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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-12

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>

<LINK href="http:/_www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css_tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="20%"><_td> <td width="60%"><map name="FPMap1"> </map></td> <td width="20%"></td> </tr> <_table> &nbsp; <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="20%" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;Press &amp; Information</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;Turkish Press</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;Foreign Press in&nbsp; Turkey</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#F0F0F0">&nbsp;Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080">&nbsp;Press Guide</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <_td> <td width="80%" valign="top" style="border: 0 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">12.02.2001</td> </tr> </table> </td> <_tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> &nbsp; <ul>

CONTENTS

  • [01] CEM AND POWELL TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NATO MEETING
  • [02] G-20 DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNORS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
  • [03] GERMAN ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTING OF THE STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION
  • [04] STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION'S REPORT ON PUBLIC INVESTMENTS
  • [05] UNION OF CAPITAL MARKET MEDIATOR INSTITUTIONS TO BEGIN ITS WORKS
  • [06] TURKISH FASHION DESIGNER'S COLLECTION TO BE DISPLAYED IN NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
  • [07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
  • [08] BALKAN-CAUCASUS LINE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)
  • [09] SEZER SENDS MESSAGE TO HATEMI
  • [10] CEM AND POWELL TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NATO MEETING
  • [11] WHAT GREECE AIMS BY GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS
  • [12] TURKEY SHOWS STRONG REACTION
  • [13] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO TRAVEL TO IRAN
  • [14] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO VISIT IRAQ
  • [15] CHP DELEGATION VISITS GERMANY
  • [16] AFGHAN TURKS PROTEST FRANCE
  • [17] ECEVIT RECEIVES TURCO-AMERICAN ASSEMBLY
  • [18] AGENDA OF THE TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
  • [19] INDEPENDENT DEPUTY FIRAT JOINS ANAP
  • [20] FOGG TO VISIT QUAKE-HIT REGION
  • [21] NEZIH DEMIRKENT DIES
  • [22] IMF DELEGATION IN TURKEY
  • [23] G-20 DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNORS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL
  • [24] PKK INVOLED IN HUMAN SMUGGLING
  • [25] SEMESTER HOLIDAY ENDS
  • [26] GERMAN ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTING OF THE STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION
  • [27] CONSTRUCTION OF 'MARMARAY' TO BEGIN
  • [28] STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION'S REPORT ON PUBLIC INVESTMENTS
  • [29] UNION OF CAPITAL MARKET MEDIATOR INSTITUTIONS TO BEGIN ITS WORKS
  • [30] ETIBANK'S SALE DECISION IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE
  • [31] AUTOMATIVE EXPORTS INCREASE BY 30.8%
  • [32] FEWER BORDER GATES BE USED FOR FOOD IMPORTS
  • [33] TAIWANESE FAIR IN ISTANBUL
  • [34] SUCCESS IN TOURISM
  • [35] GREEK INTEREST IN BUKE
  • [36] TURKISH FASHION DESIGNER'S COLLECTION TO BE DISPLAYED IN NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
  • [37] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
  • [38] BALKAN-CAUCASUS LINE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

  • [01] CEM AND POWELL TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NATO MEETING

    AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC SOURCES:&quot;IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS NEED TURKEY'S SUPPORT&quot;

    TURK: &quot;WE PLAN TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL HIGHER COURTS&quot; FOGG:&quot;EXPLAIN THE ADVANTAGES OF EU MEMBERSHIP TO TURKISH CITIZENS&quot;

    [02] G-20 DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNORS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL

    [03] GERMAN ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTING OF THE STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION

    [04] STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION'S REPORT ON PUBLIC INVESTMENTS

    ONAL: &quot;NO CONCESSIONS FROM THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM&quot;

    [05] UNION OF CAPITAL MARKET MEDIATOR INSTITUTIONS TO BEGIN ITS WORKS

    [06] TURKISH FASHION DESIGNER'S COLLECTION TO BE DISPLAYED IN NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

    [07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS

    [08] BALKAN-CAUCASUS LINE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

    &nbsp;

