|
|
Turkish Press Review, 01-05-17
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
17.05.2001
CONTENTS
[01] US CALLS ON TURKEY TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE ON THE ESDI
[02] SCHMIDT: ESDP CANNOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT TURKEY
[03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEETINGS IN ISTANBUL
[04] VURAL: "EU NOT AGAINST TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP"
[05] TURKEY HOSTS NATO MEETING
[06] SOUTH KOREAN DELEGATION AT TURKISH PARLIAMENT
[07] AIR FORCE COMMANDER VISITS ATHENS
[08] IISS DEBATES TURKISH STANCE IN EUROPE
[09] DHKP-C MILITANTS' PROTEST
[10] CRIMINAL EXECUTION DRAFT LAW
[11] PUBLIC OFFICIALS MAY GET THE RIGHT TO FORM UNIONS
[12] PKK IN THE PROCESS OF DISINTEGRATION
[13] ISTANBUL SECURITY FORCES' OPERATIONS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING
[14] PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST EARTHQUAKES SEMINAR HELD
[15] BAGHDAD : "SHALL TURKEY NOT WAIT FOR THE UN AID"
[16] AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES TURKISH GAS SALE ACCORD
[17] EXPRESSION OF COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT
[18] DERVIS:"THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY"
[19] NEW FORMULA BY DERVIS
[20] FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR TURKEY
[21] MHP THANKS STATE MINISTER DERVIS
[22] IMF EXPECTS DETERMINATION
[23] POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS
[24] A NEW LOAN TO TURKEY
[25] WASHINGTON POST ON TURKEY
[26] ENGLISH EXPERTS ON THE TURKISH ECONOMY
[27] AKCAKOCA'S STATEMENT
[28] FINANCIAL TIMES: "IMF LOAN WILL BE A CURE FOR TURKISH ECONOMY"
[29] AWARD FOR VAKIFBANK
[30] NEW PERIOD IN FINANCE SECTOR
[31] ULKER RECEIVES LOAN
[32] SYMPOSIUM ON BANKING
[33] MEETINGS SEEK TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR TURKEY
[34] PRINTING AND PAPER INDUSTRY FAIR IN ISTANBUL
[35] AZERBAIJAN ART NIGHT
[36] GOLDEN PERIOD IN TOURISM
[37] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[38] ROTTEN APPLES BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
[01] US CALLS ON TURKEY TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE ON THE ESDI
All attentions have been drawn to the US, which is considered to
be the leader of the NATO, since neither Turkey nor the EU
changes their stance on the European Security and Defense
Identity (ESDI). It was stated the US conveyed a message stating
the necessity of being more flexible on the ESDI to Turkey. Since
the EU is insisting on excluding the non-EU member NATO countries
from the establishment process of a European Rapid Reaction Force
in 2003, the crisis between Ankara and Brussels is continuing.
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stated two days ago in Brussels that
there was no way for Turkey to change her attitude about the
ESDI. France, Britain and Germany demand an immediate decision to
be taken on placing the NATO facilities at the disposal of the
rapid reaction force. Meanwhile Turkey stated she wants to take
part in all of the operations where NATO capabilities are used.
It was stated the US would propose to both sides to reach a
compromise. US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Assistant
Secretary of State Marc Grossman said in their meetings with
Foreign Minister Cem, "We understand your concerns. We support
Europe to take decisions on security matters. We won't let a
security problem stemming from Turkey's geographic and strategic
importance emerge. We request Turkey to contribute to the works
of the ESDI by being more flexible." However, Turkey stated she
was not satisfied with those promises since the main problem to
be overcome between Turkey and the EU is a matter of bilateral
confidence. /Cumhuriyet/
[02] SCHMIDT: ESDP CANNOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT TURKEY
German Ambassador to Turkey Rudolf Schmidt said European Security
and Defense Policy (ESDP) cannot be considered without including
Turkey. Stating Turkey comprehended EU attempts to improve its
opportunities and facilities concerning its security policies,
Schmidt said initiatives to provide Turkey with a special status
were still continuing. He added, "Turkey demands to have certain
authorities like in the Western European Union. However we should
take the facts about the EU into account. I do not view Turkey as
an obstacle against the ESDP. No initiative shall be successful
without Turkey. The EU is aware of the special conditions of
Turkey. EU countries would not launch any initiatives against
Turkey. Such an initiative would be a grave mistake."
