Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-10-29

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat admits that he is fully depended on Turkey

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat informed the Turkish Cypriot political parties about the latest developments regarding the negotiations

[03] Hasan Ercakica criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for its attempts to prevent the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and the Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

[04] A message by the so-called Turkish Ambassador of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia: Turkey believes that a lasting and fair solution to the Cyprus problem is possible only if the realities in Cyprus are taken into consideration

[05] Turgay Avci, chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) criticized Archbishop Chrysostomos for his statement that the crossing points between North and South Cyprus should be closed down

[06] A foreign cruise ship carrying the flag of Bahamas has entered the occupied port of Keryneia

[07] World Poker Tour holds tournaments in the occupied areas while casinos contribute to the lifting of isolation over the TRNC

[08] Illegal YDU possesses a supercomputer

[09] Chairman of the Australian Turkish Business Council proposed that the occupation regime open an official representation in Australia

[10] The youth branch of CTP will go to Ukraine in order to participate in the Central Europe Youth Cooperation Conference

[11] Economic strategy is being prepared

[12] The Turkish Lira will substitute the New Turkish Lira as of 1st January, 2009; Statements by the Director of the Turkish Central Bank and Ferdi Sabit Soyer

[13] The Association of the Turkish Cypriot Football Coaches participated in 29th symposium of the European Union of Coaches which was organized in Frankfurt

[14] A Turkish Cypriot became FIFA players agent after succeeding in CFAs exams

[15] Luncheon in honor of Babacan from the French ambassador to Ankara

[16] Davutoglu addresses think tank in Washington

[17] Erdogan to visit Washington and New York for the G-20 summit

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[18] From the Turkish Press of 27 and 28 October

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat admits that he is fully depended on Turkey

Replying to questions about the negotiations, Mr Talat stated, inter alia, that it is not realistic for a process which would have the dimensions of Camp David to take place, and added that Mr Christofias would not have participated in a meeting like Camp David. Noting that the negotiations are a give and take process he stated that he made a give and take proposal to the Greek Cypriots and he is waiting for a reply. He said that if there is no agreement in one subject, there is no agreement in any subject.

On the system of administration, Mr Talat stated that they have proposed the establishment of a presidential council.

Mr Talat stated also that the political structure in the Greek Cypriot side is different than in the TRNC, and added that the Greek Cypriots accept a thing and after a while they abandon it, according to their interests. He said that this is seen quite often.

He said that there is a big difference between him and Mr Christofias. He wanted sincerely the solution, but, as regards Christofias, he wanted the solution in the election campaign. He said that he is willing to participate in a Camp David process, but the Greek Cypriots are not, and that they have said so.

Referring to Turkey, Mr Talat stated that if Turkey has not supported this process, the negotiations would not have started. However, he said that this does not mean that the rope is in the hands of Turkey. If Turkey did not support the process, and if there was no international bond, why would the Turkish Cypriots, who are isolated, sit at the negotiation table with trust?, he asked.

Replying to a question on whether he would sit at the negotiation table, if Turkey said that the conditions are not appropriate for the negotiations and told him not to sit at the table, Mr Talat stated: How could I sit? If Ankara secures my relations with the world, my standing on my feet economically, if Ankara secures my relations with the world, if no one can call here without dealing the Turkish code 0090, if you cannot write a letter without writing Mersin, Turkey. Are all these realities that can be ignored? These are known realities, he stated and added: If a country that safeguards all these for us says no my brother, you will not sit, if you sit I will not safeguard any of these for you, then what is going to happen to you? Then you disappear, you are wiped up. Apart form this, I have support in this process. If you face various distresses in the negotiation process, one must support you at this process, he stated.

Mr Talat also stated that it seems that the Greek Cypriots also accept the solution to take place until June 2009 and added that despite the negativeness experienced in the negotiations, he is still hopeful.

(CS)

[02] The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat informed the Turkish Cypriot political parties about the latest developments regarding the negotiations

The self-styled Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Republican Turkish Party, Mr. Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that Talat continues the negotiations process with determination towards carrying it through. He then reiterated that their major goal is to reach a lasting and mutually acceptable solution. The Turkish Cypriot side is a side of a possible solution and those who want to contribute to a solution should avoid supporting the Greek Cypriot sides approach towards the non-solution, Soyer added. Touching upon the matter of the efforts exerted by the Greek Cypriot side for preventing the meeting between Talat and the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr. Soyer said that this is wrong.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and leader of the Freedom and Reform Party Turgay Avci said that the demands of the Greek Cypriots presented during the negotiations are unacceptable. He said that the Greek Cypriot Administration still is not able to agree on the fact that a solution is possible only in case that it will foresee that Turkish Cypriots have equal rights with the Greek Cypriots.

