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Turkish Press Review, 01-02-23
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> Press
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Turkish
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Foreign
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080" bgcolor="#F0F0F0"> Turkish
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<td width="100%" style="border: 1 solid #808080"> Press
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Summary of the political and economic
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<td width="100%">23.02.2001</td>
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CONTENTS
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SEZER: "TURKEY WILL OVERCOME
DIFFICULTIES"
CONTENTS
[01] ANOTHER BILL ON THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN
CALIFORNIA
[02] FRENCH POLITICIANS' CONFESSIONS ON THE SO-CALLED
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
[03] PROPOSAL FOR NON-AGRESSION PACT BETWEEN TURKEY AND
GREECE
[04] MUMCU'S STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
AND TOURISM
[05] TURKEY PAYS FOREIGN DEBT AMOUNTING TO 741 MILLION
US DOLLARS
[06] LAW CONCERNING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
APPROVED BY TGNA
[07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[08] PRESIDENT SEZER TO TRAVEL CAIRO
[09] ECEVIT ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ECONOMY
[10] ECEVIT AND SIMITIS MEET IN SKOPJE
[11] ECONOMIC PROGRAM REVISED
[12] SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD BANK
[13] CENTRAL BANK TO MAINTAIN TIGHT MONETARY POLICY
[14] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN IN BULGARIA
[15] NEW DOCUMENTS REGARDING ARMENIAN ISSUE
[16] ANOTHER BILL ON THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN
CALIFORNIA
[17] FRENCH POLITICIANS' CONFESSIONS ON THE SO-CALLED
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
[18] PROPOSAL FOR NON-AGRESSION PACT BETWEEN TURKEY AND
GREECE
[19] US AIRCRAFTS BOMB IRAQ
[20] SWEDISH POLICE FORCES INVESTIGATE OCALAN
[21] EU-TURKEY RELATIONS
[22] DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN RIGHTS
[23] EU TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECTS
[24] MUMCU'S STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND
TOURISM
[25] STOCK EXCHANGE RATES INCREASE
[26] TUSIAD'S SUGGESTION
[27] TURKEY PAYS FOREIGN DEBT AMOUNTING TO 741 MILLION US
DOLLARS
[28] JP MORGAN AND DEUTSCHE BANK'S STATEMENT
[29] LAW CONCERNING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
APPROVED BY TGNA
[30] HOPES FOR EXPANDED RAIL SYSTEM IN ISTANBUL
[31] NAZIM HIKMET DEBATE IN THE BRITISH PRESS
[32] THE IGNORANT FAIRIES' PREMIER IN ROME
[33] AWARD TO ARIF MARDIN
[34] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[35] CRISIS BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)
[01] ANOTHER BILL ON THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN
CALIFORNIA
[02] FRENCH POLITICIANS' CONFESSIONS ON THE SO-CALLED
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
GREEK PRESS: "TRY ALL CRIMINALS CONCERNING
OCALAN CASE"
[03] PROPOSAL FOR NON-AGRESSION PACT BETWEEN TURKEY AND
GREECE
IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KOHLER : "WE SUPPORT
TURKISH GOVERNMENT"
PROF. VASSILOPULOS: "EUROPE SHOULD NOT
EXCLUDE TURKEY"
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR: "RELATIONS WILL NOT BE
AFFECTED"
[04] MUMCU'S STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
AND TOURISM
[05] TURKEY PAYS FOREIGN DEBT AMOUNTING TO 741 MILLION
US DOLLARS
"ADOPTION OF FLEXIBLE EXCHANGE RATES DOES NOT
SUFFICE"
[06] LAW CONCERNING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
APPROVED BY TGNA
[07] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
SEZER: "TURKEY WILL OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES"
The presidential office held an informative press
meeting yesterday. Press Advisor to the President, Metin Yalman, said
"Our President performs his duties and authorities specified in
the Constitution by paying attention to the orderly and harmonious
functioning of the state bodies. The President is confident that
Turkey will overcome her difficulties. He believes everybody should
work to achieve this goal. The President sees no use in explaining the
details of the National Security Council (MGK) meeting."
