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Turkish Press Review, 99-09-29Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>29.09.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[02] CLINTON-ECEVIT MEETINGWhite House officials issued a statement following the meeting between U.S. President Bill Clinton and Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday in which it was stated that the Cyprus issue was one of the topics discussed during the meeting. It declared that Clinton would send his Special Representative on Cyprus, Alfred Moses, to the region to hold a series of talks in order to enable the unconditional meetings to begin under UN supervision. They pointed out that the recent positive development in Turco-Greek relations and initiatives to further continue this development had also been taken up.Other topics deliberated during the Clinton-Ecevit meeting were the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the stand-by agreement to be signed between Turkey and the IMF, relations with Armenia, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, the Middle East peace process, the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) and the fight against the PKK terrorist organization, in addition to the increase in textile quotas. Clinton stated that the U.S. was in support of Turkey concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and thanked Ecevit for the role Turkey played in the solution to the Kosovo crisis. Then Ecevit outlined the losses suffered by Turkey due to the UN embargo imposed on Iraq. Officials also remarked that Clinton was in support of Turkey's integration with the EU, the Anatolia News Agency reports. [03] YALOVA FINISHES TALKS IN LONDONThe State Minister Responsible for Privatization, Yuksel Yalova, said that there was a great desire to engage in joint investments in Turkey and in the Turkish-Speaking Republics among British businessmen and institutions. Yalova, who was in Britain on a three-day official visit as the guest of the British Government, yesterday met high-level officials from the Treasury and experts in privatization. Yalova evaluated his visit for the Anatolia News Agency and said that those who want to invest in Turkey regard Turkey as an effective partner with whom to undertake joint investments in the Turkish-Speaking Republics. Yalova stated that this was an important development. He also remarked that he had the opportunity to listen to the views and experiences of the representatives of some institutions involved in privatization. Yalova will go to New York today and join Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, who is currently paying an official visit to the U.S., the Anatolia News Agency reports.[04] TURCO-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL CONVENESThe seventh Joint Meeting of the Turco-Russian Business Council will be held in Antalya on October 14-16. A statement issued by the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) said that during the meeting, in addition to the current situation of Turco-Russian economic relations, future developments in various sectors in the next century will be discussed in detail. Ministers, politicians and nearly 400 Turkish and Russian businessmen are expected to attend the meeting, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[05] DEMIREL: "OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA WILL IMPROVE"President Suleyman Demirel said that China was a major player among world states and remarked he was confident that Turco-Chinese relations would improve. Demirel issued a statement during a reception held to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China and said that the achievements recorded by China in recent years were outstanding. Demirel recalled that the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, would visit Turkey next year and stated that this visit would further develop relations between the two countries. Turkish Parliament Speaker Yildirim Akbulut said that Turco-Chinese relations dated back many years and stated that they wanted to strengthen these relations. Akbulut pointed out that the Chinese contribution to world peace was of great significance, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[06] SANLIURFA GOVERNOR IN SYRIASanliura Governor Sehabettin Harput and an accompnaying delegation went to Aleppo, Syria yesterday. During a meeting between the delegations of the two countries, various issues especially those concerning border security and trade will be discussed. The Syrian delegation is headed by Aleppo Governor Muhammet Mustafa Miro. The Turkish delegation, which will also visit the Suleyman Sah Tomb, will return to Turkey today, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[07] OCALAN THREATENSThe head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, declared, "PKK members are ready to lay down their weapons and strengthen the understanding of a democratic republic. If my call is not taken into consideration, some undesired developments could be experienced". Ocalan remarked that the source of Turkey's structural problems was the Kurdish issue and stated that they wanted to create conditions amenable to the solution of the problem, peacefully and democratically. /Cumhuriyet/[08] MARITIME CONTROL SYSTEM IN STRAITSA few days are left in the bidding for the tender to construct the 'Ship Traffic Management and Information Systems' project envisaged by the Maritime Undersecretariat to control maritime traffic along the Straits of Istanbul and Canakkale. The State Minister responsible for Maritime Affairs, Ramazan Mirzaoglu, said that the proposals received from four global companies have been evaluated and the final decision on the turn-key job would depend on the report of the Tender Commission, established to select the firm, and would be announced following the visit of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the U.S. /Cumhuriyet/[09] DHKP-C MEMBERS ARRESTEDDuring a raid carried out in Konokke, a tourist region in Belgium, three members of the illegal DHKP-C organization, Musa Asoglu, Kaya Saz and Nese Yildirim, were arrested.Meanwhile, a tractor hit a mine laid on the road in the village of Tasdelen in the Uludere district in Sirnak, killing three people: Hadi Cetin, Ramazan Dundar and Aldulkerim Zeybek. /Cumhuriyet/ [10] ALAN MAKOVSKY REPORT ON TURKEYAn expert on Turkey from The Washington Institute, Alan Makovsky, has prepared a report on the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the U.S. In the report, Makovsky recalled that Turkey had just given up U.S.