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Turkish Press Review, 99-12-16Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>16.12.99Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morningCONTENTS
[01] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[02] LIPPONEN: I WROTE LETTER AS EU CHAIRMANThe Finnish Prime Minister, Paavo Lipponen, personally cleared up the confusion and declared that he wrote the letter which had caused polemics between Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and his Greek colleague Kostas Simitis, under his title of the 'Current EU Chairman`. During his speech at the European Parliament, Lipponen said that following the EU's decision over Turkey's membership, they had held meetings with Ankara and, in addition to that, he had sent a letter to Ecevit in his roles as Current EU Chairman. So, with his declaration, Lipponen denied the Greek Prime Minister's assertion that he had sent the letter as the Finnish Prime Minister. /Hurriyet/[03] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 'NOTED` TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIPThe European Parliament (EP) was contented with noting the decision on Turkey's membership. A joint article, presented to the General Assembly, said, "We note the decision on Turkey's membership". The Parliament also emphasized that membership negotiations with Turkey could not begin before the implementation of the Copenhagen Criteria. /Hurriyet/[04] NO COOPERATION WITH PEACE FORCEFollowing the UN Security Council's calling the Greek-Cypriot Administration the 'Government of Cyprus` in a Bill related to Cyprus, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has rejected cooperation with the UN Peace Force (UNFICYP) deployed on the Island. This alteration stops the UNFICYP functioning in the TRNC region. Now, UN authorities are striving to find a new formula to overcome the issue. /Hurriyet/[05] KASSULIDES: 'AFTER ALL, CYPRUS IS AN EU ISSUE`The Greek-Cypriot Foreign Minister, Yoannis Kassulides, asserted that with the EU's recent decision, Cyprus became an EU issue. Stressing that the Summit had encouraged all sides to seek a solution, the Greek-Cypriot Minister said, "These problems cannot last indefinitely and Cyprus cannot remain a 'black hole' in the region." During his interview with the 'Hurriyet` correspondent in New York, Kassulides pointed out, "We tried strained relations but it didn't work, now it is time to give peace a chance. /Hurriyet/[06] SECOND ACT IN TANK PURCHASING CRISISThe second act in the tank crisis experienced between Turkey and Germany will be staged next week during German Defence Minister Rudolph Scharping's Ankara visit. The tank purchasing issue will be the major topic of discussion during his meetings. Scharping is known as the Minister who, together with Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, applied a 'shadow embargo` on tanks which were supposed to be sold to Turkey, giving human rights violations as their reason. /Hurriyet/[07] DEMIREL: "TURKEY WILL SOON BE A FULL EU MEMBER"President Suleyman Demirel stated that Turkey's quick accession to the EU depended on Turkey's performance in certain areas. Stressing that Turkey faces the responsibility of accelerating the pace of radical reforms in many fields, Demirel confidently said Turkey would soon be a full member of the EU, and also one of the 10 strongest countries in the next century. Speaking at the Turco-EU Association on the current state of their relations, Demirel pointed out Turkey's advantages over the other candidates, including her being the only country who has entered into the Customs Union with the EU and, therefore, is ahead of the other candidates for full membership.In his speech, Demirel outlined Turkey's 'homework' which is needed to speedily achieve membership. The harmonization of Turkish laws with administrative system reforms should be integrated and carried out simultaneously. Demirel underlined the need to lose no time in making the essential constitutional amendments so as to clear the road for reforms. /All papers/ [08] PRESS CONFERENCE OF DENKTASYesterday, at a press conference following his meeting with Prime minister Ecevit, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Rauf Denktas stated that for the first time the TRNC's desire for a confederation with the Greek-Cypriot Administration had been presented to the UN. Denktas informed Prime Minister Ecevit of his talks in New York for an hour at the State Guest House at Ataturk Airport, the Anatolia News Agency reports. At Ecevit and Denktas' joint press conference held by, the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at seeing Denktas in Istanbul. He then handed over to Denktas who stated that the negotiations in New York would continue in January and the world would listen to the confederation plan.