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Turkish Press Review, 99-09-10Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>10.09.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: THIS FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT COME TO AN END[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[03] TRNC EXPRESSES SORROW OVER THE EARTHQUAKE IN ATHENSThe Prime Ministry of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) expressed its sorrow over the earthquake in Greece. A written statement issued by the Prime Ministry said that following the earthquake in Turkey, which had caused deep grief among the Turkish-Cypriot nation, the earthquake in Greece which caused many casualties and piles of rubble also concerned the Turkish-Cypriot nation and Government. The statement remarked that the Turkish-Cypriot nation was ready to offer every spiritual and material support to the Greek nation, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[04] KAZAKH ENERGY MINISTER IN TURKEYThe Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister, Cumhur Ersumer, received the Kazakh Energy Minister Muhtar Ablyazov yesterday. A statement issued by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said that during the meeting, energy projects planned to be further developed had been discussed. The statement pointed out that views had been exchanged concerning recent developments in the work carried out by the Turkish Petroleum Board (TPAO) in Kazakhstan. The statement said that during the meeting, the Kazakh Minister had proposed the establishment of working groups in energy and added: "Assistance which could be offered by Turkey to transport Kazakh oil through the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the transport of natural gas to global markets was discussed", the Anatolia News Agency reports. The Kazakh Minister was also received by President Suleyman Demirel yesterday.[05] IRTEMCELIK MEETS IHD CHAIRMANState Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik met Human Rights Association (IHD) Chairman Husnu Ondul and IHD Board of Directors' member Osman Baydemir to discuss Turkey's drive to improve its human rights record. Irtemcelik stated prior to the meeting with the two activists that human rights, a contemporary value which is growing in importance, is a high-priority issue at the top of Turkey's agenda. "It is our desire to take the most progressive stance in this area and leave behind the constraints we have been bound by in the past, due mainly to the dire conditions caused by separatist terrorism", Irtemcelik said."As the government, we are determined to do the very best we can in the shortest possible time-frame, and we are pursuing this end without being unrealistic about our capabilities", he added. Ondul praised Iretmecelik and his Ministry, stating that the existence of a Ministry specializing in this issue suits the democratic nature of the Turkish State. /All papers/ [06] DENKTAS CALLS FOR SHUTTLE DIPLOMACYTurkish-Cypriot President Rauf Denktas has said that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan should initiate shuttle diplomacy between the two Cypriot sides instead of inviting them to face-to-face talks, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Denktas, who is in New York, met Annan yesterday. Denktas has made it clear that he will reject Annan's invitation for talks in the Autumn. The idea was spearheaded by the G-8 countries in June, and Annan is expected to send out the invitations in late September or the beginning of October. Denktas refuses to sit at the negotiating table as long as political equality between the two Cypriot sides is not established with the acknowledgement of the existence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).[07] ECEVIT VISITS RUSSIAPrime Minister Bulent Ecevit will pay an official visit to Russia as the guest of the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the visit Turco-Russian relations and regional and international issues will be taken up. The date of the visit is not clear yet, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[08] CANADIAN DEFENCE MINISTER IN ADAPAZARIThe Canadian Defence Minister, Artegg Leton, visited the field hospital, water purification facilities and the tent city being set up by Canada in Adapazari yesterday. Leton stated that the extent of the earthquake was horrific. He said: "A terrible disaster has occurred in Turkey. I wish that the trauma of this disaster will soon come to an end. I believe that the re-construction of the disaster region will be achieved within a very short time". Sakarya Governor Yener Rakicioglu, who welcomed the Canadian Minister, stated that the Canadian teams had made a great contribution to the search and rescue efforts and expressed his thanks for Canadian assistance. The Canadian Catastrophe Support Group set up a camp in Adapazari with its 200 staff 17 days ago, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[09] ERSUMER GOES TO ROMANIAThe Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Deputy