-guaranteed bonds and described this decision as a 'last minute surprise'. He also said that this decision made it difficult for the U.S. to pressurize Turkey into making a compromise. He also pointed out the extent of the sympathy displayed by the American people towards Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/[11] SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACYThe Summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to be held in Istanbul on November 18-19, has been described as an important opportunity for Turkey to strengthen her chance for EU candidacy. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is expected to meet the Foreign Ministers of 15 EU-member countries, while President Suleyman Demirel will meet the President of Finland, the country which is the current EU President. It is reported that the Foreign Ministers of Belgium and Holland will pay official visits to Turkey separate from the Summit. Technical talks are also expected between the EU and Turkey in the upcoming months. /Cumhuriyet/[12] ART NOUVEAU IN YILDIZ PALACEThe Art Nouveau section, newly-added to the palace museum of Yildiz Palace in Istanbul, will be opened today. Art Nouveau is known as an art genre which emerged at the end of the 19th century in the major European cities. /Cumhuriyet/[13] SYRIAN TERRORIST CAPTUREDDuring a raid yesterday in the Nusaybin district of Mardin, a PKK terrorist of Syrian origin was captured. A written statement issued by Mardin Security Office said that Djvin Ahmet, code-named 'Berivan-Dilvin', had been captured carrying many illegal documents, two hand-grenades and one pistol. /Turkiye/[14] WASHINGTON POST: "TURKEY IS A UNIQUE ALLY"An article published in the 'Washington Post', a leading U.S. newspaper, described Turkey as a 'unique ally'. The article stated that a Free Trade Agreement to be signed between Turkey and the U.S. would be extremely beneficial. It added that Turkey enjoyed vital importance from the standpoint of U.S. interests since it is the only country among Muslim countries which has a strong secular democracy. /Sabah/[15] GENERAL STAFF REJECTS PKK CALLSThe Turkish General Staff issued a statement strongly rejecting the calls made by the PKK terrorist organization. "The PKK terrorists' existence in Iran, Iraq and Syria is still considered a threat against Turkey" the statement said. "The last gasps of the terrorists should not be defined as peace efforts and it is impossible to understand those who applaud these efforts", said the military statement. "The Turkish General Staff will continue its struggle against terrorism, until the last terrorist is killed", it added. /All papers/[16] U.S. OFFICIALS HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCEMarc Grossman, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, and Mark Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, in a joint press conference yesterday expressed the U.S. Administration's expectations of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's official visit to the U.S. and his meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton. "Turkey is a very important long-term fiend and ally of the U.S. and we have been very much looking forward to this visit by Ecevit", said Grossman, adding that the U.S. has been working very closely with the Prime Minister since he won his vote of confidence, and has tried very hard to stay in contact with him since then. Grossman and Paris explained that cooperation in security issues such as Kosovo and Iraq, and all issues of military cooperation between the two countries, would be on the agenda of the meeting between Ecevit and Clinton. /All papers/[17] IDEF '99 OPENSThe fourth International Defence Industry, Aerospace and Maritime Fair (IDEF '99) opened in Ankara yesterday, attended by some 200 companies from 25 countries and high-level Turkish and foreign officials. The Fair is being held at the Turkkusu facilities outside Ankara and covers a total area of 50,000 square metres; it will remain open to visitors until Friday. During the Fair, Turkish officials will sign several bilateral agreements with their foreign counterparts. /All papers/[18] STRAITS TUNNEL PROJECTA request for proposals from consulting and engineering firms interested in bidding for the construction of the planned Bosphorus tunnel will be announced within the next 10-15 days, according to the Minister of Transport, Enis Oksuz. Oksuz said that the request will be formally announced over the Internet in both Turkish and English. Following this, a consulting firm will be selected and a tender launched to choose an engineering firm, the Minister explained, sttating that construction of the project should begin within a year. The cost of the tunnel project, which will connect the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, is estimated at $2.8 billion. /All papers/[19] AID FOR VICTIMSThe Set Group Holding Company will donate 