[09] TURKEY INSISTS ON PARTICIPATING IN ESDI DECISION-MAKING PROCESSNATO allies who are not members of the EU, including the US, Canada, Turkey, Norway, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Iceland, on Wednesday engaged in discussions with their EU partners concerning the exact nature of the proposed links between NATO and the EU in future crisis-management situations. Turkey, one of the most vocal critics within NATO of the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), yesterday once again made it known to Brussels that it was determined to participate in the decision-making process of the ESDI.Speaking in Brussels, now that Turkey has been accepted as a candidate for EU mmembership, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem warned the EU countries that the exclusion of Turkey from this ESDI process could cause problems within the Alliance. Speaking to the press as negotiations at NATO headquarters continued, Cem said it would be unfair to non-EU allies if they were excluded from decision-making by an inner core of EU countries proposing to undertake future crisis-management missions that would rely on NATO's military assets. /All papers/ [10] SIMITIS: "WE TRIED FOR REAL CANDIDACY"Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis said during a speech in the Parliament yesterday evening, "We tried not for a visual, but for a real candidate status for Turkey. Some of our partners wanted to give Turkey a purely symbolic candidacy, the details of which were not determined. However, we wanted true candidacy for our neighbour and we are glad that we were able to grant it. Turkey needs to be in compliance with democratic measurements in order to enter the EU. Turkey, who says that she does not demand any Greek land, should outline exactly what she wants." /Turkiye/[11] SUPPORT FROM ITALIANS FOR TURKEYAmongst other supportive countries, Italy is continuing to back Turkey after the acceptance of her candidacy to the EU. Italian politicians, declaring that they were supporting Turkey in every area, stated that they had wanted to see Turkey within the EU. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs who is the person within the Forza Italia Party responsible for foreign affairs, Antonio Martino, said, "The slogan 'Turkey should enter the EU', which we started while in government, was supported by the D'Alema government and the contributions needed were made, which is a positive result." /Turkiye/[12] TURKISH WATER FACTOR IN THE MIDDLE EASTIn the past Syria used to continually demand the handing-over of the whole of the Golan heights from Israel which Israel did not want to give up due to its 'vitally important' water sources. It was stated that Prime Minister Balak, who knows that the agreement with Syria is vitally important for the security of the country, then agreed to sign an accord with Syria, giving up most of the Golan heights because he believes that water sent from Turkey via pipelines will solve the problem. /Turkiye/[13] U.S.A.: "WE WOULD BE GLAD IF NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUED"The Spokesman of the American State Department, James Foley, said that they would be extremely pleased if the parties involved in the Cyprus issue come together once more. Foley answered questions during a press conference yesterday: "I heard the news concerning the meeting of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktas, and the leader of the Greek-Cypriot Administration, Glafkos Klerides. We can greet the news of the re-starting of indirect talks with great gladness." /Turkiye/[14] THE WASHINGTON TIMES: "PRESIDENT OF THE TRNC: DENKTAS"In an explanation published in one of the leading American newspapers, 'The Washington Times', it was argued that Turkey's process of advancing along the road to the EU will not contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem. It was also striking that this newspaper used the term "President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)" when speaking of Rauf Denktas. In this summing-up it was written, "In spite of the approval of Turkey's EU candidacy in Helsinki, the situation of Cyprus being divided will continue. The major reason for the lack of a solution is the hostility existing between the two societies." /Turkiye/[15] TURKISH PARLIAMENT APPROVES JOINT DECLARATION ON CHECHNYAThe Turkish Parliament yesterday approved a joint declaration urging Russia to halt the offensive it is conducting in Chechnya. "The Turkish Parliament believes it necessary to bring an end to the humanitarian tragedy taking place