEL
French electronic company, Alcatel, will establish an optical
network amounting to 250 million Deutsche Marks in Turkey.
Officials from Alcatel held a press conference in Germany and
stated that they had signed a framework agreement with Turk
Telecom concerning this issue. The optical network, which will
ensure a more speedy transportation of data processing of the
computers, will connect 38 cities in Turkey in two years. /Sabah/
[26] BANKS LOWER INTEREST RATES
Emlakbank, TEB and Kocbank lower decreased interest rates two
points for TL deposit accounts. Current rates are around 28-33
percent depending on the maturity date. On the other hand Etibank
applies the lowest interest rate (4.99 percent) for cash
withdrawals from credit cards. /Milliyet/
[27] SUPPORT FOR EXPORTERS
Minister of State Tunca Toskay said that a committee would be
appointed to determine the precautions to promote exports. The
precautions put forward by the committee will be enforced in 2001
with the new budget. Part of the precautions will include
financial supports as well. Toskay added that increase in exports
was 4.9 percent in the first half of the year and the increase in
imports did not reach dangereous levels. Compared to the figures
of 1998, imports in consumer goods increased 0.6 percent, but
decresed in investment goods 0.5 percent. /Milliyet/
[28] CENK KORAY LAID TO REST
One of Turkey's best-known television hosts, Cenk Koray who died
of a heart attack on Sunday, was buried yesterday after various
ceremonies next to his son in the Karacaahmet cemetery, Istanbul.
/All papers/
[29] MAHRUKI WILL TEST TURKISH CERAMICS AT THE MT. EVEREST
The strength and durability of the Turkish ceramics will be
tested at the peak of Mt. Everest against the freezing cold and
in Sahara deserts of Central Africa against the burning hot
weather conditions. The ceramics which are produced by `Seranit
J.S. Corp.' will be taken to the Everest by famous Turkish
mountaineer, `Snow Leopard' Nasuh Mahruki, who is Head of the
Rescue and First Aid Organization AKUT. / Hurriyet/
[30] "ZORBA" IN ISTANBUL
Kazandjakis' unforgettable work, 'Zorba', which was performed for
the first time by the Hungarian State Ballet, will be staged for
the art-lovers from Istanbul between 5 and 9 September. In the
performance that will be held at Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Stage, 55
Hungarian dancers will take place and the Hungarian State Chorus
of 45 people, mezzo soprano Bernadett Wiedemann and Sirtos Buzuki
Orchestra will accompany the dancers. /Sabah/
[31] AYSE KIL WORLD CHAMPION IN SHOOTING
Ayse Kil has become the champion of 25 meter military rapid
shooting competition second time after coming first in rapid and
slow shooting competition. Kil with her success got the 'best
shooter' title. /Milliyet/
[32] FRIENDSHIP CUPS SAILING RACES IN ISTANBUL
The first leg of Friendship Cups Sailing Races organized by
Turkey High Seas Races Club and Greek Nautical Club of Salonica
started in Istanbul yesterday. The races which were organized to
enhance the Turkish-Greek friendship will continue until August
6. The sails will compete in both Turkish and Greek territorial
waters. /Cumhuriyet/
[33] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[34] UNITY OF HEART AND MIND FOR ZEUGMA BY DOGAN HEPER (
MILLIYET)
Columnist Dogan Heper writes on the studies conducted to save the
ancient city of Zeugma. A summary of his column is as follows:
"As the water level in the Birecik dam lake reaches 371st code,
region 'A' of Belkis ancient city, also known as Zeugma was
inundated. Now it is the turn of higher regions. Certain Western
sources describe Zeugma as the second Pompeii. The inundation of
Zeugma means the vanishing of a civilization of 2300 years old.
The ancient city was built on the banks of Euphrates near Nizip,
Gaziantep in 300 B.C. by one of Great Alexander's generals
Slevkos Nikator.
The city prospered quite speedily as the 'Silk Road' passed
through it. When the fourth legion of the Roman Empire was
deployed in the region, the people and especially the merchants
felt secure and the city was filled with the villas of the rich.
The wealthiest people in the city built villas in higher parts of
the city and the waters of Birecik Dam cannot reach there. As
there were no marbles in the city artists used the coloured
stones found in Euphrates and decorated the houses of the rich
with mosaics depicting scenes from mythology. The magnificent
city was burnt down during the attack of Sassanids in 250 AD.
Today nearly 20 thousand acres of this city is full of various
works which are waiting to be rescued. The construction of
Birecik Dam was first mentioned in 1986. In 1990 feasibilty
studies were completed. The works to be inundated were learnt and
stated in a letter to the Ministry of Culture. Ten years passed
since that time but as an ideal and speedy rescue operation was
not undertaken some of the works were left under water. A
non-governmental organization has undertaken to rescue hundreds
of houses, statues and mosaics of thousands of square metres. The
vacancy created by the Government will be filled by a
non-governmental organization called 'Zeugma Initiative Group'.
The main aim of the group is to rescue many of the historical
works in Zeugma in 100 days before they are left under water.
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