Prime Minister, Cumhur Ersumer, went to Romania yesterday to discuss cooperation in the field of energy. A written statement issued by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said that Ersumer, who went to Romania as the official guest of the Romanian Industry and Trade Minister Radu Berceanu, would be received by the Romanian President Emil Constantinescu and the Romanian Prime Minister Radu Vesile. During the meetings, many issues including an increase in the capacity of the Russian-Turkish transit natural gas pipeline within Romanian borders will be deliberated during the meetings. Ersumer will return to Turkey tomorrow, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[10] TREASURY UNDERSECRETARIAT HOLDS A SEMINAR ON EARTHQUAKEThe Treasury Undersecretariat will hold a seminar on 'The Earthquake Danger in Turkey and Insurance" on September 14. A statement issued by the Treasury Undersecretariat said that the seminar would be opened with a speech to be delivered by State Minister Recep Onal. Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp and many experts on the issue will also participate in the seminar, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[11] LE FIGARO: "TURKEY WILL GROW"The 'Le Figaro' newspaper published in France said that Turkey's economy will grow next year despite the earthquake disaster. The newspaper stated that the financial losses stemming from the earthquake were expected to total 5-15 billion Euros and remarked that some experts predict that the economic growth rate will reach 4% in 2000 in Turkey. The newspaper added that a Law which would facilitate foreign energy investments had been enacted in Turkey and that following an agreement with the IMF and privatization achieved by the Government, public deficits and interest rates could further decrease. /Aksam/[12] ERDEMIR TO INCREASE CAPACITYThe General Director of ERDEMIR, Tanju Argun, stated that the annual production output of the factory would be increased from 3 million tons to 4.5 million tons within two years. Argun pointed out that the decision to increase production capacity had been taken during a meeting of the Executive Council of ERDEMIR, a company which produces iron. /Aksam/[13] OGER TOUR LOOKING TOWARDS CHINAOger Tour, which organizes tours for tourists from Germany to Turkey in particular, in addition to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Tunisia and Morocco, will now channel its energies towards China. Oger Tour signed an agreement with the Chinese International Tourism Company and will organize tours to China beginning from October 23. The Head of the Executive Council of Oger Tour, Vural Oger, stated that China had tourism potential, as well as Cuba and the Caribbean Islands. Oger tour representatives were welcomed in an official ceremony. /Aksam/[14] U.S. MILITARY OFFICIALS LEAVE TENT CITYU.S. military officials handed over the tent city which they had set up in Dogukisla, Izmit, to Kocaeli Governor Memduh Oguz during a ceremony yesterday. Oguz thanked U.S. officials for their support. The Americans were waved off by the people living in the tent city. /Aksam/[15] OCALAN'S RESIDENCE IN ITALY SERVES AS HOME FOR TERRORISTSIt is reported that the villa in which the head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, stayed while he was in Rome, Italy, is now hosting other PKK supporters. An article in the 'Il Giornale' newspaper published in Italy said: "In the villa which the terrorist Ocalan left eight months ago PKK members are continuing to be hosted". People living in the 'Infernetto' district where the villa is located have been concerned over the situation and made complaints to the police. Meanwhile, the Italian National Alliance Party's Senator Lodovico made a statement and said: "Other terrorists are coming. This scandal is the shame of the Government". /Aksam/[16] PKK TERRORIST CAPTUREDDuring a clash between security forces and members of the PKK terrorist organization, one PKK terrorist (Saadettin Senses) was killed in Osmaniye. A large amount of ammunition and a great many illegal documents were also seized during the conflict. Meanwhile, during another conflict in Agri, eight terrorists, including two women, were killed while five security officials were wounded. /Aksam/[17] TURCO-GREEK MEETINGSThe second round of Turco-Greek meetings concerning the environment, tourism and commerce started in Athens yesterday. The Greek Government Spokesman, Dimitri Reppas, said that even though the damage caused by the earthquakes in Turkey and in Greece had negatively affected the issues discussed during the meetings, there was nevertheless a positive atmosphere present at the meetings. Reppas added: "We hope that this dialogue process will end with agreements and cooperation". The meetings will end today in Athens and will continue on September 15-16 in Ankara.Meanwhile, it is reported that Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Greek counterpart, George Papandreu, will meet during a working luncheon in New York on September 23 when the UN General