Nazim Cavusoglu, General Secretary of the National Unity Party stated that almost everyone is coming to realize the fact that the major problem does not lie in the details, but in the vision. Mr. Cavusoglu said that the biggest problem will still be on the table unless the Greek Cypriot side starts seeing Turkish Cypriots as equal partners.

Meltem Onurkan Samani, the General Secretary of the Social Democracy Party stressed that an early solution of the Cyprus problem will be beneficial for all sides. Pointing to some difficulties faced during the negotiations process, she underlined the need for maintaining the process with a higher speed during which the two sides will both give more sincere messages.

Mr. Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party has said that they reject the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side for a common ballot during the elections. He then criticized the Greek Cypriot side for its attitude towards the matter of the meeting between Talat and Smith.

(A.K.)

[03] Hasan Ercakica criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for its attempts to prevent the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and the Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

Mr. Ercakica also informed that the Presidents Special Advisor for Negotiations Ozdil Nami had the opportunity to meet Smith and explain to him the Turkish Cypriot stance, during an event held last night.

During his statements, Mr. Ercakica has stated also that the Turkish Cypriot leader met yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot political parties which are represented in the assembly in order to inform them and evaluate the proposals that the Turkish Cypriot side put on the negotiation table for discussion.

In his weekly press briefing, Mr. Hasan Ercakica stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side is very much disturbed to see that whatever discussed during negotiations between the two leaders are still being leaked to the Greek Cypriot press. He said that the issue will be brought to the attention of Greek Cypriot officials during the next Talat-Christofias meeting which is scheduled to take place on 3rd November and some proposals might also be presented to them.

Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot side had made a proposal on the executive body during last Talat-Christofias meeting, Ercakica said that the Turkish Cypriot side continues working on its responding proposal which is planned to be presented during next meeting.

Ercakica also stated that the Turkish Cypriot leader is planning to visit Istanbul on Thursday in order to participate in the Global Economic Forum and in the dinner that the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan will give in honor of the leaders and the businessmen who are participating in the forum.

(A.K.)

[04] A message by the so-called Turkish Ambassador of Turkey to occupied Lefkosia: Turkey believes that a lasting and fair solution to the Cyprus problem is possible only if the realities in Cyprus are taken into consideration

Expressing Turkeys determination not to allow Turkish Cypriots to return to conditions prior to 1974, the Turkish Ambassador said that his country will continue to support a just and lasting comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile the paper reports on the messages issued by the leaders of the biggest political parties in the occupied areas for the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.

(A.K.)

[05] Turgay Avci, chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) criticized Archbishop Chrysostomos for his statement that the crossing points between North and South Cyprus should be closed down

(A.K.)

[06] A foreign cruise ship carrying the flag of Bahamas has entered the occupied port of Keryneia

According to the paper, this was the first time in the TRNC history that a foreign cruise ship brought tourists to the TRNC. The ship which is carrying the flag of Bahamas has entered the occupied areas of Cyprus yesterday morning at 10.00 with the agency of Keryneia Holidays and is planning to stay in the occupied areas for one day. The paper writes that the ship which departed from the South shores of Turkey is planning to make the tour of the Mediterranean Sea. The ship will depart from the occupied areas for Egypt at 18.00.

According to the statements made by the self-styled Minister of Economy and Tourism and the director of Keryneia Holidays Tamer Konat, a total number of 110 tourists from England, Australia, Germany and Europe visited the island with this tour.

The tourist convoy was welcomed with a dance show performed by the occupied [Keryneia] Municipalitys folk-dancing group and flowers were also given as part of the special greeting event. The paper writes also that the convoy then had a tour around the historic sites of occupied Keryneia.

