Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit received representatives and
columnists of the newspapers at his home in Ankara and discussed
the Presidential elections, stating that any candidate for the
Presidency should be impartial and independent. Ecevit added,
"When the candidate for President is elected, the President
should sever his ties with his party." Ecevit stated that the
candidate for the Presidency should also be experienced in terms
of the foreign relations. However, he avoided providing any names
concerning possible candidates. Ecevit added, "As regards this
issue, the picture concerning is not yet clear. However, the
point that has been reached is a critical one. The President, who
should be elected, should be able to ensure foreign and internal
stability." /Star/
US Deputy Secretary of State, responsible for European Affairs,
Mark Grossman, said, "The biggest achievement of the cooperation
between the US and the European Union (EU) is the official
approval of Turkey's candidacy to the EU." Grossman also
evaluated the relations between Greece and Turkey and said that
the rapprochement between Turkey and Greece, which started last
year, was good, but was not enough yet. Grossman said, "The
rapprochement that started between the two sides of the Aegean
Sea should continue. There are so many things to be done
concerning this issue." Grossman said that within this framework,
a comprehensive solution for the Cyprus problem should be found.
/Turkiye/
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem wil go to Algeria from April 20-22 as
the guest of Algerian Foreign Minister Yousef Yousfi. Apart from
the political relations between the two countries, economic,
commercial and cultural relations, as well regional and
international issues involving both countries will be discussed
during the visit. /Turkish Daily News/
State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay will go to Turkmenistan's capital
of Ashkabad on Thursday to hold meetings on various issues and to
attend the Turkmen-Turkish Business Council meeting. During his
four-day visit Cay will also meet with Turkmen President
Saparmurat Turkmenbasi, Council of Ministers Deputy Chairman
Yollu Kurbanmuradov and other ministers. /Turkish Daily News/
The Foreign Trade Undersecretariat will heighten efforts to boost
trade with Turkey's neighbours in May through international trade
fairs and a Joint Economic Commission with Syria, the Anatolia
News Agency reports. Furthermore, State Minister Recep Onal will
chair the first Joint Economic Commission meeting between Turkey
and Syria in 12 years, to be held on May 8-12. In connection with
the Commission, a trade fair will also be held in Damascus, and
over 60 companies have already signed up.
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit had a 30-minute talk with former
Azerbaijani President Ebulfez Elcibey at the Prime Ministry, the
Anatolia News Agency reports. At the end of the meeting, Elcibey
asked journalists to keep the Turco-Azerbaijani relations alive
on the agenda. He expressed the hope that the sensitivity shown
on the Cyprus issue would be displayed on the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue as well. He said that he discussed Turkey-Azerbaijan
relations with Ecevit. Elcibey also visited Motherland Party
(ANAP) Leader Mesut Yilmaz yesterday.
The season of tourism officially started during the opening
programme that was held at Lutfi Kirdar International Congress
and Exhibition Palace as part of the Tourism Week activities.
Minister of Tourism, Erkan Mumcu, delivered a speech during the
programme that was organized with the cooperation of the Turkish
Association of Travel Agencies (TURSAB), Turkish Association of
Hotel Owners (TUROB), Turkish Organization of Tourism Investors
(TYD) and the Association of Tour Operators (TUREB), pointed out
the 8th Turkish President, the deceased Turgut Ozal's
contribution to the tourism. In addition, Mumcu said that tourism
was a global industry and added, "The tourism sector is of utmost
importance in Turkey's integration with the world in the process
of globalization. We say that 'Turkey is heaven.' However, the
heaven of tourism should also be promoted. It is impossible to
separate tourism from its social, cultural, historical and
physical environment." /Turkiye/
The Founding Chairman of the Organization of Turkish Scientific
History and the Chairman of Istanbul University's Department of
Scientific History, Prof.Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, was elected to be
a member of the International Scientific History Academy.
Prof.Ihsanoglu is the second Turk to be elected a member of the
International Scientific History Academy, which includes some
leading scientists including Joseph Needham, Alexandre Koyne and
Rene Taton. /Turkiye/
Chairman of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, who is in Washington
now for the meetings of the World Bank, stated that Eximbank was
being supported so that the foreign exchange policy will not be
affected negatively and that the cost of the production had
decreased due to the fact that the interest rates had decreased.
