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Turkish Press Review, 01-08-02

Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning

02.08.2001


CONTENTS

  • [01] YAS MEETING
  • [02] BUMIN: "WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE ECHR DECISION ON THE RP CASE"
  • [03] EL-SHARA INVITES CEM TO DAMASCUS
  • [04] AMERICAN EMBARGO ON IRAQ HAS A HIGH COST FOR TURKEY
  • [05] REPORT: TURKEY MAY LOOK FOR ARMS SUPPLIERS OTHER THAN US
  • [06] PENTAGON'S IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO TURKEY
  • [07] LAVASANI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR MITHAT BALKAN
  • [08] RUSSIAN POLICE RAIDS PKK CAMP
  • [09] ADDITIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SENT TO IMF
  • [10] WORLD BANK SAYS IT'S TIME TO SHIFT FOCUS TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
  • [11] AUTOMATIZATION IN THE CUSTOMS
  • [12] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR: THE LEADER OF THE EXPORTS
  • [13] FEE FOR PASSAGES THROUGH THE STRAITS
  • [14] QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATE TO ANAP
  • [15] FOREX AUCTIONS
  • [16] MONEY MARKET IS POSITIVE AFTER SECOND SWAP
  • [17] TURSAB TO HOLD ECUMENICAL SYMPOSIUM
  • [18] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP CONCERT IN ANCIENT EPHESUS
  • [19] TRAVELLER MAGAZINE GIVES WIDE COVERAGE TO ISTANBUL
  • [20] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
  • [21] WAKE UP, AND SMELL THE COFFEE! BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
  • [22] THE THIRD BASIC DECISION BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)
  • [23] STOPPING POLITICAL ISLAM BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)

  • [01] YAS MEETING

    The Supreme Military Council (YAS) convened yesterday to discuss future promotions and retirements in the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Delivering a speech at the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit informed the members of the Council about the current situation of the economic crisis, reminding that the TSK put off certain military projects due to the economic crisis even before it was requested by the government. Ecevit said this attitude of the military was very important for Turkey and the government. Stating that YAS was so very important in the structure of the TSK. Ecevit said, "TSK is aware that domestic and foreign security cannot be isolated from economic and social matters." He added that they were considered the projects which were delayed by the TSK as duties to be realized as soon as the economy recovers. /Cumhuriyet/

    [02] BUMIN: "WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE ECHR DECISION ON THE RP CASE"

    Evaluating the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision on the banned Welfare Party (RP), The Chairman of the Constitutional Court Mustafa Bumin said, "I'd like to express that we are very content with the ECHR decision which has not found the decision of the Constitutional Court to close down the FP as contrary to the European Convention of Human Rights." Bumin said the Constitutional Court's decision did not either violate the Human Rights Convention nor the Law on Political Parties. /Cumhuriyet/

    [03] EL-SHARA INVITES CEM TO DAMASCUS

    Turkey has conveyed proposals to the Damascus Administration to overcome certain problems between Turkey and Syria. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Seba Nasir noted down these proposals during his meetings in Ankara yesterday. Being received by Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Nasir presented an invitation letter to Cem from his Syrian counterpart Faruk El Shara. /Cumhuriyet/

    [04] AMERICAN EMBARGO ON IRAQ HAS A HIGH COST FOR TURKEY

    The Gaziantep Trade Chamber Chairman Mehmet Aslan said that the American embargo on Iraq resulted in a $35-40 billion loss and social problems that could not be recorded. Aslan said, "The problem has been continuing for 12 years without reaching a solution. Turkey can not export any goods not just to Iraq but also the countries to which she can reach only by passing through the Iraq, for the past 12 years. After the Gulf Crisis, Turkey was deprived of the revenue that she could gain from exports and transportation in the Middle East. Since the traffic ended in the regions, all the facilities like hotels also shut down." /Cumhuriyet/