/Milliyet/
[08] PRESIDENT SEZER TO TRAVEL CAIRO
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will travel to Cairo
tomorrow to attend the Developing Countries Economic Cooperation Group
(D-8) meeting. Spokesman for the Presidential Office, Taclan Ildem,
gave information about President`s Cairo visit between February 24-25
at the press conference held yesterday. Stating Minister of Foreign
Affairs Ismail Cem will also accompany the President, Ildem said
Commerce Experts Group meeting, Business Forum and the D-8 Commission
meetings will be held today and tomorrow before the D-8 meeting. Ildem
added the meetings of the Council containing the Foreign Ministers
from D-8 countries will be held on February 24. Ildem stated if
Sezer's busy schedule allowed, the President would hold bilateral
meetings, especially with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
/Cumhuriyet/
[09] ECEVIT ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ECONOMY
While giving information on the arrangements in the
economy, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit spoke about the economic
situation's relationship with the crisis that occurred during the
National Security Council (MGK) and said, "It was already
necessary to make some changes in the economy. Ecevit held a press
conference with the coalition partners, Nationalist Action Party (MHP)
leader Devlet Bahceli, and the Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut
Yilmaz yesterday. Ecevit said, "During the meeting that lasted
for twelve hours the day before, the economic problems were examined
closely and the foreign exchange rates were left to float. We believe
that this decision will activate our economy a great deal and will
ensure a great increase in income from the tourism sector. Maximum
care will be displayed so that the workers will not be harmed by
inflation. The struggle against poverty will be given more importance.
We believe that the artificial increase in the foreign exchange rates
and the interest rates that has been going on for the last three days
will end soon. The citizens sharing this confidence with us will
accelarate the rehabilitation of the economy." /Sabah/
[10] ECEVIT AND SIMITIS MEET IN SKOPJE
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Greek Prime
Minister Kostas Simitis will meet at the Balkan Summit in Skopje.
Overcoming the so-called Greek genocide crisis, the two prime
ministers are expected to meet in a positive atmosphere. Simitis is
expected to give information about the recent developments on the
so-called Greek genocide bill to Prime Minister Ecevit. Meanwhile,
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem met with his Greek counterpart, George
Papandreou yesterday. Since the meeting was interrupted because Cem
left to welcome Prime Minister Ecevit, two foreign ministers agreed to
complete their contacts at the NATO meeting in Brussels. /Hurriyet/
[11] ECONOMIC PROGRAM REVISED
The economic program implemented by Turkey for 14
months determinedly, will be revised. Both the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) and Turkish government authorities stated that the a new
program was initiated. IMF Turkey Desk Chief, Carlo Cattorelli, who
left Turkey the day before, arrived again in Ankara yesterday due to
recent developments. He began his contacts with ministers and
bureaucrats related to the economy. Regarding the floating foreign
exchange rates, Cottarelli said, "The decision was a necessary
step to be taken. Now, there is a need for certain adjustments in the
general program. However, our strategy will not change."