/Cumhuriyet/
[03] COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEETINGS IN ISTANBUL
The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly spring meetings
will be held in Istanbul on May 21-23 upon the invitation of
Turkish Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut
Yilmaz and Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk will make speeches
at the meeting. The topics, ranging from financial support for
political parties and the prevention of torture to the
developments in the Middle East, are expected to be discussed
during the meeting. The Council of Europe Parliamentarian
Assembly Chairman, Lord Russel-Johnston is scheduled to pay
official visits to Ankara and Istanbul before the Assembly
meeting on May 17-18. During his stay in Ankara, he will meet
with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi,
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Foreign Minister Ismail Cem,
Constitutional Court President Mustafa Bumin and the chairmen of
the political parties. /Turkish Daily News/
[04] VURAL: "EU NOT AGAINST TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP"
Turkish Secretary General for European Union Affairs, Volkan
Vural said that the EU was not working against Turkey, and it
featured in plans for EU growth. Speaking at a conference
entitled "The EU and Turkey" at Hacettepe University, Vural
evaluated the latest developments in Turkish-EU relations. He
believes that the EU membership bid is not a new issue as Turkey
wanted to be part of Europe since the Ottoman period. He also
said that Turkey must take urgent steps in changing certain laws
needed for membership, such as parts of the Turkish Penal Code
and Constitution, abolishment of the death penalty and removal of
restrictions over freedom of expression. /Turkish Daily News/
[05] TURKEY HOSTS NATO MEETING
Representatives from 15 NATO countries attended a meeting
organized by the NATO Underwater Research Center and hosted by
the Turkish Navy. In his opening address, Nazim Cubukcu, the head
of the Motion Hydrography and Oceanography department, said that
experts in the fields of acoustics, oceanography, physics and
data processing all worked at the research center and study how
to meet the needs of all the NATO countries. The meeting is due
to end on May 18. /Turkish Daily news/
[06] SOUTH KOREAN DELEGATION AT TURKISH PARLIAMENT
Chairman of the South Korean Interparliament Friendship Group Kim
Chan-Woo and his accompanying delegation have been received at
Parliament by Speaker Omer Izgi. The meeting at Parliament was
closed to the presss. /Turkish Daily News/
[07] AIR FORCE COMMANDER VISITS ATHENS
The meeting of European Air Force commanders has started in
Athens. Turkish Air Force Commander Gen. Ergin Celasin is
participating in the meeting as Turkey's representative. The
meeting is closed to the press, and will end today. /Turkish
News/
[08] IISS DEBATES TURKISH STANCE IN EUROPE
Contrary to its previous policy of devoting an entire section on
Turkey, the International Institute for Strategic Studies' (IIS)
report for this year mentioned Turkey only within the scope of
future European defense plans, emphasising her key role in their
implementation. Devoting a large section to the issue of European
defense initiatives, the IISS report said that the attitudes of
France and Turkey would be decisive if the issue is to be settled
by the end of 2001, as already proposed. /Turkish News/
[09] DHKP-C MILITANTS' PROTEST
The DHKP-C militans disrupted the meeting concerning the 'Turkish
prisons and the hunger strikes', held at the General Council of
the European Parliament (EP). Three persons, who entered the EP
General Council hall with posters, shouted slogans. Then three
militants were taken away from the hall. The incident caused
negative reactions of the parliamentarians. /Hurriyet/
[10] CRIMINAL EXECUTION DRAFT LAW
Criminal Execution draft law was accepted at the Plenary Session
of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) yesterday. Minister
of Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, made a speech during the debates
concerning the draft law and said, "All the applications in the
prisons will be open for the control of the judiciary and the
civilians. Criminal Execution Judges will be appointed by the
Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors." /Sabah/
[11] PUBLIC OFFICIALS MAY GET THE RIGHT TO FORM UNIONS
The Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee approved late
Tuesday a bill envisaging that public officials be granted the
right to form unions. The bill is designed to allow public
officials to engage in collective bargaining talks, in line with
an amendment to the Constitution to that effect. It also allows
the public officials to form a union without obtaining
permission. /Turkish News/
MILITARY PLANE CRASHES, KILLING 34 SOLDIERS
A military plane crashed over Akcadag province of Malatya on
Wednesday afternoon killing 34 soldiers and crew. The Casa CN-235
cargo plane was carrying members of Turkey's Special Forces from
Diyarbakir to Ankara when it crashed. President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and many high-level officials
sent messages of condolences to the Chief of the General Staff on
the occasion. /All papers/
[12] PKK IN THE PROCESS OF DISINTEGRATION
