Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
President Suleyman Demirel stated that there would be some
troubles in harmonizing Turkey's national laws with the European
laws but added, "I believe that we will overcome these troubles.
If we do not enter such a world because of these problems, we
will lose our status of being a contemporary state". Demirel
delivered a speech at the ceremony held by the Turkish
Administrators' Association. Demirel said, "We will also continue
to protect our unitarian integrity and secular state form".
/Milliyet/
President Suleyman Demirel will pay an official visit to Tbilisi
between January 14-15 as the guest of Georgian President Eduard
Shevardnadze. The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that the
President would be accompanied by Eenergy and Natural Resources
Cumhur Ersumer, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Public Works and
Housing Minister Koray Aydin, some deputies, Foreign Ministry
officials and businessmen, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
After the Summit that lasted for seven-and-a-half hours, the
leaders of the coalition government, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
of the Democratic Leftist Party (DSP), Deputy Premier and
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli and the
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz, decided yesterday to
'conditionally' abide by a European Court of Human Rights demand
to a stay of execution for Turkey's number-one public enemy until
after the European Court hands down a verdict on the case.
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said that the European Court
of Human Rights did not have the authority to overturn the ruling
of Turkey's courts, but acting with an awareness that Turkey
needs to comply with its international obligations, the leaders
of the coalition government have agreed to a "temporarily stay of
execution" of Ocalan. Ecevit further added that if this appeals
process was exploited in a manner that could hurt Turkey's
interests, then the three coalition leaders would meet again and
review their decision. This meeting was also attended by Deputy
Prime Ministers Husamettin Ozkan and Cumhur Ersumer, State
Minister Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik, Minister of Justice Hikmet Sami
Turk, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem and Minister of
Industry Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu. /Hurriyet/
The General Secretary of the European Court of Human Rights
(ECHR), Wolfgang Peukert, stated that the execution of Abdullah
Ocalan would damage Turkey and the postpone of the death
punishment doesn't show weakness but would be an indicator of
strength. During his speech at congress of 'Globalization of the
Law and National Sovereignty`, which was organized with in the
framework of the 'Law Congress 2000, Peukert emphasized that
personelly he had never been a sympathizer with terrorists, on
the contrary, he sympathized with families of the victims of
terrorism, however, the execution of Ocalan would cause serious
harm to the Turkish nation. /Cumhuriyet/
The Acting Group Chairman of the True Path Party (DYP), Turhan
Guven, described the decision taken at the 'Leaders' Summit' as
illegal. Guven stated that an evaluation should be made by the
Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The Head of the Court of
Appeals, Sami Selcuk, said that the decision taken concerning
Ocalan's file, which will stay at the Office of the Prime
Minister, was in line with the law. He added that the legal
process with reference to Ocalan is not over yet. /Star/
The first positive reaction came from the Italian Prime Minister
Massimo D'Alema, concerning the decision on the postponement of
Ocalan's execution, after the Summit held by the coalition
leaders yesterday. D'Alema said that he welcomed the Turkish
government's decision with appreciation and enthusiasm and added,
"I am pleased with the fact that Turkey acted in accordance with
Europe's democratization principles. We were expecting Ankara to
give this decision." The Italian TV channels broadcasted this
news as the main topic and pointed out that the immediate danger
of Ocalan's execution had been removed and emphasized the Italian
government's pleasure concerning this decision. /Hurriyet/
Portugal, the EU Term-President, stated that relations between
Turkey and the EU could be damaged if the head of the PKK
terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan, is executed. The
Minister Responsible for European Affairs, Francisco Seixas de
Costa, said, "The door opened by the EU to Turkey has put forth a
condition for a rationalist stance". /Star/
Turkey has realized its first meeting with its status of
'candidate country' officially approved by the EU in Helsinki.
Officials from the Foreign Ministries of the member-countries and
candidate-countries attended the meeting under the chairmanship
of the EU Troika in Brussels. During the meeting, the views of
the candidate countries concerning foreign policy issues were
discussed, in addition to the issues of Eastern Europe and
Central Asia. Resit Uman from the Foreign Ministry who
represented Turkey during the meeting said that the EU should be
patient regarding the democratic formations in Central Asia.
