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Turkish Press Review, 00-06-23
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
23.06.00
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
[01] CEM: "NO CONFLICT, ONLY COMPETITION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IN
ASIA"
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] PRESIDENT SEZER IN TRNC
[04] BALLOTING AT TGNA
[05] CEM: "NO CONFLICT, ONLY COMPETITION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IN
ASIA"
[06] THE GAP BETWEEN TURKEY AND CENTRAL ASIA CLOSING
[07] ATHENS-ANKARA MEETING TO START TODAY
[08] US SUPPORT FOR TURKEY ON ESDI
[09] EU COMMISSION HAS TAKEN TURKEY UNDER SURVEILLANCE
[10] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU IN TBLISI
[11] DEMIREL: "PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM IS NECESSARY"
[12] PARDON FOR STUDENTS
[13] REVISIONS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
[14] BAY PROJECT REVIVED
[15] BAKU-CEYHAN RATIFIED
[16] WESTERN THRACE: A PROBLEM OF EUROPE
[17] MARC PARRIS: TURKEY IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES
[18] 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMASYA PROTOCOL
[19] IMF PREDICTS YEARLY INFLATION AS 46.5%
[20] IMF PRAISES TURKEY'S PROGRAM TO FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION
[21] TUSIAD WANTS POLITICAL CONSENSUS
[22] PRODUCTIVITY OF TURKISH PRIVATE SECTOR IS RECORD HIGH
[23] ONAY TO PLAY IN GERMANY
[24] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[25] TURKISH CYPRIOTS FURIOUS AT THE UN BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
[01] CEM: "NO CONFLICT, ONLY COMPETITION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IN
ASIA"
[02] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[03] PRESIDENT SEZER IN TRNC
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer went to the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) yesterday at the invitation of the
President Rauf Denktas. During his first official visit abroad
after his election as President, Sezer gave support to the
Turkish-Cypriots. Following the meeting with Denktas, Sezer said,
"Turkey will always stand by Turkish-Cypriots". Concerning the
recent developments on the extension of the term of the UN Peace
Force, Sezer stated, "Northern Cyprus is not a territory without
any owner or is under Greek-Cypriots' authority. Here the
authority belongs to the Turkish-Cypriot people and their state,
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. If the Peace-keeping
force desires to continue to its activities in Cyprus, it needs
the Turkish-Cypriot authorities' consent and cooperation." The
President of the TRNC, Rauf Denktas, also stated that President
Sezer's visit gave them confidence and they were honoured to host
him. /Turkiye/
[04] BALLOTING AT TGNA
Seven reports of investigation commissions of the Turkish Grand
National Assembly (TGNA), which caused tension between the
coalition partners of the government, were voted in the TGNA
yesterday. The Motherland Party (ANAP) Leader Mesut Yilmaz, was
exonerated by the votes of the parliamentarians. In addition to
the SEKA, deputies voted against sending Yilmaz to Supreme Court
concerning the POAS, gang and Turkbank cases. The Leader of the
True Path Party (DYP), Tansu Ciller was not present in
Parliament, as DYP decided not to participate in the voting.
During the balloting of the SEKA case, the majority of the
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and the Virtue Party (FP) deputies
voted in favour of sending Yilmaz to the Supreme Court, while
Democratic Left Party (DSP), ANAP and some MHP deputies voted
against. /Milliyet/
[05] CEM: "NO CONFLICT, ONLY COMPETITION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA IN
ASIA"
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Thursday that there was no
conflict, only peaceful yet serious competition between Turkey
and Russia in Central Asia and Causasia. During the advisory
meeting with the ambassadors to Central Asia and Caucasia, Cem
said that Turkey had put special emphasis on its relations with
these countries and that many Turkish companies were making large
investments there. Stressing the importance of bringing Central
Asian energy and natural resources to the world market, Cem said
that Turkey had been bridging the gap between two. Cem said,
"Turkey has been playing an important role in the transportation
of these countries' oil and gas to the world markets, but Turkey
will not allow the use of the Turkish straits as a pipeline
during this transportation. Nobody should think they can use the
straits freely, since Turkey can not endanger the life of
millions of people. Turkey will take the necessary precautions
outlined in the Montreux Treaty and in international law."
