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Turkish Press Review, 00-12-14
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
14.12.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] SECTORAL ASSOCIATIONS PLATFORM ESTABLISHED FOR EU HARMONIZATION
PROCESS
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] SEZER RECEIVES JUSTICE MINISTER
[04] EUROPEAN COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON F-TYPE PRISONS
[05] NATO COUNCIL MEETING
[06] EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO DECLARE ITS DECISION
[07] LOGOGLU: "THERE WILL BE NO DELAYS IN NATIONAL PROGRAM"
[08] ALIYEV RECEIVES YIGITGUDEN
[09] ARMENIA OPPOSES TURKEY'S INTERVENTION
[10] UN PROLONGS CYPRUS PEACE FORCE'S TERM OF DUTY
[11] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT
[12] IMF GLAD FROM THE DEVELOPMENTS
[13] AMERICAN BANKS SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROGRAM
[14] YILMAZ: "WE ARE READY FOR 2008 OLYMPICS"
[15] MIRZAOGLU: "SECURITY MEASURES WILL BE INCRESED IN THE STRAITS"
[16] SECTORAL ASSOCIATIONS PLATFORM ESTABLISHED FOR EU HARMONIZATION
PROCESS
[17] FOREIGN PARTNER SHARE IN THY LIMITED TO 24 %
[18] KOC DECIDES TO BUY STOCK IN INSOLVENT BANKS
[19] TURKSAT 2A SATELLITE LAUNCH DELAYED
[20] HOLIDAY TO LAST 10 DAYS
[21] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS
[22] THOSE WHO ACCEPT AND THOSE WHO CANNOT BY HASAN PULUR (MILLIYET)
[01] SECTORAL ASSOCIATIONS PLATFORM ESTABLISHED FOR EU HARMONIZATION
PROCESS
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] SEZER RECEIVES JUSTICE MINISTER
Yesterday, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk was received by
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. Reportedly, Minister Turk briefed
the President about the content of the Amnesty Law and answered
questions posed by Mr. Sezer. The lasting death fasts were also
discussed during the meeting. The Justice Minister told Mr.Sezer
they will not open F-type prisons until a public consensus is
reached. The President is examining the Amnesty Law and expected
to make a decision on it in 10 days. /Milliyet/
[04] EUROPEAN COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON F-TYPE PRISONS
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture prepared a
report in July 2000. The report said ward-type prisons have
drawbacks, and recommended the implementation of cell-type
prisons. The report supported the F-type prisons, but suggested
improvements in common areas of this type of prison. President
of the Committee, Trevor Stevens, said the committee had no
objection to the implementation of F-type prisons if the suitable
modifications mentioned were made. /Hurriyet/
[05] NATO COUNCIL MEETING
The foreign Ministers of NATO countries convened in Brussels
following the EU's decision to exclude non-EU NATO countries from
the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI). The ministers
are expected to pressure Turkey to remove its blocking the
NATO-EU joint work. Turkey is being represented by Foreign
Minister Ismail Cem during the meeting. Turkey is not finding it
adequate to contribute to the ESDI in only an advisory capacity,
desiring to participate in the decision making mechanisms.
/Turkiye/
[06] EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO DECLARE ITS DECISION
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is expected to declare
its decision today on the terrorist Abdullah Ocalan's case. The
ECHR heard an appeal Nov. 21st in its first department by
Ocalan's lawyers who have charged Turkey with violating the 12th
article of the European Human Rights Declaration. Reportedly, the
possibility of the law suit being accepted is high. It is
expected to last at least three years. /Turkiye/
[07] LOGOGLU: "THERE WILL BE NO DELAYS IN NATIONAL PROGRAM"
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk Logoglu said there will be
no delays in the National Program in which Turkey will convey its
commitments to the EU. Mr. Logoglu said there is no set-date,
designed either by Turkey or by the EU for the completion of the
National Program. Mr. Logoglu said the Program is more important
for Turkey than for the EU. Turkey's full EU membership will ease
specifically the EU's security concerns. There exist some
problems regarding the European Security and Defense Identity and
Turkey's role in this establishment. Mr. Logoglu said, "In the
long-run, neither can Europe exclude Turkey from security issues,
nor does Turkey want to stay out of this establishment."
