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Turkish Press Review, 02-01-21
From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>
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Press
& Information
Turkish
Press
Turkish
Press Review >>
Foreign
Press Guide
Summary of the political and economic
news in the Turkish press this morning
21.01.2002
CONTENTS
[01] O'NEILL: "TURKEY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK"
[02] CHENEY: "WE COULD PROVIDE $2.5 BILLION FOR BAKU-CEYHAN"
[03] YILMAZ: "TURKEY COULD BE IN THE EU BY 2007"
[04] EUROPEAN COUNCIL PROGRAM TO HELP TRAIN TURKISH POLICE
[05] NEW FILM PRAISES TURKEY'S ROLE DURING HOLOCAUST
[06] DENKTAS AND CLERIDES TO MEET TODAY
[07] BAHCELI: "THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM WILL CONTINUE"
[08] IZGI: "2003 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR FOR TURKEY"
[09] CAKAN TO VISIT IRAN TOMORROW
[10] BRITISH PATIENTS COULD RECEIVE TREATMENT IN TURKEY
[11] ISTANBUL SECURITY DIRECTOR TO VISIT JAPAN
[12] OKUYAN: "LABOR SECURITY LAW WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO MONTHS"
[13] MOBILE POWER STATION PLANNED FOR TRNC
[14] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN PLEASED WITH VISIT TO US
[15] PRIVATE SECTOR LOOKS FOR SHARE IN AFGHAN PROJECT
[16] PINAR WATER COMPANY RECEIVES WORLD PACKAGE DESIGN AWARD
[17] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[18] SUGGESTION TO SADDAM BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
[19] TURKEY-US AND TERROR BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
[01] O'NEILL: "TURKEY IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK"
During talks with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit last week, US
Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill told him that Turkey was on the right track
but cautioned that if it doesn't move forward quickly, it could find itself
run over. Ecevit replied that his government was indeed working hard to
bring the country forward. Ecevit also said that even if the coalition
government faces some difficulties while enacting new reforms and laws,
they would do their best to continue to follow the proper course.
/H�rriyet/
[02] CHENEY: "WE COULD PROVIDE $2.5 BILLION FOR BAKU-CEYHAN"
US Vice President Dick Cheney told Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in
talks last week that US would give full support to the Baku-Ceyhan project
and added, "We are looking to it as a strategic project. If there is a need,
we could provide $2.5 in billion additional financing." For his part,
Ecevit explained the difficulties that Turkey has had in getting additional
World Bank financing for the pipeline. Ecevit thanked Cheney for his
support.
/H�rriyet/
[03] YILMAZ: "TURKEY COULD BE IN THE EU BY 2007"
Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz said
yesterday that if Turkey used this year 2002 effectively, it could gain
full EU membership by 2007. In an interview on news channel, CNN Turk,
Y�lmaz pointed out that Turkey should implement all its short-term targets
in the next two-and-a-half months, as this was its commitment to the
EU. Yilmaz also said that the EU was not satisfied with a mere "limitation"
of the death penalty and that capital punishment must be completely removed
from the Turkish Penal Code
(TCK). /Sabah/
[04] EUROPEAN COUNCIL PROGRAM TO HELP TRAIN TURKISH POLICE
The EU's European Council took a decision yesterday to support Turkey's
National Program in order to bring it to the level of EU countries. The
Council accepted a one-year program as prepared by the Council and Turkish
authorities designed to train Turkey's police and gendarmerie in the
protection of human rights.
/H�rriyet/
[05] NEW FILM PRAISES TURKEY'S ROLE DURING HOLOCAUST
Yesterday CNN touted a new documentary which details the role that Turkey
held in providing refuge for European Jews from the Holocaust and in aiding
their escape to Palestine. The channel aired three segments from the
documentary, entitled "Desperate Hours", and also interviewed its producer,
Holocaust scholar Michael Berenbaum. The five-part film will be shown on
Jan. 22 in Atlanta through the joint efforts of the Atlanta Jewish
Committee and the Turkish Cultural Association. Stating that Turkey had
welcomed Europe's Jews during World War II and was a safe haven for them,
Berenbaum said, "Very few people know the opportunities which Turkey gave
to Jews during the Holocaust years. This film aims to demonstrate the
important role Turkey played during that terrible time. Interviews with
survivors show that they met unprejudiced, warmhearted Turks and spent
happy times in the country. Close to 200,00 Jews came to Turkey and
participated in academic studies and education in universities there. Many
Turkish diplomats also supported victims of the Holocaust who entered their
country as fugitives." /Hurriyet/
[06] DENKTAS AND CLERIDES TO MEET TODAY
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek
Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides will meet today for the second time as part
of the direct talks process, which began on Jan. 16 to find a lasting
settlement to the Cyprus issue. Last Wednesday, the two leaders decided to
meet three times this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, along with
accompanying delegations from both sides. The leaders will meet will be
held at the Lefkosha Airport and UN Envoy Alvaro de Soto will attend as an
observer. /All Papers/
[07] BAHCELI: "THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM WILL CONTINUE"
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet
Bahceli yesterday attended the MHP Mayors Working Meeting in Nevsehir.
