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Turkish Press Review, 01-05-21
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
21.05.2001
CONTENTS
[01] SUPPORT FROM SEZER TO EDUCATION
[02] AYTEKIN TO TRAVEL TO SWEDEN
[03] BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR PARLIAMENT
[04] DERVIS TO TOUR ANATOLIA
[05] YILDIRIM KOC: "TURKEY IS A BUFFER ZONE FOR THE
EU"
[06] REUTERS: "CYPRUS WILL CREATE A CRISIS IN EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN"
[07] AMBASSADOR LOGOGLU: "CYPRUS IS NOT A MATTER OF
THE EU"
[08] MEDAL OF COURAGE TO GEN. DURSUN BAK
[09] MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS TO VISIT TURKEY
[10] TURKEY WILL NEVER LOSE ITS GEOGRAPHICAL AND
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
[11] KOC: "THIS PROGRAM IS OUR LAST CHANCE"
[12] HISTORY OF THE BALKANS' TO BE RE-WRITTEN
[13] "COUNTRY OF TALES"
[14] TURKISH-GREEK TOURISM FORUM
[15] INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MEETING IN
[16] TOBB REQUESTS TEXTILE REHABILITATION FUND
[17] TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IMPROVES WITH ONE-DAY TOURS
WITHOUT VISA
[18] TURKISH DAY MARCH IN NEW YORK
[19] ISTANBUL LOOKS AT EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
[20] NATO MANOEUVRES IN MEDITERRANEAN
[21] TURKEY READY TO HOST SCIENTIFIC OLYMPICS
[22] TURKISH OPERA SINGER COMES FIRST
[23] THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF FILM SCHOOLS
[24] NEW ZEUGMA EXHIBITS OPEN
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[26] SOME ISSUES ON THE AGENDA BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
[01] SUPPORT FROM SEZER TO EDUCATION
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer called on all citizens
to give support to the "National Education Campaign" which
was launched by his wife Semra Sezer. According to a statement
released by President's office Sezer said education continues to be
one of the prominent problems of Turkey. "Although we have taken
serious steps to solve education problem since the foundation of the
Republic, there are still many difficulties to be tackled. These
problems can only be solved with the large participation of our
citizens," Sezer said. /Turkish Daily News/
ANAP MARKS ITS 18TH ANNIVERSARY
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz visited Ataturk's Mausoleum on the occasion of
his party's 18th anniversary on Sunday. Later, Yilmaz traveled to
Istanbul to attend a ceremony at the Lutfi Kirdar International
Convention center, and participated in ANAP's Istanbul regional
convention. /Turkish News/
[02] AYTEKIN TO TRAVEL TO SWEDEN
Minister of the Environment, Fevzi Aytekin,
accompanied by a delegation, will travel to Sweden today to
participate in a meeting organized by United Nations Executive
Director of Environmental Program, on May 22-23 in Stokholm. /Turkiye/
[03] BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR PARLIAMENT
The Parliament will take up a parliamentary
investigation motion filed by Virtue Party (FP) deputies against
former Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer in
connection with the "White Energy" case on May 22.
Parliament will take up a bill contemplating amendments to the
"Law Pertaining to the establishment of Radio Stations and
Television Channels" and the "Press Law." Debates on
the bill pertaining to Prison Monitoring Committees will also be
continued during the week, as well as negotiations on the Bill
Pertaining to the Protection of Farmers' Rights, a bill for the
harmonization of highway and traffic standards with European norms,
and one other bill pertaining to the Education Ministry Revolving Fund
Establishments. /Turkish News/
[04] DERVIS TO TOUR ANATOLIA
State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, will
make trips to Anatolian cities to explain the details of the economic
program to the people and hear their opinions. /Milliyet/
[05] YILDIRIM KOC: "TURKEY IS A BUFFER ZONE FOR THE
EU"
Delivering a speech at the "What is the EU?