/Milliyet/
A member of the European Commission responsible for enlargement,
Gunter Verheugen said that the proclamation of Turkey's candidacy
was not a guarantee for her EU membership. During his statement
for the German 'Saarbrucker Zeitung`, stressing that he was
hopeful for the 'speed of the reforms` in Turkey and Verheugen
emphasized that the reason for granting a membership perspective
to Ankara was to prevent Turkey's break from Europe. He stated,
"the EU doesn't start membership negotiations with countries who
do not consider human rights issues." /Cumhuriyet/
The presenter of the 'McLaughlin Show's' programme broadcasted on
American PBS television, journalist John McLaughlin, announced
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to be the 'most important person of the
millenium'. In his programme, McLaughlin said, "Ataturk removed
sultanate, gave the right to vote and to stand for parliament to
women and brought the Latin alphabet and the Western style of
clothing to his country. Ataturk is the one and only leader who
could have turned a Muslim community to be parliamentary order, a
democracy and a secular state." However, Mc Laughlin's choice
caused many Greek-Cypriot associations in the U.S.A. to react."
/Hurriyet/
The Spokesman of the US State Department, James Rubin, said that
the water issue discussed during the peace talks between Israel
and Syria not only concerned these two countries but also the
whole region. Rubin said, "We are within a continuous series of
contacts with Turkish officials concerning various issues
including the water matter". /Aksam/
The US Deputy Secretary of State, Marc Grossman, said that among
the common objectives of the US and the EU for the 'transatlantic
cooperation' in the year 2000, there was the strengthening of
peace in Kosovo and Bosnia and the solution of the Aegean and
Cyprus problems. Grossman remarked during a press conference on
US-European Relations' that the EU membership perspective of
Cyprus would make a positive contribution to the process. He
pointed out that detailed issues had been discussed during the
meetings which started in December. /Milliyet/
Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreu stated that Turkey's EU
candidacy status formed a new dynamism and new responsibilities
would be assumed by Turkey. Papandreu said during his contacts in
Southern Cyprus that Turkish officials' determination to
harmonize with the EU regulations was a positive development and
added that they would support the opening of an unofficial EU
office with the participation of Turkish-Cypriots and
Greek-Cypriots. The proposal for the opening of the office had
been previously made by the Leader of the Greek-Cypriot
Administration, Glafkos Klerides. /Turkiye/
The Greek-Cypriot Administration searches for ways to attract
Turkish people in Cyprus to membership discussions. Within this
framework, an office will be set up in Brussels in order to
enlighten Turkish people concerning the European Union (EU).
According to the decision taken by the Greek Minister of Foreign
Affairs, George Papandreu, after his contacts in the Southern
Cyprus, the above-mentione bureau will inform Turkish people in
Cyprus concerning the EU's actions and the advantages. In
addition, the common organizations of the Greek-Cypriot and
Turkish non-governmental organizations in Cyprus concerning EU
membership, will be intensified. /Hurriyet/
While the debates are continuing over the EU's decision regarding
the formation of the European Security and Defence Identity
(ESDI), the American administration asked for the EU not to
exclude the six NATO countries which includes Turkey. During a
meeting in Berlin, American Ambassador to NATO Permanent
Representative, Alexander Vershbow, warned that in the case of
the exclusion of the non-EU member NATO countries, they would not
be expected to benefif from the NATO facilities for ESDI
operations. /Cumhuriyet/
Iran Foreign Minister Kemal Harrazi will visit Turkey between
Jan. 17th and 19th as a guest of Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail
Cem. During the meetings bilateral, regional and international
issues will be taken up. In the second day of his visit, Harrazi
will proceed to Konya and in the last day of his visit he will
meet with Turkish businessmen in Istanbul. /Cumhuriyet/
In order to negotiate on the natural gas agreement between Turkey
and Iran, yesterday, a Turkish delegation headed by the General
Director of Botas, Gokhan Yardim, met with the Iran Petroleum
Minister, Bijen Namdar Zengene, in Tehran. During his statements
to journalists, Yardim said that he hoped Turkey would begin
buying natural gas from Iran in the September of the year 2001.
Stating that the length of the pipeline on Turkish territory was
1,200 km, Yardim stressed that the meetings are to ensure
financial sources for the venture. The Deputy of the Iran
Petroleum Minister responsible for gas affairs, Muhammed Nejad
also said that Iran accepted Turkey's requirement for the
postponement of buying gas until Sep. 2001. /Cumhuriyet/
A nine-people delegation of the Holland Mayors Union arrived
Istanbul yesterday to develop relations between the mayors of the
two countries and also to work to relieve the damage in the
earthquake hit zone. The delegation attended the seminar of 'The
Present Situation in the Quake Region` which was organized by the
Marmara's and Straits' Mayors Union. The head of the Holland
delegation, Van Lidt de Jeude, stressed that the Aug. 17 and Nov.