50 prefabricated houses to the victims of the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region. General Director Celal Kozanoglu stated that the prefabicated houses were earthquake-proof. Meanwhile, the American International Group (AIG) has also granted $500,000 to the victims. The German BMW Group donated 15 Land Rover Defender vehicles to be used in the disaster region. The Merinos Carpet Factory sent 4,000 carpets worth 35 billion TL to the victims. /Milliyet/[20] EGS TO INCREASE CAPITAL TO 75 TRL TLAt a press conference yesterday, the Aegean region's multi-share joint-stock company, the Aegean Clothing Industry (EGS), declared that the company has increased its main capital from 25 trillion TL to 75 trillion TL. The Chairman of the Executive Board of the Company, Selami Gurguc, said that the company has increased its main capital three-fold since last year and increased its number of share holders by the same amount. He also stated, concerning the visit of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, "We are very hopeful about the U.S. visit and we want it to result in the implementation of our 'Free Zone and City Projects'. With this new project, which aims to enable Turkey, Israel and the U.S. to trade freely with each other, the Turkish textile sector's exports will increase dramatically". /All papers/[21] CRACK-DOWN IN SOUTHEASTERN REGIONDuring crack-downs in the Southeastern region, five terrorists were killed, while one was seized, and another surrendered to security forces. Security operations are underway in the region, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[22] FOREIGN AID FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMSAfter the earthquake disaster, which paralyzed the Marmara Region, foreign humanitarian aid is still continuing to arrive in the region. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministery, transport planes, including one each from the U.S. and Kuwait and three others from Austria, have arrived in the last three days; the total number of planes which have brought various humanitarian aid supplies and medicines here since the quake, has reached 369. Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Czech Republic issued a statement to the effect that a Czech company has dispatched three healthcare centers and 27 temporary houses for the victims; the houses are due in Turkey in the first week of October, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[23] KURDISH GOVERNMENT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHEDA guarantee was received by Turkey concerning the PKK from a powerful name in Northern Iraq, the leader of the IKDP, Mesut Barzani. Barzani evaluated the possibility of the PKK's leaving Turkey and settling in Northern Iraq and said, "We cannot allow the PKK to settle in the region. We do not want an independent Kurdish government." Sebgetullah Seydaoglu, Nurettin Dilek and Macit Piruzbeyoglu from the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mustafa Kemal Tugmaner from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Seyyid Hasim Hasimi from the Virtue Party (FP), who went to the Northern Iraq following the invitation of Barzani and touched on certain subjects of interest, came back with these interesting signals. During the meeting, Barzani said that they would be loyal to the agreement that was signed in the U.S., and harshly rejected the PKK's request for permission to establish themselves there. /Aksam/[24] "U.S. CANNOT IMPOSE SOLUTION BY FORCE"The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, said that there is no need to worry about the possibility that the U.S. might try to impose a solution by force. Denktas stated that the Americans had no intention of forcing anyone to accept anything involuntarily and that they didn't even have a plan. Denktas further added that they only wished to help both parties under the initiatives of the UN Secretary-General. /Aksam/[25] MARMARA: LESSON FOR NATONATO evaluated the results of the earthquake that occurred in Turkey and decided to strengthen its civilian defence abilities. The Deputy Secretary-General of NATO, Oivint Baker, wrote a report after investigating the earthquake-hit regions, which provoked many debates within the Alliance. In his report, Baker explains that the Turkish authorities prioritized the setting-up of prefabricated houses and the clearing-away of the rubble and that the people were fearful and were unable to return to their houses, even though they had not collapsed. Baker also writes about the meeting that was held with representatives of AKUT. He adds something about the cooperation which occurred between the civilian and military forces. He also states the example of Turkish civilian search and rescue teams's being sent to Greece rapidly. Turkey, who implemented NATO's "Civilian State of Emergency Plan" during the earthquake disaster, briefed the Allies on the needs of the people and supplied them with data on the disaster. After the disaster in Turkey, this question was on the agenda: "If such a disaster occurs in one of the Allies' countries, what should NATO do to act more effectively?"The Allies, who agree that NATO's civilian defence plan and mechanisms should be developed, called the various committees of the Allieance to action. Alliance sources stated that the earthquake that occurred in Turkey was a "catalyst" and that the scientific and research committees had begun to work on the issue. In this framework of research, military and civilian delegations will come to Turkey to investigate the situation. The experts, who will make it a priority to determe and stock the emergency equipment and educate the teams, will ensure NATO's civilian defence plans are up-to-date. /Aksam/ [26] COMPEX'99 