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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-14Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning14.03.2001CONTENTS
[01] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ADDRESSES THE PARLIAMENTAzerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev, on an official visit to Turkey, addressed the parliamentarians in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) yesterday. In his speech, Mr. Aliyev emphasized Turkey's importance to Azerbaijan. Accompanied by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the Azerbaijani President will proceed to Istanbul today to attend a conference at the War Academy Command. /Turkiye/[02] DERVIS BEGINS TO SERVE AS MINISTERKemal Dervis began his duties as the State Minister Responsible for the Economy after taking his oath in the Parliament yesterday. During a press conference he held yesterday morning, Dervis said there were some difficulties in the banking sector. He added," However, the state guarantee on saving accounts will continue. There is also no liquidation or consolidation. We are seeking to find the best way of restructuring the banking sector." Regarding new economic program, he said, "We are trying to prepare a comprehensive program and we will declare it as soon as it is ready. The program will be easily understood by everyone. We also expect media's support during the explanation of the program to the public." /Sabah/[03] DERVIS TO MEET HEADS OF LABOR UNIONSThe State Minister Responsible For the Economy, Kemal Dervis, will meet with the heads of the Turk-Is, Hak-Is and DISK Labor Unions. Dervis will give information about the main points of the national economic program and ask for their support. On the other hand, the heads of non-gevernmental organizations forming the Labor Platform said they will hold demonstrations unless their opinions and approvals are also taken. Dervis will receive the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) delegation tomorrow. The delegation will present suggestions regarding the disinflation program. Dervis will meet with the 350 heads of Chambers and Commodity Exchange on Friday. /Milliyet/[04] DERVIS MEETS PEARSON AND FOGGState Minister Kemal Dervis subsequently received US Ambassador Robert Pearson and EU Representative, Ambassador Karen Fogg yesterday. Dervis requested Fogg to relay to the EU that Turkey is awaiting its support. Regarding Pearson's visit, Dervis said the Ambassador reiterated the US support. /Milliyet/[05] NATIONAL PROGRAM'S ECONOMIC CRITERIA CHAPTER TO BE REWRITTENTurkey's Secretariat General for European Union is preparing to rewrite the National Program's Economic Criteria Chapter in accordance with the new economic program to be prepared under the chairmanship of the Minister of State Responsible for the Economy Kemal Dervis. A high level official said the Secretariat will try to complete the draft of the new National Program before the Council of Ministers meeting on March 19. /Cumhuriyet/[06] INDEPENDENT HIGH BOARD FOR PUBLIC BANKSMinister of State Faruk Bal said public banks, namely Emlak, Halk and Ziraat, would be turned over to an independent high board. The establishment of an independent board is seen as a first step in the efforts to rehabilitate the banking sector, a centerpiece of the new economic program. Members of the council will be selected from the three bank directors. The council will be affiliated with the Minister of State Responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis. Bal stated government was targeting the privatization of Emlakbank within three years. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said the reorganization of state banks would eliminate their exposure to political influence. "The new program will entail the elimination of this political pressure," Yilmaz said. /Cumhuriyet-Turkish Daily News/[07] SUREYYA SERDENGECTI: NEW GOVERNOR OF THE CENTRAL BANKPresident Ahmet Necdet Sezer ratified the appoinment of Sureyya Serdengecti for the Governorship of the Central Bank. Serdengecti is former Deputy Governor of the Bank. /Milliyet/[08] YILMAZ:"SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS WERE NEGLECTED IN THE FORMER DISINFLATION PROGRAM"Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said the government has neglected the social and psychological dimensions of the former economic program which resulted in devaluation and price increases. Yilmaz said the new economic program requires the support of international finance institutions. They expect to receive $15 billion from different sources. /Aksam/[09] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN IN IRAQA Turkish delegation of 164 businessmen travelled to Baghdad yesterday. The delegaton headed by Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, Kursad Tuzmen, is holding a series of meetings with Iraqi authorities to discuss economic relations between the two countries. Recalling that Turkey has lost $30 billion due to the embargo imposed on Iraq, Mr. KUrsad said Turkish businessmen want to improve economic relations with Iraq. /Turkiye/[10] THE US: DO NOT VIOLATE THE EMBARGO ON IRAQThe US Administration said Turkey could establish economic relations with Iraq however, the embargo should not be violated. Spokesman for the US Secretary of State Richard Boucher said, "We have created an Iraqi policy which will increase anti-smuggling measures and prohibit the transfer of cash and weapons along the borders of Iraq. The policy will also facilitate Iraqi civilian's access to food and medicine. When discussing our new policy, we took the interests of Turkey and other neighboring countries into consideration." /Cumhuriyet/[11] ERSUMER TRAVELLED TO SYRIAAt the invitation of Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Cumhur Ersumer, left for Syria yesterday to attend the opening ceremony