in Chechnya, and wants the problem to be resolved by peaceful means and within the guidelines of the law", the declaration reads. It also urged the Russian government to abide by the Kasavyurt Agreement which was signed between the Russian and Chechen governments on May 12, 1997. It also refers to the fact that 400,000 people have been forced from their homes to take refuge from the violence. Moreover, within the declaration the Turkish Parliament has also called on governments around the world to contribute towards finding a peaceful solution in Chechnya. /All papers/[16] NEW TRIAL STARTS AGAINST OCALANThe head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, faced charges in Ankara's Criminal Court yesterday for crimes he is alleged to have committed over 20 years ago. Ocalan, who is currently imprisoned on Imrali Island, did not attend yesterday's session. He is being tried with 100 other members of the PKK, including his estranged wife Kesire, who currently resides in Europe, and top militant commanders Cemil Bayik and Murat Karayilan. /All papers/[17] ECHR'S DECISION ON SERIFTurkey hopes that the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concerning the Mufti of Komotini (Gumulcine), Ibrahim Serif, will end the religious oppression of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry recalled that the case had been taken to the ECHR by the Mufti of Gumulcine against Greece; the ECHR has condemned Greece for violating Articles 9 and 11 of the European Human Rights Convention. The statement further declared Turkish hopes that Greece's unfavourable attitude towards the Mufti of Xanthi (Iskece), Mehmet Emin Aga, who faces a minimum 100-month prison sentence, will also be reviewed, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[18] RUSSIA PLEASED OVER CYPRUS TALKSThe Russian Foreign Ministry has said that it welcomes the resumption of the Cyprus peace talks, the Anatolia News Agency reports. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Vladimir Rahmanin, at a press conference yesterday, stated that Greek-Cypriot Leader Glafkos Klerides and Turkish-Cypriot President Rauf Denktas had not limited the talks to general principles, and added that they had enabled discussion of basic problems. Rahmanin pointed out that the negotiation process which will resume in January will be a lasting one, and added that Russia would continue to contribute actively to an enduring and fair solution to the Cyprus problem.[19] OECD DELEGATION IN IZMITMembers of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) delegation were briefed on the latest situation of those cities in the earthquake zone during a meeting in Izmit yesterday. The Director of the OECD's Monitoring Department, Val Koromzay, and an accompanying seven-member delegation met Coordinating Director of the Disaster Region Kutluay Oktem yesterday. Oktem said that they had examined the latest state of affairs in the public institutions and industrial facilities in the region. Koromzay remarked that they would prepare a report on the economic assistance they could offer the region and then present it to the OECD member countries, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[20] TURK: CAKICI TO BE TRIED ON TWO COUNTSJustice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk held a press conference yesterday during which he discussed France's return to Turkey of notorious mafia boss Alaattin Cakici, which took place on Monday evening. Turk first provided specific details about the extradition of suspects according to a 1957 international agreement signed by 35 nations in Paris. According to this agreement, if a country seeks the return of a suspect from the country to which he or she has escaped, the returnee can only be tried on the charges agreed to by the extraditing country. Turk said that Turkey wants Cakici to stand trial on five counts but that France had extradited him only for the two charges that do not carry a death sentence. /All papers/[21] MEETING WITH SUPREME COORDINATION BOARD OF HUMAN RIGHTSMehmet Ali Irtemcelik, the State Minister Responsible for Human Rights, indicated that 'in order to effectively and efficiently motivate essential progress in society, a Human Rights Board and Human Rights Advisory Council will be established under the auspices of the Prime Ministry', the Anatolia News Agency reports.Following a two-hour meeting with the Supreme Coordination Board of Human Rights, Irtemcelik, the Board's Chairman, addressed those present, announcing that there are certain structural changes being planned in the Prime Ministry so that the requirements for the new models of human rights organizations can be accommodated. [22] OZBEY'S EXTRADITION WAS REJECTEDTHe