EXCITEMENT IN THE COMPUTER WORLDThe Turkish data-processing world is preparing for Turkey's oldest computer fair, Compex'99; 527 Turkish and foreign firms will attend the Fair, which will be organized in Tepebasi, Tuyap between 6th and 10th October. Online invitation-cards for the Fair can be found on the Internet (www.compex.com.tr). The number of people who were willing to attend reached 22,000 last night. During the Fair, the latest consumer rights and Year 2000 compliance will be discussed. /Aksam/[27] GERMANY WILL ESTABLISH `CHILDREN'S VILLAGE'Germany stated that they would contribute to the reconstruction of Golcuk by establishing a `children's village' on 12,500 square metres of land. The construction of the children's village will be undertaken by the Turco-German Foundation. The children's village, in which will be a primary school and many activity areas that the children can benefit from, will provide services to 200 children. The Turco-German Foundation's representative for Turkey, Huseyin Baraner, issued information on the project and said that donations had been collected by many firms in Germany and that the construction of the children's village would cost 2-2.5 million dollars. It was stated that the earnings of the match between Trabzonspor and Hamburg would be given to the project and that an aid-concert would be organized in February. /Milliyet/[28] FINANCIAL BALANCE WILL BE ESTABLISHED AGAINThe Turkish Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral, stated that the Budget for the year 2000 was very important due to its being the "first Budget of the century". Sumer said, "This Budget will be a very important step in order to keep the financial balance of Turkey firmly in check."Oral said that the work on the Budget for the year 2000 was underway on the technical level and that he would pay attention to this work after the first week of October. Oral further added that they would meet the Ministers one by one and would conclude the preparation of the Budget. He also said that the Budget would be discussed by the Council of Ministers and that it would be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on 17th October. /Aksam/ [29] TURKEY IN G-20 GROUPDuring the World Bank annual meeting held in Washington, the first good news for Turkey came yesterday. The G-7 countries, representing the world's most developed countries, decided to form the G-20 Group which is to be the next link, representing the world economy after them; it has been decided to include Turkey in this group. In choosing the G-20 countries, their place in the world economy was regarded. /Star/[30] AUTOMOTIVE BY-PRODUCTS UPThe Export General Directorate's Head of the Incentive of Industry Department, Avni Dagdeviren, stated that exports of automotive by-products during the 1999 January-August period increased by 48 percent, reaching about 1.5 billion dollars. /Star/[31] 2000: YEAR OF FRIENDSHIPThe Chairman of the Izmir Trade Chamber (IZTO), Ekrem Demirtas, in sending a letter to the Greek Prime M�nister, Kostas Simitis, and the Chairman of the Mitylene Trade Chamber, Panagidis Mathiellis, called for the proclamation of the year 2000 as the 'Turco-Greek Friendship Year'. Stressing that with the visits of the members of the IZTO to Rhodes in 1997 and Mitylene in 1998, they had initiated developments in relations with the islands, Demirtas said, "We wish to ensure the same friendship between Turkey and Greece permanently. We share the same sea and air, the same destiny. We wish to be a friend of these islands and of Greece, and also to deal with them. Only weapons manufacturers gain from hostility between the two countries." /Turkiye/[32] EGYPTIAN NATURAL GASContinuing her research into new and alternative energy sources, Turkey has included one more natural gas pipeline project on her agenda, called 'the Project of the Century'. Turkey and Egypt signed an agreement on July 26th 1999 for the purchase of Egyptian natural gas. To mobilize this agreement, a new study group has been formed between the technical authorities of the two countries. The General Directorate of Botas' and officials of the Egyptian natural gas company, Gasco, will participate in the joint study group. The capacity and the cost of the venture will be determined after their research is complete. /Aksam/[33] SHOWROOM IN BUCHARESTThe Konya Trade Chamber, the Commercial Counsellor of the Turkish Embassy in Bucharest and the Romanian Trade and Industry Chamber will open a marketing Fair at the 'Turkish Business Showroom' in Bucharest. According to the Chairman of the Konya Trade Chamber, Mehmet Ali �nan, stands at the Fair will be rented to Turkish firms for at least two months after Oct. 25th. Firms which desire to participate in the Fair can obtain a free Fair Catalogue; application forms will be given to Romexpo's Istanbul agency up to Oct. 15th. /Aksam/[34] UNCTAD AND TURKEYThe General Secretary of YASED, Abdurrahman Ariman, informed the public about the World Investment Report of the United Nations' Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which was declared the day before. According to the report, Turkey fell to 55th. with its 800 million dollars of foreign investment, in the list of the countries most attractive to foreign investors. Ariman emphasized that foreign investors invest in Croatia, Poland and Equador more than in Turkey. He also said that foreign investors last year mostly turned to developed countries, and the developing countries will experience greater difficulty in attracting foreign investors over the next few years. /Aksam/[35] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...