Meanwhile Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (29.10.08) reports on the same matter and writes that it is the first time after 34 years that an international ship is entering into a part of the TRNC. The 90 meters long ship of the category Pocket Cruise Passengers Ship arrived in the occupied areas after departing from Istanbul and Alanya. The paper also writes that the tourist group which consisted of tourists from England, Germany and the USA entered the occupied areas after making the necessary formalities. The paper writes that the director of Keryneia holidays firm has stated that they had been planning this historic event 6 months before and added that this finally ended with a great success. He then said that they tried to keep this event secret in order to avoid any obstacles and in the end he expressed his happiness for this historic event.

Moreover, Kibris newspaper (29.10.08) reports that the self-styled Minister of Economy and Tourism, Mr. Erdogan Sanlidag met yesterday with Mr. Tamer Konat, director of the Tourist firm Keryneia Holidays which brought tourists to the occupied areas the day before yesterday with a ship having the flag of Bahamas. According to a statement issued by the so-called Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Mr. Sanlidag has said that the number of tourists visiting the occupied areas is increasing year by year and added that they are very near to reach to their goal. He then expressed his pleasure for this and added that the so-called Ministry of Economy and Tourism has taken serious initiatives to introduce and promote the tourism of the occupied areas to a lot of markets apart from the Turkish. Referring to the forthcoming tourists fairs which will be held in England and Izmir, Mr. Sanlidag has said that they are continuing their efforts so that they could represent the tourist sector of the occupied areas with success.

(A.K.)

[07] World Poker Tour holds tournaments in the occupied areas while casinos contribute to the lifting of isolation over the TRNC

According to the report, casino lovers coming mainly from Turkey, Greece, Italy, Israel, Norway, Russia and Syria visit the occupation regime in order to be entertained in the illegal casinos established there. In addition, the fame of the casinos in the occupied areas is increasing by organizing the Texas Holdem Poker tournament which is an important gathering of the world.

Moreover, the Grand Casinos Club which owns three casinos in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, has sent an invitation for participation in the tournament which will be organized between 8-9 November to the global giant organization World Poker Tour (WPT) which arranges the Texas Holdem Poker tournaments. In case Cyprus gets the permission from the WPT, Cyprus will enter into the programme of WPT and become one of the legs of the Texas Holdem Poker.

Noting that a total prize of $120,000 was given during the Texas Holdem tournament which has been organized for the first time in June with the participation of 130 persons, Mr. Aydogan Turay, General Manager of the Grand Casinos Club which is one of the companies of the Net Holding group which also owns the Merit, Mercury and Salamis Bay casinos in the occupied areas, has stated:

We held the second tournament in August with a 160-person participation and a prize of $263,000 was given. In that tournament representatives from WPT were also present. They have been very pleased with us. We were thinking that we would have deficiencies, yet they said that we are efficient.

Reminding that a great number of participants from Norway, Iran, Russia and Britain participated in the August tournament, Aydogan Turay noted that the team of Norway has extended for eight more days its stay in the occupied areas due to the admired beauties of the island, while he further pointed that thanks to the Texas Holdem, the TRNC is overcoming the isolation.

Mr. Turay, stressing that this will be the third Texas Holdem Poker tournament organized, noted that they are about to reach to an agreement with WPT. The representatives from the [WPT] organization that came have been very pleased with the August tournament. It will be very important for the TRNC if this agreement is reached. We want to make Cyprus the greatest WPT tournament. The materialization of this means that the TRNC will be watched by the whole world through television.

He stressed that the casinos in the occupied territories of the Republic are operating since 1977, while in the free areas of the Republic there are no casinos, the only country in the EU without casinos being the Greek Cypriot sector. Mr. Turay further said that the name of the TRNC has become an important casino destination, while 30% of their customers during the weekends are Greek Cypriots. This number can reach 90% with the new hotel and casino in occupied Lefkosia. Concluding he said that a number of people is also coming from Greece in order to visit the casinos in the occupied areas.

In addition and under the subtitle Casinos are paying tax as much as the total imports of the island, the report gives details on the tax the casinos in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus are paying. According to the report, in 2007, the casinos in occupied Cyprus paid $75 million as tax, while it is estimated that casinos are creating a direct and indirect economy of $500 millions. The imports of the illegal regime reach a total of $1.5 billion, while the exports reach $80 million at the time when the casinos pay as tax $75 million, the report concludes.

[Tr. Note: The World Poker Tour is a series of international poker tournaments featuring most of the world's professional players.]

