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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-22Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: 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> <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"> Press & Information</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Turkish Press</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Foreign Press in Turkey</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#F0F0F0"> Turkish Press Review >></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> 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 </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%">22.02.2001</td> </tr> </table> </td> <_tr> <tr> <td width="100%"> CONTENTSCONTENTS
[01] NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO DISCUSS THE RECENT POLITICAL CRISIS[02] FRENCH AMBASSADOR GARCIA WARNED ABOUT DEVECIYAN'S INSULTS AGAINST TURKEY[03] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[04] GESTURE BY SEZER, REJECTION BY ECEVITA step to soften the crisis at the top of the State and to relieve the markets came from President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. After Prime Minister Ecevit's initiative to convene the National Security Council (MGK) meeting again, Sezer suggested to Ecevit they meet for the weekly ordinary meeting at 15:30 today. However, Ecevit said he would not go to the Cankaya Presidential Palace to attend this meeting because he would be preparing for the Balkan Summit in Skopje. The press, who were willing to learn the opinion of Sezer concerning the crisis, were at Cankaya Presidential Palace and interested in the new Brazilian Ambassador to Turkey, Brian Michael's letter of confidence presentation ceremony. However, Sezer did not reply to the journalists' questions concerning the crisis during the ceremony. However, he gave a written reply to Ecevit's complaint that 'Sezer does not make any statement that supports the economic program'. In a statement issued by the Presidential Press Centre, it was stated, "The President maintains his hope that the economic program, which is carried out by the government, will ensure the implementation of the economy on a firm basis and supports the steps taken for the implementation of the program. Sezer also gave a kind reply to Ecevit, who took the first step to convene the MGK meeting again and invited Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin Ozkan to the meeting on Monday. /Aksam/[05] PRESIDENT SEZER TO ATTEND D-8 SUMMIT IN CAIROPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer will attend the D-8 Summit that will be held on February 25 in Cairo, Egypt. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will accompany President Sezer. A written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that President Sezer would have bilateral contacts as much as his schedule would permit. After the summit, the Cairo Declaration is expected to be announced that will outline the decisions made at the summit. /All papers/[06] BAHCELI: "TURKEY NEEDS STABILITY"Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader, Devlet Bahceli, said he hoped that the crisis between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit would be solved during the National Security Council (MGK) on Monday. Bahceli completed his five-day visit to Turkmenistan and returned to Turkey yesterday. At Ashkabad Airport he made an evaluation of the crisis that occurred at the MGK meeting and pointed out that Turkey needed stability more than anything. Bahceli added that everyone should contribute to ensure stability. /Aksam/[07] YILMAZ: "NO GOVERNMENT CRISIS"In the wake of the recent crisis between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, Motherland Party (ANAP) Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz evaluated the recent crisis in the National Security Council (MGK) meeting in his ANAP's group meeting in Parliament. Defining the event as an "accident which should be rapidly overcome", Yilmaz noted that the crisis had seriously damaged the economy. /All papers/[08] NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO DISCUSS THE RECENT POLITICAL CRISISCertain non-governmental organizations including Turk-Is, Hak-Is, TOBB and TESK, will meet today to discuss the recent political crisis between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. These organizations will also discuss the recent economic and social problems in detail. /Cumhuriyet/[09] ATHENS CHANGES THE SO-CALLED GREEK GENOCIDE BILLThe bill on the so-called Greek genocide will be changed. It was stated that the word genocide will not be used in the bill which was prepared by the Interior and Culture Ministries and was presented for the President's approval. According to the Greek newspaper, the Daily Vima, instead of using the word genocide, the bill will include the following statement "The commemoration Day for the Asia Minor Disaster". According to Vima, President Kostis Stephanopulos and Prime Minister Kostas Simitis agreed to exclude the articles which would damage bilateral relations with Turkey. It was stated that the two ministers preparing the bill were cautioned. /Cumhuriyet/[10] NEW TRIALS CONCERNING OCALAN CASE IN GREECEIt was stated 13 people would be tried in Greece, concerning the terrorist leader Abdullah Ocalan's entrance to the country just before his capture in Kenya. Ayfer Kaya and Cengiz Yakar, known as aides to Ocalan, are among the 13 people to be tried. /Cumhuriyet/[11] FRENCH AMBASSADOR GARCIA WARNED ABOUT DEVECIYAN'S INSULTS AGAINST TURKEYAccording to diplomatic sources, France's Ambassador to Ankara, Bernard Garcia, was summoned to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and warned about the lawyer of the ASALA terrorist organization and Republican Unity Party deputy Patrick Deveciyan's statements against Turkey. Turkey's concerns over Deveciyan's insults were conveyed to Garcia and further information on the issue was demanded by Turkey. Meanwhile, the