Public Prosecutor's Office in Istanbul has officially requested the extradition of Yalcin Ozbey, who is one of the key names in the Abdi Ipekci murder, from Belgium. The application made through the Ministry of Justice was rejected due to existence of the death sentence in Turkey. Because of this, it was requested that Ozbey's statement be taken down by an authorized proxy. /Cumhuriyet/[23] "EU CONTRIBUTES TO STABILITY"'The Times' newspaper, published in England, stated that the EU, having granted candidacy status to Turkey, had greatly contributed to stability in the Mediterranean in this way. The newspaper summed up the issue in its headline and pointed out that there were some difficulties still being experienced particularly concerning the terminology being used on the Cyprus issue. In the article, it was written that the EU's Foreign Policy and Common Defence Representative, Javier Solana, had arrived in Turkey, and explained that the term "the end of the year 2004" was the date set not for the solution of problems in Turco-Greek relations, but for reviewing the point that will have been reached by then. In the article, it was also stated that the Turkish Prime Minister, Bulent Ecevit, who had agreed to go to Helsinki, had come back to Turkey as a 'hero'. /Cumhuriyet/[24] FP'S CLOSURE TRIAL CONTINUESJudicial proceedings in the case brought against the Virtue Party (FP) by Supreme Court of Appeals' Chief Prosecutor Vural Savas, who is seeking the closure of the party for 'becoming a nucleus of anti-secular activity" are still in progress. The Anatolia News Agency reported that, on January 18, Savas will issue a verbal statement and the Constitutional Court, which is in charge of deciding the case, will hear the verbal testimonies of the party's leaders on January 25.[25] SUPPORT FROM GIANTSTwo giants of Turkish industry Koc and Sabanci, have declared their support for the Central Bank's monetary and exchange rate policies. The Chairman of Sabanci Holding Company's Executive Board, Sakip Sabanci, said, "We will continue to remain in solidarity with the Central Bank." A statement made by the Koc Group said that they had also decided to support the government's macro-economic targets as they thought that their decisions were right and inevitable. A member of the Koc Holding Company's Executive Board, Temel Atay, said, "For the year 2000, all of our companies will arrange their work schedules according to Central Bank data." /Hurriyet/[26] FORBES: 'TURK TELECOM IS AN UNCUT DIAMOND`One of the most famous magazines in the American business world, 'Forbes', assessed Turk Telecom, which is being included in the privatization programme, as 'an uncut diamond`. In the article it was stated: "Turk Telecom ranks 14th in the world with its 17 million lines. It has a turnover of 3.3 billion dollars and 1.2 billion dollars of net profit. The article also asserted that the Turkish government, which needed money urgently, was planning to sell 20% of the company shares for 3 billion dollars in the year 2000. /Hurriyet/[27] ORAL: 'TURKEY HAS A SAY IN WORLD ECONOMY`Prior to the G-20 countries' Finance Ministers' gathering, which is going to commence today in Berlin, Turkish Finance Minister Sumer Oral arranged a press conference. The Minister said, "At the final Summit of the Millennium, the world economy and its future will be raised for discussion. Turkey also has a say in the world economy and will contribute to the foundations of a new formation." Oral also stated, "It is important for Turkey to take positive steps within the EU and in the mean time to take her place in an important Summit where the world's financial and economic situation will be discussed." /Hurriyet/[28] FREE TRADE ZONE CALL FROM GREECEAfter Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis underlined "economic business possibilities" between Greece and Turkey, three big ventures have come to the attention. The first plans to enlarge the "Free Trade Zone" in the Maritza region between Greece and Bulgaria, to include Turkey; the USA backs this enlargement. The second scheme is the re-openning of the former Customs House in Thrace. The third is the addition of an Ipsala-Istanbul highway to the Greek highway which is still under construction. /Milliyet/[29] GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF TWO TURKS IN AMERICAAn MBA thesis on scientists developing nuclear weapons after the Cold AWar in Russia by two Turkish students, Ali Tanman and Serhat Pala, has drawn the attention of the American Congress and State Department. Tanman and Pala are studying for their MBA at San Diego University; accompanied by the Dean of San Diego University, Tanman and Pala left for Washington this week to present their reasearch to the US State Department's Disarmament Committee. They are hoping to receive financial assistance from the US government for their research, the Anatolia News Agency reports.