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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-27Turkish 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 morning27.03.2001CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL PROGRAMME SUMMITTED TO THE EUForeign Minister Ismail Cem presented the Turkish National Programme to the EU Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, yesterday. After a meeting, Cem and Verheugen told reporters that Turkey-EU relations were continuing on a strong basis. Thanking the EU Commission for its contributions, Cem said the National Programme was the most comprehensive compromising document and democratization program in Turkish history. Stressing his pleasure for the approval of the National Programme by the Turkish Government, Verheugen said the document was an important turning point in Turkey`s EU membership road. He also called on Turkey to implement the political and economic reforms as soon as possible. /Turkiye/[02] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETINGThe new economic program was discussed at the Council of Ministers. It was decided to discuss the program with non-governmental organizations. Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem, currently in Brussels to present the EU national programme to the EU officials, phoned Ecevit and informed him about the reactions of the EU countries to the programme. Cem said the reactions to the program from the EU countries were positive. /Cumhuriyet/[03] ECEVIT'S CIRCULAR CONCERNING THE TALIBANPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit announced the decisions taken by the United Nations (UN) Security Council concerning the Taliban Administration in Afghanistan with a circular to the public institutions. In the circular, which was sent to all of the public institutions with the signature of Ecevit, it was pointed out that the UN Security Council decided on some sanctions against the Taliban. According to the circular, the sale and consignment of weapons, equipment and military materials to the region, which is controlled by the Taliban, is prohibitited. In addition, Taliban administrators and officials will not be given permission to enter Turkey. /Aksam/[04] ILIR GJONI IN ANKARAAlbanian Interior Minister Ilir Gjoni arrived in Ankara yesterday to pay an official visit at the invitation of Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan. After the meetings at the Interior Ministry, Minister Gjoni and his accompanying delegation will visit Gulhane Military Medical Academy and the Anatolia Civilizations Museum. /Turkiye/[05] IZGI IN UZBEKISTANTurkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker Omer Izgi began his meetings in Uzbekistan. In the first stop of his 13-day visit to Central Asian countries, Izgi met with Uzbek Assembly Speaker, Erkin Halilov. Mr. Izgi was also received by President Islam Kerimov. Reportedly, the "Turkish Speaking Countries Heads of State Summit" was discussed during the meeting. /Turkiye/[06] DSP CONGRESSThe Democratic Leftist Party (DSP)`s Fifth Ordinary Congress will convene on April 29th. Previously, the Congress, scheduled to be held last December, was postponed due to weather conditions. The fourth Ordinary Great Congress convened Dec. 7th, 1997. /Turkiye/[07] TURK'S STATEMENTMinister of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, stated that to date, 38 convicts who are on hunger strikes, have been taken to the hospital. Turk added that it is expected the ward system in 78 prisons will be changed to the room system. /Sabah/[08] GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU IN GATAChief of the General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, opened the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Gulhane Military Medical School into service. The Center, including a intensive care unit for 18 persons, semi-intensive care unit for 9 persons, pediatric surgery, cardio transplant units and four surgical theaters, amounted to 11.5 trillion TL. /Sabah/[09] WORLD WATER COUNCIL SUPPORTS GAPA written statement issued by the Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP) Regional Development Administration at the end of the World Water Council (WWC) Governors Meeting held in Istanbul between March 18-21, noted that many of the WWC members that have toured and inspected the GAP region had been deeply impressed, even astonished. WWC Deputy Chairman Rene Coucomb of France said, "It was very interesting for us to stay two days in the GAP region, in Sanliurfa, the Harran Plain and in Gaziantep because it sets an example for many countries. Of course, there are problems, but they are being tackled, and not just technical problems either. The GAP administration is working to ensure development in the region through social and economic sharing, and to find a solution to problems of gender. These are very important." /Turkish Daily News/[10] TENGHIZ-NOVOROSSISK PIPELINES READY TO OPERATEThe construction of the Russian alternative Tenghiz-Novorossisk pipeline to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline was completed. The pipelines connect the Tenghiz Oil reserves to the Russian Oil terminal on the Black Sea. The operation of this pipeline will increase the environmental and human risks in the Straits, as the oil will be carried from Novorossisk to the world markets by tankers through the Straits. The amount of tankers passing through the Straits will increase from 5,000 to 8,000. /Milliyet/[11] AMERICAN CIVIL AVIATION AGENCY IN TURKEYThe American Ambassador in Ankara, Robert Pearson, said if the US had established a civil aviation agency in Turkey, it would have contributed to missile production and satellite launching. Speaking at the Turkish American Council's annual meeting, Pearson said the US gives full support to Turkey's economic and political reform programme. Stating they waited for the detailed announcements on the program, Pearson said the programme reflected the Turkish people's willingness to change. He added they supported the idea that Turkey should take part in the European rapid reaction force and the European Security and Defense Identity. Praising the efforts of Turkish Foreign minister Ismail Cem, and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, to improve Turco-Greek relations, Pearson said the US requests the Cyprus problem be solved and everything be normalized on the island. Stating the US always supported Turkey's full EU membership, he added there was always a strategic partnership between Turkey and the US which will continue to improve during 2001. /Milliyet/[12] PRE-ACCESSION ECONOMIC PROGRAM TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE EUTurkey will prepare the Pre-Accession Economic programme (KEP) to submit to the EU within the framework of the full EU membership process. This programme will be prepared biannually . This plan aims at fiscal discipline and structural reforms to enhance a stable and healthy market economy. The KEP will correspond to the National Economic programme. The agenda includes economic reforms and