/Cumhuriyet/
[08] ALIYEV RECEIVES YIGITGUDEN
Deputy Undersecretary of the Energy and Natural Resources
Ministry, Yurdakul Yigitguden, in Baku, Azerbaijan representing
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, was received by President Haydar
Aliyev yesterday. In his speech, Aliyev said: "We support the
Trans-Caspian project for the transportation of the Turkmen
natural gas. The presidents of the related countries have signed
an agreement in Istanbul. However, Turkmenistan has not carried
out its obligations". /Aksam/
[09] ARMENIA OPPOSES TURKEY'S INTERVENTION
Chairman of the Armenian Parliament Foreign Affairs Commission,
Ovanes Ovanisyan said they oppose Turkey's intervention in a
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in any way. Asserting that
Turkey cannot be impartial, Ovanisyan said, "For this reason,
Turkey cannot play a positive role in a solution to the problem."
Meanwhile, the American Co-Chairman of the Organization for the
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)'s Minsk Group, Carey
Cavanaugh, said in Baku yesterday that Turkey could help solve
the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. /Turkiye/
[10] UN PROLONGS CYPRUS PEACE FORCE'S TERM OF DUTY
Yesterday, accepting a draft resolution unanimously prepared by
China, the United Nation Security Council extended the term of
duty for the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until
June 15th, 2001. Additionally, the Security Council called on the
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Turkey to abolish
the restrictions to the UNFICYP's activities put in place on June
30th, 2000. /Turkiye/
[11] SUPPLEMENTARY LETTER OF INTENT SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT
The Supplementary Letter of Intent, prepared after the third and
fourth review of IMF bureaucrats as a part of the IMF's stand-by
program, was submitted to the government. The IMF Chief of Turkey
Desk, Carlo Cottarelli, and his team prepared the letter. The
government will send the letter in one or two days to Washington
to be discussed at the IMF Executive Board's meeting Dec. 21.
After approval of the letter, two loan portions of the IMF
Stand-by Credits, each worth $285 million, will be released for
Turkey's use. The Third Letter of Intent includes the
presentation of Turk Telekom and Turkish Airlines tenders and
privatization of State Monopoly for Tobacco and Alcohol (Tekel),
Sugar Company, Eti Holding, Machinery and Chemical Industry
Institution (MKE). The Turkish Electrical Company (TEAS) will
also be privatized by March 21, 2001, as stated in the letter.
/Hurriyet/
[12] IMF GLAD FROM THE DEVELOPMENTS
The Director of the IMF Foreign Affairs, Tom Dawson said the
developments in Turkey are positive. Speaking at an IMF press
conference, Dawson said the decision regarding an additional
$10.4-billion loan will be taken during the Execution Board's
meeting Dec. 21st. Mr. Dawson emphasized the IMF's support for
Turkey, recalling the recent meetings in Frankfurt and New York
recently, at which the IMF outlined Turkey's economic program to
the international financial circles. /Sabah/
[13] AMERICAN BANKS SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROGRAM
Turkey received full support from American Banks at the meeting
in New York, organized by CitiGroup. A written announcement was
made after the meeting Governor of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel,
the IMF representatives, Deputy President of CitiGroup, William
Rhodes, and high ranking representatives of 14 private financial
institutions, such as Merrill Lynch, Salomon Bross, Chase and
J.P.Morgan attended. Mr. Ercel said he was happy to receive
strong support from international financial institutions. Mr.