/Turkish Daily News/
[06] THE GAP BETWEEN TURKEY AND CENTRAL ASIA CLOSING
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem who held a comprehensive meeting with
the participation of the Turkish Ambassadors to Central Asian
countries, stated that the institutionalization of relations with
the region was a necessity. Noting that Central Asia and the
Caucasus were regions of priority for Turkey in the 21st century,
Cem said that Turkey would help these countries living under the
threat of ethnic and fundamentalist terrorism in the field of
security. During the meeting Cem said, "Turkey has two main goals
in the 21st century. One of them is to become a full-member of
the EU and the other is to be a pivot country for Eurasia." The
Foreign Minister added that work had begun to form new
consultation mechanisms to hold regular political contacts, and
that Turkey would share her experiences on security with the
countries of the region. Stressing that Turkey had an important
place in the economy of the region Cem stated that Turkey would
not be satisfied with what it has accomplished until today and
would continue to do all it can for the region." /Cumhuriyet/
[07] ATHENS-ANKARA MEETING TO START TODAY
Second leg of the political consultations which was initiated
between Ankara and Athens last November, will be held today. At
the consultations Turkey will be represented by Foreign Ministry
Deputy Undersecretary Ambassador Yigit Alpogan and Greece will be
represented by Foreign Ministry Political Director Ambassador
Anastase Skopelitis. /Cumhuriyet/
[08] US SUPPORT FOR TURKEY ON ESDI
The US has lended full support for Turkey in its reaction to its
exclusion from the decision-making mechanisms of the European
Defence and Security Identity(ESDI). On the issue of the
autamotic use of NATO's sources and excluding NATO countries
which are not members to the EU from decision-making mechanisms
from ESDI, Washington stated that the US and Turkey agreed on the
developments concerning ESDI. A State Department official said
that Turkey may not be a member of the EU but had contributed
greatly to many developments. He added, taking this into
consideration the US was waiting the EU decisions on ESDI.
/Hurriyet/
[09] EU COMMISSION HAS TAKEN TURKEY UNDER SURVEILLANCE
EU official Responsible for Employment and Social Policy Anna
Diamatapoulou and EU Head of the Turkish Department Alain
Servantie held a series of contacts in Ankara and were informed
of the work undertaken for harmonization with the European
criteria. Sub-committees formed to harmonize Turkish and EU laws
began their first meeting in Brussels yesterday. Diamatopoulou
pointed out that women were discriminated against in Turkey.
Prior to the visit of Gunther Verheugen, EU official Responsible
for Expansion, the political contacts between Turkey and the EU
have increased. /Cumhuriyet/
[10] CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF GENERAL KIVRIKOGLU IN TBLISI
Chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu arrived in
Tblisi for an official visit at the invitation of Georgian
Defence Minister David Tevsadze. Kivrikoglu was welcomed at the
Tblisi airport by Georgian Defence Minister where the Turkish
Ambassador to Tblisi Burak Gursel was also present. On the first
day of his visit Kivrikioglu held several contacts. He was
received by the Georgian President Edouard Shevardnadze in the
evening. During Kivrikoglu's visit the relations between the two
countries and military cooperation issues will be discussed,
Anatolia Agency reports.
[11] DEMIREL: "PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM IS NECESSARY"
The nineth President of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel, stated that a
comprehensive reform in the state was inevitable and presidential
system should be reconsidered for stability in the country.