[36] TURKEY-US RELATIONS -BY ERCAN MUMCU (HURRIYET)Columnist Ercan Kumcu comments on relations between Turkey and the US and the expectations of both parties from each other. A summary of his column is as follows:"The expectations of both parties before the meeting between Ecevit and Clinton seem to differ widely. Turks believed that they would return home with a large amount of aid granted by the US. However, the atmosphere prevalent among US officials was different. They believed that Turkish expectations were greatly exaggerated and Alan Makovsky has voiced this opinion best. Makovsky is a specialist in Turco-US relations and he explained to us how important Turkey was for US foreign policy. At present, Turkey is more important for the US than she was in the days of the Cold War. Both the US and Turkey were aware of the fact and therefore, the US Administration supported Turkey on every platform. The US is working hard for Turkey to obtain a strong place in the region. The US Administration is pressuring the IMF and the World Bank to extend a helping hand to Turkey. Makovsky stated that at this stage the amount of aid the US would loan to Turkey could not exceed this. Turkey was more hopeful on the issue of quotas, but it was understood that the US did not accept a net increase in the quotas she applies for Turkish exports. Some US institutions were able to guarantee loans to be used in reconstructing the buildings which collapsed during the recent earthquake. No one expects this aid, which requires the approval of Congress, to exceed $300 or 400 million; the need for Congressional approval may not be such a good idea after all. Even though the US Administration is shying away from steps which would lead this visit to be considered successful by Turkey, she would like it to be viewed contructively by the US public. Makovsky points out the two different stances by the US. First of all, she would not pressurize Turkey over Cyprus as Turkey anticipates and secondly, would praise Turkey to the US public and talk of the achievements of the Ecevit Government. If the situation can be summarized as this, the visit to Washington the Prime Minister can be described as the dashing of great expectations. However, if expectations are moderate, the visit can be interpreted as an important step in Turco-US relations." [37] TOUR OF VISION -BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the meeting between Prime Minister Ecevit and President Clinton. A summary of his column is as follows:"The meeting between Prime Minister Ecevit and the US President, Bill Clinton, can neither be described as Turkey asking for money nor as the US requesting a concession on Cyprus. The best description for the meeting between the two leaders may be a 'visionary exchange'. Ecevit and Clinton held a meeting reviewing the regional and world problems and evaluating the places of the two countries in the new world situation. President Clinton's description of Turkey as a strategic partner coincides with Ecevit's words that new conditions in the world have enhanced political and military cooperation between both countries. President Clinton's views can be summarized thus: The US President would like Turkey to state her requirements concerning a return to normal after the earthquake. He promised that the US would do everything in her power to meet these needs. He also stated that he would support the transfer of resources by the IMF and the World Bank to Turkey and the signing of a stand-by agreement during the process. On the energy issue, Clinton stated that the US would continue to support the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. However, the Clinton Administration is against the erasing of FMS credits. The White House believes that such an act would put Washington in a difficult position. Another issue greatly supported by the US is Turkey's entrance to the European Union. She believes that this integration will not only be of benefit to Turkey but to the advantage of the whole world. Therefore, President Clinton points out the necessity of the continuation of the dialogue process between Turkey and Greece, started following the earthquake disaster. On the Cyprus issue, President Clinton repeated the G-8 request to start an unconditional dialogue and added that the US will send Cyprus Special Envoy Moses to the region. The US President expressed his pleasure at the steps taken by the Ecevit Government towards democratization and the improvement of human rights. He also expressed his support for the economic reforms which would lead to international arbitration. Clinton also praised Turkey's role in Kosovo and selfless consideration she showed during the Gulf crisis. On the other hand, Prime Minister Ecevit stressed that economic cooperation should be added to political and military cooperation. He pointed out in particular joint investments to be undertaken in the energy field and stressed the importance of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. He also asked for the quotas on textiles to be enlarged and diversification of trade between the two countries to be implemented. He added that Turkey had suffered great losses due to the Gulf Crisis and these should be compensated for. On Cyprus, he reiterated Turkey's view and stated that the equal political and national status of the TRNC should be recognized, and no change should be expected in the Turkish stance unless this was met. Ecevit stated that Turkey only asks for her rights stemming from past agreements concerning the European Union; due to her cultural and historic ties, she sees herself as a European country. He stressed the improvements Turkey made in a short time in human rights and democratization and added that such improvements would continue to be made." END Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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