    &nbsp;

    [09] SEZER SENDS MESSAGE TO HATEMI

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer sent a congratulatory message to Iran Islamic Republic President Muhammed Hatemi to mark &quot;Iranian National Day&quot;. In his message Mr. Sezer conveyed his best wishes on behalf of the Turkish nation, and expressed his belief that bilateral relations will develop on the grounds of good-neighbourliness and cooperation . /Turkiye/

    [10] CEM AND POWELL TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME AT NATO MEETING

    Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and new American Secretary of State Colin Powell will meet for the first time since the new American Administration took over at the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels February 27. Diplomatic observers in Washington and Ankara said they were expecting close dialogue to start between Turkey and the United States when Cem and Powell meet. Sources said the Bush Administration's approach in Iraq and developments that will follow Ariel Sharon's election as Prime Minister in the Middle East will require Turkey and the United States to maintain close and continuous contact. The same sources indicated that the latest developments in the Middle East will increase Turkey's strategic importance even more for the United States. /Turkish Daily News/

    [11] WHAT GREECE AIMS BY GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS

    In recent days Turkey has been bombarded by so-called Armenian genocide claims. Yet another surprising attempt has come from Greece. A decree accusing Turks of genocide against Greeks in the early 1920s has been presented to the Greek Parliament despite the opposition of some Greeks who said the issue was historical and should have no bearing on current relations. The decree, accusing Turks of the massacre of Orthodox Greeks in Anatolia during Turkey's War of Independence, was voted on by the Greek parliament two years ago. It has now been signed by ministers and goes to the President for signing. This attempt is not surprising as Greece always seems to add fuel to the fire whenever Turkey is in a difficult situation. /Turkish Daily News/

    [12] TURKEY SHOWS STRONG REACTION

    Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said he hoped the Greek decree would not be signed. &quot;Noone with the slightest bit of sense could ever take these claims seriously,&quot; he told the reporters in Ankara. &quot;It is an historical fact known to all, that the Greeks resorted to oppression and cruelty during their invasion of Anatolia.&quot; Turkey's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Greek Ambassador to discuss the issue on Friday. Asked if Turkey planned to take action, Ecevit replied, &quot;It is nothing to be taken seriously.&quot; /Turkish Daily News/

    [13] FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO TRAVEL TO IRAN

    Turkey aims to develop economic and politic relations with Iran. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem is traveling to Iran today with an accompanying businessmen delegation, The delegation is expected to meet with the Iranian Chamber of Commerce. Foreseeing that Iran's opening policy will accelerate after the June elections, Turkey wants to close the trade deficit with Iran. Cem is expected to emphasize economic cooperation with Iran during his visit. /Cumhuriyet/ ANKARA'S MESSAGE TO TEHRAN: &quot;BE LIBERAL&quot; Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem will give the message to his Iranian counterpart Kemal Harrazi that Iran should become liberal and change her regulations in order to attract more foreign investments. Cem is expected to convey the following message: &quot;Solving the crisis of confidence between the two countries might create a platform for cooperation. Iran should change her regulations to improve her commercial relations with foreign investors. If Iran removes the commercial restraints amd becomes more liberal, she will be an attractive country for foreign investors.&quot; The rich natuaral gas and oil reserves in Southern Iran are particularly attractive to the foreign investors. /Cumhuriyet/ AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC SOURCES:&quot;IRAQI OPPOSITION GROUPS NEED TURKEY'S SUPPORT&quot; Diplomatic sources and experts from Washington stated that groups opposing the administration of Saddam Hussein in Iraq would not be successful without Turkey's support. They said the financial support of the US Administration to the Iraqi National Congress (INC) would not be enough.Stating these groups must receive support from Iran, Syria and Turkey to be efficient in Iraq, American diplomatic sources said the INC should cooperate with Turkey. However they argued Turkey was not in favour of such a cooperation because she was concerned over the possible chaos in a post-Saddam period. /Cumhuriyet/

