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Turkish Press Review, 01-04-26

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

26.04.2001


CONTENTS

  • [01] FOUNDATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT
  • [02] TURKEY TO BE BSEC TERM PRESIDENT
  • [03] ANGRY REACTION TO FRENCH JUDICIARY
  • [04] ARMENIAN LOBBY'S REACTION TO BUSH
  • [05] ANKARA'S NO COMMENT REACTION TO US PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH ON ARMENIAN ISSUE
  • [06] HEAD OF EU LIBERAL GROUP IN ANKARA
  • [07] TURKISH LEADERS SUMMIT
  • [08] FOREIGN MINISTRY DENOUNCES THE RAID
  • [09] BARZANI'S VISIT POSTPONED UNTIL MAY
  • [10] CAGLAR TO TURKEY ON SATURDAY
  • [11] "BAKU-CEYHAN IS OUR PREFERENCE LINE"
  • [12] ANZACS IN CANAKKALE
  • [13] ARMY MARTYRS' DAY MARKED
  • [14] EMPLOYMENT SECURITY BILL TO BE READY ON WEEKEND
  • [15] ISTANBUL TRAFFIC DISCUSSED
  • [16] GUREL'S STATEMENT ON THE BANKING LAW
  • [17] DYP PRESENTS TWO MOTIONS FOR CENSURE OF ERSUMER
  • [18] TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY CONGRESS STARTS
  • [19] FIGHT AGAINST FOREST FIRES
  • [20] EU STREAMLINES FINANCIAL AID TO TURKEY
  • [21] TELEVISION FREQUENCY TENDER POSTPONED
  • [22] DERVIS SPEAKS TO GERMAN PRESS
  • [23] DERVIS IN THE U.S.
  • [24] NEW LETTER OF INTENT TO BE SUBMITTED IN MAY
  • [25] BUSINESS WORLD SUPPORTS DERVIS
  • [26] SSSB: "TURKISH TREASURY'S BIDS ARE SUCCESSFUL"
  • [27] INCREASE IN EXPORTS
  • [28] SOFIA RAMSTORE TO BE OPENED
  • [29] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [30] NOT TO GET UPSET NEXT YEAR BY SAMI KOHEN (TURKIYE)

  • [01] FOUNDATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

    Many top-level officials, including President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Turkish Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi, Ministry of Justice Hikmet Sami Turk, Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP), Recai Kutan, Chairman of the True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller and Public Prosecutor in Chief at the High Court of Appeals, Sabih Kanadoglu, attended the ceremony held on the 39th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court yesterday. Delivering a speech as the President of the Constitutional Court for the first time, Bumin emphasized primary principles of the rule of law in his speech. Criticizing constitutional restrictions on the freedom of expression, Bumin said, "It would be very useful for the future of liberal democracy to carry out new regulations in parallel with social, cultural and economic requirements. Political parties should cooperate in certain vital issues." Bumin also mentioned demands for the right to have education in languages other than Turkish and said those demands were against the Constitution. He emphasized the importance of secularism and stated religious matters should not be involved in the policies of political parties. /Cumhuriyet/

    [02] TURKEY TO BE BSEC TERM PRESIDENT

    Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who will travel to Moscow tomorrow, will assume the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact's (BSEC) Term Presidency from the Russian Federation. Ankara, with its detailed program, is planning to accelerate the works of the organization significantly. The fourth BSEC Foreign Ministers Council meeting will be held in Moscow tomorrow. The Foreign Ministry stated Turkey's plan aims to revitalize the project of a "Black Sea Transportation Corridor" which will connect Black Sea countries via highways, railways and airways. The plan also foresees to accelerate BSEC's integration with the world, to develop concrete energy projects, to carry out regulations for improving free trade in the region, to provide businessmen from member countries with "fast-track" visa facilities and to improve regional cooperation among the private sectors in the member countries. /Cumhuriyet/ EU: "2002 WILL BE BETTER FOR TURKEY" The European Commission report on Turkey said the Commission's predictions changed dramatically due to the economic crisis in Turkey. The report said, Turkey's Gross National Product(GNP)will shrink by 2% this year, but in 2002 a 3.3% growth will be achieved. /Milliyet/