(ML)

[08] Illegal YDU possesses a supercomputer

Under the title The disappointment of the Greek Cypriots on the super-computers, Dr Atun writes that only few universities in the world possess such computers and that illegal YDU innovation centre has officially participated in the EGEE, EUMED and Black Sea-Net projects launched by the EU. This fact, argues Dr Atun, made the Greek Cypriots angry. He says that the Greek Cypriots got into action after that and tried to prevent the illegal YDU from participating in the EU projects, but they were not successful in their efforts. The Commission of the EU, notes Dr Atun, refused mixing science with politics. He alleges that when the Greek Cypriots tried something else and asked for money from the Commission to buy their own super computer, the Commission replied in writing that it cannot give money to the Greek Cypriots for a super-computer and told them to go to the occupied areas and use the one located at the innovation centre of the illegal YDU.

(ITs)

[09] Chairman of the Australian Turkish Business Council proposed that the occupation regime open an official representation in Australia

According to a press release issued by the so-called foreign affairs ministry, Mr Mustafa said that the visit of the so-called foreign minister Turgay Avci to Australia last February was extremely important and productive, adding that the Turkish Cypriot community of Australia, was very satisfied from Avcis visit. Mr Mustafa said also: We see ourselves, since the old times, as a community not belonging anywhere and that no one gives us attention. The ministers visit made us feel that we belong to somewhere and we are being considered important.

Mr Mustafa said that the occupation regime must open an official representation in Australia and added that it is really important from the view of political power and that the 60,000 Turkish Cypriots, who live in this country to be represented at an official level.

Huseyin Mustafa is also West Australia General Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which is the biggest bank in the country at the moment.

(DPs)

[10] The youth branch of CTP will go to Ukraine in order to participate in the Central Europe Youth Cooperation Conference

According to a statement of the CTP Youth Branch, in the conference youth leaders of countries who are members of the European Union as well as state and civil society organizations from Ukraine will participate in the conference. On behalf of the CTP, the chairman of the youth branch, Erbay Akansoy and the Foreign Relations Secretary, Cetin Erbas will participate in the conference. They will leave occupied Cyprus on the 2nd of November.

(CS)

[11] Economic strategy is being prepared

According to the paper, taking under close observation the countries to which the breakaway regime exports goods and examining the sources of the financial difficulties experienced in the real sector and the basic reasons of the crisis in the private sector were among the topics of the meeting which took place at the self-styled ministry of economy and finance.

Mr Sanlidag gave instructions for establishing the real difference between the prices in the occupied areas and the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and said that measures will be taken as soon as possible for all sectors which are facing crisis and added that they are in close cooperation with Turkey on this issue. Mr Sanlidag stated that Turkey is always by the side of the Turkish Cypriots.

Noting that they are aware of the existing economic crisis and they are carrying out a very serious work, Mr Sanlidag argued: What I am asking from our investors is not to be disappointed in any manner and not quit their struggle. As ministry of Economy and Tourism, together with my team we are preparing a strategic plan and very soon we shall submit it to the council of Ministers.

He noted that during the recent ISEDAK meeting in Turkey, they evaluated not only tourism, but the economy as well and added that the economic crisis in the occupied areas is a result of the indirect influence from Turkey.

Pointing out to their duty of preparing projects for reviving the real sector and increasing and strengthening the exports, Mr Sanlidag said that the Turkish State Minister Tuzmen noted that they will provide the necessary aid to the occupied areas and that president Gul expressed his support in his speech. He added that all these show that Turkey will support them, but at the same time he underlined that they are obliged to develop a policy so that they are able to stand on their own feet.

(I/Ts.)

[12] The Turkish Lira will substitute the New Turkish Lira as of 1st January, 2009; Statements by the Director of the Turkish Central Bank and Ferdi Sabit Soyer

On the above-mentioned date both in Turkey and the occupied areas the New Turkish Lira will be substituted by the Turkish Lira. The Director of the Turkish Central Bank, Durmus Yilmaz, the slef-styled prime minister Fardi Sabit Soyer and the self-styled ambassador of Turkey to the occupied part of Nicosia, Turkekul Kurtekin were among the participants in the meeting, that took place on Monday.