Ercel added that they would not compensate by alerting the
foreign exchange policy and that they would take a variety of
precautions so that the foreign exchange policy would not harm
the balance of payments. Ercel further stated that as part of the
monetary and foreign exchange policy, the inflation rate would
decrease to sub-zero starting this summer. /Star/
Petrol Ofisi Joint Stock Company (POAS) increased its net profit
by 121.24% when compared with last year and climbed to 70
trillion, 157 billion, 454 million TL. The amount of the POAS'
gross sales increased from 739 trillion, 992 billion, 713 million
TL to 1 quadrillion, 334 trillion, 911 billion, 427 million TL
and the rate of increase was 80%. In addition, number of the
people working at POAS increased by 200 persons. /Aksam/
Future Call Summit 2000, which was organized by Turkcell and
Ericson and during which speedy developments in the
telecommunications sector will be discussed, will be held on 24
April in Istanbul. In a statement issued by Turkcell, the
information on the latest Turkcell product and Ericson and the
new mobile communication solutions that they present to their
institutional and personal customers will be presented during the
Future Call Summit 2000. /Aksam/
The Director of Foreign Economic Relations of the French Economy
Ministry, Jean Francois Stoll, stated that following the
earthquake disaster, Turkey entered a rapid development process
and said, "This rate of development frightens other rival
countries." Stoll pointed out that France viewed the structural
reforms in the Turkish economy and the warm relations with the
IMF and the EU as positive. He added, "There are a lot of things
to do. However French companies think that Turkey's future is
bright and concrete steps are being taken in Turkey." Stoll
remarked that Turkey ranked fifth among the countries to which
France exported its products and affirmed that Turkey was their
number one target market. /Milliyet/
ERDEMIR, Turkey's iron and steel company, stated that it achieved
a total of 34.891 trillion in profits TL during the first three
months of this year. ERDEMIR had announced a total of 24.922
trillion TL in losses in 1998 and 32.673 trillion TL lost in
1999. /Milliyet/
Completing his contacts with the World Bank and the IMF in
Washington, Minister of State Recep Onal stated that the meetings
were very fruitful. During his press meeting at the Turkish
Embassy, Onal stated that he met US Secretary of Treasury Larry
Summers and emphasized that Summers was following the
improvements in the Turkish economy closely. The Treasury
Undersecretary, Selcuk Demiralp, also said that due to the spring
period meetings, the World Bank could not convene the council
concerning Turkey on time, but that, however, the World Bank
would decide on the loan (that was supposed to be given Turkey)
by the end of April or May. /Hurriyet/
The Turco-Greek Friendship and Cooperation Fair will be held on
April 20-23, 2000 , in Athens. The fair will be the first
organization which exhibites Turkish export products in Greece.
Companies of Koc Holding will also display their products on a
210 square-metre area. The fair aims to increase the trade volume
between Turkey and Greece. /Sabah/
The Treasury is holding two domestic auctions today to borrow
between 2.7 quadrillion TL and 3 quadrillion TL, according to its
auction programme for April. Planning to sell 697 trillion TL
worth of three-month bills maturing on July 19, 2000, the
Treasury will also sell 14-month bonds maturing on June 20, 2001,
to raise between 2 quadrillion TL and 2.3 quadrillion TL. The
papers are value dated for April 9. The Treasury is set to hold
another 21-month auction on April 25 to raise between 200
trillion TL and 350 trillion TL. /All papers/
Turkey's automotive exports rose by 103.1 % to 25,430 units in
the first three months of 2000 compared to the same period last
year, Automotive Industry Association (OSD) data revealed. Car
exports rose by 156.7 % to 21,419 units, while those of
commercial vehicles fell by 36.3 %. Tractor exports were up 43.3
% to 1,694 units. During January and February of this year, Oyak
Renault exported 18,793 cars and Tofas' exports stood at 2,564
units. /All papers/
The bid offered by the Turkish Is Bank and Telecom Italia of
2.525 billion dollars for the first section of GSM 1800,
prevented the sell of the second license of the GSM 1800.
Yesterday, four consortiums, participated in the auction,
desisted from bidding on the tender. The Ministry of Transport
cancelled the bidding. /Hurriyet/
In January-March period of the budget for the year 2000, realized
1.291 quadrillion TL more than expected. The total income target
was exceeded by 21 percent. The Minister of Finance announced the
budget figures for the first three-month period. Accordingly,
*Incomes: 7.479 quadrillion TL, *Taxes: 5.976 quadrillion TL,
*Expenses (excluding interest rate): 4.779 quadrillion TL,
*Budget surplus (excluding interest rate): 2.700 quadrillion TL.
/Hurriyet/
Yesterday, at the beginning of the session, Istanbul Stock
Exchange (IMKB) experienced a shocking drop in prices due to the
uncertainty at the GSM bidding and the developments at the world
stock exchanges. After the desistance of all groups from the
tender, the IMKB fell below 17,000 points for a time, and closed
the day with a loss of 1,121 points and 6.1%, to 17,245 points.