12 quakes caused great grief in Holland and they immediately
formed committees for help. /Cumhuriyet/
The head of an organized crime organization, Ayvaz Korkmaz,
wanted by Interpol and seized in the Ukrania was brought to
Turkey by a special team. Korkmaz will be tried of establishing a
'gang` by the Istanbul State Security Court and he is also
charged with 18 different crimes. /Cumhuriyet/
The reflections of the political rapproachment between Turkey and
Greece on the business world are continuing. One of the biggest
construction companies in Turkey, Gama, and the Greek,
Prometheus, the American, Exxon, the Russian, Gasprom and the
Italian, Enelco companies, which bring natural gas to Greece,
came together for the first time and representatives of these
five large companies signed an agreement in Athens for the
construction of an electricity power-station in Greece. The owner
of the Prometheus company, Greek businessman Dimitris Copelouzos,
hosted the signing ceremony which was attended by the Chief
bishop of the Greek Orthodox church, Hritodulos, the Greek
Minister of Development Evangelos Venizelos, the Greek Minister
of Justice Yannos Yanopulos, the American Ambassador Nicholas
Burns, the Turkish Ambassador to Athens, Ali Tuygan, and also
other officials and businessmen. As part of the signed agreement,
the consortium will be established in northern Greece near the
Turkish border. /Hurriyet/
Restrictions have been brought to the border trade as far as
products and their quantities are concerned. The crude petroleum
brought from Iraq will be decreased to a great extent. Imports of
fresh vegetable anf fruit have been removed. According to
information received from the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, the
list concerning the products which can be imported as part of the
border trade has been determined in line with the decision taken
by the National Security Council and was sent to the officies of
the related governors last week. /Aksam/
A leading French newspaper, 'Le Monde', stated that a new period
has begun for Turkey which became an EU candidate. The newspaper
said that following a long economic stagnation and an increasing
inflation-rate period, Turkey has entered a new period. The
agreement signed with the IMF and the approval of Turkey's EU
candidacy in Helsinki on December 10, 1999, had made an important
driving effect on Turkey. The newspaper remarked that the Turkish
Government would put forth its resolve to realize the economic
and political reforms necessary for bringing Turkey into the
level of European countries. /Turkiye/
The financial problem concerning the 'Blue Stream' pipeline which
will enable the transportation of the natural gas from Russia to
Turkey beneath the Black Sea has been completely overcome.
Following the agreement for loans provided from the firm which is
constructing the part of the pipeline on Turkish territories, an
allocation worth 32 trillion TL has been ensured for the General
Directorate of the Pipeline Transportation Joint Stock Company
(BOTAS). The Turco-Russian natural gas project will be completed
in due time and natural gas transportation to Turkey will begin
in 2001. /Turkiye/
Turkey and Britain signed yesterday a 'Bilateral Employment
Regulation' agreement. The agreement was signed by Foreign
Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Aydan Karahan and British
Ambassador to Turkey David B.C. Logan, the Anatolia News Agency
reports.
One of the leading raiting establishments, Standard and Poors'
analysist to Turkey, Marie Cavanaugh, said that if Turkey
implements the structural reforms and the economic programme that
it promised, then they might make Turkey's credit grade higher.
Cavanaugh pointed out that they were closely following the
Turkish economy and said, "Positive developments are continuing
and the government is taking bold decisions, that is, it had made
a stand-by agreement with the IMF and, in consequence, we have
changed Turkey's situation from 'stable' to 'positive' and this
enhances Turkey's chance to increase its credit grade. The
important thing from now on is to comply with the policies that
were promised and this will be known in the near future. To sum
up, if Turkey complies with the stand-by, then we will rise its
credit rating." /Hurriyet/
FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
DEMIREL: "LET'S BECOME A CONTEMPORARY STATE"
DEMIREL TO VISIT GEORGIA
LEADERS' SUMMIT'S DECISION CONCERNING OCALAN
'OCALAN'S EXECUTION DAMAGE TURKEY`
DYP: "ILLEGAL DECISION"
D'ALEMA'S REACTION CONCERNING THE DECISION ON OCALAN
PORTUGAL: "EXECUTION DAMAGES RELATIONS"
FIRST CONTACT WITH THE EU
VERHEUGEN: 'MEMBERSHIP IS NOT A GUARANTEE`
'ATATURK: THE MAN OF THE MILLENIUM'
TURKEY'S WATER RESOURCES
SOLUTION TO THE CYPRUS ISSUE IS THE 2000 OBJECTIVE OF THE WEST
PAPANDREU: "TURKEY IS A NEW DYNAMISM IN THE EU"
GREEK-CYPRIOT LOBBY OFFICE FOR THE TURKISH PEOPLE IN CYPRUS
WASHINGTON ANNOYED FROM ESDI
IRAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT TURKEY
BOTAS DELEGATION IN IRAN
HOLLAND DELEGATION IN TURKEY
AYVAZ KORKMAZ IN TURKEY
ONE BRICK FOR THE GREEK POWER-STATION FROM TURKEY
RESTRICTIONS IN BORDER TRADE
LE MONDE: "ECONOMY'S PATH IS OPEN"
'BLUE STREAM' AT FULL SPEED
TURKEY AND BRITAIN SIGN AGREEMENT
'IF TURKEY COMPLIES WITH THE STAND-BY, ITS CREDIT GRADE WILL BE
HIGH'