    [14] TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO VISIT IRAQ

    A team of 12 Turkish parliamentarians will travel to Baghdad to observe the health conditions of the Iraqi people. The will focus in particular on the mothers and children, who have suffered the most from the international embargo imposed after the Gulf War. The delegation headed by Deputy Suat Caglayan, (from the Democratic Left Party (DSP)), has six doctors who will bring medical supplies and stay in Iraq from February 12-15. They will visit hospitals and nongovernmental organizations in Baghdad. The delegation will be received by some Iraqi Ministers. /Turkish Daily News/

    [15] CHP DELEGATION VISITS GERMANY

    A Republican People's Party (CHP) delegation headed by CHP Deputy Chief Inal Batu is paying a two-day working visit to Germany. Following a meeting with German Federal Assembly Deputy Speaker, Anke Fuchs, Mr. Batu said they were assured the so-called Armenian genocide bill would never be discussed in the German Federal Assembly. /Turkiye/

    [16] AFGHAN TURKS PROTEST FRANCE

    Protests against France over the adoption of the Armenian bill continue. Afghanistan Turks held a demonstration in Istanbul yesterday. After reading a press declaration denouncing France, the crowd laid a black wreath in front of the French Consulate. Additionally, France was also protested in a ceremoy organized in the Kecioren district of Ankara to mark the 81rd liberation anniversary of Maras. During his speech, Kecioren Mayor Turgut Altinok said the people of Maras exhibited great resistance to Armenian and French oppression. /Turkiye/

    [17] ECEVIT RECEIVES TURCO-AMERICAN ASSEMBLY

    Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received the Turco-American Associations Assembly Chairman Egemen Baris and board members yesterday. Following the meeting, Baris told journalists they informed Ecevit on their activities last year in the US and on their plans for this year. Baris said Turkish lobbyists in the US were just as respected and influential as the other lobbies. Baris said they lobbied strongly against the so-called Armenian genocide issue. /Turkish Daily News/

    [18] AGENDA OF THE TURKISH GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    After the by-law change, the Plenary Session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will convene again tomorrow and start the 'more speedy working term'. The Advisory Council will also convene tomorrow. The Justice Commission will continue its discussions on the change in Turkish Civil Law. /Star/

    [19] INDEPENDENT DEPUTY FIRAT JOINS ANAP

    The independent deputy for Istanbul, Mehmet Fuat Firat recently joined the Motherland Party (ANAP). With Firat's joining, ANAP seats in the Parliament rose to 89, while the number of independent deputies fell to 8. /Turkish Daily News/ TURK: &quot;WE PLAN TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL HIGHER COURTS&quot; Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk who travelled to Germany as the official guest of his German counterpart Herta Daeubler-Gmelin, met Court of Appeals Chief Justice Gunter Hirsch in Karlsruhe, Germany. After the meeting, Turk said that his ministry wanted to establish regional higher courts in Turkey similar to those in Germany. Emphasizing the importance of the systems and the legal integrity of these courts, Turk said the chief justice informed him on the workings of the German legal system. Turk will be holding a conference titled &quot;Legal and Judiciary Reform in Turkey&quot; at Tubingen University today. /Turkish Daily News/ FOGG:&quot;EXPLAIN THE ADVANTAGES OF EU MEMBERSHIP TO TURKISH CITIZENS&quot; The EU Commission Representative to Turkey, Ambassador Karen Fogg, said it was bad propaganda to claim the EU does not want full EU membership for Turkey. In fact, there are circles in the EU that are suspicious and pessimistic about Turkey's full membership, just as there are the same circles existing in Turkey as well. Fogg said, &quot;It is a clear fact that the EU approved Turkey's full EU membership process at the Helsinki Summit.&quot; Fogg added, &quot;The Turkish government should explain to her citizens the advantages of full EU membership. The Chambers of Trade, municipalities and other non-governmental organizations could participate in information efforts in this process.&quot; Fogg said negotiations to accelerate the harmonization process will resume when Turkey truly begins to fulfill the political requirements. /Hurriyet/