    [03] ANGRY REACTION TO FRENCH JUDICIARY

    Turkish citizens, who were wounded in the bombing of the Turkish Airlines Bureau at Orly Airport by ASALA terrorist Varujan Garbisyan, harshly reacted to the Frach judiciary because of the recent extradition decision. Mehmet Birinci and Mustafa Bakan, victims of the terrorist attack, said the decision could not be accepted and added Turkish and French judicial institutions must do their utmost to correct this grave mistake. Another victim, Selahattin Talic said he denounced the French judiciary. The Orly Massacre resulted in 8 deads and 57 injured in 1983. /Cumhuriyet/

    [04] ARMENIAN LOBBY'S REACTION TO BUSH

    The Armenian lobby reacted negatively to US President Bush, since Bush did not use the word "genocide" during the speech he delivered on April 24, Armenian Commemoration Day. Bush said 1.5 million Armenians were forces to migrate from their lands. The Armenian National Committee of America(ANCA) called on Armenian voters to protest to Bush by sending letters. /Milliyet/

    [05] ANKARA'S NO COMMENT REACTION TO US PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH ON ARMENIAN ISSUE

    Turkey has stated she noted US President George Bush's refraining from using the terms "genocide" and "massacre" during his speech delivered due to the US April 24 Commemoration Day for the Armenian Genocide Victims. Foreign Ministry Speaker Huseyin Dirioz said they noted all the expressions Bush used during his speech. Dirioz added they also closely followed the extradition of ASALA terrorist Varujan Garbisyan to Armenia. Turkish Parliament Interior Affairs Commission Mehmet Pak said Turkey should not remain silent in the face of the Armenian lobbies' anti-Turkey attempts all over the world. /Cumhuriyet/

    [06] HEAD OF EU LIBERAL GROUP IN ANKARA

    Foreign Minister Ismail Cem received Patrick Cox, the head of the Liberal Group at the European Parliament. Soon after the meeting, Cem said the issues of Cyprus and the European Union were debated. Cox will be received by Deputy Prime Ministers Devlet Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz. /Turkish Daily News/

    [07] TURKISH LEADERS SUMMIT

    The "7th Turkish Speaking Countries Summit" will begin today in Istanbul with the attandance of leaders from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Krygztan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Azeri President Haydar Aliyev, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Turkmenistan President Saparmurad Niyazov, Krygyz President Asker Akayev and Uzbek Parliament Speaker Erkin Halilov arrived in Turkey yesterday to join the two-day meeting. The meeting which aims to develop relations between the Turkish Speaking Countries, will be headed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Turkiye/

    [08] FOREIGN MINISTRY DENOUNCES THE RAID

    Turkey declared that she harsly denounces the attack to the Swiss Hotel. A Foreign Ministry statement said, "Turkey has been struggling with terrorism for a long time and these kind of activities can only be prevented by international cooperation." It also pointed out that legal procedures against the raid had begun. /Turkiye/

    [09] BARZANI'S VISIT POSTPONED UNTIL MAY

    The expected visit of Kurdistan Democratic Party(KDP) leader Massoud Barzani is postponed until May due to the busy schedule of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. The visit is expected to be scheduled on May 6-7. Despite the emphasis put on the threat of terrorism caused by the illegal Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK) elements based in northern Iraq during previous meetings, economic issues will be raised by the KDP side. /Turkish Daily News/

    [10] CAGLAR TO TURKEY ON SATURDAY

    The extradition of the former State Minister Cavit Caglar, detained in the US, was finalized. A three-person security team will leave for the US today to take Caglar. He is expected to arrive in Turkey on Saturday. /Hurriyet/

    [11] "BAKU-CEYHAN IS OUR PREFERENCE LINE"