/Hurriyet/
The Privatization Administration Board (OIB) has offered bids for
government shares in the iron and steel mills of Iskenderun Demir
Celik (ISDEMIR) and Asil Celik to contribute to restructuring
Turkey's iron and steel industry, State Minister Yuksel Yalova
said at a press conference yesterday. Yalova stated that the
government has set a June 30 proposal deadline for ISDEMIR's
sell-off tender and a June 16 deadline for Asil Celik. The state
owns a 100 % stake in ISDEMIR and 93.38 % in Asil Celik, Yalova
said and added that privatization of state-owned companies is a
must in order for the state to allocate sufficient funds to its
essential duties of ensuring justice, security and
infrastructure. /All papers/
A free trade agreement signed between Turkey and Slovenia for
industrial and agricultural products will take effect on January
1, 2001. The agreement signed between thw two EU candidates was
published in the Official Gazette yesterday. According to the
agreement, the amount of trade volume between the two countries
will not be restricted by any means and preventive regulations on
trade will be abolished on January 1, 2001. However, the
agreement allows each country to protect its domestic
agricultural industry. /Turkish Daily News/
International celebrations will be organized to honor the 85th
anniversary of Anzac Operation on 25 April Gallipoli Peninsula
Battlefield. The first celebration will be held on Anzac Bay. The
'monument,' which was built for Anzac soldiers who died during
the war, will be opened and the 'Dawn Ceremony' will be held at
05:00 with the participation of nearly 8,000 tourists and the
Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand. In addition,
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is also expected to attend
this international celebration. /Cumhuriyet/
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied to the the words of
Galatasaray's Technical Director, Fatih Terim, who said that he
received no help from the London Embassy when he went to England
to watch the match between Leeds United and Arsenal. The Deputy
Spokesman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sermet
Atacanli, stated that the Ministry had performed its duty as best
it could. Atacanli's written statement is as follows: "The
developments concerning the semifinal second match of the UEFA
Cup that will be played between Galatasaray and Leed United on 20
April are being monitored by our Ministry carefully and of the
highest level." /Sabah/
The British Ambassador to Ankara, Sir David Logan, said that the
most important issue for the Leeds United-Galatasaray match was
that there be a calm, friendly and secure atmosphere. Logan
replied to questions posed by journalists while leaving a seminar
entitled "Struggle Against Money Laundering" at the Interior
Ministry and stated that the British government had taken every
measure necessary for security.
Meanwhile, a total of 66 deputies and the Speaker of the Turkish
Parliament Yildirim Akbulut have applied to go to Leeds to watch
the match. Among the deputies are True Path Party (DYP) Leader
Tansu Ciller, DYP Deputy Rasim Zaimoglu and State Minister Mehmet
Ali Irtemcelik. It is reported that the Chairman of the
Republican People's Party (CHP) Altan Oymen will also go to
Leeds. /Milliyet/
During a conference on 'Kurds: Identity Search' organized by the
American University in Washington, which caused uneasiness in the
Turkish Foreign Ministry, some differences were between the Iraqi
policies of Turkey and the US. The Special Representative of the
US State Department Responsible for the Transition Process in
Iraq, Francis Ricciardone, pointed out the US felt the need to
work with the minorities in Iraq until a legitimate regime is
established in Baghdad. He remarked that their relations with the
Iraqi Kurdish leaders were a part of their support for a
democratic Iraq. He said that there was no doubt that they
condemn the PKK terrorist organization and praised Turkey's
acceptance of the Kurdish refugees who came from Iraq to Turkey
in 1990 and Turkey's support for the Reconnaissance Power. He
added that Turco-US relations were good and the US was supporting
Iraq's territorial integrity and opposed the establishment of a
separate Kurdish state. /Milliyet/
Arif Balyemez, Nurettin Bayram, Ozcan Kutludogmus, Haci Ali Deli,
Mehmet Balaban and Mehmet Kargin were taken into custody during
the operations against the terrorist Hizbullah organization that
was held in Gedikagzi Street of Erkenek town in Malatya's
district of Dogansehir. /Cumhuriyet/
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Sermet Atacanli stated that
Turkey meeting with Greek-Cypriot officials in some forums will
not change Turkey's views and added that the Helsinki Summit
decisions will not make any change in Turkey's policy toward the
Cyprus issue, as had been previously stated by Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit. Atacanli also said that there is no authority
governing the entire island representing both nations. /All
papers/
Interior ministers from Holland and Belgium will come to Turkey
tomorrow to discuss issues concerning the 'Euro 2000' soccer
championship. According to a written statement issued by the
Danish Embassy, the ministers will meet with Turkish Interior
Minister Sadettin Tantan and the three countries will sign an
agreement about 'Euro 2000'. The agreement is to be signed by all
the countries participating in Euro 2000 and the content of the
agreement will be announced during a press conference to be held
tomorrow. The ministers will also visit State Minister for Sport
Fikret Unlu. /Turkish Daily News/
Talks concerning bilateral cooperation between Turkey and Greece
for the purpose of Turkey's accession to the EU began yesterday
in Athens. As the meetings continued, a Turkish delegation met
with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, a meeting that
Turkey's Ambassador to Greece Ali Tuygan also attended. After the
meeting Papandreou said, "This is our second meeting and there
are concrete suggestions and steps to be taken. Greece's
contribution to Turkey joining the EU is beneficial for both
countries. We consider an agreement enabling the exchange of both
countries' experiences particularly constructive for cooperation
in easing Turkey's course to the EU." /Turkish Daily News/
A committee has been formed by the Federation of Turkish American
Associations (FTAA) and a campaign launched to have the case of
Fugen Gulertekin, allegedly wrongfully imprisoned in the US, to
have her case tried again and to get her released, the Anatolia
News Agency reports. Fugen was jailed for eight years after
trying to save the life of a baby who was choking in a day care
centre she had opened. The fact that, contrary to its rules and
regulations, it had never been disclosed to the centre that the
child in question had sufferred serious health problems since
birth was disregarded by the jury.