    [20] FOGG TO VISIT QUAKE-HIT REGION

    European Union Commission Turkey Representative Karen Fogg will travel the quake-hit region in Marmara tomorrow. Fogg, who will visit Adapazari Arifiye Rehabilitation Center, will meet with officials to discuss the city's problems. She is expected to proceed to Bolu after completing her contacts in Adapazari. /Cumhuriyet/

    [21] NEZIH DEMIRKENT DIES

    The owner of &quot;Dunya&quot; newspaper, Nezih Demirkent, died of a heart attack yesterday. Demirkent worked for 51 years in the press. He had been the Editor-in-Chief of the Hurriyet newspaper, the Chairman of the Turkish Journalists Association, the Chairman of the Press Senate and the Chairman of the Newspaper Publishers Union. /All papers/

    [22] IMF DELEGATION IN TURKEY

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation headed by Carlo Cottarelli arrived in Ankara yesterday. The delegation will meet with bureaucrats from the Undersecretariat of Treasury today. During the IMF meetings, now in their sixth review of the economic program, topics such as banking, privatization and the financial performance for the month of January are expected to be taken up. /Turkiye/

    [23] G-20 DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANK DEPUTY GOVERNORS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL

    The meeting of the G-20 international group of deputy finance ministers and central bank deputy governors will be held in Istanbul February 18-19. The Treasury Undersecretary said the meeting is a preparation for the annual meeting of the G-20 platform's Ministers, and will set the schedule, place and agenda of the annual meeting. Turkey will be represented by the Treasury Undersecretary at the meeting. /Turkish Daily News/

    [24] PKK INVOLED IN HUMAN SMUGGLING

    The terrorist organization Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) is reportedly involved in transporting illegal immigrants from Asian countries to Europe in for $2500 US. According to an article published in the Greek Apoyevnatini newspaper, the PKK and Albanian mafia are the region's leading smugglers of illegal aliens. /Turkish Daily News/

    [25] SEMESTER HOLIDAY ENDS

    The semester holiday, which lasted for fifteen days for nearly 13 million students, ended today. The second term of the education year will end on 15 June 2001. The 2001-2002 education year will begin on 10 September 2001. /Aksam/

    [26] GERMAN ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTING OF THE STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION

    German experts will guide their Turkish colleagues in reconstructing the State Planning Organization (DPT) as part of the Technical Cooperation Agreement between Turkey and Germany. The project's goal is to develop human resources in the DPT by creating a new personnel policy and strategy. Germany will send experts and DM 100,000 worth of educational equipment. It will also pay DM 23,000 for the project's implementation. The Turkish government will appoint educators to give on-the-job training to DPT personnel and executives. It will also provide coordination services for the project. /Turkish Daily News/

    [27] CONSTRUCTION OF 'MARMARAY' TO BEGIN

    The first concrete steps toward the construction of the Marmaray rail system, designed to alleviate Istanbul's inner-city traffic congestion, have begun. The engineering and advisory service company will be chosen soon. Three proposals by companies interested in the project, were sent to the Japanese Overseas Rating Company which will finance the engineering services. The construction of 'Marmaray' will begin in June. The project, totalling to 1 billion US dollars will be completed in 2005. /Star/

    [28] STATE PLANNING ORGANIZATION'S REPORT ON PUBLIC INVESTMENTS

    The State Planning Organization (SPO) Undersecretariat's Directorate General of Economic Sectors and Coordination prepared a report to determine the distribution of public investments to the provinces for the year 2001. According to this report, the total project amount of investments made in the provinces throughout Turkey is 11 quadrillion 656 trillion 692 million TL. The 10 provinces to receive the most public investment are Istanbul, Sanliurfa, Ankara, Kahramanmaras, Artvin, Izmir, Bursa, Diyarbakir, Mardin and Konya. The total amount of investments to be made in these provinces will be 112 quadrillion TL. Istanbul is first in terms of public investments with a total of 6.1 quadrillion TL. /Turkiye/ ONAL: &quot;NO CONCESSIONS FROM THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM&quot; Minister of State responsible for the economy, Recep Onal, answered the questions on the economic program during the TV program &quot;Pazar Panorama&quot;. Claiming everbody understood it was 'Turkey's program', Onal said all sectors of Turkish society have agreed to make no detours from the program and to pursue it till the end. Onal said the proposal documents presented to the government at the last week's summit by bankers and businessmen were sent to the related economic institutions. Emphasizing that establishing an institution to monitor the banks, (politically neutral and independent), was the most important reform of the economic program, Onal said the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK) have been hard at work since August. Onal added the BDDK began the process for the sale and merger of certain banks. Stating representatives from both real and financial sectors attended the summit held last week at the Office of the Prime Minister, Onal said, &quot;We are evaluating the proposals presented by the representatives of the private sector. Instructions to determine the appropriate proposals which will not delay the program have been given to the institutions such as Central Bank and State Planning Institutiton.&quot; Onal stated the most important problem in the Turkish economy was the lack of foreign investments. Stating they consulted with the IMF and World Bank on the issue, Onal said a promotion project was discussed. /Cumhuriyet/

    [29] UNION OF CAPITAL MARKET MEDIATOR INSTITUTIONS TO BEGIN ITS WORKS

    The Union of Capital Market Mediator Institutions which will provide mediation in the capital market and maintain the necessary harmony required by the capital market among its members is to begin its work. The Union's official status was published in the Official Gazette. It will hold a meeting in Istanbul within a month and elect the members of its Executive and Monitoring Council and Discipline Commission. /Cumhuriyet/

    [30] ETIBANK'S SALE DECISION IN OFFICIAL GAZETTE

    The sale decision of Etibank by the Banking Regulating ang Supervision Board was published in the Official Gazette. Investors interested in the sale can appeal to the institution until February 26. /Cumhuriyet/

    [31] AUTOMATIVE EXPORTS INCREASE BY 30.8%

    Automotive exports increased by 30.8% in January when compared to the same period of last year. Automative exports increased from 176 million 494 thousand 572 US dollars to 230 million 919 thousand 245 US dollars. 9,395 automobiles were exported which is an increase of 46.9% in January. /Star/

    [32] FEWER BORDER GATES BE USED FOR FOOD IMPORTS

    The Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Affairs took measures to more effectively control food imports and to prevent food smuggling. Food imports will be carried out through 17 authorized border gates, formerly there were 120. /Hurriyet/

    [33] TAIWANESE FAIR IN ISTANBUL

    2000. Turkey purchased $423 million worth of goods from Taiwan, but its exports did not exceed $68 million. The Taiwan Trade Center , which would like the trade between the two countries to increase, will organize a &quot;Taiwan Trade Fair&quot; at the Istanbul Marmara Hotel. Peter W.J.Huang, director of the Istanbul office of the Taiwan Trade Center, said at a meeting yesterday, that they wanted trade relations between the countries to improve. Huang said 62 companies would participate in the fair. &quot;A number of products from electronic equipment to medical tools and sports equipment will be sold at the fair&quot; noted Huang. /Turkish Daily News/

    [34] SUCCESS IN TOURISM

    According to the World Tourism Organization figures for 2000, Turkey led the European countries with a 39.6% increase in the number of tourists travelling to Turkey. The WTO report said, &quot;Turkey made a marvelous rebound in the tourism industry.&quot; /Turkiye/

    [35] GREEK INTEREST IN BUKE

    Burcin Buke, who completed the 11 year Academy of Music in 5.5 years, was invited to the International Piano Festival in Greece on behalf of Turkey. Buke will represent Turkey during the International Piano Festival organized in Thessaloniki for 8-11 March under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture. Buke will appear on stage with famous virtuosos from Greece, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria and the Russian Republic. The official invitation brochure for the festival organized for the first time by the Synchrono Conservatory of Thessaloniki, mentions Buke as 'a special pianist to contribute to the relations between the two countries.' /Aksam/