restructuring the institutions to achieve harmony with the EU institutional and legal structures. Maastricht decisions define the fiscal and monetary structure of the Union and foresee public deficits do not exceed 3% and total public borrowing does not exceed 60% of the national income. Reports to the EU will include figures related to the public deficits and borrowing. /Milliyet/[13] DERVIS IN THE USState Minister Responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, began his contacts in Washington, DC to ensure financial support for Turkey. Yesterday morning, Mr. Dervis attended the Turkish-American Business Council meeting. Addressing the businessmen, Dervis explained the recent economic situation in Turkey and the new programme prepared to overcome the crisis. Underlying the global dimension of the crisis, Dervis said it is a situation faced by many developing countries. He added, "As Brazil, Korea and Mexico were aided, Turkey should also be vigorously supported. Following the meeting, the Minister met with IMF Chairman, Horst Kohler, World Bank Chairman, James Wolfensohn, and US Secretary of Treasury, Paul O`Neill. During his meetings, Mr. Dervis pointed to Turkey`s urgent need for foreign support and said, "This support should be effected promptly." /Turkiye/ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL CONVENES ON MARCH 31 The State Planning Organization (DPT) prepared a social package to present at the Economic and Social Council meeting on March 31. World Bank and EU funds are to be applied to finance the social package. $2 billion social support credit is to be received from World Bank. The main points of the package are as follows: financial contribution to the education of the workers and public employees, financing the transportation costs and a portion of rents of the public employees, and the completion of a Farmer Registration System for a direct income support mechanism. /Milliyet/ [14] WOLFOWITZ: "US FULLY SUPPORTS TURKEY"The US Vice Secretary of Defense, Paul Wolfowitz, said the US was fully supporting Turkey, who is suffering from an economic crisis. Wolfowitz added, "Turkey, who is an ally of the US, is strategically very important for the US. One person, even if he is very intelligent, is not enough to overcome the crisis. A strong desire is necessary to solve the problems. However, I listened to Dervis' speech. This crisis might be an opportunity to solve problems and the necessary reforms should be carried out for this purpose." /Aksam/[15] TUSIAD CHAIRMAN OZILHAN'S STATEMENT ON ECONOMIC PROGRAMMETurkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan, stated Turkey should first find domestic resources to support the new economic programme. Evaluating Minister of State responsible for economy, Kemal Dervis' speech which was delivered at the Turkish American Business Council meeting as productive, Ozilhan said Turkey must take necessary measures as soon as possible. He added, "Turkey should ensure international trust for her new programme. American support would not be enough. The TGNA must work hard in the following days. Support will then spontaneously come from the World Bank." /Milliyet/[16] MEETING BETWEEN REAL AND BANKING SECTORSIt was agreed to form a joint commission at the meeting between the representatives from the banking and real sectors. The joint commission will begin working today. It is expected to finish its work before the Minister of State responsible for economy Kemal Dervis returns to Turkey. Speaking after the meeting, the Chairman of Turkish Banks Union and Director of Ziraat Bank, Osman Tunaboylu, said the meeting was very productive. The joint commission will consist of seven members from the banking sector and seven from the real sector. /Cumhuriyet/[17] OZINCE ON THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAMMEThe General Director of Is Bank, Ersin Ozince, said Turkey should show everyone that she will recover after the economic crisis. Ozince added, "If there is no alternative, the efforts of the State Minister Kemal Dervis should be supported. Otherwise, Turkey will be without a programme and support. First, we should stabilize the situation and instill confidence in the economic recovery program." /Sabah/[18] WORLDMUN MEETING IN ISTANBULThe Harvard Model World United Nations(WorldMUN) meeting which entails the participation of 600 students from 60 countries and organized by Harvard University was held in Istanbul. The students discussed the main topics on the current agenda of the UN. After their meeting, students will submit a declaration to UN Secretary Kofi Annan. /Hurriyet/[19] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...[20] NATIONAL PROGRAMME MOBILIZATION BY SAMI KOHEN (SAMI KOHEN)Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the National Program presented to the European Union. A summary of his column is as follows:"The National Programme prepared by Turkey was presented to Gunter Verheugen, EU Commissioner Responsible for Enlargement by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem officially. On this occasion Verheugen found the opportunity to express his opinions in a few sentences. He said in brief that the the EU supported the National Programme, recalled that some conditions had to be fulfilled to open the path of membership and called on Turkey to immediately implement the reforms foreseen by the programme. The support voiced by Verheugen is encouraging. EU officials and diplomats who expected a more courageous, daring programme do not withold their support. The EU preferred to stress the positive points in the National Programme not to deepen the crisis in Turkey. This support also gives Turkey a chance to advance on the road to membership. However, there is an important point Verheugen stressed in his short speech and that is, Turkey has to spend more efforts in abolishing capital punishment and recognizing the cultural rights of all her citizens. That is, the EU will continue to support Turkey, but Turkey has to achieve what is required of her as soon as possible. The message is clear for those who want to understand it. Turkey has to fulfil many conditions. First of al, the membership to the EU and the National Programme should be kept alive by the whole nation and not only by the Government. Certainly, a greater part of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Government. Making necessary decisions to carry out the programme, and preparing bills are among the main issues. In the words of an EU diplomat, The Ministers and ministries have to study their homework for the EU and begin the preparations within their own structures. Following these, the TGNA has a lot to accomplish. All the parliamentarians must seriously take up the issue. Finally, various proffesional institutions and non-governmental organizations could make contributions which would accelerate the implementation process of the National Programme. If we want to be a member to the EU, a national mobilization is needed to fulfill the National Programme." 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