The paper reports that Mr Durmus called on the people to carry out their transactions with Turkish Liras, when this is possible, and refrain from taking loans in foreign exchange. Let those who do not have any income in foreign exchange not carry out any transactions with foreign exchange, let them carry out their transactions with Turkish Liras, he said. Replying to questions after the meeting, Mr Durmus noted that at this stage Turkey needs no money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He said: We are facing a serious problem of liquidity in dollars at this moment. Some measures should definitely be taken in order for this problem to be overcome. At this stage, as Republic of Turkey we have no need of the IMF money, but uncertainties exist on the issue of what we will be facing in the future. Therefore, we consider making some arrangements to be useful from the point of view of being able to give trust to the international markets in any manner. However, as regards the result, this is a political decision. It is up to the government.

In his statements, Mr Soyer described the monetary reform and the substitution of the New Turkish Lira by the Turkish Lira, as a tremendous operation and noted that the meeting was important. He also referred to the global economic crisis and said that the measures taken by Turkey and the breakaway regime have an important advantage from the point of view of the financial markets and the financial sector.

(I/Ts.)

[13] The Association of the Turkish Cypriot Football Coaches participated in 29th symposium of the European Union of Coaches which was organized in Frankfurt

(A.K.)

[14] A Turkish Cypriot became FIFA players agent after succeeding in CFAs exams

After the exam, Mr Birinci agreed with a management company in Britain named Asinternationale and in November he is expected to sign an agreement with this company. The company has given Mr Birinci the right to represent football players in the occupied and the free areas of Cyprus as well as in Russia.

(I/Ts.)

[15] Luncheon in honor of Babacan from the French ambassador to Ankara

French Ambassador in Ankara Bernard Emie hosted a luncheon in honour of Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan in Ankara on Tuesday.

The luncheon was attended by several EU countries' ambassadors in the capital.

Diplomatic officials quoted Babacan as saying that Turkey was ready to open several chapters in its EU negotiation process, but the country was concerned that these chapters have not been opened yet.

EU ambassadors congratulated Babacan on Turkey's election for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Babacan thanked them for their support to Turkey in this process.

Babacan informed EU ambassadors on his visit to Afghanistan as well as the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency's (TIKA) activities in Afghanistan in the meeting.

Replying to a question on the national program of Turkey, Babacan said they were working on the program very hard.

Answering a question on the global financial crisis, Babacan said significant reforms have been fulfilled in the economy in Turkey which has a sound economy.

[16] Davutoglu addresses think tank in Washington

A Turkish adviser said on Tuesday that Turkish-U.S. relations would be a success story.

Ahmet Davutoglu, the chief foreign policy adviser to Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that the new era with the United States would be a success story whoever was elected the new president of that country."The new president of the United States will be Turkey's best friend," Davutoglu said during a meeting on "Turkey, the region and U.S.-Turkey relations: Assessing the challenges and prospects" at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.

On Turkey's relations with Armenia, Davutoglu said that Turkey was ready to discuss negative problems and two countries should seize recent opportunities in their relations.

Davutoglu expressed his expectation that the Armenian diaspora should support the process between Turkey and Armenia, and said this new process had not caused concerns in Azerbaijan and relations among Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan would go on synchronously.

The adviser said that there was need for courage and creativity to solve the Upper Karabakh dispute, and no one could wait for 20-30 years more to resolve the issue.

Davutoglu said that all frozen clashes were occurring in the geography where Turkey was situated, and said the real problem was how a new world order could be established.

The Turkish adviser said that a new economic order should be established and the world needed a new global order.

Nobody should perceive different cultures as a threat. This is the wealth of the entire world and humanity, he said.

Davutoglu said the main principle of Turkish foreign policy was to establish a balance between security and freedom, and told the gathering that one should not be sacrificed for the other.

Security means NATO for Turkey, and freedom means the democratization process in the EU, the adviser also said.

Talking about Turkey's relations with its neighbors, Davutoglu said Turkey had managed to have zero problems with its neighbors and told the participants of the meeting that Turkey had good relations with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia and Syria.

Davutoglu said that Turkey had established a strong relationship with Iran, and also said that Turkey had made progress in its relations with Armenia and in the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

The Brookings Institution and SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research will host a conference to examine Turkey's domestic and foreign policy challenges and prospects.

After the keynote address by Ahmet Davutoglu, Ibrahim Kalin, founding director of SETA; Nonresident Fellow Omer Taspinar, director of the Turkey Project at Brookings; Visiting Fellow Mark Parris, former U.S. ambassador to Turkey; and Talha Kose of George Mason University are expected to moderate a series of discussions featuring a distinguished group of Turkish and American experts, officials and scholars.