Demirel addressed businessmen during lunch, after the meeting of
the Association of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen
(TUSIAD) in Istanbul. Demirel emphasized that stability could not
be maintained in a divided parliament. He stated that in addition
to the presidential system, the Israeli model could also be
considered as an alternative. Stressing that there were three
important targets before Turkey, Demirel said, "They are economic
and political stability and entering the EU." /Turkiye/
[12] PARDON FOR STUDENTS
A Draft Law, envisaging the right of taking two exams and make-up
tests for the students who were dismissed from higher education,
whatever the reason, between Sep. 12, 1980 and 2000, was accepted
at the General Session of the TGNA. The proposal of the Virtue
Party (FP) deputies that the pardon for the students also
dissmissed from universities due to their head scarfs and
dressing, was rejected. /Turkiye/
[13] REVISIONS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
A bill, authorizing the government to enact decrees with the
force of law has been submitted to Parliament. After enacting of
the bill, work will be carried out to abolish the imbalance
between civil servants and to restructure public institutions.
The Head of the Plan and Budget Commission in the Parliament,
Metin Sahin, stated that discussions on the bill would begin
today. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] BAY PROJECT REVIVED
The long-delayed Izmit Bay Crossing Project is being revived. The
project came to an impasse four years ago, as ENKA and
British-Japanese consortium, AJTC, the winner of the tender,
didn't show up to sign the contract. The Minister of Public Works
and Housing, Koray Aydin, stated that they invited three
consortia, AJTC, IBKO, and BV to submit their best and final
offers in the next 45 days once they are notified of the
invitation. The scheme, which is part of the 440 kilometer-long
Istanbul-Izmir highway, will cost about one billion dollars.
/Milliyet/
[15] BAKU-CEYHAN RATIFIED
The agreement on the Baku-Ceyhan petroleum pipeline project which
will enable the transport of Caspian petroleum to the world, was
ratified by the TGNA. /Sabah/
[16] WESTERN THRACE: A PROBLEM OF EUROPE
German researcher Dr. Michael Ackerman whose book was published
recently under the name of "Turkish Minority in Western Thrace"
said that Western Thracian Turks were a source of conflict which
was ignored continously by Europe. Ackerman said that when
compared with EU, the USA had a different approach on this issue.
He said, "To form associations under Turkish names and to give
Turkish names to streets are still forbidden. Turkish newspapers
are being prevented from being published, discriminatory measures
are being applied for minority school students. Permission for
rebuilding of the collapsed mosques depends on the Greek Orthodox
Church. Religious foundations are not allowed to be governed by
minority members." /Cumhuriyet/
[17] MARC PARRIS: TURKEY IS FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES
American Ambassador to Ankara Marc Parris said in Bursa
yesterday, Turkey has a bright future in economic, political,
social and democratic areas. As he replied the questions by the
reporters he pointed out the volume of the large economic
potential in Turkey saying, `US firms has just begun to realize
the opportunities in Turkey. The US firms have not made enough
investment yet. For this reason I'm travelling around so large an
area to show the opportunities laying in the country both in
business and other fields'. /Sabah/.
[18] 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMASYA PROTOCOL
The 81st anniversary of the issuing of the Amasya Protocol, which
is a turning point in the War of Independence, was celebrated.
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in his message marking the occasion
stated that Amasya Protocol was the starting point of the
establishment of modern Turkish Republic based on national will.
The Speaker of the TGNA Yildirim Akbulut remarked in his message
celebrating the occasion that the Amasya Protocol was the most
important and valuable historic document expressing the
resolution of a nation for freedom, and independence and laying
down the basic principles of the War of Independence. Prime
Minister Ecevit also issued a message on the 81st anniversary of
the issuing of the Amasya Protocol. He stated that Amasya
Protocol was a spark in the instigation of the War of
Independence, uniting the nation around the belief in freedom,
Anatolia Agency reports.
[19] IMF PREDICTS YEARLY INFLATION AS 46.5%
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted Turkey's yearly
average consumer price inflation to be 46.5% this year, compared
to a government projection of 43%. In the May 2000 edition of its
World Economic Outlook report the IMF said that Turkey's yearly
consumer price index (CIP) would be 17% next year. /Turkish Daily
News/
[20] IMF PRAISES TURKEY'S PROGRAM TO FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION
Evaluating the last ten years' programs to fight against
inflation in Turkey, a report by an expert from the International
Monetary Fund evaluated this year's economic programme as the
most effective among the last ten years' monetary policies seen
in Turkey. In his report the IMF Expert Rakia Mualla Fetini
pointed out some good signals in economy which are encouraging.