Economy and terrorism were the major topics discussed in the meeting. At a
press conference, Bahceli said that 2001 had been a year full of
difficulties both in Turkey and the whole world. He stated, "Whatever the
outcome is, Turkey will continue its fight against the terrorism which
threatens our existence in so many ways." /Turkiye/
[08] IZGI: "2003 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR FOR TURKEY"
Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi told journalists in the Parliament building
yesterday that Turkey was on the right track for this year and that 2003
would be a great year for the nation. Turkey's businessman will get the
chance they are looking for as economic relations develop with the United
States, he predicted. Izgi described the Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's
recent trip to the United States as "wonderful." /Star/
[09] CAKAN TO VISIT IRAN TOMORROW
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zeki Cakan will go to Iran tomorrow
to attend the opening ceremony of a natural gas measuring station there.
The Energy Ministry stated yesterday that Cakan would go to Erzurum and
Agri in Turkey today and proceed to Bazargan, Iran tomorrow. Cakan will go
to Iran through the Agri Gurbulak border gate, and is scheduled to be
welcomed by Iranian Petroleum Minister Zanganeh, who will preside over the
opening ceremony. A 22-year trade agreement on natural gas deliveries from
Iran to Turkey was signed between the two countries in August 1996.
/Cumhuriyet/
[10] BRITISH PATIENTS COULD RECEIVE TREATMENT IN TURKEY
According to Britain's Daily Telegraph, the British National Health Service
(NHS) has begun talking to officials from private hospitals in nine
countries, including Turkey, to set up a system whereby British patients
could receive treatment abroad pending increases in domestic healthcare
resources. NHS foreign relations official Kenneth Taylor told Telegraph
yesterday that the UK's Department of Health had established positive
contacts with the countries and received attractive price offers. He added,
"Nine patients have already had operations in France." Taylor emphasized
the attractive prices, appropriate security measures, and good conditions
in the countries being looked at. Besides Turkey, the NHS is also
considering Tunisia, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Malta,
Portugal and France. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] ISTANBUL SECURITY DIRECTOR TO VISIT JAPAN
Istanbul Security Director Hasan Ozdemir will go to Tokyo today as the
guest of the Japanese government in order to exchange views concerning
security issues. Ozdemir has prepared a report entitled "Istanbul and
Security" for the meetings, and will talk with his Japanese colleagues on
issues such as terrorism, transportation and airport security. Ozdemir is
also due to tour the Japanese Supreme Court as well as prisons. /Milliyet/
[12] OKUYAN: "LABOR SECURITY LAW WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO MONTHS"
Labor and Social Security Minister Yasar Okuyan predicted yesterday that a
labor security law would emerge from Turkey's Parliament within two months.
Speaking to the Turkish Labor Organization (��-Kur) Executive Board, Okuyan
said, "We are preparing a bill to postpone Social Security Administration
(SSK) premiums and tax deductions for a year without any interest. This
bill will be presented to Parliament in a week. Okuyan further remarked
that problems of unemployment and employment were not only Turkey's, but
were also present in the world's most developed countries."
/Aksam/
[13] MOBILE POWER STATION PLANNED FOR TRNC
Plans for a mobile power plant designed to meet the short-term emergency
needs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have been completed,
and the project is now awaiting approval from the Turkish Treasury
Undersecretariat. As part of Turkey's economic and technical support to the
TRNC, the Directorate General of Electrical Production (EUAS) is slated to
oversee the power station project that could meet Turkish Cyprus' energy
needs for five years. An international bid for building the power station
will be opened by the EUAS after getting approval from the Treasury.
/Aksam/
[14] TURKISH BUSINESSMEN PLEASED WITH VISIT TO US
Turkish businessmen who accompanied Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in his
visit to the US last week are saying that the trip was generally a positive
one. TUSIAD Chairman Tuncay Ozilhan stated, "I've been to the US before on
a number of visits, but none of them managed to get such concrete results.