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington D.C. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals: Strengthen American democracy; foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.

[17] Erdogan to visit Washington and New York for the G-20 summit

The G-20 members include some of the countries most affected by the crisis in the developed world as well as emerging markets. The question of reform of existing regulatory regimes will top the agenda of the summit. The members of the G-20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Meanwhile, Erdogan's first stop in the United States will be New York, where he will host a reception for Turkey's recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITIORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[18] From the Turkish Press of 27 and 28 October

a) Economy

If the real sector has economic difficulties, the banking system will also be affected by them, says Erdal Saglam in an article in Hurriyet (27.10.08). Citing an article by Emin Akcakoca, former chairman of the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, featured by Referans as saying that it has become more difficult for companies to receive loans from banks due to the global economic crisis, Saglam explains that according to Akcakoca it is necessary to establish a "preventive fund" or to redesign the "Istanbul Approach" that had been applied in the past. Otherwise, Akcakoca believes that it will be necessary to establish a fund for rescuing the banks, explains Saglam.

The IMF has reportedly begun to work on a plan that aims to introduce swap facilities to developing countries, notes Ercan Kumcu in a commentary in Hurriyet (27.10.08) and stresses that this will not be sufficient for resolving the economic problems of counties such as Brazil, Argentine, Russia, Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria. Noting that following the crisis it will be necessary to use the resources of the IMF in more important areas, Kumcu says: "Even if it is currently appropriate to use the IMF resources for resolving the problems associated with the loan crisis in the international markets, the central banks will have to take action against in the future. Under the current circumstances the main problem faced by the developing countries is not economic strength or weakness, but the gradual opening of loan channels and loan channels can only be opened by central banks."

In an article in Milliyet (27.10.08), Yaman Toruner lists the urgent measures that should be taken by the Turkish Central Bank in the face of the global economic crisis. Noting that the rise in the currency rates had been expected, Toruner calls on the Central Bank not to panic in the face of this development and to correctly calculate the real value of the Turkish lira.

Referring to Erdogan's statement on a possible agreement with the IMF, in Vatan (27.10.08) Mehmet Tezkan, in an article, compares the current crisis with the 2001 crisis and notes: "A lot of money had been transferred to Turkey as of 2002. We are talking about hot money, cold money, and investments. Currently the transfers have stopped. The United States is shaking, Europe is shaking. Someone from the government should explain this to the prime minister. Of course, if there is such a person!"

Kemal Dervis has warned that economic slow-down will be inevitable in developing countries due to the fact that there are fragilities stemming from the real sector and the current deficit, notes Erol Cevikce in an article in Vatan (27.10.08) and calls on the government to take measures similar to those taken in the United States and Britain with the aim of protecting production and employment. Recalling Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan's call on the banks to avoid pressuring the industrialists, Cevikce underlines that this call will be meaningless if the necessary legal arrangements are not made.

The government has two options in the economy, says Ugur Gurses in an article in Radikal (27.10.08), adding: "It will either accept the reality foreseen in the short and middle runs or it will act as if nothing has happened. The approach adopted by the government in the budget and in the economic assumptions and targets that constitute the infrastructure of the budget gives the signs of the second option. We believe that this option has been chosen in order to maintain the morale of the economic units." Rather than taking measures in the face of the crisis, we have begun to make mistakes in crisis management, underlines Gurses.

A unattributed report in Cumhuriyet (27.10.08) notes that Turkey will have to pay $11.5 billion in foreign debt in 2009. Drawing attention to the drop in production, the report underlines that the industrialists are very concerned with the course of the economy in Turkey.

According to a report in the Turkish Daily News (27.10.08), Erdogan, referring to a possible agreement with the IMF, says: "In this crisis period we will not bury the future into the darkness by bowing to the demands of the IMF."

A report in the Turkish Daily News (27.10.08) cites Energy Minister Hilmi Guler as saying that Turkey will begin to invest in renewable energy.

Under the headline, "Low interest rates and cheap gas would alleviate the crisis," Yeni Safak (27.10.08) publishes a front-page report which highlights a proposal by Turkish "real sector representatives" that the Central Bank lower interest rates and that energy costs be reduced so that the effects of the global financial crisis could be eased.