Fetini said that the 1990's inflation programme did not bear
fruitfull results as the average inflation rate of those years
did not fall under 80 percent in spite all the measures./Aksam/
[21] TUSIAD WANTS POLITICAL CONSENSUS
Association of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen have issued
a declaration on June 22 that expressing that a consensus is
necessary among the political leaders to keep up with the reform
processes in the country. TUSIAD declared that the biggest danger
on the way of the economic program today, was political
instability and turmoil and stability was a must for the
political system.
But first of all `transformations are needed in the areas of
democracy and human rights'./Aksam/
[22] PRODUCTIVITY OF TURKISH PRIVATE SECTOR IS RECORD HIGH
The data issued by State Institutes of Statistics point that
Turkey's economy is recovering well from the crisis. In the first
quarter of the year partial economic productivity has risen 9.3
percent. That is the productivity in private sector reached a
record high of 14.2 percent of last five years'. In the public
sector it decreased 6.7 percent although the number of workers
has fallen by 8.3 percent. /Sabah/
[23] ONAY TO PLAY IN GERMANY
Pianist Gulsin Onay will give a recital within the framework of
the European Music Festival, 'Europamusicale 2000' in Munich at
Max Joseph Concert Hall on 25 June. Onay will perform works by
Mozart, Donizetti, Lizst, Ahmet Adnan Saygun, Muhittin
Durruoglu-Demiriz and Hasan Ucarsu during the recital. /Hurriyet/
[24] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS
[25] TURKISH CYPRIOTS FURIOUS AT THE UN BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the recent report of the UN
conerning the Cyprus problem. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"President Rauf Denktas is furious at the UN. The recent UN
decision extending the term of the peace-keeping force on the
Island has upset the Turkish-Cypriots. In President Denktas'
words, it has 'offended' them. In fact, in TRNC it is widely
believed that just at a time when there were certain achievements
which could have paved the way for Cyprus negotiations, the UN
has once more yielded to Greek-Cypriot threats. The strange thing
is, there was no reason for the UN to do so. In other words, the
threat by the Greek-Cypriots that if the expression of
'cooperating with Turkish-Cypriot officials' was used in the text
they would severe all the ties with the UN was nothing but a
bluff.
It was a bluff, because the Greek-Cypriots cannot dare severe all
the ties with the UN or limit the activities of the Peace-keeping
force on the Island. The reason being that, it is the
Greek-Cypriots who need the UN. The Peace-keeping force is not
the party maintaining the peace on the Island for the
Turkish-Cypriots. In the light of these facts, it can be easily
said that the Greek-Cypriots cannot dare to expel or severe their
ties with the UN. The anger of the Turkish-Cypriots stem from
this fact. The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has yielded to
idle threats if there are no other considerations behind this
decision.
The decision which reduces the Turkish-Cypriots to a community,
is taken just before the start of the negotiations in Geneva and
therefore, brings certain suspicions to mind. Turkish-Cypriot
officials believe that the Greek-Cypriot threat concerning the UN
Peace-keeping Force may be trap directed to bar President
Denktas's participation in the Geneva talks. This increases the
possibility of Denktas's going to Geneva, even if he would only
go there to explain why he cannot attend the talks. At this point
the principle of equality is damaged. For the Turkish-Cypriots
this is a 'sine qua non'. That is to say, as long as the equality
of the Turkish-Cypriot side is not accepted there will be no
progress in the talks.
President Denktas stated that the aim of these talks was to form
a bridge between the two sides. It is apparent that the
Greek-Cypriots do not have such an aim. Denktas stated that
Greek-Cypriots expected to remain as the sole State on the Island
and to reduce the status of Turkish-Cypriots to a community. At
this point there is no other choice but to implement sanctions."
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