Rhodes said, "The International finance community gave its
support to Turkey's economic stabilization program, as it has
strong faith for the the program's success. /Star/
[14] YILMAZ: "WE ARE READY FOR 2008 OLYMPICS"
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said if the International
Olympics Committee gives the 2008 Olympics to Turkey, they will
do their best. Turkey National Olympics Committee presented their
bid at the Executive Board's meeting of the International
Olympics Committee (IOC) in Lausanne. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] MIRZAOGLU: "SECURITY MEASURES WILL BE INCRESED IN THE STRAITS"
State Minister responsible for Maritime, Ramazan Mirzaoglu said
security measures will be increased in the Straits to enhance the
safety of passage and prevent environmental pollution. Mirzaoglu
reminded that Black Sea coastal states signed a memorandum titled
"Black Sea Portal States Control Rights" to ensure the safety of
cruising, life, property and environment. Mr. Mirzaoglu said the
Black Sea has been polluted due mostly to the pollution in the
Danube River. He said 50,000 tons of oil is being carried through
the Danube River annually. 50,000 ships pass the Straits annually
and 5,504 of those ships carry dangerous materials. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] SECTORAL ASSOCIATIONS PLATFORM ESTABLISHED FOR EU HARMONIZATION
PROCESS
A "Sectoral Associations Platform (SDP)" was established under
the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association
(TUSIAD) to secure cooperation in the harmonization process with
the EU. President of the TUSIAD, Erkut Yucaoglu, said at a press
conference, the SDP will work to contribute to the formation of
national economic policies of the sectoral institutions, to
ensure integration of national sectors into the international
sectors, and to develope joint projects to ease the sectoral
integration into the EU. /Cumhuriyet/
[17] FOREIGN PARTNER SHARE IN THY LIMITED TO 24 %
Yesterday, the state minister responsible for privatization,
Yuksel Yalova, announced that prospective foreign partners will
be given control of a 24 % stake in Turkish Airlines (THY)
through a planned 51 % block sale in shares of the national
carrier. Consortiums consisting of foreign and local partners
must submit their bids by February 28 for a majority stake in the
carrier, Yalova said. The sale should be completed by April.
/Turkish Daily News/
[18] KOC DECIDES TO BUY STOCK IN INSOLVENT BANKS
One of Turkey's largest conglomerates, the Koc Group, applied to
the Banking Supervision and Regulation Agency (BDDK) to purchase
stock in the 11 banks taken over by the Turkish Savings Deposit
Insurance Fund (TSMF). An action plan for the sale of eight banks
taken over the TSMF, declared that applicants intending to buy
stocks in the banks could submit application forms up to December
15. /Turkish Daily News/
[19] TURKSAT 2A SATELLITE LAUNCH DELAYED
The launch of the Turksat 2A communication satellite from Courou
Space Center in French Guyana was postponed for the third time.
In French Guyana, Transportation Minister Eniz Oksuz expressed
his thoughts regarding the delay. Recalling the failure of the
first Turkish satellite, Oksuz said they would not like to
experience a similar situation again and stated his firm belief
in the success of this launch no matter how late. /Turkish Daily
News/
[20] HOLIDAY TO LAST 10 DAYS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said civil servants and workers will
be given 1,5 days leave of absence. The Ramadan Feast will last
10 days, including the weekends and the new year holiday, from
Dec.23 to Jan.2. /Hurriyet/
[21] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS
[22] THOSE WHO ACCEPT AND THOSE WHO CANNOT BY HASAN PULUR (MILLIYET)
Columnist Hasan Pulur comments on the recent developments in
foreign affairs. A summary of his column is as follows:
"There may be some who are not disturbed by the Council of Europe
proposal that Turkey should both accept the so-called Armenian
Genocide and apologize. Others may not oppose accepting Greek
proposals concerning Cyprus and the Aegean issues to ensure
Turkey's admittance into the EU. Some may not even be offended by
the attack on Foreign Minister Ismail Cem during his address to
Council of Europe's official meeting. Then again, there may be
people who are not hurt by the EU's official acceptance of the
PKK terrorist organisation as a legal entity. Some may even be
pleased to see that the city of Florence, Italy is preparing to
embrace the chief of the terrorist organisation as an honorary
citizen.
Certain people may not utter a sound when the Prime Minister of
the country is shadowed in the EU Famiy Photo as if to say he
should not be seen among the Prime Ministers of other countries.
Others may not find it embarassing to hear words which mean that
Turkey, at the doorstep of the EU has to wait until 2010 for
admittance.
Some may find all this to be acceptable, considering them to be
within the 'democracy and human rights' issues. However, there
are others in this country who find it hard to accept all of this
easily. They know what PKK demands for peace mean. They believe
that the PKK aims to have citizens of Kurdish descent be defined
as a nation, and expressed in the Constitution as such. They
believe that requests for strengthening local administrations is
a guise for building autonomous regions. They think that the most
encouraging prospects for the PKK will be seen during the
process of entering the EU. The Slogans such as ethnic identity,
education and broadcasting in mother tongue, are used as
convincing techniques to clear the path to their goal. They also
do not believe in the saying "nothing can be achieved through
violence," as its achievements can clearly be seen.
In short, some may accept these conditions without flinching and
that it is their problem. However, there are others who think
otherwise in the country, and they have to see this fact. If they
are defending democracy, they cannot impose a solution or run
away from the facts."
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