Council meeting will be held. The Greek Foreign Ministry stated that during the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers on September 13-14, Turco-EU relations will be discussed. /Aksam/ [18] TURKISH VOLLEYBALL TEAM IN GERMANYThe Turkish (A) national men's volleyball team will go to Germany today as part of the preliminary round of matches before the Olympic Games. The Turkish team previously beat Germany 3-1 in Istanbul. The match in Germany will be played on Sunday. /Aksam/[19] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES UPCentral Bank foreign exchange reserves increased by $776 million between August 27 and September 3. According to Central Bank data, foreign exchange reserves, which were $23.095 billion on August 27, rose to $23.871 billion on September 3. /Hurriyet/[20] KOC: LOSSES STAND AT $5 BILLIONA member of the Executive Council of the Koc Conglomerate, Temel Atay, said that the damage caused by the earthquake in Turkey has been exaggerated. Atay pointed out that the damage to the Turkish economy was not as much as had been claimed and said that the Koc Conglomerate forecast that the damage would cost $5 billion. /Hurriyet/[21] NATIONAL PALACES TO BE STRICTLY PROTECTEDNational Palaces belonging to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) will be strictly protected from now on. A tender will be put out for a close-circuit T.V. system to protect the palaces and mansions, particularly Dolmabahce Palace. The tender is expected to be completed in the year 2000. /Hurriyet/[22] CHIBBER: "ECONOMY WILL GROW"The World Bank Representative to Turkey, Ajay Chibber, replied to questions posed by a correspondent from the daily 'Sabah' newspaper, and said that a boom in the Turkish economy following the earthquake was a possibility. He added that as long as structural reforms and financial discipline are seen as being important, foreign resources would not be a problem for Turkey. /Sabah/[23] S&P: BUOYANCY NEXT YEARStandard and Poor's (S&P), an international rating institution, stated that buoyancy in the Turkish economy could be achieved by next year because of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The S&P pointed out that the reason for this was the short-term decrease in industrial production in the Marmara region. /Sabah/[24] FOGG: "CONDITIONS FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP ARE OBTAINABLE"The EU Representative to Turkey, Ambassador Karen Fogg, said that even though the conditions for Turkey's full EU membership were obtainable, no-one should be over-optimistic in the short run. Ambassador Fogg delivered a speech on Turco-EU relations and the EU enlargement at the International Economic Congress in Ankara. /Sabah/[25] THANKS FROM GREECEThe Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu thanked the Turkish search and rescue team, AKUT, for its efforts in Athens following the earthquake which caused the death of 88 people. Today, the Greek President Konstantin Stefanopoulos is also expected to thank AKUT. The Greek Interior Minister, Vasso Papandreu, visited the AKUT group yesterday.Meanwhile, foreign newspapers also devoted extensive coverage to the efforts exerted by AKUT in Greece. 'The Times', 'The Guardian' and 'The Independent' all praised AKUT for its success in the search and rescue efforts. /Sabah/ [26] EARTHQUAKE SUMMIT IN ANKARAPresident Suleyman Demirel received Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and Chief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin Kivrikoglu separately yesterday at the Presidential Palace. Ecevit said, following the meeting, that they had discussed his visit to the U.S. and the earthquake disaster. Ecevit also stated that relations with the IMF and the World Bank were very hope-inspiring. /Sabah/[27] CRACK-DOWN IN MUTKIDuring a crack-down in the Mutki district of Bitlis, 14 terrorists were killed while three others were seized alive. A wide- spread crack-down is being continued by the security forces in the region. The Anatolia News Agency reported yesterday that a total of 23 PKK terrorists were killed in the Southeast.[28] VISIT FROM MAJOR GENERAL FULTONThe Commander of the British Naval Forces' Infantry Units, Major General Robert Fulton, who has been in Turkey due to the Saros-99 Manoeuvres visited the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Admiral Ilhami Erdil. Admiral Erdil said that, beginning on 8th Sept., the Saros-99 Manoeuvres have been underway with the participation of American and British units in the Gulfs of Doganbey and Saros. They will last until 17th Sept. and 19 ships, 17 helicopters and about 1,600 maritime infantry soldiers have been involved in the exercises, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[29] COOPERATION BETWEEN SPK AND LONDON STOCK EXCHANGEThe Capital Market Council (SPK) has signed an agreement for cooperation with the British Finance Ministry, Financial Services Institution and the London Stock Exchange. The Head of the SPK, Muhsin Menguturk, said in a statement that the agreement foresees an exchange of