And what it is not?" panel organised by the Social Research and
Culture Art Foundation, Turk-Is Chairman Adviser Yildirim Koc said the
EU does not regard Turkey as a full member but wants to use Turkey as
a buffer zone. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Sevilay Kahraman told EU's
historical development during the panel. Stating the EU was a
political structure rather than an economic and legal union, Kahraman
said "The permanent target of the EU is to organize a federal and
supranational structure." /Cumhuriyet/
[06] REUTERS: "CYPRUS WILL CREATE A CRISIS IN EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN"
International British News Agency Reuters claimed
the entry of the Greek Cypriots to the EU would cause a serious crisis
in the Eastern Mediterranean. Reuters emphasised that Greek Cypriot
Administration has improved in the membership negotiations with the
EU, which would cause a serious crisis between Turkey and the EU.
Recalling Turkey rejects the acceptance of the Greek Cypriot
Administration to the EU without taking the views of the Turkish
Cypriots into account, Reuters stated Greece threatened the EU of
preventing the other candidates' EU accession periods until the Greek
Cypriots enter the EU. It was also stated that if the EU membership of
the Greek Cypriots is accepted, Turkey might annex Northern Cyprus and
also might withdraw from the status of EU candidate. Reuters said,
"Such a situation would cause trouble for Turkey who is a NATO
member and a US ally." /Cumhuriyet/
[07] AMBASSADOR LOGOGLU: "CYPRUS IS NOT A MATTER OF
THE EU"
Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ambassador Faruk
Logoglu evaluated the recent developments concerning the foreign
relations. Logoglu said the EU policy over Cyprus did not contribute
to the solution of the problem amd that the European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) decision on Cyprus was a politically biased one. He
said, "ECHR acts as if it is the United Nations. Cyprus issue is
not a matter either to be held in the ECHR or the EU. The address for
the problems on the island is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC). Ignoring this fact and finding Turkey guilty is an
unacceptable decision." Logoglu added if the Greek Cypriots are
included into the EU Turkey would have the right to integrate with the
TRNC. Additionally, Logoglu evaluated Turkey's policy over Iraq.
Stating Turkey maintains her policy over Iraq on three basic elements,
Logoglu said, "The first is to protect Iraq's territorial unity.
The second is that Iraq's future would be determined by the
communities living in Iraq. Finally, Turkey would never let Iraq be
divided. Turkey will never permit a Kurdish state to be established in
Northern Iraq." Stating Turkey was concerned over the recent
developments in the Middle East, Logoglu added, "Turkey is the
only country in which Israelis and Arabs have confidence except for
the US. Turkey would use this confidence for sustaining peace and
stability in the region." /Cumhuriyet/
[08] MEDAL OF COURAGE TO GEN. DURSUN BAK
The office of the General Staff gave the Security
Chief of Tunceli, Gen. Dursun Bak a medal of courage and devotion for
his efforts of 15 years in fighting against terrorist activities in
the region. /Milliyet/
[09] MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS TO VISIT TURKEY
A group of Macedonian parlamentarians headed by
Naser Zubari, Chairman of Turkish-Macedonian Friendship Group in
Macedonian Parliament will arrive in Ankara on Sunday as the official
guest of Turkish Parliament. The Macedonian delegation will meet with
Deputy Speaker of Turkish Parliament Vecdi Gonul and some Turkish
ministers in Ankara. They also will visit several historical places in
Istanbul. /Turkish Daily News/
[10] TURKEY WILL NEVER LOSE ITS GEOGRAPHICAL AND
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
Turkey's geographical location would maintain her
strategic importance, Foreign Ministry Planning Department head Suat
Akgun said. Akgun stated that the world's only hegemony power is the
US since the en of the Cold War. Akgun underlined that the one-state
hegemony condition created optimism in other nations. "Following
this optimism, the circumstances in Bosnia Herzegovina and Nagorno
Karabag in Azerbaijan have displayed extreme nationalism, racism,
international terrorism and human and weapon smuggling to the world.
Akgun participating in a conference in Ege University, Izmir, said
Turkey was the only country in the south east wing of NATO and that
since the cold war Turkey had not lost its strategic position. Akgun
emphasized that the energy resources existing in the Caucasus, and the
location of the country increased Turkey's strategic importance in the
international arana. Akgun said, "Turkey has two main objectives.
Firstly, to become a member of the European Union, and secondly, to
influence the events in the region." /Turkish Daily News/
[11] KOC: "THIS PROGRAM IS OUR LAST CHANCE"
Chairman of the Koc Holding Executive Board, Rahmi
Koc, said the economic program is Turkey's last chance to surmount the
crisis. Attending the opening ceremony for Migros Ramstore in Sofia,
Koc replied to journalists' questions. Pointing out the necessity for
the amendments to election and political parties law, Koc said,
"This program is Turkey's last chance. Otherwise, we will be a
third world country." /Turkiye/
[12] HISTORY OF THE BALKANS' TO BE RE-WRITTEN
A historic decision was taken during the Balkan
countries' Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tirana, capital of Albania,
which foresees re-writing of history books. Accordingly, delegations
will be formed in Balkan countries' ministries of education, including
Turkey, to determine the sections in history books which humiliates
other Balkan countries. At meetings, to be organized in the next three
months, these sections will be debated. /Sabah/
[13] "COUNTRY OF TALES"
German State Television ZDF prepared a Web Site
promoting Turkey titled, "Country of Tales: Turkey". The
site saying, "Go to Turkey for a holiday like a dream", is
praising Turkey's holiday regions with more than 50 photos. /Turkiye/
[14] TURKISH-GREEK TOURISM FORUM
The third Turkish-Greek Tourism Forum, held in
Marmaris, has ended and both delegations have agreed to explore
cooperation on a number of issues. During the forum, maritime, travel,
sea tourism, tourism investment, air transportation and tourism
training events were discussed. /Turkish News/
[15] INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MEETING IN
The heads of world's stock exchanges, international
funds, banks and financial institutions will meet on June 13-14 in
Istanbul. Jim Meyerhoff from Chicago Stock Exchange, former chairman
of Eurex, Dr. Jork Franke, Wolfgang Weber Thedy from Nasdaq, Ralf
Fischer of German Capital Markets Institute and Pierre Delsaux from
the European Union are some of the attendants of the international
meeting titled "Capital Markets Arena". /Milliyet/
STATE BOND OFFER WORTH $3.1 BILLION THIS WEEK
The Treasury will hold two state bond biddings
worth around $3.1 billion. The interest rate increase in the bidding
will affect the general interest rate level in the financial markets.
/Milliyet/
[16] TOBB REQUESTS TEXTILE REHABILITATION FUND
Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity
Exchanges(TOBB) requested the establishment of a $1 billion
rehabilitation fund for the textile and ready-made sector and the
administration of the fund be given to them. "The Economic Report
2000" prepared by TOBB said that these industries lost their
competitive power and are in need of financial resources. TOBB said
textile producers should be extended short-term loans without any
precondition of export engagement. /Milliyet/
[17] TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP IMPROVES WITH ONE-DAY TOURS
WITHOUT VISA
The one-day tours to Greek islands, which can be
participated without obtaining a visa, will be repeated with an
agreement signed between Turkey and Greece this year. Tours first
began last year as a symbol of the friendship between the two
countries. The tour program begins this year with Bodrum-Rhodes-Bodrum
tour. /Cumhuriyet/
[18] TURKISH DAY MARCH IN NEW YORK
Traditional Turkish Day March took place with a
great participation this year in New York. Besides the march, there
were dance and music shows in the Dag Hammrskjold Park. Ministers of
State, Sukru Sina Gurel, Abdulhaluk Cay, Turkish Ambassador to
Washington, Baki Ilkin, Turkish Permanent Representative to the UN,
Ambassador Umit Pamir, Consul-General in New York, Ambassador Mehmet
N. Ezen and delegations from many Turkish associations and foundations
attended the march. /Cumhuriyet/
[19] ISTANBUL LOOKS AT EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
Istanbul Governor Erol Cakir said that electricity,
natural gas and chemical production companies had to be included in
the "Istanbul Earthquake Early Warning and Emergency Interaction
System" project. Cakir wrote a letter to the Prime Ministry,
Interior Ministry, Treasury Undersecretariat, and Housing and Public
Works Ministry about his support for the project. Within the scope of
the early warning system, 10 stations will be built near fault zones,
and all data emanating from them will be evaluated and will be
forwarded to other institutions. /Turkish News/
[20] NATO MANOEUVRES IN MEDITERRANEAN
According to a written statement by the Naval
Forces Command, two Turkish frigates will take part in the NATO
Trident D'or-2001 Manoeuvres to be held between May 21-June 1 in the
Mediterranean. /Cumhuriyet/
622 HOUSES TO BE DELIVERED TO QUAKE VICTIMS
On May 24 a ceremony will take place in which some
622 houses constructed in Duzce with a World Bank loan will be handed
over to earthquake victims who won the housing lottery. A health
clinic and a primary school will also be handed over. Moreover,
officials said that 558 houses, a health clinic and a primary school
that is under construction in Gebze will be handed over to the quake
victims by the end of this month. /Turkish News/
[21] TURKEY READY TO HOST SCIENTIFIC OLYMPICS
The Scientific and Technical Research Council of
Turkey(TUBITAK) said the International Scientific Olympic Committee
had decided Turkey should host the 32nd International Scientific
Olympics. TUBITAK completed all the preperations for the Olympics. The
games will take place on June 28-July 6 in Antalya. /Turkish News/
[22] TURKISH OPERA SINGER COMES FIRST
Turkish opera singer, Burak Bilgili, 26, came first
at the "New Voices" competition organized by German Media
Company, Bertelsmann. /Sabah/
[23] THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF FILM SCHOOLS
Istanbul Bilgi University organizes the first
International Meeting of Film Schools. Two prominent film schools, New
York University Cinema Department and FEMIS from France, will
participate in the meeting. The meeting, aiming to screen the films
from the three continents, will take place between May 21-25.
/Cumhuriyet/
[24] NEW ZEUGMA EXHIBITS OPEN
Zeugma's artistic works are being displayed in the
Gaziantep Museum in four new additional sections. Museum Deputy
Director Kemal Sertok said that the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum had
gained a major international reputation thanks to the artefacts found
in the excavations carried out in the ancient city of Zeugma. /Turkish
News/
[25] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS
[26] SOME ISSUES ON THE AGENDA BY MUSTAFA BALBAY
(CUMHURIYET)
Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on three foreign
issues, the recent situation in Northern Iraq, Cyprus and Bulgaria
directly concerning Turkey. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Following the Gulf War the foundations of a different formation
were laid step by step in Northern Iraq. After Ministries, Directorate
Generals were established in the region. Reportedly, when it was
understood that Saddam could not be toppled soon, the accomplices of
the US who had gone to the Island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean are
returning following different routes. The entire infrastructure need
for the establishment of an independent state is ready. Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit viewsthis formation as a cause for concern because he
believes that foundations of an independent state are laid down. If
Turkey had gone to Mosul as suggested during the Gulf War, a Kurdish
state would have been established within her borders. However,
commonsense had prevailed and this action was not taken. Now, a
separate Kurdish state is trying to be formed with care. Turkey has
produced policies which attached great importance to protect the
rights of the Turkmens in the Kirkuk region. However, the desired
result could not be achieved. Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Faruk
Logoglu once more stressed that Turkey favours Iraqi territorial
integrity. On the other hand, Northern Iraqi leaders while saying that
they do not have any connections with the PKK terrorist organisation
accept the fact that there are terrorists living in their region. In
Cyprus, the European Court of Human Rights accepted the appeal made by
a Greek-Cypriot for the restitution of her property in the North and
found Turkey responsible. If this is followed by others, and the ECHR
insists in this stance, Turkey can be faced with punishment worth
billions of dollars. The Foreign Ministry evaluates the situation as
follows: ECHR is not a party to the Cyprus problem. In this situation
it has put itself in the place of the UN. The ruling seems as a
sequence to the EU policy of preventing a solution to the Cyprus
problem and if the Greek-Cypriot Administration is taken into the EU,
Turkey will integrate with the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus(TRNC). It seems as if the second probability will come to pass.
Turkey's relations with Bulgaria are enjoying the most peaceful period
ever. If this goes on, we may even demilitarize the borders. Some of
our kinsmen who migrated to Turkey in the 1980s are returning home.In
1997, I met a kinsman who had migrated to Turkey. He had two passports
with two different names. He had kept his Bulgarian passport as he
could not find what he expected in Turkey. He said, if Bulgaria
entered the EU before Turkey, he would have the right of free movement
earlier. It is most certainly in our favor to improve relations with
Bulgaria. Turkish businessmen have begun to invest in Bulgaria.
However, this is not a planned operation but a search for getting out
of the crisis. Regarding Iraq, new opportunities covering economy can
be found. However all of these policies should be evaluated as a
whole."
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