[30] FRENCH SHIP TO ARRIVE IN APRILTUBITAK (Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey) has begun joint research work with NATO in order to look into the fault system in the Marmara region, to equip the reqion with a unified seismic network of observation posts, and to strengthen buildings against earthquakes. Deputy Chairman of TUBITAK Tugrul Tankut said, "As it was decided that NATO's seismic research ship which was to investigate the sea-bed fault-lines which might cause an earthquake in Istanbul, did not have sufficient equipment, the French seismic ship will be sent to Turkey instead in April." /Cumhuriyet/[31] UMIT BOYNER IN AMERICAN MAGAZINEThe Deputy Chairman of the Boyner Holding Company and the person responsible for its financial affairs, Umit Boyner, was placed among the 20 most successful businesswomen by 'Working Women' magazine published in the U.S.A. Interviews made with 20 businesswomen, who had succeeded in coping with sexual discrimination and who had transformed the changes in the markets into profit by making good use of technology, were published in the magazine. /Cumhuriyet/[32] SABANCI AWARDED BY CULTURE MINISTRYBusinessman Sakip Sabanci was awarded this year's Top Prize in Culture and Art, annually presented by the Culture Ministry. A written statement by the Culture Ministry said that the prize has been presented to a number of people since 1979 and stated that Sabanci was deemed eligible for this year's prize for his contributions to the spread and revival of art and culture. /All papers/[33] NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSMEN IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIESIt was stated that after a delegation chaired by State Minister Mehmet Kececiler had gone to Saudi Arabia to discuss the loan that will be received by the Islamic Development Bank for infrastructural investments, positive results had been obtained from the meetings there. It was further stated that the loan that will be given to the Islamic Development Bank amounted to 20 billion dollars. Moreover, massive steps were being taken to increase investments by large-scale businessman in these countries. /Turkiye/[34] TURCO-ISRAELI-US MANOEUVRES STARTTurkey, Israel and the US on Wednesday began conducting the Mediterranean naval manoeuvres dubbed 'Reliant Mermaid-99' in international waters off Marmaris. "The sole objective of this exercise is to practice coordinated emergency search and rescue procedures for assisting people in distress at sea", said Capt. Ahmet Aksoy at a naval base near the southwestern Turkish resort of Marmaris. The manoeuvres were scheduled to begin at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the Eastern Mediterranean and finish on Thursday morning. They will involve two Turkish frigates, two Turkish coast-guard vessels, a US guided-missile frigate, a US marine patrol aircraft, an Israeli frigate and an Israeli assault vessel. /All papers/[35] TURKEY SIGNS $1.6 BILLION LOAN DEALSThe Turkish government yesterday signed $1.6 billion worth of loan agreements to finance a new section of the Afsin-Elbistan thermal power station. The agreements for Afsin-Elbistan B were signed at a ceremony in the presence of Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer. "I wish we had signed deals for C and D as well", Ersumer told reporters at the signing ceremony. "This is going to be a new Ataturk Dam", he said, making a reference to Turkey's largest dam. /All papers/[36] TURKEY SEES $1.5 BILLION IMF LOANS IN 2000Turkey is hoping to receive $1.5 billion worth of stand-by loans from the IMF during 2000, the Anatolia News Agency reported from Berlin. The Agency, quoting senior economic officials, said that the remaining $2.5 billion portion of the IMF loan, including $500 million in emergency assistance, would be delivered in 2001 and 2002. The stand-by loan will be released quarterly after endorsement by a team of IMF officials, who will visit Turkey to confirm whether the government is complying with the stand-by agreement. The IMF loan, repayment of which will be deferred for three years, will have an annual interest rate of 7%. The Anatolia News Agency said the loan will not be used to finance the rollover of domestic debts, but to increase the Central Bank's foreign currency reserves, currently at around $22.6 billion.