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Turkish Press Review, 02-02-01

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>

<LINK href="http://www.byegm.gov.tr_yayinlarimiz_chr_pics_css/tpr.css" rel=STYLESHEET type=text/css> <map name="FPMap1"> <_map> Press &amp; Information Turkish Press Turkish Press Review &gt;&gt; Foreign Press Guide Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

01.02.2002


CONTENTS

  • [01] PRESIDENT RATIFIES BANKING LAW
  • [02] ECEVIT: "PEACEFUL DIVERSITY IN THE BALKANS MUST BE PROTECTED"
  • [03] COALITION PARTNERS AT LOGGERHEADS OVER HARMONIZATION LAWS
  • [04] YILMAZ: "COMPROMISE ON ARTICLE 312 IS POSSIBLE"
  • [05] DENKTAS, CLERIDES DISCUSS PROPOSALS FOR NEW CYPRIOT REPUBLIC
  • [06] PKK BANNED IN AUSTRALIA
  • [07] REPORT: "BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS MET WITH PKK MILITANTS"
  • [08] TRT OPENS NEW STUDIO IN ISTANBUL
  • [09] MERAL COULD GO INTO POLITICS WITH NEW PARTY
  • [10] MGK: "IMPROVED TRADE RELATIONS HELP FOREIGN POLICY"
  • [11] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PUSHES ITALY TO TAKE BACK WASTE BARRELS
  • [12] CAPA AND CERRAHPASA HOSPITALS TO BE MODERNIZED
  • [13] WORLD BANK TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL LOAN
  • [14] LEBANESE ECONOMIC DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY
  • [15] IMF TO HOLD MEETING ON TURKEY
  • [16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [17] TURKEY IN BETWEEN EAST AND WEST BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)
  • [18] FRIGHTENING SPRING BY HIKMET BILA (CUMHURIYET)
  • [19] ERDOGAN'S MESSAGES IN WASHINGTON HASAN MESUT HAZAR (TURKIYE)

  • [01] PRESIDENT RATIFIES BANKING LAW

    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer yesterday ratified the banking law after having vetoed last month, but attached a series of warnings and advisement, which he wants to be considered in the implementation of the key legislation. The president suggested that the government should work to recapitalize the banks using an approach stressing transparency. /Sabah/

    [02] ECEVIT: "PEACEFUL DIVERSITY IN THE BALKANS MUST BE PROTECTED"

    Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit yesterday made a speech at a conference held by the Bulgarian-Atlantic Club in Sofia. Remarking that huge socioeconomic differences between rich and poor might lead to new global crises, Ecevit expressed his wish for peace and stability in the Balkans. "Positive developments such as globalization and technological advances promise a better future for the whole world," said Ecevit. "Today the winds of democracy are sweeping across a number of countries which have been long deprived of human rights and freedoms many years. However, humanity still faces complex problems. As income remains unequally distributed across the nations and as the gap in income between rich and poor countries has recently widened, new threats to world peace are likely to emerge in the future." Stating that most countries faced some problems of ethnic violence, Ecevit said that the Balkans was one region in particular which had been forced to stare down this specter from the past. "However, today the situation is changing. Multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-religious structure of the Balkans must be protected at all costs." After completing his meetings in Bulgaria, Ecevit returned to Turkey yesterday. Speaking to the media at Esenboga Airport, Ecevit underlined how Turkey and Bulgaria had managed to achieve a firm cooperation in the interests of the long-term peace and stability in the Balkans. /Cumhuriyet/

    [03] COALITION PARTNERS AT LOGGERHEADS OVER HARMONIZATION LAWS

    Yesterday, Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said that the MHP would not allow any changes to controversial new amendments to Articles 312 and 159 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting, Bahceli criticized the stance of another government coalition partner the Motherland Party (ANAP), on Article 312. Although Turkey has recently seen several positive developments towards democracy, Bahceli said, certain circles have gotten fixated on these amendments. Claiming that all countries had similar articles in their penal codes, Bahceli stated that the MHP's aim was not to limit freedom but rather to discourage hatred and provocation among the public. "No one should try to benefit from Turkey's goal of gaining EU membership for his or her own interests," he added. /All Papers/

    [04] YILMAZ: "COMPROMISE ON ARTICLE 312 IS POSSIBLE"

    Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said yesterday that the proposed EU harmonization laws should be revised and that a compromise between the government coalition partners could be reached on the matter. Talking to the reporters following an Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ASO) meeting, Yilmaz said that he wanted to avoid overheated rhetoric on the issue adding, however, he said, "EU membership is the most important goal both for Turkey and the present government." Stressing that final text of the amendments to Article 312 didn't fulfill the requirements needed for that target, he declared that instead of arguments, Turkey needs to look at the situation in light of its EU goal. /Turkiye/

    [05] DENKTAS, CLERIDES DISCUSS PROPOSALS FOR NEW CYPRIOT REPUBLIC

    Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas and Greek Cypriot leader Glafcos Clerides yesterday met again in Lefkosha as part of the direct talks process begun last month to find a settlement for the island. The two leaders reportedly discussed the structure of a proposed joint republic and its functions. /Turkiye/

    [06] PKK BANNED IN AUSTRALIA

    The Australian government yesterday took measures to ban the activities of the terrorist PKK and other similar organizations, which target Turkey. The government also moved to freeze the assets of the PKK and its supporters. A full list of banned terrorist organizations was published in the Australian Official Gazette yesterday. Australian officials stated that the government was taking action against international terrorism, in line with UN resolutions, which urge its member countries to cut off the financial resources of terrorism. /Cumhuriyet/

    [07] REPORT: "BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS MET WITH PKK MILITANTS"

    Three Belgian parliamentarians reportedly traveled to northern Iraq on Jan. 6-10 to meet with terrorist PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's brother, Osman Ocalan. Belgium has been in the news as the country which played the most active role when the EU was preparing a list of terrorist organizations failed to include the DHKP-C and PKK, two groups which threaten Turkey. Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that Fehriye Erdal, an accused assassin of Ozdemir Sabanci whom Belgium has refused to extradite, has disappeared. /Hurriyet/

    [08] TRT OPENS NEW STUDIO IN ISTANBUL

    On the occasion of its 34th anniversary of serving the Turkish public, the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) yesterday officially opened its new studio in Tepebasi district in Istanbul. Speaking at the opening ceremony, TRT Director General Yucel Yener emphasized that TRT would continue to improve itself without changing its responsible and systematic approach to broadcasting. He added, "Thanks to our diligent TRT workers, our new Tepebasi studio was outfitted with the latest high-tech equipment in record time. It is a perfect place." At the ceremony's conclusion, a chorus of 250 singers gave a two-hour performance. Yilmaz and State Minister Karakoyunlu were among those who enjoyed the concert. /Aksam/

    [09] MERAL COULD GO INTO POLITICS WITH NEW PARTY

    Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions (Turk-Is) Chairman Bayram Meral said yesterday that nothing could be gained for Turkey merely by complaining about politics and politicians, then signaled his intent to enter the political arena. Speaking to reporters after a press conference to promote the New Consumer Law, Meral said, "Recently our country has been preoccupied with complaining about politicians. However, time for complaints is now over. I intend to go into politics under the roof of a party to carry out vital work to solve our country's pressing problems. As to whether he would work under the wing of an existing party or form a new one, Meral said that he was currently looking into the latter. /Turkiye/

    [10] MGK: "IMPROVED TRADE RELATIONS HELP FOREIGN POLICY"

    During this week's National Security Council (MGK) meeting, it was resolved that this year Turkey would strive to expand and improve its foreign trade. Turkey's targets and expectations for foreign trade were set out in an MGK declaration. According to the statement, Ankara will place more importance on its bordering neighbors in terms of foreign trade. In addition, one of Turkey's prime targets will be to emphasize industrial goods and act in accordance with the principle of "trade develops foreign policy." State Minister for Foreign Trade Tunca Toskay, who attended the MGK meeting, stressed that Turkey is the least active country in its region in terms of local trade. Toskay said, "One of our targets this year is to increase Turkey's trade with its neighbors, because better economic relations will help our foreign policy as well. Another of our targets is to place more importance on trading industrial goods. During the meeting, we discussed possible ways to increase sales of industrial goods." /Hurriyet/

    [11] ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PUSHES ITALY TO TAKE BACK WASTE BARRELS