The disintegration of the terrorist organization PKK is
continuing. According to the 'Al Hayat' magazine, published in
the Middle East, hundreds of Kurds of the Syrian origin left the
PKK. It was further stated that 2,000 Syrian Kurds were trying to
return to Syria. /Sabah/
[13] ISTANBUL SECURITY FORCES' OPERATIONS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING
Istanbul Security Chief Kazim Abanoz stated security forces
seized 166 kg of heroin, market value of which is TL 10 trillion
in Europe, via two operations. Abanoz said they would continue
with their operations against drug trafficking. /Cumhuriyet/
[14] PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST EARTHQUAKES SEMINAR HELD
Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research
Institute Director Ahmet Mete Isikara talked about possible
earthquakes in Turkey, saying: "Yes there will be more
earthquakes. People should be concerned about the possibility of
further quakes." The institute held an Introduction on Preventive
Measures Against Earthquakes" seminar with cooperation between
the Istanbul Trade Chamber (ITO). "There are four main topics
which have to be dealt with a natural disaster and they are
preparation, reducing danger, preventive measures and medical
treatment.", Isikara indicated. After the Aug. 17 quake, local
administrations and NGOs performed excellent work, he added. "But
all of them including military units need cooperation. Our
seminar's aim is to set up that cooperation." /Turkish News/
[15] BAGHDAD : "SHALL TURKEY NOT WAIT FOR THE UN AID"
Baghdad Administration called on Turkey to improve her relations
with Iraq without waiting for the UN Sanctions Committee's
decision on the issue. Iraqi daily El Tavra said, "Turkey, who
previously declared to have suffered millions of dollars of
losses because of the US embargo on Iraq, must launch initiatives
to reestablish the economic and commercial relations with Iraq.
Ankara's waiting for the UN Committe's decision is of no use
since the Committee will never take such a decision." Iraqi
Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz declared yesterday if Turkey and
Jordan support the new US policy over Iraq, Iraq might end the
oil exports to those countries. Meanwhile it was stated the US
prepared a new draft for the changes in her policy over Iraq and
distributed it to Security Council permanent members Britain,
France, Russia and China. The aim of the draft document was to
reduce negative consequences of the US embargo on the Iraqi
civilians. /Cumhuriyet/
[16] AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES TURKISH GAS SALE ACCORD
Azerbaijan's parliament Tuesday ratified a key deal to sell
natural gas from Azerbaijan's huge Shah Deniz field in Caspian
Sea to Turkey. The agreement was signed by the Azerbaijani and
Turkish Presidents March 12, and was seen as cementing a
US-backed energy alliance between the countries. "We will begin
transporting gas in 2004 starting with 2 billion cubic meters"
said Asya Manafova, head of the Azerbaijani parliamentary
commission for nature, energy and ecology. /Turkish Daily News/
[17] EXPRESSION OF COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT
The coalition leaders reinforced their support for the new
economic program. Leaders promised to use the public resources
for enhancing social justice. The letter sent by the coalition
leaders to the IMF together with the letter of intent was
announced yesterday. The letter said, "The government is firmly
determined to implement these policies and take the necessary
measures defined in the letter of intent." The letter also said
the financial support of the IMF will result in stability and
confidence in the markets and structural reforms will be easily
implemented to achieve stability and social justice. /Milliyet/
[18] DERVIS:"THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY"
State Minister for Economy, Kemal Dervis, left for Paris
yesterday to attend the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) meeting. Before his departure, Dervis told
reporters they received the financial source expected from the
IMF. Underlining that IMF had never given such a financial
support to any country, Dervis said, this loan should be used in
the most effective way. /Turkiye/
[19] NEW FORMULA BY DERVIS
State Minister Kemal Dervis, who went to Paris yesterday to
attend the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) meeting, said he would try to decrease Turkey's domestic
debts and exchange some of them with the debts in foreign
exchanges. Dervis met 30 OECD member countries' Ministers of
Economy and Environment. Dervis was accompanied by Minister of
the Environment, Fevzi Aytekin in Paris. During the meetings,
Dervis talked about Turkey's program to overcome the economic
crisis to the OECD member countries' Ministers and maintained
bilateral contacts. Dervis said, "We want to restructure our debt
system and to extend the terms of the debts. The preparations
concerning the issue are at an initial stage." /Hurriyet/
[20] FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR TURKEY
The French government announced that they were pleased with the
loan extended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Turkey
and they supported Ankara's efforts concerning the economy.