Cottarelli also added an IMF delegation would arrive in Ankara next
week for the preparation of the new program. /Turkiye/
[12] SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD BANK
Following the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
the World Bank announced its full support for the Turkish goverment's
recent decision on transition to a floating currency. A World Bank
statement issued in Washington said the World Bank would work in
coordination with the Turkish government, IMF and other related groups
for the success of the economic program and reforms carried out in
Turkey. Additionally, US Secretary of Treasury, Paul O'Neill stated
the US government would continue to back the IMF's support for the
Turkish economy. /Turkiye/
[13] CENTRAL BANK TO MAINTAIN TIGHT MONETARY POLICY
Central Bank pledged to stick to a tight monetary
policy aimed at strengthening the stabilization program in the wake of
the government decision to drop the exchange rate and to float Turkish
lira. The bank will assume a more active role in markets to sustain
the new economic balances, as it maintains the tight monetary policy,
the bank said in a written statement yesterday. It said the IMF would
continue to release loan tranches as scheduled and to finance Turkey's
program during the float, which practically means a devaluation of the
lira. It added that the Central Bank would present a new central
banking law to the government, which is of critical importance in
terms of inflation targetting, and make sure that it is quickly
enacted. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] INTERIOR MINISTER TANTAN IN BULGARIA
Traveling to Bulgaria to hold official contacts,
Minister of Interior Affairs, Sadettin Tantan demanded the Bulgarian
government take measures to prevent the terrorist organization PKK
from extorting money and threatening Turkish businessmen. Tantan said,
"Turkish businessmen would invest more if this problem was
overcome." /Cumhuriyet/
[15] NEW DOCUMENTS REGARDING ARMENIAN ISSUE
Writer Aytunc Altindal obtained reports of 550
foreign doctors who worked between 1885-1920 in Armenian-populated
area. Reports prove Armenians were not killed. The reports of French,
Italian, German and Swiss doctors will be published as a book and will
be distributed in the UN and European Parliament. Reports say
Armenians died of diseases, accidents and old age. There are also
reports on killed persons, but the notes say they were killed during
the attacks of Kurdish groups. These Kurdish groups immigrated later
in 1923 to Iran and Iraq. Reports say the number of Turkish, Kurdish
and Circassian people killed are much greater than the Armenians
killed. /Sabah/
[16] ANOTHER BILL ON THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN
CALIFORNIA
A bill on the so-called Armenian genocide was
presented to the California State House of Representatives in the US.
The bill calls for plans to declare April 24 as the commemoration day
for the so-called Armenian genocide. The bill prepared by the Democrat
Daro Frommer, proposes that California should recognize the so-called
Armenian genocide between 1913-1925. There are certain allegations in
the bill stating that Armenians in Azerbaijan`s Sumgait region in 1988
and those in Baku in 1990 were totally exiled. /Cumhuriyet/
[17] FRENCH POLITICIANS' CONFESSIONS ON THE SO-CALLED
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL
French politicians have begun to confess that they
approved the Armenian bill to be able to acquire more Armenian votes.
The Mayor of Issy-Les-Moulineaux, a town near Paris, Andre Santini
said, " Armenian voters in my electoral district are more than
the Turkish votes." and he clearly confessed that the bill on the
so-caled Armenian genocide was used as a means of vote-getting.
According to the French Daily Liberation, Santini is the first
politician to reveal he used the bill as a political means.
Additionally, Michele Rivasi, deputy from Valance, also confessed that
he supported the bill by taking the Armenian votes into consideration.
/Hurriyet/
GREEK PRESS: "TRY ALL CRIMINALS CONCERNING
OCALAN CASE"
The Greek press has reacted to the decision of the
Judges Council at the Greek Court of First Instance over the Ocalan
case. The newspaper, Daily To Vima said the number of people that
should be tried concerning the Ocalan case was more than 13. The paper
said other criminals should also be caught and tried. According to To
Vima, many figures who helped Ocalan in Greece were not included in
the list of the Council. Certain diplomatic and politic circles
demanded officials from the Greek intelligence service, EIP, and the
former Prime Minister, Theodoros Pangalos, should also be tried.
/Cumhuriyet/
[18] PROPOSAL FOR NON-AGRESSION PACT BETWEEN TURKEY AND
GREECE
Opposed to the tense foreign policy attitudes of
Greek government, the Greek public adopted a more sensible attitude
towards Turkey. The Elefterotipiya Newspaper, published in Athens,
proposed a non-agression and a freezing of armament agreement to be
signed between Turkey and Greece. Elefterotipiya said financial crisis
had put Turkish society under difficult conditions. It said Turkish
people suffer from the economic depression but not foreign investors
who escape easily from the country during difficult economic times.