views and information between the institutions. /Hurriyet/[30] IMF DELEGATION IN ANKARAA IMF delegation headed by Carlo Cotarelli, the IMF-Turkey Desk Chief, paid an official visit to Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp yesterday, the Anatolia News Agency reports. A joint press conference was held following the meeting. Demiralp announced that certain parameters pertaining to the budget and post-earthquake economic targets would be re-evaluated and stated that the inflation rate targets for the end of 1999 had been calculated at 50%, while the infation targets mutually agreed on for the year 2000 and the year 2001 are 25% and 10% respectively.Demiralp further explained that negotiations under the scope of the Close Monitoring Agreement signed with the IMF have been initiated and will continue in Washington during late September. Demiralp also stated that among those decisions reached, there are none that will cause the suspension or elimination of any previous programmes. In his speech addressed to press members, Cotarelli explained that the stand-by agreement will also be included on the agenda of another IMF team that is scheduled to visit Turkey in October, adding that the aid package allocated to Turkey of $330 million will be released following the IMF Activity Board's evaluation and the annual IMF meeting. /All papers/ [31] CHP'S 76TH YEAR CELEBRATEDOn the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Republican People's Party (CHP), CHP Chairman Altan Oymen and party members paid a visit to Ataturk's Mausoleum yesterday, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Oymen and the party members later visited the grave of the second President of Turkey, Ismet Inonu.[32] MODERATE QUAKE IN CANAKKALEA moderate quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 hit two northern Aegean islands and parts of the Turkish coast, the Anatolia News Agency reports. The earthquake struck at 11:15 a.m. hitting the islands of Bozcaada, Gokceada and the coastal towns of Canakkale and Ayvalik. No casualties or damage have been reported.[33] AMERICAN REPORT HIGHLIGHTS ANTI-ISLAMIST DRIVE IN TURKEYA report prepared by the U.S. State Department has highlighted the intensified struggle against Islamists in Turkey in recent years. The eight-page document, part of a global report on the state of religious freedom in the world released yesterday, said that 'between January 1998 and June 30, the military and judiciary, with the support of the country's secular elite, continued to wage a private and public campaign against Islamic fundamentalism, which they view as a threat to the secular republic'. /All papers/[34] NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE TOUR AND MEETINGThe 1999 Military Committee Tour and the 135th Military Committee's Chief of General Staff's meeting, that were expected to be held between 12th and 18th September, were cancelled following a mutual decision taken by NATO officials due to the earthquake that occurred in the Marmara Region, reported the Anatolian News Agency.The NATO members' Chiefs of General Staff and the military representatives of NATO, main NATO Commanders and high-ranking Commanders from NATO Headquarters and their wives were to attend the Military Committee Tour, which was supposed to be held in Istanbul. During the tour, the guests were also to watch manoeuvres and displays by the Land, Air and Naval Forces, to inspect various military units and to go on tours with their wives in which Turkey's historic and tourist assets would be shown off. It was reported that the 135th Military Committee Meeting will now be held in Brussels on 14th and 15th September. [35] TURKEY'S AID TO THE EARTHQUAKE IN ATHENS IS IN THE BRITISH PRESSThe efforts of the Turkish Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) in the earthquake-hit regions in Athens were appreciated by the British press, reported the Anatolian News Agency.In `The Times' newspaper it was written that "the earthquake diplomacy" between Turkey and Greece that had begun after the earthquake that occurred in Turkey, had gained a new dimension and continued with the search and rescue efforts of AKUT. In `The Times', it was written: "The friendship that occurred after the earthquake is growing with Turkey's response. The efforts of search and rescue teams, particularly AKUT are underway." In the above-mentioned newspaper, also interviews with some of the members of AKUT (Hakan Akcalar, Emre Acun and Tulya Sezer) were published. In `The Guardian' newspaper, under the headline, "Turks are looking for anyone living under the rubble", it was written, "Turkish cardiologists and their team were the first to arrive in the earthquake-hit regions in Greece. The efforts of the team are continuing unabated." The newspaper also pointed out that a Greek fireman, Petros Adamaras had said, "The Turkish people are trying hard as if they are rescuing their own compatriots. God struck them first, and then us with the earthquake disaster." In `The Independent' newspaper, a short interview with the