Deputy Spokesman of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Bernard Valero, said, "It is very pleasing that the international
finance institutions extend an additional financial support in
great amounts to Turkey so she can overcome the economic crisis.
We might contribute to the reforms in the banking. /Hurriyet/
[21] MHP THANKS STATE MINISTER DERVIS
One of the government coalition parties, Nationalist Action Party
(MHP), evaluated the letter of intent and new economic program
which are both approved by the IMF as positive. MHP Group Acting
Chairman Ismail Kose said "This is the success of the government.
We thank State Minister Kemal Dervis for his contributions."
/Cumhuriyet/
[22] IMF EXPECTS DETERMINATION
IMF Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer said IMF is pleased with the
new economic program of Turkey. Fischer said, " The IMF is
proving its support for this program by extending this
extraordinary amount of financial assistance." Fischer said
following the approval of Turkey's economic program by the IMF
Executive Directors, the success of the program depends on both
the determination of the Turkish government on implementation and
the support of the private sector. Fischer said, "The banking
reform is a must, because the economic crisis arose from the
structural weakness in the financial system. Especially changing
the administrative structure of state-owned banks completely will
contribute to the strengthening of the financial sector."
/Milliyet/
[23] POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS
Prior to the announcement of the new economic program and the
approval of the letter of intent by the IMF, there was a positive
atmosphere in the financial markets yesterday. The interest rates
of state bonds decreased by 6-7 points and repo by 5 points. The
dollar rate also decreased by 13,000TL. /Milliyet/
[24] A NEW LOAN TO TURKEY
Reportedly, the European Investment Bank turned a green light to
Turkey to benefit from the $8.5-billion fund, allocated for
candidate countries. The Bank has granted Turkey about $2-billion
since 1965. The last 600-million Euro slice of this amount was
approved following the recent earthquake in Turkey. /Turkiye/
[25] WASHINGTON POST ON TURKEY
'Washington Post' daily evaluated the International Monetary
Fund's (IMF) decision to ensure additional aid package to Turkey
and wrote, "This support opens a path for Turkey so she can
restructure her economy." In the news titled "Turkey ensures
IMF's support," the 'Washington Post' stated that Turkey had
provided a new urgent loan amounting to 8 billion US dollars and
added, "Turkey was provided with the capability of paying the
debts and building the confidence in the economy thanks to this
support." /Hurriyet/
[26] ENGLISH EXPERTS ON THE TURKISH ECONOMY
Investment experts in London are also supporting Turkey. Vincent
Megard, an expert of AXA Investment Fund, is among those, who
said they might increase the share of the Turkish Treasury bonds
in their portfolios. He described the package of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) as good news. Meanwhile, an
investment expert of Bear Stearns International, Tim Ash, said
that something has changed when Dervis came to Turkey. /Hurriyet/
[27] AKCAKOCA'S STATEMENT
Chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK),
Engin Akcakoca, explained the change in the banking sector, the
basic principle of the new economic program, and the road to be
followed during this process. Akcakoca held a meeting yesterday
and said the equity capital and the balance-sheet structures of
the private banks should be strengthened. /Sabah/
[28] FINANCIAL TIMES: "IMF LOAN WILL BE A CURE FOR TURKISH ECONOMY"
The British daily Financial Times evaluated the new loan approved
by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Turkey. Pointing to
the loan as a cure for the Turkish economy, the article said,
"The new program is a brave step and it is supported by the
people. The current weakness of Turkey does not stem from the
economy but the political structure." /Turkiye/
[29] AWARD FOR VAKIFBANK
Europay International awarded Vakifbank for its accomplishment in
bank cards. Last year Vakifbank gave the maximum number of
Maestro bank card among the banks in Europe. According to a
statement issued by Vakifbank, in 2000, the Bank gave 6,366,751
Maestro bank cards. /Turkiye/
[30] NEW PERIOD IN FINANCE SECTOR
Tax Identity Number application will be also carried out in
finance sector at the beginning of September following vehicle
and real estate purchases and sales. Accordingly, persons without
a Tax Identity Number, cannot open an account, get loan or
foreign currency. /Turkiye/
[31] ULKER RECEIVES LOAN