/Milliyet/
IMF MANAGING DIRECTOR KOHLER : "WE SUPPORT
TURKISH GOVERNMENT"
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing
Director, Horst Kohler, said the IMF supported Turkish government's
decision to allow exchange rates to float. Speaking after the
evaluation meeting in Washington, Kohler said the IMF hoped the
inflation rate would keep decreasing and stability would be mantained
in the exchange rates. Kohler said, "The IMF supports the Turkish
government's decision to allow floating of the lira. We are pleased
with the Turkish government's determination to maintain a sustainable
development and stable exchange rates. The inflation rate is expected
to keep decreasing and the acquirements from the IMF-backed economic
stability program will be protected." /Hurriyet/
[19] US AIRCRAFTS BOMB IRAQ
The US war planes, which are based at Incirlik Air
Headquarters, bombed Iraqi targets in northern Iraq. In a statement
issued by the US Command to Europe in Germany, it was stated that
after the Iraqi anti-aircrafts sites locked onto the American
aircrafts in Musul, the targets were hit. In the statement, it was
said the aircrafts returned to the Headquarters without any losses.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave a statement concerning the issue and
said, "Within the information and approval of the Turkish
officers, an air manoeuver was carried out between the two countries
in accordance with the rules." In the statement issued by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was said that this incident was not
the continuation of the bombing of Baghdad last week. Meanwhile, in
the statement issued by Incirlik Air Headquarters, it was said that
this was not an extraordinary situation. /Aksam/
[20] SWEDISH POLICE FORCES INVESTIGATE OCALAN
Swedish police forces will investigate terrorist
leader Abdullah Ocalan about Prime Minister Olof Palme's assasination
in 1986. Ocalan had stated before that he was not involved in the
assasination but certain members of the PKK may have been.
/Cumhuriyet/
PROF. VASSILOPULOS: "EUROPE SHOULD NOT EXCLUDE
TURKEY"
Christopher Vassilopus, a professor of Greek origin
in the International Affairs Department at the Connecticut University
in the US, said exclusion of Turkey from the EU would be dangerous and
the US must do whatever she could to prevent this. Pointing to
Turkey's role in the region, Prof. Vassilopus said, "Turkey's
importance is much more now than in the cold war period. In case
Turkey is refused by the EU, it will turn to Central Asia. If I were
Turkish Premier, I would think so too. However, this does not serve
both American and regional interests." /Turkiye/
[21] EU-TURKEY RELATIONS
The Director of Turkish Economic and Social Studies
Association (TESEV), Ozdem Sanberk, said Turkey should be a country
which is stable and able to solve problems on her own. He added Turkey
should not be in tension with the EU and should not reflect her
problems to the Europeans. /Cumhuriyet/
PHIL GORDON: "LET'S NOT OFFEND TURKEY"
Phil Gordon, an expert in a think-tank, the
Brookings Institute, based in Washington, said Turkey should not be
offended over the US Iraqi policy. Speaking in a panel, Gordon said
the policy espoused by the US ex-president, Bill Clinton on Iraq was
not successful. He added, "Turkey is our most reliable ally in
the region. She is opposed to the support of Iraqi opposition against
Saddam. The new American administration should listen to everybody in
the region and ensure support for her policy." /Turkiye/
[22] DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN RIGHTS
General Command of Gendarmerie and Directorate
General of Security gave a briefing on 'human rights' to the Human
Rights Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA).
Chairman of the Commission, Huseyin Akgul, said there were
improvements in both of these two units in terms of human rights.