leader of the AKUT team, Iskender Igdir, and a big photograph taken during the search and rescue efforts of the AKUT team were printed. [36] FIVE THOUSAND EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS WILL BE HOME IN A WEEKFive thousand earthquake victims, who lost their homes, will settle into a thousand prefabricated houses that will be constructed in Sakarya and Duzce on 18th September. The Minister of Public Works and Settlement, Koray Aydin, said, "The preparations for building 25 thousand prefabricated houses are underway in the first stage. We are going to solve the problem of permanent housing spontaneously. We have to build the prefabricated houses as a matter of course. We want to present various alternatives to the earthquake victims. We are trying to held them pay their rent by giving them housing benefit. Furthermore, we have emptied public camp-sites so that those who lost their houses can settle in there. Also, prefabricated houses will be used. We are going to meet the need for housing in any way we can."Aydin added, "Cooperative houses will also be used. In the first stage, six thousand houses, which are 80% constructed, will be finished. These houses will be given to the earthquake victims in October. Eight thousand houses will also be built before the end of November. Some of the earthquke victims are being sheltered in tents now. As the government, we are trying to find a solution to this problem. Firstly, we will try to help them in finding shelter by applying the rent system. Secondly, we will try to solve the housing problem by using the cooperative houses in the region. We will complete the construction of the cooperative houses in two months by spending 14 trillion TL. /Milliyet/ [37] THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA: THIS FRIENDSHIP WILL NOT COME TO AN ENDThe Greek Ambassador to Ankara, Ioannis Corantis, said that he had received the news of the earthquake that occurred in Greece, registering 5.9 on the Richter scale, while talking on the phone with his father. Corantis pointed out that 15 minutes after this phone conversation, a member of the Turkish Search and Rescue Team (AKUT) had phoned him, reported the earthquake in Athens and offered their help. Corantis also said, "A Turkish compatriot offered to donate one of his kidneys. The people of these two countries will not finish the friendship that was formed between Greece and Turkey after the earthquake."After the earthquke in Turkey, the Turkish people used to send us flowers and phone to thank us. However, now the civilian organizations and people call us not to thank us, but to offer help and send us not flowers, but blood and money. When a member of AKUT phoned me, I turned on the television, got the details about the earthquake and told him the news. He told me that they would be ready to go to Greece by plane in two hours with all the equipment necessary. Then I called Athens and when they accepted AKUT's help, I delivered this news to AKUT immediately. Then Ecevit's international political advisor called and conveyed Ecevit's sorrow and message of friendship to Simitis through our Embassy. In addition, the Turkish President Demirel and Mr. Akbulut sent messages to their colleagues in Greece,"said Corantis./Milliyet/ [38] COMPLIMENT TO MILLIYET NEWSPAPER ON HEADLINESMilliyet announced the earthquake disaster in Greece under the headline in Greek saying "get well soon" (perastika gitona). Milliyet newspaper received many warm expressions of appreciation in the Greek mass media. In the `Katimerini' newspaper, it was written: "Milliyet's headline proves that the earthquake caused a rapproachment between the people of the two countries, at least psychologically." In the `Elefterotipiya' newspaper, the headline was: "The Richter scale connects us", under which was written, "To understand the meaning of this headline, there is no need to speak Turkish."In articles the newspapers the search and rescue efforts of the Turkish people were mentioned. The newspapers pointed out that the solidarity of the Turkish people, while they were trying to heal the pain cased in Turkey, was a very emotional thing. They also reported that AKUT was the first foreign search and rescue team that had arrived in Greece after the earthquake. [39] BONDS FROM TREASURYThe Treasury has achived the sale of 402.5 million dollars worth of bonds. The bonds were in dollar lots, covering one year, with a tri-monthly payment and a three percent coupon rate. The bonds' date of issue is Sept. 9th 1999; the date of repayment is Sept. 7th 2000. Meanwhile, yesterday the Treasury raised its issue of the bonds from 400 million dollars, with a 2008 due date, to 600 million dollars. /Milliyet/[40] AID FROM ENKAThe ENKA Holding Company has also come to the assistance of the Greek earthquake victims. Following AKUT and Istanbul Aid Group's search and rescue teams, Enka Holdings also sent a 20-person team to join the search and rescue efforts. The Holding Company also dispatched heavy-duty machinery, generators and lighting equipment to