According to a report by Sefa Karahasan in Milliyet (28.10.08), Central Bank Governor Durmus Yilmaz has expressed concern over a "serious dollar liquidity problem," stressing that measures are needed to overcome the problem. Yilmaz is reported to have said that Turkey does not need the money of the IMF, but needs arrangements that will increase confidence in the markets. The governor has also advised citizens not to obtain loans linked to the dollar.

Arguing that it would be wrong to conclude an agreement with the IMF in an article in Milliyet (28.10.08), Hursit Gunes reminds his readers that Turkey was dragged into the 2001 crisis while implementing the stability program prepared by the IMF. Blaming the IMF's "erroneous and risky" stability policy based on the foreign exchange rate for the 2001 crisis, Gunes maintains that it was the global liquidity abundance that rescued Turkey from the 2001 crisis and brought it to its current position. Noting that this period of abundance is about to end, the writer believes that the Turkish economy will definitely be affected by the global financial crisis. Viewing Turkey's foreign deficit as its major problem, Gunes draws up a scenario where this deficit is not financed: "Let us says that this foreign deficit is not financed. What will happen? The foreign currency exchange rate will be higher. What will happen then? If the financial discipline and the monetary policies are strong, they will not have a lasting inflationist impact. The growth rate will temporarily go down. What will happen then? Exports will begin to speedily increase. Finally the Turkish economy will begin to develop through exports. This needs courage. Will we be able to risk it?"

Assessing the prime minister's defiant stand against the IMF and TUSIAD in an article in Milliyet (28.10.08), Derya Sazak writes that Erdogan is trying to convey to his voters on the eve of the local elections that he will not bow down to a program to be imposed by the IMF and that he will not implement a "belt tightening" policy. The writer adds that, however, the prime minister seems to have forgotten that the "financial discipline" secured through the roadmap drawn by Dervis and through the implementation of an IMF-supported program led to the success of the AKP government during the years 2003 and 2007. Accusing the prime minister of not taking the economic problems awaiting Turkey in 2009 seriously, Sazak shows the recent 33-40 percent devaluation of the Turkish lira as a harbinger of the problems to come.

Referring to Prime Minister Erdogan's remarks that he will not allow the IMF to choke Turkey in Hurriyet (28.10.08) columnist Erkan Mumcu explains in his 600-word article that in general a country is in need of the IMF because it has been wasteful. Stressing that countries apply to the IMF out of necessity, Mumcu emphasizes: "Countries are forced to apply to the IMF only when the economic cost of not applying exceeds the political cost of applying to this institution." Interpreting this axiom to mean that countries that apply to the IMF are already choking, the writer argues that policies to be implemented with the help of the IMF aim at rescuing that country from their predicament. Conceding that seeking financial aid from the IMF is a political decision, Dogan declares that, nonetheless, this does mean that the various sectors of the society cannot advise the political authority on the issue. Commenting on the prime minister's remarks that the government should consider the interests of the country instead of acting in line with the instruction of the business world, Dogan reminds Erdogan that the views of the business world do not contradict the interest of the country, adding that the concerns of this sector whose foreign debts amount to $200 billion should be taken seriously.

Accusing the government of not implementing an economic program that will be binding prior to the local elections, in Vatan (28.10.08) columnist Ali Agaoglu in an article states that both the financial and real sectors should have had a program the criteria of which were familiar to them and according to which they could measure their successes or failures. Viewing the proposal of the real sector to conclude an agreement with the IMF, Agaoglu criticizes the government for rejecting this proposal. Had the necessary measures been taken in advance, be they with or without the IMF, the cost of the crisis would have been cheaper, argues the writer, asking why politicians who lack the experience to deal with such crises restrict their maneuvering capabilities with harsh statements such as the ones being issued by the prime minister. Agaoglu concludes by questioning whether the people have to pay for the "crisis training expenses" of inexperienced politicians.

In an article in Hurriyet (28.10.08), Erdal Saglam calls on the prime minister to view Turkey's relations with the IMF in the light of the country's long-term interests. A government that has restored economic stability with the assistance of an IMF deal and has won the national elections with a 47 percent majority cannot say that this fund is "trying to strangle us," writes Saglam.

Under the headline, "Support for the Real Sector: $1 Billion Additional Cheap Credit in the Pipeline," Zaman (28.10.08) runs a front-page report which asserts that the Erdogan government is preparing to extend cheap loans to the tune of $1 billion to exporters in a bid to minimize the impact of the global crisis on Turkey.

EG/

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