Officials from the Gendarmerie stated that during the process of
pre-service training human rights courses will be given to the
privates twice a week. /Star/
[23] EU TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECTS
The European Commission reserved 38 million euros
for the projects that will be confronted within the "European
Democracy and Human Rights Initiative'. The applications must be
received by 19 March. The Commission also extended the deadline to 2
April for the projects for the victims of torture. /Sabah/
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR: "RELATIONS WILL NOT BE
AFFECTED"
Shigen Takenaka, Japanese Ambassador to Ankara, met
Samsun Mayor Muammer Guler and said, "The current problems of
Turkey will not affect the economic relations between our two
countries." Takenaka visited the Hasan Ugurlu and the Altinkaya
Dams in the Black Sea Region, which were constructed under the terms
of Turco-Japanese cooperation. He expressed his pleasure that he had
the opportunity to observe the mechanical and financial efficiency of
the dams. Mayor Guler and Takenaka consulted regarding the latest
economic crisis. /Turkish Daily News/
[24] MUMCU'S STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND
TOURISM
The increase in the foreign exchange rate which was
implemented by the government after the economic crisis, will be a
benefit for the tourism sector. Minister of Tourism, Erkan Mumcu,
said, "2001 will be a year of records for Turkey and everything
will be better this year." Mumcu attended the International
Travel and Tourism Fair in Istanbul and issued statements that will
please tour operators. Mumcu said, "In the World Tourism
Organization's Year 2000 Report, it was stated that Turkey had broken
a record in growth and that it resulted in great returns for the
tourism sector." Mumcu added that Turkey was the only country in
the world which had succeeded in growing by 17.3% between 1983 and
2001, which is a world record. He also spoke concerning the economic
crisis and said that even if there is shrinkage in the internal
market, the demand coming from abroad will meet this. /Aksam/
[25] STOCK EXCHANGE RATES INCREASE
Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), which experienced
its greatest fall with 18.14% the day before, increased by 666 points
and gave the signal that the economic program will be implemented with
the fluctuating foreign exchange system. IMKB gave a value of 9.88% on
the daily basis and reached 7,980 points. Brokers say it is hard to
estimate how much will be the increase in the exchange market. Brokers
further stated that the changes in foreign exchange and inflation
rates will be monitored. /Aksam/
[26] TUSIAD'S SUGGESTION
The Turkish Association of Industrialists and
Businessmen (TUSIAD) suggested that a new Deputy Prime Minister,
responsible for the economy and who will give confidence to the
markets, should be appointed. In a statement issued by the TUSIAD, it
was said that the failure of the Macro Economic Program, which was
supported by the whole society and which was about to reach the
target, mostly resulted from the lack of coordination in terms of
economic issues. In the statement, it was added, "The government
should appoint a new Deputy Prime Minister, knowledgeable of the
financial markets in Turkey and of the international capital markets
and one who is ready to bear these responsibilities." /Aksam/
[27] TURKEY PAYS FOREIGN DEBT AMOUNTING TO 741 MILLION US
DOLLARS
Turkey paid its foreign debt amounting to 741.62
million US dollars on 1-21 February 2001. According to the data of the
Central Bank, 684.20 million US dollars of this amount was paid by the
Treasury, 21.70 million US dollars by the Central Bank. 35.72 million
US dollars of payment included the stationary expenses of the
management within general and public-private budgets. /Aksam/
[28] JP MORGAN AND DEUTSCHE BANK'S STATEMENT
JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank stated that simply the
release of the foreign exchanges would not be enough and that a
package including strict budget and monetary policies would be
announced soon. Deutsche Bank issued a bulletin and stated, "We
think that after the first fluctuation in the foreign exchange rates
and after the liqudity is ensured for the banking system, very strict
monetary and budget policies will be followed." Meanwhile, JP
Morgan stated, "Devaluation is necessary but it is not enough to
inspire confidence in investors. The measures that will be announced
should solve the weaknesses of the banking system, include
confidence-building measures and explain how to make new public
borrowing in the short term. /Aksam/
"ADOPTION OF FLEXIBLE EXCHANGE RATES DOES NOT
SUFFICE"
The international investment bank, Chase JP Morgan,
stated the decision on flexible exchange rates is correct, but does
not have any utility on its own. The bank said this exchange rate
policy should be supported with tight fiscal policies and a decrease
in expenditures. /Sabah/
"IMF INCITED CRISIS IN TURKEY"
Reuters reported on comments of analysts regarding
the economic crisis in Turkey. The comments converged on the idea that
the crisis emanated from IMF policies. According to Reuters, Turkey
could not recover after signing the stand-by agreement with the IMF.