Kuveyt Turk Finance extended $10 million to Ulker for purchasing
raw material. The deputy chairman of Kuwait Turk Finance, Fawaz
Al Issa said they extended $200 million in loans for supporting
the production in Turkey and they may bring more resources from
Gulf countries if required. /Milliyet/
[32] SYMPOSIUM ON BANKING
Yeditepe University organized a symposium titled "Restructuring
in Banking Sector After the Economic Crisis". The symposium will
be held today in its Nakkastepe Campus, Istanbul. World Bank's
consultant and a Professor in Columbia University Frederic
Mishkin will a deliver a speech titled "The Elimination of
Financial Crisis in Developing Countries and Financial Policies"
at the symposium. /Milliyet/
[33] MEETINGS SEEK TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR TURKEY
The "Suggested Solutions to Turkey's Problems" meetings will be
held in 11 cities between May 21-25 under the auspices of
universities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The topic
for the conference is "Basic Targets and Suggested Solutions in
the 100 years of the Republic of Turkey". Some 12 universities
and 22 unions, NGOs and occupational institutions will hold
meetings. /Turkish News/
[34] PRINTING AND PAPER INDUSTRY FAIR IN ISTANBUL
The printing technology companies exhibit their products at the
9th Printing and Paper Industry Fair in Istanbul, attended by 640
institutions and representatives from 29 countries. Heidelberg's
Chairman of the Executive Board to Turkey, Baskurt Okaygun,
evaluated the fair and said, "Some people said the fair should
not have been organized due to the economic crisis. However, we
defended the idea that the fair should be organized and the
industry should be encouraged. Although Turkey is suffering an
economic crisis, Heidelberg Company is continuing with its
support to Turkey. /Sabah/
[35] AZERBAIJAN ART NIGHT
An Azerbaijan Art Night was organized at the State Painting and
Sculpture Museum in Ankara last night. A number of Azeri artists
joined the night and staged various performances. /Turkiye/
[36] GOLDEN PERIOD IN TOURISM
Turkey reached a significant success in tourism sector for the
first four months of 2001. Turkish Union of Travel Agencies
(TURSAB) Chairman Basaran Ulusoy said the reservations for the
summer period are higher than expected. Ulusoy said "There was a
17% increase in the tourism revenues of the first four months of
2001 compared to last year. Our capacity is capable of meeting
the increasing demand." /Cumhuriyet/
[37] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[38] ROTTEN APPLES BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the financial aid extended by
the IMF to Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
"State Minister for Economy Dervis' statements and the news that
the IMF will extend financial aid in the amount of $12.8 billion
created an atmosphere of hope. If this optimism turns into a
self-confidence in a very short time, Turkey can recapture growth
in economy. The British newspaper Financial Times wrote that the
weakness in Turkey stemmed not from economy but politics and the
diagnosis is correct.
The IMF will extend the credit if Turkey keeps her word on
implementing reforms in four slices until November. If the
program is implemented, the economic situation will get better
every day. However, politics used to profitting at the expense of
the State has to accept this foreseen change and politicians
should not enter into games not to lose their status and thereby
leading to a controversy concerning the Government. The Financial
Times writes that Dervis has the strong support of the President
and the Armed Forces whereas the Coalition Government is
reluctant in giving this support. This suspicion has to be
eradicated right away. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz told
his friends the previous day that state-owned banks are taken
away from the hands of the Government like it or not. From now on
the State will not own any banks. Public banking where political
influence played a significant role was the quagmire of
corruption. If this swamp is dried up as soon as possible,
unqualified and unethical people will not enter politics.
However, the ruling parties have to stand by the program. We
should be able to support the Government eyes closed. The program
should be the Government's not Dervis'.
In order to ensure such a confidence in a short while, delayed
revision in the Government should be made as soon as possible and
rotten apples in the basket should be taken away. Dervis is right
in saying that to support the program is the duty of everyone who
loves his country. It is a crime to keep those who will cause
Turkey to lose time in the Government due to calculations within
the party."
|