Athens via Ilyusin-76 type Russian-made cargo plane. Meanwhile, the owner of well-known brands, such as Arkaroc, Arcopol, Vitroflam and Arcoflam, the J.G.Durand Company, donated 500 thousand FF to the Turkish media's 'Lay a Brick' fund-raising campaign. /Milliyet/[41] 43 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED IN IZMIRForty-three immigrants who attempted illegally to go abroad were captured in the Menderes district of Izmir yesterday. A statement issued by the Izmir Gendarmerie Command said that 43 immigrants including five Turks, one Greek, one Bangladeshi, 27 Pakistanis and nine Indians had been detained, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[42] HASHISH RAIDDuring a raid carried out yesterday by members of the Anti-Narcotics Department in the Balcikhisar county of Haymana, a district near Ankara, 2.5 kilos of hashish were seized. One person was detained in connection with the incident. /Aksam/[43] FOREIGN DEBT PAYMENTSThe public sector paid off 269.5 million dollars in foreign debts between 1st and 8th September. In a statement by the Central Bank, the Treasury paid 211.46 million dollars, the Central Bank paid 7.72 million dollars and other public sectors paid 39.87 million dollars towards these foreign loans. /Cumhuriyet/[44] RESOURCE OFFERED TO GOVERNMENT BY ISTANBUL TRADE CHAMBER (ITC)The business world postponed the "earthquake tax" for one and a half months. This tax had been prepared by them after the earthquake that occurred in the Marmara Region and the business world is now looking for funding in case a tax may be applied again. The ITC, which prepared a financial resource package of 17 articles, is planning to collect revenue of 6 billion dollars for the earthquake disaster. The chairman of the ITC, Mehmet Yildirim, said, "Some people, who learnt that tents and food are being distributed in the earthquake-hit region, came to this area. We are aware of these people; soon they will also demand tents and food. Therefore, we should determine who is in real need and we should be wary of these profiteers." /Cumhuriyet/[45] "PEACE SHIP" IN ISTANBULThe "Peace Ship", aims to inspire the culture of peace in young people world-wide, came to Istanbul yesterday. The staff on the "Peace Ship", which is the common venture of UNESCO, the European Commission's Youth Directorate, the European Young People's North-South Programme, the European Youth Forum and the Scouting Movement's World Organization, will attend the Youth Forum at Atakoy Olympics House and leave Istanbul tomorrow./Cumhuriyet/[46] "THE EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY" EXHIBITION IN FRANCEOur newspaper's unreserved reporter, Suleyman Tosunoglu, translated interviews and photograph captions about the earthquake, that were published in the newspaper, into French and English and opened an exhibition called "The Earthquake in Turkey". This exhibition was opened in the Yonne region. Those who visited the exhibition, which is the one and only exhibition in Europe concerning the earthquake, were touched and went to the Red Crescent and gave their donations to be used by the earthquake victims in Turkey. The Mayor of Sen, Jen Cordillo, said, "The earthquke deeply saddened the people. Our municipality will meet the aid organizations involved and give some of the much-needed donations to the earthquake-hit regions."/Cumhuriyet/[47] TURKISH PRODUCTS FAIR IN CAIROThe Turkel Fair Company will organize a Turkish Export Products' Fair in Cairo, Egypt, between 17th and 20th Nov. Firms in the food, automotive, automotive by-products, construction materials, cosmetics, electrical and electronic equipments, electrical house tools, consumer goods, paper products, plastic materials and shoe sectors will attend the Fair. /Turkiye/[48] FAIRS FOR TURKISH BUSINESSMENThe Forum Fair Company declared that they expect a high degree of participation from Turkish exporters in the Fairs which are going to be held in Iran, Oman, Iraq and France, in October and November. The International General Commerce and Industry Fair will be held on 2th-9th Oct. in Tehran; the 5th Muscat Fair will be on 25th-29th Oct. in Muscat; the 32nd Baghdad International General Commerce and Industry Fair will be held on 1th-10th Nov. in Baghdad, and the Equip Auto' 99 International fair for new automotive and mechanics' tools techonogogy will be opened on 13th-18th Oct. in Paris. /Turkiye/[49] TURKEY HAS SURPASSED MEXICOOne of the well-known economists in the U.S, Prof.Dr. Edward Prescott, delivered a speech at the Middle East Technical University's 3rd International Economy Conference under the title 'Will Turkey be able to catch up with the technology giants?'