If a trade agreement is signed at the US-Turkey trade commission meeting in
February in Ankara, Turkey can raise its export to the US from $3.5 billion
to $10 billion." /Sabah/
[15] PRIVATE SECTOR LOOKS FOR SHARE IN AFGHAN PROJECT
Turkish businessmen are looking to establish a share in a project for
transporting aid to Afghanistan and for reconstructing of that country.
Turkey is hoping for a 7% share of the $40-billion project. /Sabah/
[16] PINAR WATER COMPANY RECEIVES WORLD PACKAGE DESIGN AWARD
Turkey's Pinar Drinking Water Company yesterday received an international
award for outstanding package design. Last year Pinar received the 2001
Turkish Golden Package Award given by the Turkish Standards Institute and
was thereby also entered into the World Stars Packaging Competition,
sponsored by the World Packaging Organization. Pinar received the Best
World Package Award for its 2.5-liter drinking bottle. /Aksam/
[17] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[18] SUGGESTION TO SADDAM BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)
Columnist Fikret Bila writes on Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's suggestions
to Saddam Hussein on the eve of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the
US. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Can Foreign Minister Ismail Cem's suggestion to Iraqi Foreign Minister
Naci Sadri in a letter calling on Iraq to comply with the UN resolutions,
on thereof Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's visit to the US last week, be
considered a surprise development? Cem believes that Iraq cannot claim
surprise development, as Turkey has been in constant contact it on the
issue. After stating that he had received a polite response to the letter,
Cem said that they would evaluate the steps taken by Baghdad. Foreign
Minister Cem said that Turkey's aim was to protect stability in the region
in its role as the most powerful and influential country. He added that if
Baghdad took a step towards complying with the UN resolutions, Turkey would
do its best in working towards relaxing and lifting the economic embargo
imposed on Iraq. Foreign Minister Cem draws attention to the fact that a
step taken by Baghdad on the issue would reduce the tension. Certainly, it
must be also said that such a step would eliminate one of the
justifications for a probable US intervention in Iraq and let the region
breathe a sigh of relief. Ankara is suggesting to Saddam that he should
comply with the UN resolutions and allow UN inspectors in Iraq. Foreign
Minister Cem stated that in this case, not only Turkey, but all the other
countries in the region could help Baghdad. He said that Iran, Syria and
Turkey could take a more influential role if Iraq complies with the UN
resolutions. He added that Turkey was in close contact with these countries
and would launch initiatives to reduce tension by getting their support.
This would in effect be advantageous for the stability and security of the
region. Prime Minister Ecevit had also called on Saddam Hussein to comply
with the resolutions and told him he could get nowhere by taking all the
world against himself. However, a decision to comply with these resolutions
is up to Baghdad."
[19] TURKEY-US AND TERROR BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)
Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the different stances of the US and the EU
on the fight against terrorism. A summary of her column is as follows:
"A tension has been seen recently between both sides of the Atlantic due to
the EU's failure to include the terrorist organizations in Turkey in their
list of terrorist organizations. The US is launching intiatives in European
capitals on the issues. Differences of opinion on the definition of
terrorism have led to serious discussions. An official attending the
program organized by the Turkish Atlantic Council stated that if there were
no agreement on the definition of terrorism, there could be no struggle
against international terrorism. There are interesting explanations as to
why the PKK or the DHKP-C were not cited in the EU terrorist organizations
list. European officials are saying that they are being threatened by these
organizations. If these organizations were included on the list, they
claim fear that incidents might occur which could create instability in
Europe. Leaving this unconvincing excuse aside, let's take a look at the
countries which are opposed to including these organizations in the list,
namely, Italy and Greece. The Greek government is already in hot water due
to allegations that it has relations with the Nov. 17 terrorist
organization and therefore, it is rather hard for it to define another
organization caught in its own hands as terrorist. The Italian stance is
also interesting. Back when the PKK head Ocalan was hiding in Rome,
current Prime Minister Berlusconi, the opposition leader at the time,
brought forward motions to expel Ocalan from the country, and asked that
Turkey's requests be taken into consideration. However, today Berlusconi's
policy has turned 180 degrees. Turkey, has taken on the role of a "lithmus
paper" in fight against terrorism. It has shown that there is no real
agreement on the definition of terrorism within the alliance. For a united
fight against terrorism, there has to be agreement on the definition of
terrorism."
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