    Kazakh Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Shkolnik, on a visit to the US, said, President Nazarbayev attaches utmost importance to the Baku-Ceyhan Line and it is Kazakhstan's preferred export line. Delivering an address at CSIS, a think-thank in Washington, Shkolnik stressed that Kazakhstan's energy policy mainly depends on the diversity of pipelines. /Turkiye/

    [12] ANZACS IN CANAKKALE

    Nearly 10,000 Anzacs from New Zealand and Australia came to Canakkale for the 86th anniversary of the Canakkale Land Wars and commemorated their ancestors, who died during the wars. During the ceremony organized at dawn, a priest said prayers for those who died during the wars, and wreaths were laid at the Anzacs Monument. The national anthems of Australia and Turkey were played, a minute of silence was observed and these countries' Ministers of Foreign Affairs made speeches. Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer said "Many people lost their lives at the Gallipoli Peninsula 86 years ago. The heorism and the bitter incidents that occurred in 1915 show the dimension of the war. Therefore, Gallipoli has a special importance for us." /Sabah/

    [13] ARMY MARTYRS' DAY MARKED

    A ceremony was held to commemorate army martyrs, which was attended by Land Forces Commander General Hilmi Ozkok at Cebeci Martyrs' Cemetery, Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Also, Land Forces Staff Commander General Sener Eruygur, General Staff Intelligence Commander General Fevzi Turkeri, other generals, officers, non-commissioned officers and families of the martyrs participated in the ceremony. After laying a wreath at the Martyrdom Monument, messages were read from Chief of General Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Ozkok and Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu. Kivrikoglu said in his message that martyrs' names were written in gold letters in the history of the Land Forces. Ozkok stated that all martyrs were commemorated with thanks and gratitude. Cakmakoglu said that every Land Forces member who are equipped with the latest technology are the dauntless guards of the secular and the democratic Turkish people. /Turkish News/

    [14] EMPLOYMENT SECURITY BILL TO BE READY ON WEEKEND

    The employment security bill will be completed on the weekend, said Labor Minister Yasar Okuyan in Ankara yesterday with labor union leaders. Abandoning the employment security bill is out of question, the minister assured labor officials. The bill in question is one of the economic reform bills mentioned in the new economic program designed by Ecomomy Minister Kemal Dervis. Okuyan said the employment security bill was included in the National Programme for European Union admission and that it had become an official commitment of the Turkish government. For that reason, he stated, there can be no stepping back from the bill despite harsh objections from employers, private news channel NTV reported. /Turkish News/

    [15] ISTANBUL TRAFFIC DISCUSSED

    Istanbul's traffic issue was discussed in a meeting by the attendence of Istanbul Governor, Erol Cakir, Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor, Ali Mufit Gurtuna, and representatives from competent public institutions. Gurtuna said the target is to increase the rail system from 37 km to 100km in 2-5 years. He added they plan to integrate the rail system, land and sea transport. Metropolitan Municipality Head of the Transport Department, Rafet Bozdogan briefed about the Airrail project and said they met with firms from Japan, the US, Germany and Austria for the construction. /Hurriyet/

    [16] GUREL'S STATEMENT ON THE BANKING LAW

    State Minister and the Government Spokesman Sukru Sina Gurel said the Banking Law was opened to signature at the Council of Ministers. After being adopted at the Council of Ministers, the Law will be debated at the Council of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). If it is passed here, it will be sent to the Plenary Session of the TGNA. The law includes the precautions to be taken for the banks, which have problems concerning financial structure, before they are transferred to the Fund. /Sabah/

    [17] DYP PRESENTS TWO MOTIONS FOR CENSURE OF ERSUMER

    The coalition partners are facing a hard decision on how to act in the face of a prosecution indictment implicating a minister in an energy corruption scheme, as the opposition True Path Party (DYP) submitted two separate censure motions to Parliament. On Tuesday, the Ankara State Security Court (DGM) Chief Prosecutor's Office filed charges against 15 people, including former senior officials of the state power utility TEAS, as well as Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer. The charges include causing financial losses to the state, engaging in wrongdoing in state energy tenders, and abusing power by endorsing illegal actions and threatening bureaucrats. /Turkish News/