    [05] REPORT: TURKEY MAY LOOK FOR ARMS SUPPLIERS OTHER THAN US

    Recent difficulties in the purchase of weapons from the United States might force Turkey to look for alternative suppliers, said the eminent US defense journal Defense News. Turkey and the US have been having a series of hitches in certain major defense deals. According to the Defense News, these major deals in which the two countries have had disputes and which have created a tendency on the part of Turkey to look for new alternatives, are as follows: First, the two countries have come to loggerheads over a project for the co-production of some 50 attack helicopters. Turkey's demand that an essential part of these helicopters, the mission computers, be produced by a Turkish firm in Turkey has been rejected by the US Defense Department. The second hitch concerns the projected purchase of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes from the US. The US refusal to transfer technology to Turkey is creating problems between the two countries. A final problem stems from the US insistence that electronic warfare systems which are used in US-made war planes and helicopters be developed by US companies. /Turkish News/

    [06] PENTAGON'S IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO TURKEY

    Assistant Secretary of State, Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, known as "the brain of the Pentagon" has given important messages to Turkey in two matters. These messages can be summarized under three headings. The first; points out the transformation of Turkey's economy which necessitates a powerfull political will. The second message says Kemal Derviş is a world known economist but not a magician.The core of the last message involves a kind of support to Turkey's interest over the new situation in Iraq. Wolfowitz believes important steps should be taken to solve the problems of the Turkish economy which needs a strong political will. Turkey is not in an extraordinary period and bearing very heavy burdens. However one thing is clear, from now on , Turkey cannot go on its way as it has in the past. I believe that political leaders must understand the situation and take urgent steps in time in carrying out economic and institutional reforms in order to reach compatibility with the necessities of the new age. We want to see a strong Turkey which has healthy and firm structures. Dr. Wolfowitz said "Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is a dictator who oppresses his own people and threatens his neighbours. Saddam used chemical gas againts his people in Halepçe. He may have mass destruction weapons and the situation in Iraq cannot continue this way. We shall take the necessary measures so as not to let this situation be permanent. The new situation resulting from the expected change of the status-quo in Iraq must not pose a risk against Turkey. The territorrial unity of Iraq is necessary and a must, and the rights of all the people in the country including the Turkmen population must be respected. The expected situation to emerge in Iraq will be much better on behalf of Turkey than it is during the tyranny of Saddam."/ Hürriyet/

    [07] LAVASANI MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR MITHAT BALKAN

    In the midst of the debate regarding the transfer of Iranian natural gas to Turkey, the Iranian Ambassador in Ankara Hussein Lavasani visited Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Mithat Balkan, who is responsible for Economic Affairs. Lavasani and Balkan discussed ways to overcome the deadlock between Turkey and Iran on the transfer of natural gas to Turkey. After his visit to the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Lavasani told reporters that the foreign ministries of the two countries will seek ways to remove the barriers in front of launching the project. /Turkish Daily News/

    [08] RUSSIAN POLICE RAIDS PKK CAMP

    It was revealed that Russian Federal Police raided a training camp of the terrorist PKK in the city of Yaroslav, 300 km. northeast of the Moskow. Itar-Tass Agency reported that The PKK camp was uncovered during the investigations of a kidnapped Russian businessman. In the report the camp was said to be set up in a holiday village with the help of a Syrian assistant manager responsible for the place who was also arrested. Itar Tass reported that the camp was being used as a base to extort ransom after kidnapping the citizens of Turkey, Iraq and Syria. In spite of Turkey's repeated warnings on terrorist activities of PKK in the camp, Russian autorities argued for years that the camp was being used as a "culture centre."/Hürriyet/

    [09] ADDITIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SENT TO IMF

    Turkey has sent her additional letter of intent to the IMF. The letter consists of macroeconomic balances and the targets for the end of the year. The IMF Executive Council is expected to release a $1.5 billion loan on August 3. /Cumhuriyet/

    [10] WORLD BANK SAYS IT'S TIME TO SHIFT FOCUS TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

    World Bank Turkey Director Ajay Chhibber said it's time for Turkey to shift the focus of its efforts to ride out the crisis toward the manufacturing industry and social issues from the financial sector. "It's time to put the manufacturing industry into serious focus," Chhibber was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. "It's important to help productive and successful firms in this period, as it will take time to overcome the crisis." /Turkish Daily News/

    [11] AUTOMATIZATION IN THE CUSTOMS

    Customs Undersecretary Nevzat Saygilioglu held a meeting to give information about the activities of the Customs Undersecretariat and new projects. Saygilioglu said, "After the automatization began in the 56 customs administration, the transaction value reached $120 billion." He added that they would prepare a system for customs ethics. The system will determine the relations between the customs personnel and people with whom the personnel are engaged in business." /Turkiye/

    [12] AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR: THE LEADER OF THE EXPORTS

    The exports in the automotive sector increased by 47.6 % in July compared to the last year's same period. The number reached $212, 104,000,000 in July. /Turkiye/

    [13] FEE FOR PASSAGES THROUGH THE STRAITS

    The radar control system, the buildings which were transferred to the American companies Lockheed and Martin last year, will pay itself off by the fees to be gathered from the ships passing through the Straits. The authorities from the Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs said that the fees would be doubled after the radar control system starts working. Authorities said the transportation traffic in the Straits would increase significantly, after the security is sustained. They are expecting a $30 million revenue from the fees in 2002. /Turkiye/

    [14] QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATE TO ANAP

    Austrian OQS firm presented the Onorm En ISO 9002 Quality Management System Certificate to the Motherland Party (ANAP) Chairman Mesut Yilmaz. A quality management system had been established within the structure of ANAP last year. ANAP completed its studies for quality management last week. /Turkiye/ EXPORTS RISE 13.3 PCT IN JAN-JULY Turkey's exports rose by 13.3 percent in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period of 2000, the Turkish Exporters' Assembly announced yesterday. Exports during Jan-July 2001 totaled $17.7 billion, versus $15.6 billion in the comparative 2000 period. /Turkish Daily News/ CENTRAL BANK TO SELL $600 MLN AT AUG.

    [15] FOREX AUCTIONS

    The Central Bank plans to sell $600 million through forex auctions in August, the bank said in a statement yesterday. The statement also said the bank would maintain its policy to stop excessive fluctuations in exchange rates, apart from its regular forex auctions. /Turkish Daily News/

    [16] MONEY MARKET IS POSITIVE AFTER SECOND SWAP

    After the second swap of public debts by the Treasury , the day before yesterday, the statements of Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit to the public about the new legal arrangements during the new period of the Grand National Assembly, resulted with the relief of the financial markets in Turkey. The market analysts say this announcement points out that the situations would get better in a short period of time, but involves some long term risks. Meanwhile, State Minister Kemal Derviş held a meeting with the bureaucrats and executives of the market-maker banks yesterday.. Derviş made it clear to bankers that the system of floating exchange rates would not change, and the Treasury will issue loan bills at foreign exchanges if required. /Hurriyet/ 60 TRILLION FOR THE FARMERS The government decided yesterday that if farmers would give up the tobacco and hazelnut production and begin sowing alternative agricultural products such as red lentil, cotton and vegetables, they will have financial support of about 60 trillion TL.s. The government began to prepare a bill on supporting the farmers in two ways. The firts involves the direct income which would be 10 million liras for every 1_4 acre of 100 hectar. The financial cost of this can account to 36 trillion liras. The second is planned on giving support indirectly through main inputs which can amount to about 20 Trillion Liras. To finance these costs the government will apply to international creditors and other credit means. /Hürriyet/

    [17] TURSAB TO HOLD ECUMENICAL SYMPOSIUM

    Representatives of the three holy revealed religions will come together at a symposium organized by the Turkish Travel Agencies' Association (TURSAB) in Izmir at the end of September. Erhan Golbey from TURSAB2s Izmir office told reporters that they invited representatives from Islam, Christianity and Judaism to the symposium, which will also be attended by tour operators who will have the chance to see the historical and religious sites in the region. "Our goal is to determine shortcomings and restore objects and sites which have religious significance.", said Golbey. /Turkish News/

    [18] TURKISH-GREEK FRIENDSHIP CONCERT IN ANCIENT EPHESUS

    Turkish and Greek artists are holding a concert named "The Great Concert" in order to strengthen relations between Turkey and Greece. The concert, at which the music from the two countries will be performed, will be held at the Ancient Ephesus Amphitheatre on Aug. 3. It was also reported that 270 musicians from the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, Thessaloniki Harmony Choir and the Sayar Nova Choir will come together at Ephesus. /Turkish Daily News/

    [19] TRAVELLER MAGAZINE GIVES WIDE COVERAGE TO ISTANBUL

    Traveller Magazine gave wide coverage to Istanbul's historical, touristic and cultural features as well as social life and political developments in Turkey. Stating that Istanbul was one of the oldest cities in the world, the Traveller stated that old times and new times can both be experienced in Istanbul. Praising Ataturk's reforms, the magazine also mentioned social and daily life in Turkey. /Turkiye/

    [20] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...

    [21] WAKE UP, AND SMELL THE COFFEE! BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)

    Columnist Gungor Mengi comments on the suggestions of the World Bank regarding the economic situation. A summary of his column is as follows: "The World Bank has suggested that now is the time to turn attention to unemployment and poverty. Since those governing the country could not courageously encounter the provocations leading to unemployment and poverty, we could not overcome the crisis soon enough. The World Bank Turkey Director Ajay Chibber called on the Government to undertake an active part in solving the problems between the manufacturing industry and the banks. The joint studies to solve the situation began yesterday. The assistance in the amount of $ 500 million which the World Bank will allocate to poor families will be distributed in the beginning of October. The cries of people are heard from all over Turkey. It is important that Washington, before Ankara, has seen this social fire. The Government has to show the power to revive the 'social state' taking every risk into account."

    [22] THE THIRD BASIC DECISION BY MUSTAFA BALBAY (CUMHURIYET)

    Columnist Mustafa Balbay writes on the decision of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the closure case of the Welfare Party. A summary of his column is as follows: "The ruling of the European Court of Human Rights regarding Erbakan and his friends will affect all the parties in the discussions over secularism in Turkey. The recent ruling of the ECHR is in conformity with the ruling on those dispelled from the Armed Forces ,abiding the decision of the Supreme Military Council (YAS). The lesson Europe has learnt from the religious wars, which lasted a hundred years is that, secularism is the basis of democracy. The political movements, which wanted to exploit religion to get into power, used two main paths. One of them wanted to get into power through elections and the other by seizing the state bureaucracy. Erbakan used the first road, and Gulen the second. These movements which covered important distances, during the 90s, applied to the ECHR when the wearing of head-scarves to the university were banned. They were confident of themselves and said that they wanted freedom. Their aim was to practice the requirements of their religion freely and to complete their education. However the ECHR did not accept this view. In its ruling the ECHR said that if a student came to school in a dress which he or she said was demanded by religion, he or she would put pressure on other students in the school. Universities are institutions which should be devoid of any elements of pressure. The ECHR answered the request of those dispelled from the Armed Forces in July 1997 by saying that those who chose the military profession accept to abide by its rules with their own free will. With its recent ruling the ECHR issued the following messages: First, democracy is a regime of rules. Those who do not play by the rules are left out. Secondly, it may be necessary to resort to bans to protect the democracy. Thirdly, in democracies there cannot be parties with two different policies. If such a tendency is seen in a party sanctions are implemented against it. Finally, any slight tolerance for violence cannot be accepted in a party."

    [23] STOPPING POLITICAL ISLAM BY DERYA SAZAK (MILLIYET)

    Columnist Derya Sazak writes on the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the closure of the Welfare Party. A summary of his column is as follows: "The European Court of Human Rights' ruling on the closure of Welfare Party which found Turkey to be in the right, brought concrete results regarding the suspicions of Western views concerning 'political Islam'. If religious parties begin to use democracy to impose their own legal system through violence, closure can become an indispensable social necessity to protect the society. The ruling on the Welfare Party's closure is significant because it displays that the instinct to preserve democracy is still intact and delineates limits. There is one important reason why the supporters of political Islam should meet under the banner of democracy, tolerance and secularism and that is the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights."


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