Emerging markets strategist of the Brunswick Direct, Paul Luke, said
if the IMF did not support Turkey, Turkey would be in a much better
position. /Sabah/
[29] LAW CONCERNING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
APPROVED BY TGNA
The law that aims to make some changes in the
Intellectual Property Rights was approved by the Turkish Grand
National Assembly (TGNA). Within this framework, people who change a
work art without the permission of its artist will be sentenced to a
heavy prison term of maximum six years and fined punishment of 150
billion TL. Radio and television broadcasters will have to take the
written permission of the artists before broadcasting their works.
/Star/
[30] HOPES FOR EXPANDED RAIL SYSTEM IN ISTANBUL
Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna
briefed reporters on the latest developments in the Istanbul tramway
system project. He said Minister of Housing and Public Works Koray
Aydin had given approval in principle for a tramway link between Harem
and Tuzla but that no signature had been given. Gurtuna said,
"The Highways Department has also said `yes' and now we are
hammering out the details. I reckon everything will be in place within
a month." The planned Harem-Tuzla link will be 33 km long and
comprise of 13 stations and carry 35,000 people an hour on 132
carriages. /Turkish Daily News/
[31] NAZIM HIKMET DEBATE IN THE BRITISH PRESS
The prominent British daily newspaper, The
Guardian, gave coverage to the Nazim Hikmet debate. The Guardian
stated that Nazim Hikmet, the most famous Turkish poet, has caused
tense debates even 38 years after his death. Stating the Turkish
Ministry of Culture prepared a bill on returning his right of Turkish
citizenship, the paper gave informaiton on Hikmet's life and poems.
The Guardian said, "The rightist politicians in Turkey are trying
to obstruct Nazim Hikmet's citizenship campaign." /Hurriyet/
[32] THE IGNORANT FAIRIES' PREMIER IN ROME
The premier screening of the Turkish Film Director
Ferzan Ozpetek's latest movie, "The Ignorant Fairies" (La
Fate Ignoranti) took place in Rome. The film received positive
criticism from the audiences. Many prominnet figures of the Italian
cinema and several famous politicians attended the screening. Ozpetek
said he believed his movie would be successful in both Italy and other
countries where it will be released. The Ignorant Fairies is expected
to be released in Turkey during May. /Hurriyet/
[33] AWARD TO ARIF MARDIN
The Turkish music producer, who has been living in
United States for a long time, has won a Grammy Award. Mardin received
the Trustees Award for his lifelong contribution to the music
industry. Mardin , who worked with famous singers, such as Diana Ross,
Ringo Starr, Aretha Franklin and Barbara Streisand, is currently the
deputy chairman of the Atlantic Records Music Company. /Sabah/
[34] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[35] CRISIS BY TAHA AKYOL (MILLIYET)
Columnist Taha Akyol writes on the latest economic
crisis in Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows: "The
recent crisis brought an additional burden of 30 billion dollars to
the real sector, according to the Chairman of Turkish Union of
Chambers and Stock Exchange, Fuat Miras... There is no other country
who is going through economic crises as often as Turkey. Even Russia
who has collapsed with her system has left the recent economic crisis
behind and attained political stability. The giant automotive company
General Motors, is preparing to invest in Russia. The foreign capital
in Turkey is leaving the country. We had such high hopes! Turkey was
the most attractive country for investment as she lay between three
continents. Turkey would export to Russia, Europe and Asia. However,
it did not turn out to be so. General Motors is investing in Russia,
Toyota which had decided to make Turkey an exports center, went to
France believing there was no political stability in Turkey. Those
governing the country were at odds with each other, a series of
governments were unstable. Juridicial organs were cancelling various
laws and decisions with the influence of 'etatism' tradition. Certain
members of the National Security Council were saying that there would
be uprisings similar to those seen in Iran. Who would invest in such a
country? Development and investment are all very well, but what we are
not aware of, is that all these need a stable democracy and a strong
government along with a settled legal establishment and a minimal
state structure withdrawn to its limits. In other words, these are the
criteria mentioned in the Accession Partnership Document. There is no
alternative but to entrust the political power required for governing
the country, in the hands of the elected officials. If Turkey
implements such a system, everybody will see that former President
Ozal's vision of the 21st century as the century of Turks is not a
dream."
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