Chairmen of the TGNA Interparliamentary Friendship Group sent letters to their counterparts, protesting the French Parliament's approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill. The chairmen of the Turkey-Macedonia, Turkey-Bulgaria, Turkey-Greece, Turkey-Albania, Turkey-Romania, Turkey-Bosnia-Herzegovina groups sent letters to their counterparts. The letters stressed the approval of the bill served to extenuate France's own crimes and cruelties in her colonies. Stating that the approval was used for domestic politics in France, the letters said French politicians distorted the historical facts for their own interests. Turkey's Ambassador to Paris also sent a letter to the Chairman of the French National Assembly and Chairman of the Republican Unity Party denouncing Deveciyan's insults against Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/[12] TGNA JUSTICE COMMISSION DEBATES TURKISH CIVIL CODEThe TGNA Justice Commission debated the Turkish Civil Code. The Commission approved the article containing the statement "The spouses manage the family together" instead of the statement "The husband is the head of the family." Male dominance in the family was removed by approval of the article. Marriage was redefined as a "union" in the new 186th article. The Commission also discussed the articles related to marriage and divorce. /Turkiye/[13] LIQUIDATION OF 25 FUNDS ENACTEDThe bill on the "Liquidation of Some Funds" was approved in the TGNA Plenary Session yesterday. The liquidation was cited in the additional intent letter presented to the IMF. /Cumhuriyet/[14] ADDITIONAL PERIOD FOR VIRTUE PARTY'S DEFENSEThe Constitutional Court gave an additional 15 days to the Virtue Party (FP) for preparing its defense in the lawsuit concerning the closure of the party. The Party had demanded an additional period to prepare its initial defense. /Cumhuriyet/[15] POWELL SUPPORTS THE TURKISH THESISThe American Secretary of State Colin Powell, said the function of the European Identity of Security and Defense (ESDI), which is expected to be established by the European Union (EU), should take place within NATO, disagreeing with approach of some EU member countries such as Germany and France. Powell issued a statement after meeting the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joschka Fischer, and said "The US supports the ESDI, the planning function of which should be within NATO. If we can add the European force to the possibilities of NATO and if NATO and the EU countries consent to use their military potential, then there is no reason for the European force to weaken NATO. Powell delivered a warning to Fischer that the new European Force should not be based on a parallel planning or a rival structure to NATO. These very important messages by Powell mean full support to the thesis espoused by Turkey against the European Union concerning the ESDI. /Aksam/[16] GENERAL CELASIN IN ISRAELThe Commander of Air Forces, General Ergin Celasin, went to Israel to pay an official visit. During his three-day visit, Celasin will view the Turkish F-4 planes, which are modernized by Israel. He will be briefed by the Turkish officials concerning the Popeye-2 rockets that are launched from air to land and hold meetings concerning the maintenance of the Arrow missile defense system. During his visit, General Celasin will be briefed on the latest situation in the region by the Israeli army staff. In these briefings, which will be also attended by military intelligence officials, the latest information concerning the threat of armament and missiles in the region will be discussed. /Aksam/[17] GEN.KIVRIKOGLU IN TUNISIAChief of General Staff, Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, went to Tunisia yesterday to hold official talks. The Office of the Chief of the General Staff issued a written statement saying that Gen.Kivrikoglu would return to Turkey on February 24. /All papers/[18] TURKEY AND GERMANY COOPERATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTA project titled "Promotion of a Systematic Approach to Environmental Management" was launched in order to improve technical cooperation in environmental management between Turkey and Germany. The project's aim is the forming of a structure within the Environmental Ministry which will prevent various kinds of pollutants. Mugla and Bursa were chosen as the pilot cities in Turkey. Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Rudolf Schmidt, will attend a meeting in Ankara in the near future to further discuss the project. /All papers/[19] TURCO-BULGARIAN COOPERATIONInterior Minister Sadettin Tantan is paying an official visit to Bulgaria. An 'International Emergency Intervention System Backed by Computers' was set up between Turkey and Bulgaria in addition to police of Georgia, Albania and Azerbaijan police forces. Tantan is expected to meet with Bulgarian Interior Minister Emanuel Yardonov. Tantan, who will go to Plovdiv, will visit the Muradiye Mosque during the continuing restoration. /Hurriyet/[20] EARTHQUAKE CENTER IN ANKARAA "Center for Studies and Researches on Earthquake Measures" (DETEM) was established in Ankara. Middle East Technical University (METU) will support the work of the center. The initial meeting of the center was held at METU yesterday. Prof. Ergim Altinay from the Civil Engineering Department at METU is the technical assistant of DETEM. Speaking at the meeting, Altinay said, "DETEM will be engaged in determining the resistance of buildings to earthquakes, preparing projects to strengthen the buildings, and carrying out ground studies where new buildings will be constructed." /Cumhuriyet/[21] GREAT SUPPORT TO BAKU-CEYHAN PROJECTIt was stated that the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) would give financial support to Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. EBDR's First Deputy Chairman Charles Frank said that the project was financially beneficial. /Turkiye/[22] IMF TO POSTPONE THE LOANFollowing the recent crisis in the National Security Council (MGK) meeting on Monday, the IMF delegation said: "The problem is political, the Fund can do nothing." The delegation stated that there was no need for the sixth term review of the stand-by agreement and no need for the letter. The delegation noted that the payment of the third portion of the additional reserves worth $2 billion to be extended in March was frozen until economic developments reach a certain level. The IMF delegation departed from Turkey yesterday. IMF Spokesman Conny Lotze said in a statement yesterday that they were in continuous contact with Ankara and they were waiting for the new measures to be taken. /Milliyet/[23] CASH SHORTAGE IN BANKING SYSTEMA cash shortage paralyzed the Turkish banking system yesterday, driving overnight repo rates as high as 7,500 % as the economic managers were gathered in Ankara to find a solution. The Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) main-100 index recorded its biggest ever loss of 18.11 %, or 1,588 points, to close the day at 7,181 points. In the bond market, the yield on the most heavily traded March 21 bond had soared to 154.6 % at the end of the day.The government convened the economic managers and discussed its options on the existing monetary policy. The Central Bank is pursuing a monetary policy in line with its pegged exchange rate regime, which restricts its ability to give cash beyond IMF-imposed limits, unless in the case of a foreign currency inflow. Under the new system, exchange rates will be left to move within a gradually widening band around a central path determined by the Central Bank. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer announced yesterday that he was backing all economic measures the government was set to introduce. Meanwhile, the international rating agency, Standard and Poor's announced that it was concerned about the situation in Turkey and was monitoring it closely for a possible downgrade. /All papers/ [24] IMKB AFFECTS THE STOCK EXCHANGES OF EAST BLOC COUNTRIESThe decrease in the Istanbul Stock Exchanges (IMKB) of %29 in the last three days negatively affected other countries. The decrease resulted from the fact that foreign investors, who invest in the Stock Exchanges of the developing countries, began to discharge their portfolios in the IMKB, and this spread to the stock exchanges of other neighbouring and developing countries. The Russian Stock Exchange, which closely follows the Turkish market, lost a great deal of value in the last three days. Similar developments occurred in the stock exchanges of the former East Bloc countries. /Aksam/[25] SABANCI DESIRES MGK TO CONVENEChairman of the Executive Board of Sabanci Holding Company, Sakip Sabanci, said that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit should meet as soon as possible and the National Security Council (MGK) should be held earlier. Sabanci, saying that the time is precious, added, "The MGK will convene on Monday and this date is too late. Sezer and Ecevit should meet tonight due to these extraordinary conditions." /Aksam/[26] ERICSSON AND SIEMENS WINS GSM 1800 BIDThe Ericsson and Siemens companies have won the GSM 1800 bid. Ericsson will establish the necessary infrastructure and Siemens will establish the base stations. /Turkiye/[27] WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZERS MEET IN ISTANBULThe International Travel and Tourism Fair (ITEE 2001), which brings together representatives of the tourism, communications, Internet, and transportation sectors, will be opened by Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu today. The fair, which will take place at the CNR International Fair Center, will continue until February 25. /All papers/[28] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[29] EU, US AND TURKEY BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the relations between Turkey, EU and the US. A summary of his column is as follows:"Turkey who cannot improve and expedite her relations with the EU, will probably get closer to the US, her ally of 50 years with whom she has intertwined relations. In that case, it may be exaggerated to say, but Ankara will have to accept what Washington says. The policies of improving relations with third and fourth blocs besides the EU and the US are being prepared in Ankara. This is a perfect recipe which will drive Turkey to an underdeveloped state in the 21st century. Certainly there is another world apart from the EU and the US. Turkey must follow rational policies towards all states. However, those who choose to leave the EU and US are dreamers still living in the past. Turkey will establish the EU standards in the country and following this will become a member of the Union if she chooses to be. The relations with the US will always follow a steady course at the highest level. This is the rational policy. No one in Turkey can follow a policy in line with his feelings, dreams, expectations, interests or lies. Particularly when we are at a stage to take the steepest turn in our restructuring history... Turkish interests and improvement can only be furthered by reason, knowledge, capability and experience. We are living in a world where Pax Americana is valid. However, there is no rule which says super powers do not make mistakes. Just as the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires have made serious mistakes, the US may follow the same route. However, those who hope to see a decrease in US influence will not live long enough to see it. We do not know if it is correct for the US to attack Saddam so much for her own interests. What is clear is that the Gulf War has dealt a severe blow to Turkey's efforts to leave poverty behind. We live in the same region with Iraq. Notwithstanding these facts, it is hard for a state, where per capita income is 3,000 US dollars, to explain her complaints to Washington. However, diplomacy is needed to overcome these difficulties and dilemmas." <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> Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |