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Turkish Press Review, 99-08-03Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>03.08.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....[02] SPECIAL KOSOVO[03] MILITARY'S TOP BRASS MEET TO DECIDE PROMOTIONS, EXPULSIONSThe Supreme Military Council (YAS), which will determine the Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) renewed command structure, review the situation of the commanders to be retired and decide on 'discipline files' of those military personnel accused of fundamentalist activities and other disciplinary charges, met yesterday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit at the General Staff headquarters in Ankara.The meeting was attended by Chief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu, Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Land Forces Commander Gen.Atilla Ates, Air Force Commander Gen.Ilhan Kilic, Naval Forces Commander Adm.Salim Dervisoglu, Gendarmerie Forces Commander Gen.Rasim Betir and other high-ranking generals. The YAS meeting will end on Thursday. /All papers/ [04] S & P KEEPS TURKEY'S B RATINGThe international rating agency Standard and Poor's (S & P) has maintained Turkey's 'B' rating and continues to see the outlook for the country as 'stagnant'. As S & P delegation had arrived in Turkey for talks 10 days before declaring its latest rating. A statement issued by S & P yesterday indicated that a fragmented political outlook has led to frequent government changes in Turkey and that the failure to implement needed economic policies prevented the maintenance of sustainable growth.S & P signaled that it might increase Turkey's rating in the coming period. If the government emphasizes proposals that would solve the existing economic problems and avoids populist policies in the draft budget for 2000, then the outlook for the Turkish economy could be converted to positive and the rating raised, the agency stressed. In spite of its short term in office, there is a consensus that the government will take effective measures, said S & P, citing as examples Parliament's passage of a banking bill and its preparations to legislate social security reform that will raise the retirement age from 38 to 58 for women and from 43 to 60 for men. However, the effect of the social security reform is not expected to be seen in the short-term, and its full effect will only be apparent in 2010 after complementary reforms are enacted. /All papers/ [05] ECEVIT ISSUES HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION CIRCULARStating the most important duty of the 57th government as developing human rights in Turkey, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit issued a circular yesterday calling for priority to be given to human rights education in in-service seminars held at public institutions. The circular focuses on human rights education in public institutions and announce preparations by the Supreme Board of Human Rights for developing and protecting human rights in Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports.The circular notes that the Supreme Board of Human Rights has established a Decade of Education on Human Rights National Committee in order to implement the National Action Plan prepared within the framework of the UN Decade of Education on Human Rights in 1998. The ministers of justice, education and the interior will submit to the Supreme Board of Human Rights reports related to their projects dealing with human rights issues every three months starting from April 1, 2000. [06] TRNC MEETS THE WORLDThe Turkish company TURKCELL, is continuing its investments abroad. TURKCELL GSM operator implemented its fourth investment abroad in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The Northern Cyprus TURKCELL was opened by President Rauf Denktas yesterday. In his speech Denktas thanked to TURKCELL representatives personally as they had invested in the TRNC. He added that the TRNC needed more foreign investments in order to develop more rapidly. TURKCELL General Director Cuneyt Turktan said for his part that they would try to improve communication services in the TRNC. He added that they had completed the investment within three months and it had cost $ 20 million. /Aksam/[07] TEKEL TARGETS $ 2.5 BILLION REVENUEThe State Monopolies (TEKEL) General Director Mehmet Akbay said that their target was to obtain $ 2.5 billion income by the end of 1999. He added, "TEKEL is the institution which has earnt the Treasury the most revenue. We will construct a cigarette factory in Moldovia. We are also seeking investment opportunities in Belarussia, Azerbaijan, Kyrygzstan and other Central Asian Republics. Moreover, we will open an office in Hamburg, Germany." /Aksam/[08] CHHIBBER: "WE ARE WATCHING TURKEY"The World Bank Director to Turkey, Ajay Chhibber, said that they are watching till September to see which of the reforms Turkey will achieve which have been foreseen by the 57th government. He added that in September they would decide on the Turkish economy. In his speech during the signing ceremony for the $ 407.5 million credit to be given to Turkey for use in industrial projects and in financing exports he said that they believed that the credit would contribute a great deal to Turkish industry. /Aksam/[09] S-300 RUSSIAN-MADE MISSILES ARE READYIt is has been learned that the Russian-made S-300 missiles which were placed on the Greek island of Crete instead of Southern Cyprus are ready to be used. According to news from Greek-Cypriot radio quoting an official from the Greek Defence Ministry, the missiles are ready to be used in an operation whenever needed. It added that the missiles were certainly in harmony with the defence doctrine of both Greece and the Greek-Cypriots. /Aksam/[10] SPECIAL MONEY TO COMMEMORATE THE SOLAR ECLIPSEThe Mint has printed two different types of silver coins to commemorate of the last solar eclipse of the century. The coins, which were designed by Suat Ozyonum, will be on sale on 4 August in Ankara and Istanbul. /Aksam/[11] ECONOMY IS IMPROVINGInflation has been decreasing, exports have been increasing, Standard and Poor's is ready to increase our credit grade and tourism revenues have been increasing quicker than expected.Fruitful expectations for the second half of the year have been increasing. The State Planning Organization (DTP) announced that exports will rise and the foreign trade deficit is going to narrow in the next term. It is added with the new financial policies, supported by structural reforms, economic activities will increase in the second half of the year. Second, an agreement with the World Bank was signed yesterday in Ankara. According to the agreement the World Bank will extend $ 407.5 million credit to be used to finance the exports and industrial technology projects. Finally, conditions have been normalizing in tourism. Following Abdullah Ocalan being capture, an anti-Turkey campaign started in Europe. Turkish Ministry of Tourism, public institutions related to tourism and private tourism agencies have started a wide promotion organization throughout Europe. As a result of this successful organization the number of tourists arriving Turkey has been increasing since June. /Turkiye/ [12] IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRYIranian Ambassador to Ankara, Muhammed Huseyin Lavasani, is summoned to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to give information about the recent situation of the two Turkish soldiers who are still imprisoned in Iran. After his meeting with the General Director of the Middle East Desk of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Turkekul Kurttekin, Lavasani told to the members of the press that there was no crisis between Turkey and Iran. He added that Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kemal Harrazi, paid great efforts to set free the two Turkish soldiers.In his announcement Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Sermet Atacanli asked the members of the press not to exaggerate the incidents in their news in order not to give harm to the relations between the two countries. He recalled that the main aganda of the meeting between the Turkish and Iranian delegations on 9 August will be on the security of borders, the situation of the soldiers will not be the basic topic of the meeting, he added. /Turkiye/ [13] EUROPEANS IN ISTANBULWithin the 1999 exhibition programme, Pamukbank Photograph Gallery presents "Europeans" photograph exhibition to the taste of art lovers with the cooperation of Turkish History Foundation. French photographer Henry Cartier-Bresson's photographs, which he took between 1920 and 1970 not only in Turkey but also throughout Europe, will be exhibited today at the Darphane-i Amire of Topkapi Palace. The exhibition will end on 30 September. /Turkiye/[14] INDIVIDUAL CREDITS FROM BANKSDeputy General Director of TARISBANK, Akay Cakir, said that banks have been directed towards individual credits last year which aims to decrease the rate of risk. And that, he added, banks have been giving various services through credit cards. After the announcement of the new economic package by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit last week, there has been a clear decrease in interest rates, said Cakir reminding that the rate of the Incentive Fund is decreased from 8 % to 3 %. All these developments will cause enlivement in the financial market, claimed Cakir. /Star/[15] CULTURE MINISTRY INTRODUCES 'TURKISH ARMY' BOOKCulture Minister Istemihan Talay held a press conference yesterday at the Painting and Sculpture Museum to introduce a new book entitled 'Turkish Army', the Anatolia News Agency reports. Speaking at the press conference, Talay said that the documentary-style book sheds light on the history and the future of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSDK) and that the work is a present from the Culture Ministry to the Turkish Army.The book, comprised of eight sections, includes 170 photograhps and is the most conclusive work published about the TSK. During the preparation of the book, the General Staff, Defence Ministry and land, navy, air and gendarmerie commanders' offices provided information and photographs. [16] ERCEL: "TURKEY HAS NO HOT MONEY RISK"Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, one of the international investment banks, enabled the Head of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, to meet international fund administrators. In a conference headed by the Head of the Research Department of Developing European Markets, Ricardo Barbieri, Ercel stated that the amount of hot money in Turkey was not over 1-2 billion DM. Barbieri remarked that positive developments experienced in Turkey last month were hope-inspiring for them and for investors. Barbieri said: "In order to establish a lasting economic stability, determined political steps are needed. From this standpoint, Turkey is at a turning point". /Hurriyet/[17] IDEF FAIRFirms which have offered their proposals for 145 land-air fighter helicopters worth $5 billion as part of the 21st century modernization project of the Turkish Armed Forces will initially compete at the International Defence Industry Aviation and Maritime Fair, IDEF '99. The tender for the project will be put out in November. Prior to the tender, IDEF will be jointly organized by the Foundation for the Strengthening of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSKGV) and the CNR International Fair Company between September 28-October 1. /Hurriyet/[18] CUHACOPULOS CONFIRMS 'HURRIYET'Greek Defence Minister Akis Cuhacopulos confirmed the news published by the daily 'Hurriyet' newspaper saying that the Simitis Government will recognize Turkish identity under the 'rights of the minority' in the Council of Europe without changing the article of the Lausanne Treaty concerning the 'Muslim minority'. Cuhacopulos made a statement yesterday and said that the Government would present the minority rights agreement of the Council of Europe to the Greek Parliament for approval in September. Cuhacopulos pointed out that the definition in the Lausanne Treaty would not be amended by this agreement. /Hurriyet/[19] 47.5 YEAR-IMPRISONMENT FOR IBDA-C MEMBERSThe Istanbul State Security Court Chief Prosecutor's Office has opened a trial against nine members of the illegal IBDA-C organization who allegedly placed a bomb in a car beloning to the Kartal Municipality and bombed the house of the Deputy Mayor, Hasan Altintas. Imprisonment of between 4.5 and 47.5 years is desired for the IBDA-C members. /Hurriyet/[20] TURKCELL ON IMKB IN 2000Sonera, the Finnish Telecom Operator, stated that its partner Turkcell would be launched on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB), and probably foreign Stock Exchanges as well, in the year 2000. The Financial Director of Sonera, Kaj-Erik Relander, held a press conference yesterday and stressed that even though no certain decision has been made yet, Turkcell is preparing for the launch on the IMKB and there is a possibility that Turkcell shares will be bought and sold on the London and New York Stock Exchanges. /Milliyet/[21] WORLD 13TH EDUCATION CONGRESSThe 13th World Education Congress will begin in Istanbul today. During the Congress, developments in the education of highly-gifted children will be discussed. The Head of the Congress, Prof.Edna McMillan, who has been in Turkey for one year, is engaged in these developments. /Cumhuriyet/[22] SUGAR FACTORY IN CUMRAThe Council of Ministers has granted permission for a sugar factory to be built in the Cumra district of Konya. The factory to be set up by the Cumra Sugar Industry and Trade Joint Stock Company will work with a daily 9,000-ton capacity. The factory cannot go into operation before the year 2003 according to the permit from the Council of Ministers but will be completed in five years at the latest. /Cumhuriyet/[23] TURKISH TRUCKS WAITING AT THE TURCO-IRANIAN BORDERTurkish trucks carrying a large amount of petroleum have been denied permission to leave Iran and so have been waiting at the Gurbulak border gate for two days. Truck drivers remarked that they have been waiting at the border gate for two days in a desperate situation. One Turkish truck driver, Nadir Bektas, stated that they had brought their situation to the attention of the International Carriers' Association, however, so far they had been unable to receive any response. /Cumhuriyet/[24] FOREST FIRE IN AYDINAs a result of a forest fire which broke out near the Emirdogan Village in Aydin, 2.5 hectares of forest have been burnt. Officials from the Aydin Forestry Directorate said that the fire has been brought under control. /Cumhuriyet/[25] A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS FOR THE ANCIENT CITY OF EPHESUSThe Culture Ministry has announced a project to light up the ancient city of Ephesus. Under the new plan, Ephesus, one of the first three cities in history to have street lights, will be open to visitors 24 hours a day. The development is timed to coincide with an influx of tourists expected to visit the area in celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. /All papers/[26] PEOPLE WILL EARN MONEY IN 2000 IN TURKEYIn its "Emerging Europe" model, Deutsche Bank increased Turkey's and Russia's rate. Yesterday in an investigation by the bank it was estimated that Turkey and Russia will be the countries where people will earn the most in the following year. In its model Deutsche Bank decreased Greek's rate to neutral. /Sabah/[27] TWO DIGNITARIES DIELast night, former Minister of the Interior, retired General-Air Chief Irfan Ozaydinli died at American Hospital where he had been treated for a period of time. Irfan Ozaydinli's body will be transferred to Karacaahmet Cemetery with a military funeral.Ozaydinli was elected the Balikesir Deputy from the Republican People's Party in the general elections in 1977. Ozaydinli was the Minister of the Interior in the Ecevit Government but then he gave his resignation in 1979. Furthermore, former Minister of Tourism, Barlas Kuntay died at Esma Hatun Hospital where he was treated because of chronic kidney insufficiency. Kuntay's body will be buried at the Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. Barlas Kuntay, born in Mus in 1935, graduated from Ankara University, Law Faculty. Kuntay, the owner of Press Honour Card, entered into politics as the Head of Justice Party Youth Organization. Kuntay, who was the Bursa Deputy between 1965 and 1973, was also in charge of Bursa Senatorship between 1975 and 1980. While he was a Deputy, he was the "youngest deputy" and while he was a Senator, he was the "youngest senator". /Sabah/ [28] ANKARA TRADE BOURSE PREPARES AID PACKAGES TO EASTCelebrations for the 'Aiding the East Package', prepared by the Ankara Trade Bourse (ATB), will be held on August 3 in Ankara. The ATB has prepared aid packages for 1,200 poor families living in the eastern cities of Diyarbakir, Mus and Bitlis. The families which will be supported were chosen by the Emergency Rule Region Governor's Office. ATB Assembly Chairman Ibrahim Ozturk will be present in the east while the aid is distributed.[29] ANTALYA STONE SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUMThe third Antalya International Stone Sculpture Symposium will be held between September 2 and 30. The application date for the Symposium which aims to bring together Turkish and world artists and enrich many sites in the cities with contemporary works of art, will end on August 13. Ten successful sculptors will be awarded with a total of $3,500. /Hurriyet/[30] FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....[31] TIME FOR DIALOGUE WITH SYRIA -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the relations between Turkey and Syria. A summary of his column is as follows:"Syria is a country with whom Turkey has problems over the PKK terrorist organization and the waters of Euphrates. Syria, one of the main protectors of international terrorism for a long time, today is a country trying hard to get out of international isolation. Most important of all she seeks ways to make peace with Israel. When Damascus yielded to Turkey's pressure and expelled Ocalan from the country Israelis were surprised. A high-level Israeli official expressed their surprise with these words, "Syria who had resisted superior military power of Israel, gave up in the face of Turkish threats, or at least seemed to give up. She must have a reason." The events developing from that time on show this reason clearly. Esad is investing in the future. Syria does not want to be mentioned among the countries supporting terrorism, and desires to participate in the international community as an ordinary country. Therefore, it can be said that Turkey's pressure over Ocalan may even have helped Syria in this respect. In a statement he made Esad said that peace was an honourable goal the region urgently needed. The statements by the Syrian Head of State point to the fact that the winds of peace are blowing strongly in the region. This is very important for Turkey, as Syria who wants to make peace with Israel will not choose tension in her relations with Turkey. In other words, Syria has opened the door for the solution of problems which have poisoned the relations between the two countries. Certainly, Ankara will evaluate this stance, and as in the case of Greece will start a process of dialogue with Syria aiming at finding solutions to problems." [32] INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION -BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)Columnist Hasan Cemal discusses the arguments on a Constitutional Amendment for the acceptance of international arbitration. A summary of his column is as follows:"The discussion on international arbitration has taken an interesting turn. Some believe that national sovereignty will be lost with the acceptance of international arbitration and find it tantamount to treason. There are some who believe that the period of capitulations will return. These are all exaggerated ideological claims not consistent with the realities of our times. Both privatization and the amendment on international arbitration are right in principle. They may considered constructive steps for our country to catch up with the modern states in economy. In fact, the political and economic instability in the country is the main reason why foreign investments in Turkey are left at an insufficient level. High inflation is another factor frightening the foreign capital. However, there is one sector which will accelerate the inflow of foreign capital in the short term, if the amendment on international arbitration is made and that is the energy sector... Turkey needs new investments in the energy sector as soon as possible. Otherwise we may be faced with shortage of electricity. Arbitration may prevent a bottleneck to be faced in this sector. It is a fact that foreign capital which may be invested in infrastructure is waiting for international arbitration. If arbitration is not accepted foreign capital may still come but the cost will be higher. We will all pay high price for this. None of the parties in the parliament today are in favour of a closed economy. All of them support liberal economy and playing the game according to its rules. Therefore the Constitutional amendments concerning privatization and internatonal arbitration brought by the Ecevit Government should be accepted by the Parliament without having to resort to referendum. These amendments are in favour of Turkey's national interests." [33] SPECIAL KOSOVO[34] DEMIREL TO KOSOVOPresident Suleyman Demirel will go to Kosovo next week to hold some important meetings. Demirel will listen to the problems of the Turkish minority, which is currently experiencing some difficulties with the Muslim Albanians in the region. Demirel will also meet Kosovar officials. /Hurriyet/END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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