. He said that in Turkey the effects of non-productive groups had been decreased, the competion had increased and Turkey has been racing towards attaining the level of developed countries at great speed. Prof. Prescott stressed that the development had began in England in the 1800s, in Mexico in the mid-1860s, and in Turkey in the mid-1920s; however, Turkey has surpassed Mexico in recent times. /Turkiye/[50] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[51] ATHENS-ANKARA -BY IZZET SEDES (AKSAM)Columnist Izzet Sedes comments on the thawing of relations between Athens and Ankara. A summary of his column is as follows:"Nature has succeded in what mankind could not achieve and the hitherto frosty relations between Athens and Ankara have begun to thaw. The tremors are still being felt in both countries. It has been seen that Turkey and Greece are the two countries most affected by the activity along the tectonic fault line. The Foreign Ministers are trying to rebuild friendship between the two countries. For the first time since 1981, Athens seems to have abandoned its policy of systematic opposition to Turkey. During the meeting in Helsinki last week, the Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu even stated that his country would not oppose aid granted to Turkey because of the earthquake and Greece would be the greatest supporter of Turkey's membership to the EU. Papandreu believes that Athens desires Turkey's candidacy and the implementation of its full-membership to the EU in the near future. Greek hostility towards Turkey which had gone on for years was not compatible with the "nice kid" image it wanted to convey to the EU. Therefore, Foreign Minister Papandreu, who saw this situation, offered a helping hand to Turkey using the effects experienced in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster and it has begun to seem as if there is an improvement in the relations between the two countries. Certainly, the positive, measured, moderate character of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, has contributed greatly to this approach. Both Ministers had met during a UN meeting and started a Turco-Greek dialogue. Greece seems to help Turkey, which has suffered greatly from the earthquake, but still does not lift its embargo on the aid allocated through membership of the Customs Union to the amount of 375 million Euros. The Simitis Government is probably waiting to see how Turkey will act concerning the Cyprus issue. However, in both countries, especially among the peoples a friendly atmosphere is prevalent. The Turkish rescue team AKUT is in Athens helping those who suffered from the eathquake. Turks are working together with the French and Swiss teams in search of lost ones. We were not able to witness the friendly period experienced between Ataturk and Venizelos, but enjoyed an atmosphere of friendship when Karamanlis and Menderes were in power. At the time the European Union did not exist but cooperation between Ankara and Athens had created a positive atmosphere throughout the world, especially in Europe. If Ankara and Athens can re-establish that friendship, they will be powerful and influential in Europe. If they can act together, both countries will benefit." [52] CYPRUS AND THE US -BY ESEN UNUR (STAR)Columnist Esen Unur writes on the US policy concerning Cyprus. A summary of his column is as follows:"The US Administration is particularly serious about foreign affairs. It is serious enough not to reveal what President Bill Clinton will discuss with Prime Minister Ecevit, or the plans he will present concerning the issues they will discuss. It is already evident what the US wants as far as the Cyprus issue is concerned. It has been stated many times by the President, the Secretary of State or their Spokesmen. Therefore, the views of the US on Cyprus are not secret. They may be listed as: the meeting of Turkish and Greek- Cypriots with no conditions attached; the positive contribution of the UN, Turkey, Greece and the US to these meetings; and the establishment of a bi-zonal, bi-communal Federal Cyprus Republic at the end of the negotiations. These are the issues to be brought to the table during Prime Minister Ecevit's visit to Washington on September 28. The US respects the views of the opposition. It protects its own interests but is in favour of other countries defending their own interests at the negotiation table. The first step to be achieved concerning the Cyprus issue is the start of negotiations. At the moment, the developments concerning the start of the negotiations seem to be grid-locked. The solution lies in taking backward steps. Either Turkey and the TRNC will take backward steps from the condition of the acceptance of the TRNC as an equal political entity or the others will accept the "Equal State" status. At present, both seem hard to achieve. However, in the past many international problems which seemed hard or impossible to overcome were solved by making small changes in the diplomatic texts and by mutual good-will. The Deputy Secretary of State and former US Ambassador to Ankara, Marc Grossman, stated that he was optimistic concerning the start of negotiations to find a solution for the Cyprus problem. I believe that an important step will be taken following the meeting between President Clinton and Prime Minister Ecevit." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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