    [18] TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY CONGRESS STARTS

    A traffic and road safety congress got underway yesterday at Gazi University's Mimar Kemalettin Hall with the cooperation of the university and the Security General Directorate, Anatolia news agency reported yesterday. Ankara Governor Yahya Gur said at the congress that currently, private driving courses are not enough to train people. He also stated that cars have been a part of people's lives for 100 years, and only education can prevent accidents. Current driving and education programs cannot be undertaken by every single citizen, said Gur. He emphasized that further highways had to be constructed to prevent traffic accidents in Turkey. /Turkish News/

    [19] FIGHT AGAINST FOREST FIRES

    The Ministry of Forestry has put its "2001 Action Plan Against Forest Fires" into effect. The transportation issue is emphasized within the action plan. Current equipment will be restored and new forest, fire security and tower roads will be established within the framework of the new plan. /Cumhuriyet/

    [20] EU STREAMLINES FINANCIAL AID TO TURKEY

    The European Union's head office proposed plans Wednesday to streamline the delivery of more than 1 billion euros, amounting to 955 million US dollars, in financial aid to help Turkey prepare for membership. The proposed regulation would regroup three existing financial aid programs into one, which will concentrate assistance in areas laid out in a road-map of priorities for Turkey that was adopted by the EU on March 8. Aid totalling 177 million euros has been allocated for 2001, with commitments for the same amount annually through 2006. Project selection, tendering and contracting will be carried out by Turkey, "but will at least initially be subject to approval" in Brussels, the European Commission said. /Turkish News/

    [21] TELEVISION FREQUENCY TENDER POSTPONED

    Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) Chairman Nuri Kayis, stated yesterday that the frequency allocation tender for national television stations had been postponed due to a court decision, Anatolia news agency reported. "If the tender had gone ahead, the government would have a fortune," he said. Kayis held a news conference after the four-hour board meeting and announced the postponement of the tender which had been scheduled for today. He mentioned they had decided to delay the tender because of the injunction issued by the court. "We respect court orders. But our country will lose a lot with the postponement," he added. /Turkish News/

    [22] DERVIS SPEAKS TO GERMAN PRESS

    Kemal Dervis gave an interview to the German weekly "Die Zeit". Responding to various questions, Dervis said in summary, "I returned to Turkey to set the economy in motion. Turkey needs executives speaking openly and clearly. The party system in Turkey is rather fragmented, no party receives more than 22% of votes. A reform is needed in the party system as well. Social democrats have to unite, also the integration of center-right parties is inescapable. I haven't decided yet which party I will join. I feel loyal to Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his party's world view is close to mine, but I rather prefer a union at the centre-left. Democracy in Turkey is not perfect, but it functions. There is a need for young polticians and a renewal of the political system. Turkey is in need of urgent foreign assistance.It would be a big mistake, if the West tries to use these conditions to get political concessions. A negative reaction may arise in Turkey, if economic assistance is linked to concessions in political issues, such as the Cyprus problem and the European army, since this may be considered as political blackmail." /Milliyet/

    [23] DERVIS IN THE U.S.

    State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis travelled to the U.S. for meetings to obtain the financial resources required to overcome the economic crisis in Turkey. Dervis will meet with the IMF and World Bank authorities to secure a $12-15 billion loan. /Milliyet/

    [24] NEW LETTER OF INTENT TO BE SUBMITTED IN MAY

    State Minister for the Economy Kemal Dervis is expected to submit the new letter of intent to the IMF next week, following his negotiations with the IMF officials. Executive Directors of the IMF will convene in May and decide whether to sign a new stand-by agreement with Turkey. /Milliyet/

    [25] BUSINESS WORLD SUPPORTS DERVIS

    The Chairman of the Executive Board of Koc Holding Company, Rahmi Koc, said he sincerely hopes the State Minister Kemal Dervis would find foreign financial support. Koc answered the journalists' questions concerning the latest economic developments, during the reception organized at Ciragan Palace for the "New Aphrodisias Museum Project". While answering a question, Koc said, "Of course we support Dervis. We do not have another chance. Not only myself, but also everyone should support him." Meanwhile, General Director of Is Bank, Ersin Ozince, said Turkey would be able to find domestic and foreign support. /Sabah/