COTTARELLI: "IF ANKARA PERMITS, WE WILL OPEN IMF OFFICE IN
The International Monetary Fund's Chairman of the Turkish desk, Carlo Cottarelli, said that they might open an IMF office in Ankara, with the permission of the Turkish authorities. Cottarelli answered journalists' questions concerning the 'office crisis' after the Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel's conference in New York. Cottarelli said, "It is not important whether or not an office in Ankara is opened. This is just routine practice and there are many IMF offices from Russia to Brazil and from Indonesia to Taiwan. However, these offices are necessary in terms of following the monetary programme. However, we do want to open an office in Ankara if the authorities say yes." /Hurriyet/
During his visit to the Turkish Association of Travel Agents (TURSAB) Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu announced that his ministry had set a target of $30 billion per year in tourism by the year 2010, the Anatolia News Agency reports. In his speech MUmcu said that Turkey needed a sectoral bank for tourism in order to develop a new marketing techniques and competition. He also pointed out that promotion of the country should not be looked at not only in the short-term but also in the long-term.
The Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, said that interest rates will not be altered for 18 months. During a meeting held in New York and attended by many people, Ercel explained that the anti-inflation programme was implemented by Turkish and American investors. Ercel said, "The goal to decrease inflation to one column will be reached within three years and Turkey will prepare for EU membership within four to five years." /Hurriyet/
Leading US investment company Merrill Lynch has chosen Akbank shares as the most profitable stocks to purchase in Europe. Deutsche Bank, the largest bank in Germany, also designated Akbank as the best to buy among alll emerging markets in October 1999. Akbank issued a written statement stating that Merrill Lynch had published a Global Investment Strategy Report on December 21, 1999, presenting Akbank shares as the most favourable option, not only in the finance sector but in all sectors. /All papers/
The renowned International Home Textile Fair (Heim Textil) was opened in Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday. Ninty-seven Turkish firms participated in the Fair, attended by 2,900 firms from 65 countries. It is expected that more than 75,000 people will visit this Fair this year. It is also expected to generate $1 billion in income. Turkish State Minister Tunca Toskay, Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursat Tuzmen, the Head of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Fuat Miras, the Head of the Istanbul Chamber of Trade (ITO) Mehmet Yildirim and many businessmen visited the Fair. /Turkiye/
An agreement of strategic cooperation was signed between Ege Profil, one of the most important stock exchange companies, and Deceuninck Plastics Industries N.V. of Belgium, which is one of the leading profile and window system producers. According to a profil sent by Ege to the IMF, 47% of shares not in circulation will be transferred to Deceuninck Plastics Industries N.V. The cost of the shares was determined as 9 million 500 thousand American dollars. /Hurriyet/
The DuPontSa set up with a partnership between the Haci Omer Sabanci Holding Company and DuPont has been activated. The DuPontSa which will produce and sell polyester, yarn, fibres, polyester raw materials and related products for the markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, aims at an annual turnover worth $1 billion and has 4,500 workers. /Turkiye/
Turk-Pirelli has been awarded by the Automotive Industry Association (OSD), of which 18 domestic vehicle producers are members in Turkey. Turk-Pirelli will receive its award during a meeting of the General Council of the OSD on February 18, 2000, due to the quality of its products and their reasonable prices. /Aksam/
The year 1999 TV Oscars jury has decided to give the 'International Friendship and Peace Award' to two Greek journalists. The Greek journalist from the 'To Vima' newspaper, Annie Podimata, and Nikos Evangelatos from the Alpa TV, will receive their awards from Greek Foreign Minister Papandreu. /Turkiye/
Sezen Aksu went to Israel to take part in the 'Salute to Two Countries' concert that was organized by the Association of Turco-Israeli Friendship. Income earned from the concert, which will also be attended by many Israeli artists, will be spent on the construction of schools in earthquake-hit regions. Turkish Minister of Culture, Istemihan Talay, Chief Advisor of the Presidency, Hikmet Cetin and the Democratic Left Party (DSP) deputy Gonul Say will also attend this concert. Before the concert, Talay and Cetin will attend a ceremony to celebrate the official establishment of the Turco-Israeli Association of Friendship. Talay, who is expected to deliver a speech at the ceremony, will meet with the Israeli Minister of Culture today. /Hurriyet/
Renowned tenors Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Andrea Becelli will stage a concert to aid the victims of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. The Director of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Nedim Tanrikulu, said that they had extended the proposal to these tenors to help the victims and had received a positive response from them. /Turkiye/
Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the decision taken by the Coalition party leaders on the Ocalan case. A summary of his column is as follows: "The leaders of the coalition parties, Ecevit, Bahceli and Yilmaz have shown state responsibility. The decision made at the end of the eight-hour conference shows the confidence in Ecevit and the maturity of Bahceli. The decision also showed Mesut Yilmaz as the balancing factor. The magic formula which provided for the delay in carrying out the death sentence on Ocalan and the acceptance of the decision by the Nationalist Action Party was hidden behind the words a "reasonable period of time". Prime Minister Ecevit's promise that if this decision worked against the best interests of the country, the file on Ocalan would be sent to Parliament, led to its acceptance by the Nationalist Action Party (MHP). All parties worked on the formula, and eventually a decision was taken to wait for the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights on one condition: Turkey would swiftly take the matter to the TGNA if it had any suspicions that the decision was being exploited against itself. The results of the decision can be summarized thus: 1- The file on Ocalan would be held at the Prime Ministry until the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights is given, in compliance with the wishes of the President and the Prime minister. 2- The Chairman of the MHP, Devlet Bahceli can request the file to be sent to the TGNA if he deems necessary. Therefore, the file would be ready to go to Parliament any time. 3- Both the PKK and the EU would be affected by the decision. If the PKK terror shows an increase and the decision to delay is exploited as foreseen by the MHP, Ecevit will send the file to the TGNA. This decision can also be changed if the process for the verdict of the ECHR is arbitrarily lengthened. 4- Turkey has shown its goodwill and that it has complied with its international legal commitments. 5- From now on, the ball will be in the court of the ECHR and the PKK. The MHP has not changed its opinions on Ocalan, however, in view of the information and requests put forth by the state institutions, it has decided not to make a governmental crisis. The mature stand shown by the MHP leader Devlet Bahceli is noteworthy. The Minister of Public Works Koray Aydin stated that Turkey had to explain its opinions to other European countries through various delegations. He believes that even if Europe's opposition to the verdict is not overturned, it may be weakened. With this decision, pressuring the PKK and the EU, the Government has used the Ocalan card in the best way possible. The Coalition has passed the critical stage for the time being."
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the situation in the Caucasus. A
summary of his column is as follows:
The two-day visit President Suleyman Demirel will pay to Georgia,
beginning tomorrow, is a new indication of Turkey's increasing
role in the Caucasus. Demirel's meetings with Georgian President
Edouard Schevardnadze can be considered as the continuation of
his talks with Azerbaijani President Haidar Aliyev.
During the talks in Tbilisi two important joint issues concerning
the three states will be taken up. The first one is the security
question in the Caucasus, and the second one concerns the hitches
in the carrying out of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.
The security question in Southern Caucasus has reached dimensions
leading to concerns due to the developments in Chechnya. Georgia
is the most affected state by these incidents. Refugees fleeing
from Russians are taking shelter in Georgia. In consequence,she
is confronted with a refugee problem. Azerbaijan, if not to the
extent felt in Georgia, is effects with the Chechnyan problem.
Baku is concerned that the armed conflict in the Northern
Caucasus may spread to the south. In that case, it may be
difficult for Azerbaijan and Georgia to control the situation by
themselves and the carrying out of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline
project may be faced with difficulties.
Aliyev, during his talks in Ankara, has suggested that a joint
security system should be established between Turkey, Azerbaijan
and Georgia. The Azerbaijani leader proposes a sort of military
cooperation agreement and a military pact. It is a well-known
fact that Turkey has established close cooperation with
Azerbaijan and Georgia in the fields of political negotiations
and military aid. This cooperation can be enhanced. However, at
this point, it would not be beneficial for Turkey to form an
official pact.
Forming a military bloc in the Caucasus will unsettle Russia and
will lead to its harsh reaction. On various occasions, Ankara has
stated that Moscow should leave Southern Caucasus alone. Turkey
hopes to contribute to security and stability in the Caucasus by
enhancing its cooperation with Azerbaijan and Georgia. On the
other hand, Turkey is determined to solve the final hitches in
Georgia in order to carry out the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project.
However, everything depends on the prevention of tension and
instability and in this point Turkey's role is important."