[37] DCR RATES TURKCELL BONDS 'BB-'The London-based international rating agency Duff and Phelps (DCR) has rated Turkish mobile phone operator Turkcell's proposed bond issue at 'BB-' (BB minus), the Anatolia News Agency announced yesterday. In a statement, DCR said that the 'BB-' rating is based on Turkcell's powerful position in Turkey's mobile phone market and on its increasing number of subscribers. Turkcell is planning to issue abroad $200 million worth of bonds that will mature in 2005. The bond issue will be handled through the cellular operator's finance company, Cellco. /All papers/[38] PARLIAMENT RATIFIES CAPITAL MARKETS BILLAfter a lengthy debate, the Turkish Parliament's General Assembly yesterday ratified a controversial Capital Markets Bill which, according to independent analysts, owerpowers an existing capital markets watchdog. The Assembly enacted all 33 articles of the Bill. Under the articles passed, a central depository registration office will be formed to monitor all securities' issues and transactions. One article in the Bill sets out rules for the appointment of a Chairman and members of a watchdog, the Capital Markets Board (SPK). The Chairman will be appointed for a six-year term and will not be allowed to own a business or hold another governmental or private position. Neither the Chairman nor members of the Board will be allowed to own securities in their private portfolios. The Bill also aims to authorize the SPK to 'amend and_or correct' companies' balance sheets.Meanwhile, the Turkish Parliament's Budget and Planning Committee on Wednesday endorsed a Bill allowing the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model to be used in energy sector contracts. The Bill adds energy production, distribution and trade business into existing BOT legislation. /All papers/ [39] ISTANBUL: EURASIA'S TECHNOLOGY CENTRECooperation between the world's largest exhibition organizers, Deutsche Messe and Interpro will make Istanbul into Eurasia's technology centre. At Turkey's biggest technology fair Bilisim `99, which started yesterday organized by Interpro, a treaty on cooperation was signed with Deutsche Messe, which [Borganizes the world's biggest telecommunications exhibition, Cebit. Using BCebit's international network, Istanbul will become a connection point. /Sabah/[40] ERSUMER: THERE IS NO OFFICIAL INFORMATON ON IRANIAN GASTurkey's Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer has said that they have not received any official information on Iranian natural gas and added, "Negotiations are still underway. The Pipeline Transport Company's (BOTAS) General Manager will go to Iran in the next few days." After it was said that Iranian natural gas would be brought to the Turkish border on 1 January, Ersumer said that there had been no official confirmation of this as yet. /Sabah/[41] THANKS FROM MINORITIESTwo gestures by the Prime Minister's Office for minorities, in the light of OSCE and EU membership candidacy, have satisfied minority representatives. Certain regulations have been put into effect under State Minister Yuksel Yalova's signature. Issued the day before yesterday, the circular talks of two amendments: From now on minorities will be allowed to employ their own lawyers in case of a conflict with the State, moreover, they will not have to obtain permission from the State in order to restore charitable institutions and buildings consecrated to worship./Sabah/[42] EU LAWS UNDER WAYThe government is preparing itself for a long, hard race -a marathon- which will take 4 years to amend the Turkish legal system to be in line with EU norms. Coalition partners with opposition parties plan to put this extensive reform package into effect and for this reason, an EU Committee is to be established in which all the parties in the TGNA will be represented. /Sabah/[43] MIELE IN TURKEYGerman consumer goods producer Miele has established Miele Limited, Turkey, the General Manager of which is Remzi Mirdogan. Miele has nine factories, marketing companies in 56 countries and 15,000 employees. /Aksam/[44] RECORD TRANSACTION VOLUME ON IMKBShares on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB) rose yesterday. The IMKB 100 Index shot up by 495 points to 12,560 points. The transaction volume exceeded one billion dollars for the day's trading. /Aksam/[45] US LOAN FOR `CLEAN' ENERGYA US investment company has said that it will give a $300 million loan to establish electric power stations to produce `clean' energy in Turkey. With the US Overseas Private Investment Company (OPIC) loan, two electric power stations will be built. /Aksam/[46] 10 TRILLION TO TREASURY FROM IRAQI DIESELWith the registering of diesel brought into Turkey from Iraq under `border trade', the Treasury now obtains about 10 trillion Turkish Liras in monthly revenues. /Aksam/[47] GERMAN BUSINESSMEN IN TURKISH INVESTMENT RUSHGerman industrialists have decided to invest $ 1,200,000,000 in Turkey in the year 2000. German officials met Turkish industrialists at the Aegean Regional Chamber of Industry and discussed investment possibilities. /Aksam/[48] CHINESE PREDICTION SYSTEM TO MARMARAA $3 million "Seismological real-time web system" will be established to predict earthquakes in Istanbul. The establishment of a more refined type of the system, which has already saved millions of lives in China, has been accepted by Istanbul Governor's Office./Milliyet/[49] 75 MILLION EUROS FROM THE EUThe European Union (EU) will donate 75 million Euros to Turkey in the year 2000. The second and most recent stage of the EU's draft Budget for the year 2000 will be voted on today during the European Parliament's (EP) General Council session. Donations of 30 million Euros and 45 million Euros for the earthquake survivors, the first instalments of the total 135 million Euros envisaged as part of the EU's strategy of rapprochement, will be made. /Turkiye/[50] GALATASARAY-BORUSSIA DORTMUND MATCH ON MARCH 2In the draw made in Geneva yesterday, Turkish champion Galatasaray was matched against German Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund in round four of the UEFA Cup. The first leg of the match will be played on March 2, 2000, in Dortmund. /All papers/[51] FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS ... FROM THE COLUMNS[52] THE IMPORTANCE OF THE G-20 BY OSMAN ULAGAY (MILLIYET)Columnist Osman Ulagay writes on the importance of the G-20 and the reason why it was established. A summmary of his column is as follows:"At the first meeting of the G-20 countries in Berlin today, Turkish Central Bank Governor Gazi Ercel will most probably explain the foreign exchange and monetary programme he revealed on 9 December for the first time. Discussions on the structural problems of international finance systems and the role of the International Monetary Fund in the future, in addition to foreign exchange policies are expected to take place during this meeting. The G-20 group was formed to prevent a new crisis, similar to the one seen in the Far East countries, at the request of the US. Europe did not look favourably upon this new formation which included small European countries whose shares in the world economy were increasingly growing and who were considered newly-emerging markets, but could not resist the American request after a certain point. Meanwhile, the positive effects of the monetary and foreign exchange programme as stated by Gazi Ercel have begun to be seen on international markets. A rise in the price of Turkish bonds and a drop in their profits have been seen. The Wall Street Journal stated that EU candidate Turkey had attracted the attention of investors. The stand-by loan agreement between the IMF and Turkey is expected to enhance this positive effect." [53] ONLY DENKTAS CAN SOLVE BY SAHIN ALPAY (MILLIYET)Columnist Sahin Alpay comments on the decisions adopted at the Helsinki Summit and TRNC President Denktas' stance. A summary of his column is as follows:"No-one can deny that Turks have a great capacity in adapting to changes. Who would have fathomed that Ecevit, who suspended Turkey's relations with the EEC in 1978 when Greece was admitted to the organization, would be the Prime Minister who worked so hard for Turkey's EU candidacy in 1999? That is why I believe that the only person who can solve the Cyprus question is in fact the TRNC President, Denktas himself. Denktas may have been offended by Ankara's acceptance of the Helsinki Summit decision without consulting him, or he might possibly think that the decisions taken at Helsinki may prevent a solution and do not leave any reason for the Greek-Cypriot Administration to go on with the talks. However, he may also think that Ankara is giving out a signal that the question has to be solved after all as it is to the advantage of all parties. He may change his policy based on good reasons. First of all, he had wanted to be treated equally with the Greek-Cypriot Administration in New York and he has got what he wanted otherwise he would not have participated in the proximity talks. Secondly, the claim that the TRNC could not participate in any international organization of which Turkey was not a member is no longer valid. Turkey has begun on the road to the EU. Denktas desires to be re-elected in the Presidential Elections in April and serve his people for another term. If he begins his Election campaign with the slogan "Solution to the Problem and Membership of the EU", he will do a favour to Turkey, the EU and himself as all will be freed of the burden of the issue." Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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