of the interconnnection project's Jordan-Syria section. The ceremony will be held at the Der Ali Power Plant, 30km south of Damascus. Expected to attend the ceremony are the Syrian and Egyptian Presidents and the King of Jordan, and ministers Iraq and Lebanon. /Turkiye/[12] GREEK PROFESSOR'S REACTION TO ALLEGATION OF THE SO-CALLED ASIA MINOR GENOCIDEAnother sound reaction to the Greek government's allegations of the so-called Asia Minor Genocide came from Greek International Law Professor, Aleksis Iraklidis, at the Athens Pandino University. Stating the incidents taking place in Western Anatolia during 1922 could not be considered a genocide, Iraklidis said "The real disaster occurred after the war and the assaults were by Greek soldiers." In his article for the Ta Nea Daily paper, Iraklidis stated "If we insist on speaking without knowing the historical facts, and continue to defend the allegations of genocide, the Turks might also argue that expulsion of the people of Turkish origin from the Balkans was genocide. Greece and other Balkan armies perpetrated extremely violent activities, particularly in 1912." /Cumhuriyet/[13] REACTION TO YEREVANReplying to reporters' questions about the news alleging Armenia would demand land from Turkey in the TGNA, Minister of State Suayip Usenmez said, "Turkey does not covet an inch of other countries' territories. Anyone who demands land from Turkey will receive the necessary answer." Usenmez added, "It is unthinkable that Turkey yields an inch of her territories to another country. We can never accept such a thing." /Cumhuriyet/[14] LETTER TO BUSH ON THE US AID TO TURKEY25 members of the US House of the Representatives sent a letter to US President George W. Bush stating that the US Administration should help Turkey overcome the recent economic crisis. The letter stated, "We believe the US should give her full support to Turkey." /Cumhuriyet/[15] THE US SUPPORTS SAHDENIZ NATURAL GAS AGREEMENTThe US Secretary of State has declared it was content with the Sahdeniz natural gas agreements signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey. American officials said the agreement would also enhance the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. Spokesman of the US Secretary of State, Richard Boucher said in his written statement, "The US Administration supports the project which will strengthen the east-west energy corridor." /Cumhuriyet/[16] DEPUTIES TO TRAVEL CUBA AGAINEight deputies will travel to Cuba to attend the inter-parliamentary union meeting between April 1-7. Cuban Head of State Fidel Castro is expected to receive the deputies. /Star/[17] LOCKHEED MARTIN CONFIRMS TURKEY IN JSF PROJECTUS aeronautics giant Lockheed Martin confirmed Turkey would be participating in the Joint Strike Fighter project (JSF). Turkey will contribute investments to the project to the tune of $1.302 billion. The Lockheed Martin JSF team is competing with Boeing to build the JSF for the United States and United Kingdom over a four-year period. A statement from Lockheed Martin said Norway and Denmark too were willing to join in the project and the Netherlands had expressed eagerness to join. /Turkish News/[18] CABINET APPROVES FAST TRAIN PROJECTThe fast train project to which Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has attached great importance is finally to be carried out. During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Transportation Minister Enis Oksuz gave detailed information on the project, which will reduce rail travel time from Istanbul-Ankara to 135 minutes. /Turkish News/[19] TOBB SUMMIT IN ANKARAThe Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange (TOBB) will convene in Ankara March 16. During the "TOBB Chairmen Meeting" the recent economic developments in Turkey and its reflections on businessworld will be discussed. /Turkiye/[20] SAVINGS OF WORKERS ABROAD TO BE DRAWNUpon the suggestion of Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli the Treasury and the Central Bank will make arrangements to encourage Turkish workers abroad to invest their savings in Turkey. In order to obtain support for the national economic program, joint works will be carried out with the Turkish Businessmen, Turkish federations and associations in Europe. Currently, according to data by the Deutsche Bank, Turkish citizens living in Germany have a total of $59 billion in savings accounts. In other European countries they have $80 billion in deposits. /Milliyet/[21] CENTRAL BANK'S PROFIT IS $1 BILLIONThe Central Bank is expected to announce its annual profit as $1 billion. After the general board meeting in April, the Central Bank will be able to transfer half of the profit to the Treasury, the main shareholder of the Bank. The profit, which is far above expectations, will decrease the Treasury's debt burden. /Milliyet/[22] FRENCH QUAKE RESEARCH SHIP IN MARMARA"Le Nadir" research ship will conduct investigations in the depths of the Marmara Sea. The research hopes to map the fault lines. /Miliyet/[23] TURKEY MAY REACH HAPPY ENDAn article published in the Washington Post said the US should politically support its NATO ally, Turkey, in overcoming its economic problems. The article said Turkey is the last largest economy fighting rampant inflation. If Turkey solves its internal problems, a happy end may be reached in the 20 year old war against inflation. /Hurriyet/[24] GOVERNMENT EYES HIGHER TAX REVENUEThe government is eyeing a $3.2 billion increase in tax revenues budgeted under the new program, through accelerating inflation and a parallel rise in oil prices. The government now projects tax revenues to reach $37.5 billion this year, compared to the $34.4 billion in the original budget. An increase in tax revenues would come particularly from the liquid fuel consumption tax (ATV) and value added tax (VAT) as the price of oils and other goods increase. /Turkish Daily News/[25] TROJAN TREASURIES IN GERMANYTrojan Treasures selected from different Turkish Museums will be displayed in the German cities of Stuttgart, Braunschweig and Bonn March 17, 2001-February 17, 2002. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the exhibition will be opened by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and German President Johannes Rau. /Hurriyet/[26] TURKEY ATTENDS TEHRAN BOOK FAIRThe Ministry of Culture will participate in the "14th Tehran Book Fair" May 8-18. During the fair, books promoting Turkey and Turkish writers will be displayed. /Turkiye/[27] ISTANBUL-TEHRAN RAILWAY OPENEDThe Republic of Turkey State Railways (TCDD) reopened the Istanbul-Tehran train route last night for the first time in 19 years. Trains will depart from Istanbul Haydarpasa Railway Station on Mondays and arrive in Tehran after a 70 hour trip. /Turkiye/[28] ARENA OF ENERGY CONFERENCEThe Strategic Technical Economic Research Center will hold a conference titled "Arena of Energy" between March 19-20. The conference will have opening speeches by former President Suleyman Demirel and by Minister of Energy Cumhur Ersumer. Among the figures giving speeches at the conference, are Energy Ministry Undersecretary Yurdakul Yigitguden, State Planning Organization Undersecretary Akin Izmirlioglu and World Bank's Turkey Representative Ajay Chhibber. /Cumhuriyet/[29] VIOLENCE DURING GALATASARAY-PARIS SAINT GERMAIN MATCHThe match between Galatasaray and Paris Saint Germain was interrupted for 25 minutes due to the violent incidents among the audiences. Two Turkish spectators were wounded during the incidents. Many Turkish spectators were also beaten in fist fights. After the incident, Turkey said France she was responsible for the incidents as French police forces failed to protect the Turkish spectators. Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry Kaya Turkmen demanded that security measures be increased in France. /Cumhuriyet/FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS [30] STALIN IS NOT DEAD AFTER ALL BY ORHAN BIRGIT (CUMHURIYET)Columnist Orhan Birgit comments on the recent developments in Armenia who has demanded the cancellation of the Kars Agreement (1921). A summary of his column is as follows:Josef Stalin embodied the imperialism of the Soviet Empire as the hawkish dictator of his country. As he ruthlessly oppressed his internal opponents, he acted abroad in alliance with the democratic states of the West against Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. As a consequence of this alliance, US President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and the leader of Liberated France, Charles De Gaulle, met in Yalta (1945) to draw the map of a new world. The Soviet Union demanded Kars, Ardahan provinces and the Straits from Turkey as spoils of war. These aggressive tendencies, nurtured by the Soviet leader of Georgian descent, were met with strong reaction by the Turks who hold national unity and honor above everything else. Soviet imperialism did not obtain an inch of Turkish territory. The 1920 Gumru Peace Agreement signed with the official representatives of the Armenian Republic was confirmed in a ceremony exchanging documents in 1922 in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. Those who questioned the underlying reasons for what was seen as innocent historical studies conducted by the Armenian diaspora were accused of paranoia. Surely, the diaspora which revived allegations of massacres were not trying to annul the Gumru Agreement and uphold the map of Sevres! When the US Congress discussed these allegations, certain circles tried to soften the blow by saying these would be left on paper. The beginning part of the Congress resolution was even concealed from the public by excluding it from the translation. During similar initatives started in the Italian Parliament, the EU Parliament and finally, the French National Assembly, the authors of these initiatives, under the guise of innocence, told the same story. On March 12 Erzurum celebrated its liberation from the Armenians peacefully, with parades and various symposiums. However, an important development was also seen on March 12. Armenian President's Human Rights Commission Chairman Hayrikyan disregarding the Gumru Agreement his state had signed, saying they had started a campaign for the return of Kars and Ardahan provinces. Therefore, he wanted to say the aggressive and imperialist policies of Stalin we thought were dead and buried in 1953 have come back to haunt us. There are two important lessons we must learn from this new Armenian policy concerning Turkey's internal and foreign policies. From now on, Turkey should not hesitate to slap the real intentions of Armenia (announced by Hayrikyan's campaign started in the name of the Armenian President) in the faces of those who venture to discuss and accept so-called Armenian genocide allegations in their parliaments. The question begging to be asked is how they can trust a nation which disregards a signed agreement when it suits them, and then believe them when they present documents. We should not forget this duty falls also on the citizens of this country and we should never forget that aggressors, imperialists, supporters of the Treaty of Sevres are all looking for an opportunity to harass Turkey at a time when she is in great economic difficulty. Today, we need national unity and solidarity more than anything else. The Government, with an awareness that the burden of responsibility lies on its shoulders, should ensure the national program is adopted by the wide masses. The opposition parties, and the organizations forming the Labour platform should not begin a campaign against the program right from the start without knowing what it is all about. " Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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