    [36] TURKISH FASHION DESIGNER'S COLLECTION TO BE DISPLAYED IN NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

    The collection of Atil Kutoglu, a famous Turkish fashion designer, will be displayed in New York on February 13 during the Traditional New York Fashion Week, one of the most important fashion events. The 2001 fall-winter collections for famous fashion designers are being shown that week. Mehmet Ezen, the Consul General of Turkey in New York, will give a reception in honor of Atil Kutoglu on February 14. Officials from Istanbul Textile and Confection Exporters Association (ITKIB) which sponsors Kutoglu will also attend the reception. /Turkish Daily News/

    [37] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS

    &nbsp;

    [38] BALKAN-CAUCASUS LINE BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Mustafa Balbay writes on Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's visit to Iran and Turco-Iranian relations. A summary of his column is as follows: &quot;Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is in Iran today. Cem who has taken Iran into his itinerary in addition to other far away countries, is accompanied by businessmen. If bilateral agreements go as planned, we shall begin to buy natural gas from Iran this July. The trade gap which is $400 million now, will increase threefold against Turkey. The trade volume with her neighbours is 6% of Turkey's total trade as she has moved away from her neighbours in economic relations. This figure is very low. In addition to improving economic relations, Turkey has three other important issues to discuss with Iran: the warming up of Iran's relations with Armenia, the Hizbullah, and the PKK. When Iran's activities against Turkey are brought up, Foreign Minister Harazzi cannot be found. During bilateral meetings, as if he does not know anything about the issue, Harazzi says 'I do not know what you are talking about. Let's see what has happened.' As these endless searches continue, a new line has recently attracted attention- the Tehran-Yerevan-Athens line. When we draw lines between these capitals we see a triangle around Turkey. In response to this triangle, Turkey draws up another line, Ankara-Tblisi-Baku. Where do the drawing up reciprocal triangles take us? The US has declared her support for the line where Turkey takes place. The line between Iran-Armenia-Greece is supported by Russia. Russian Head of State Putin will visit Yerevan in the coming days and and take new steps for the strengthening of strategic relations. The support extended by France to Yerevan is another leg of this process. On the other hand, Tehran's main supporter in Europe is Germany. 25% of Iran's foreign trade is with Germany. The competition between France and Germany is reflected not only in the Caucasus, but also in the eastern and southeastern regions of this area. We can draw up a similar picture for the Balkans. Taking the balances into consideration Turkey has formed strategic relations with Macedonia, the former Republic of Yugoslavia, and Albania. Turkey has military and strategic agreements with 28 countries around the world. When the military aspect is added to the economic and social relations between countries, new steps taken elevate them to a strategic level. In response, Greece has strengthened its ties with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. At the beginning of the 1990s when Germany said she would recognize an independent Croatia, she pushed a button. She led the EU and scored one against the US. In the mid 1990s the US, using NATO facilities, became influential in Sarajevo and Kosovo. Thus, they were even. In the year 2000 the EU spearheaded the downfall of the Administration in Yugoslavia beginning a new process. If we take a look at the Caucasus, we see a similar game is planned for this region. The countries in the region will be at each other's throat, and the US and the EU will be their saviours. What can Turkey, who is left in the midst of both regions, do? According to a survey published, a majority of Turks believe their number one enemy to be their neighbours. This did not happen in a day. It is the result of a long process. Certainly there are elements fostering the grounds for animosity. However, we have also seen the consequences of regional disintegration in the Balkans and the Caucasus. Turkey should neither serve US interests in the region, help Germany or France nor, oppose Russia. This seems like a game of chess. However, it is a little different. Sometimes the background is shaken and the pieces are reset.&quot; <_ul>

    <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="100%">

    <dl> <dt>FORMER ISSUES</dt> </dl> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <_table>


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