    Spurred on by protests by environmental group Greenpeace over "poisonous barrels" dumped by Italy in the Black Sea, Turkish Environment Minister Fevzi Aytekin has taken action to resolve the situation. Aytekin stated yesterday that he would send a letter to the Italian Environment Ministry and the BASEL Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal Secretariat in order to get 400 poisonous barrels currently near Samsun and Sinop in the Black Sea sent back to Italy. Aytekin said, "I directed the bureaucrats that we must get rid of these barrels. Under the BASEL Agreement, Italy is responsible for taking necessary measures to stop the illegal export of waste materials. The convention says that the barrels are defined as illegal traffic. In addition, the export of illegal waste is forbidden under Turkish law." Stating that it had been 13 years since Italy abandoned the waste barrels in the Black Sea, Aytekin added, "I will find financing so that the barrels can be disposed of in a better way. However, we would like Italy to accept its fault and dispose of the barrels because it is their humanitarian responsibility." /Aksam/

    [12] CAPA AND CERRAHPASA HOSPITALS TO BE MODERNIZED

    It was announced yesterday that Istanbul's Capa and Cerrahpasa hospitals, which treat nearly 100,000 patients each day, would be modernized with an investment of $100 million. Istanbul University Rector Kemal Alemdaroglu said that the university had received permission from the State Planning Organization (DPT) and Finance Ministry for the modernization project. "These skyscraper-type hospitals will be strengthened to be earthquake resistant in a planned five-year project. Of course during this period we will continue to provide service. In preparation for this undertaking, we've held meetings with creditors and exchanged opinions with officials from famous hospitals all over the world." /Sabah/

    [13] WORLD BANK TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL LOAN

    The World Bank's Executive Board will meet next Tuesday to discuss granting a $1.3 billion loan to Turkey. If the loan is approved, the funds are expected to be in Turkey by next weekend. Meanwhile, additional financial resources of $1-1.5 billion to support Turkey's banking sector are reportedly also on the WB's agenda. The loan in question is expected to be transferred to Turkey in tranches over three years beginning from June 2002. /Turkiye/

    [14] LEBANESE ECONOMIC DELEGATION VISITS TURKEY

    Association of Turkish Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu, Association of Lebanese Industrialists Chairman Jacques Sarraf and Lebanese Economic Forum Chairman Wajih Bizri held a press conference yesterday on the meetings that 25 businessmen from the Forum and the Association of Lebanese Industrialists are currently holding in Istanbul through Feb. 4. They emphasized that there was a great deal of opportunity for bilateral cooperation in commerce, mutual investment and contracting services. Hisarciklioglu said, "Turkey is key in terms of opening the doors to Central Asia and Europe. We have high hopes for the project proposing the transportation of Egyptian natural gas from Lebanon to Europe and Turkey. Turkish contractors can have important duties in building the infrastructure in Lebanon. We are determined to improve our bilateral industrial and commercial relations." Bizri stated, "The relations between Lebanon and Turkey are rooted and historical. We are trying to strengthen these relations." /Hurriyet/

    [15] IMF TO HOLD MEETING ON TURKEY

    International Monetary Fund (IMF) Foreign Relations Director Tom Dawson stated yesterday that Fund's Executive Board was scheduled to hold a meeting on Feb. 4 where the first agenda item would be recent developments in Turkey. Dawson reiterated that the IMF placed a high premium on the nation's new Banking Law and other reforms which the Turkish government is expected to make. /Hurriyet/

    [16] FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [17] TURKEY IN BETWEEN EAST AND WEST BY EROL MANISALI (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Erol Manisali writes on Turkey's searche for a new balance in foreign affairs. A summary of his column is as follows: "The new demands of the West have inevitably led Turkey to a search for a new balance in foreign affairs. While Turkey's interests are coming in conflict with those of the West, they become more in harmony with those of Asia. Both Russia and China strongly opposed the US military presence in Asia. Both of them are against US intervention in Iraq and defend the territorial integrity of that country. European Union countries are putting obstacles in front of Turkey's active participation in Afghanistan. In a way, they are excluding Turkey. They don't want Turkey in Afghanistan despite the fact that they accepted it as a candidate country and are supposed to admit into the Union. Their desire to exclude Turks from the Aegean and Cyprus is a matter of discussion today. The US is pursuing a policy completely at odds with Turkey's strategic interests regarding intervention in Iraq and northern Iraq. This has gone on for more than ten years, since the beginning of the Gulf War. When we take a look at the US and EU demands from Turkey regarding the region, we see that they are in conflict with Turkish national interests. In fact, disagreements go far beyond those conflicts. For example, theUS and Britain would like to divide Iraq and form a puppet government in northern Iraq. The puppet government is ready with all its institutions, save a proclamation. The infrastructure of this state was formed in detail following the Gulf War. Turkey, Syria and Iran are opposed to the division of Iraq, as are Russia and China. Turkey's interests are not in line with those of the West but with those of its regional neighbours. On the other hand, Continental Europe would like to draw the PKK into the legitimate political arena, and hold a bridgehead in southeastern Turkey versus the northern Iraqi Kurdish card played by the US and Britain. It is believed that Germany leads the other countries on the issue as the potential boss of the EU. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) signed a framework agreement with Russia on Jan. 12, 2002 regarding the PKK. Both the PKK and Chechen separatists are recgnized as terrorists. However, the EU refuses to accept that the PKK is a terrorist organization and would like it to enter the political arena. This puts Turkey and Europe at loggerheads. Furthermore, the EU would like to take Cyprus and with it the Aegean into the organization so that it will not have to admit Turkey into the Union as a full-member. The US seems to be more moderate on the Cyprus issue and closer to Greece regarding the Aegean. On Armenia, both the US and the EU are pressuring Turkey. There is the resolution accepted by the EU Parliament, and also decisions by the local state legislatures in America. Turkey and the West are on opposite sides on this issue as well. All these problems show that the increasing demands of the West over Turkey can only be balanced by good relations with Asian and other countries in our region. The balances which began to be altered towards the end of 1990 are leading Turkey to seek new avenues in foreign affairs. Turkey has to balance the demands and pressures coming from the West with its new policies pursued in Asia. There is no other way out."

    [18] FRIGHTENING SPRING BY HIKMET BILA (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Hikmet Bila writes on the improving climate between Turkey and its Western neighbours. A summary of his column is as follows: "Spring breezes are blowing in Turkey's eastern borders even in the middle of winter. Reportedly, the ice between Greece and Turkey began to melt just after the earthquake disasters hitting both countries. But the key event was when the stupid move of kidnapping Ocalan by Greece was uncovered, and then the climate changed all at once. The conversations between Clerides and Denktas in Cyprus are going well. They began to meet four times a week. Both of them are all smiles. It has emerged that there has been an ongoing dialogue over the Aegean between Turkey and Greece. The foreign ministers of both countries, Ismail Cem and George Papandreou, are on the verge of going open with their secret talks. We should not be surprised if we soon hear announcements on an accord regarding the Aegean. With Bulgaria our relations are improving so much that me may sign an alliance agreement. Bulgaria is trying to enter NATO with the support of Turkey. Both countries are exchanging military training courses, sweeping the mines on the border. However, while spring has come to the western borders, winter is still ruling on our eastern borders. Rapprochement was the condition Europe put forth for Turkey. It said Turkey had to solve its problems with Greece - both the Aegean and Cyprus issues- and then ask for admittance. The process developed far more rapidly than expected. Is it possible to explain this sudden spring climate on our western borders with Turkey's promises to the European Union? In his 'State of Union' address, President Bush clearly specified his targets and said that North Korea, Iraq and Iran formed an axis of evil. Two of these countries are Turkey's neighburs. If Syria had weapons of mass destruction, it would have been among them too. It still holds its place on the list of countries which support terrorism and it is still our neighbour. All of a sudden, Bush fingered Iran as another target. There is confusion on the eastern borders. Will the improvement of relations with our western neighbours allow us to turn our attention to our eastern borders?"

    [19] ERDOGAN'S MESSAGES IN WASHINGTON HASAN MESUT HAZAR (TURKIYE)

    Columnist Hasan Mesut Hazar comments on Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to the US. A summary of his column is as follows: "Both US officials and the press closely followed Erdogan's meetings in Washington. In the wake of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the US has often stated that Turkey should be considered a model for Muslim world since it demonstrated the compatibility of Islam, democracy and secularism. During his meetings in Washington, Erdogan gave intelligent answers to questions about Turkey's special status in the Muslim world. The most important message Erdogan conveyed in the US capital was that the relation between Islam and democracy must be properly defined. He stressed the dangers inherent in radical Islam and radical secularism. "It is not enough to condemn terrorism," said Erdogan. "We have to form a common platform to fight against it. Terror has no religion or race. We can't protect world peace without cooperating with each other. That's why today clarifying the relation between Islam and democracy is very important." Stating that religious values were neither an impediment nor a burden to democracy, Erdogan said that the AKP adhered to the basic values set out in the Turkish Constitution. He also emphasized that the globalization of democracy and human rights was very important for the future of humanity. This is the gist of Erdogan's messages in the US capital. I believe that the US will continue to follow him very closely."

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