    [26] SSSB: "TURKISH TREASURY'S BIDS ARE SUCCESSFUL"

    International Consulting Institution Schroder Salomon Smith Barney (SSSB) said the Treasury's bids held two days ago were successful. SSSB said there was great demand for the Treasury bids and interest rates decreased in Turkey. SSSB pointed out the decrease in interest rates affected the markets positively. /Cumhuriyet/ TURKEY SAYS TO CUT CORN IMPORT TAX TO 10 PCT Agriculture Minister Husnu Yusuf Gokalp said yesterday a tax on corn imports would be cut to 10 percent from 25 percent in a bid to boost imports to meet demand from the country's animal feed sector. /Turkish Daily News/ TMO TO EXPORT 410,000 TONS OF GRAIN The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) will hold a grain export tender on May 3 to sell a total of 360,000 tons of wheat and 50,000 tons of white feed barley, the TMO office announced yesterday. /Turkish Daily News/

    [27] INCREASE IN EXPORTS

    Undersecretary of the Foreign Trade, Kursad Tuzmen said exports increased 11.2% during Jan.1-April 19 when compared to the same period last year. Tuzmen said, "This year we target $30-$32 billion of exports." /Turkiye/

    [28] SOFIA RAMSTORE TO BE OPENED

    Migros' fourth Ramstore abroad will be opened on 18 May in Bulgaria. Ramstore will give service in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, and aims to open new markets for Turkish goods. Chairman of the Executive Board of Koc Holding Company, Rahmi Koc, and General Director of Migros, Oktay Irsidar, will attend the opening ceremony of the Sofia Ramstore. /Sabah/

    [29] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [30] NOT TO GET UPSET NEXT YEAR BY SAMI KOHEN (TURKIYE)

    Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the message President George W. Bush issued yesterday concerning Armenians. A summary of his column is as follows: "President George W. Bush must have given great thought to the letter he has issued on the Armenian Commemoration Day. Two words which were not mentioned in this letter drew more attention than the statement itself. One is 'genocide' and the mother is 'massacre'. The Armenians wanted to see both words spelled out in this statement whereas Turkey was highly sensitive over the issue. In the messages issued before, for example in the message issued by Mr.Clinton, genocide was not mentioned but the word massacre was used. Omitting both words this year has disappointed the Armenians, as during his candidacy President Bush had promised to recognize the suffering of the Armenians. Although the statement contains an expression such as 'the forced exile and annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians in the closing years of the Ottoman Empire', it has been a defeat for the Armenians who expected a great deal more from President Bush. The content of Mr.Bush's message was a test for the importance he attributes to Turkey and in this respect the policy of the Bush Administration is pleasing. This policy can be explained by the importance the US attaches to Turkey as a strategic partner. The presence of a Democrat or a Republican in the White House makes no difference. There is a consistency in the official US policy. However we have to assess the situation correctly. The omission of these words in President Bush's message does not mean that he ignores the Armenian tragedy as he mentioned in the same statement. In fact, commemoration ceremonies were held in many States in the US and the word 'genocide' has been used in the speeches delivered there. This is also true for the meetings held in a wide region stretching from France to Russia, from Iran to Argentina. It is an undeniable fact that these ceremonies have increased compared to earlier years. We have to derive the necessary results from these incidents. First, Turks both in the country and abroad must start working systematically to have their voice heard on the Armenian question. Otherwise Armenians will have the field to themselves. Secondly, Ankara has to launch an international initiative to uncover the historical facts. It does not suffice to say 'Let us leave the question in the hands of the historians'. Thirdly, Turkey should take bold steps to normalize relations with Armenia and establish contacts with the moderates in the Armenian Diaspora. Finally, great care should be taken not to let Turkish foreign policy be influenced by the Armenian factor. We have to roll up our sleeves today and work hard not to get upset next year."
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