France will organize the "France 2000" Fair in Istanbul between
June 6 and 10. The Chairman of the French Ministry of Economy's
Promotion and Fair Organization Commission, Jean Claude Karpeles,
stated, "Turkey is the first country where France has organized a
fair for the second time. We organized our first fair in 1996 and
we had a success. France's interest in Turkey is continually
increases". 150 French companies are expected to participate in
the fair and it will cost about 1.3 trillion TL. /Hurriyet/
In a fashion show that will be organized in Athens between 20 and
23 April by Ladin Fair Company, Ottoman textiles will be
exhibited. Famous designer Cemil Ipekci introduced his
collection, which he selected from the 'Collection of the
Ottoman-Turkish Classicals' and which were specially produced for
him, to the press members in Vakko Factory yesterday. Ipekci will
exhibit his collection under the name of 'Harem 2000' and stated
that he had never been as excited by a collection this much
before. /Turkiye/
Hacettepe University's Group of Children's Folk Dancers, will
attend the 3rd International 23 April Children's Festival, which
will be organized by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) between 20 and 26 April. Hacettepe University's Group of
Children's Folk Dancers will perfom the folk dances that depict
the issues of War of Independence and Ataturk. The Czech
Republic, Azerbaijan, England, Poland and some other 15 European
countries will attend the festival. During the festival,
Hacettepe University's Group of Children Folk Dances will also
visit the President of the TRNC, Prime Minister of the TRNC and
the Speaker of Assembly. The members of the group, who will
represent both Turkey and Hacettepe University, will be the guest
of the families in the TRNC. /Turkiye/
Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the results of the first round
of Presidential Election in TRNC. A summary of his column is as
follows:
"It was not a surprise for many that Rauf Denktas was not able to
be elected in the first round. It will not be a surprise when he
wins the second round of the Election with a clear majority.
It seems chances are high that Denktas will be reelected as
President. Certainly the percentage of votes received by Mustafa
Akinci and Mehmet Ali Talat in the first round will partly
determine the results in the second round. Most likely, both
candidates will leave their supporters free to choose whomever
they wish. This means that Denktas will win with a clear
majority.
There are some factors which came up during this Election such as
the necessity felt by all candidates to talk about the need for a
solution to the Cyprus problem. Even Eroglu, who saw an impasse
as a solution, began to discuss the issue. While the particular
solution varies according to each candidate, polls show that an
important section of the population wants an improvement in the
negotiations, and a solution be found.
During the election campaign the EU factor was stressed. The
people living in the TRNC do not want to be excluded from or left
behind in the integration process with the EU. Turkish Cypriots
hope and wish to reach the same economic level as the Greek
Cypriots and have a better future within the EU.
In the first round, voters cast their votes in line with their
political tendencies and emotional reactions. They have to be
logical and realistic in the second round. This is a factor
working in Denktas' favour. When there is no strong candidate, it
seems clear that he has the stamina to realize "change within
continuity."
Denktas expresses this message when he states, "People sincerely
want a compromise. However it should no be a compromise at all
costs, but a sound one. Secondly the people want the doors of the
EU to be opened. This compromise should define the status of
Turkish-Cypriots as opposed to Greek-Cypriot wishes. Thirdly, in
a solution Turkey should remain as a guarantor power. I would
like to work for a sound solution as the people want."
This election showed the reality of the TRNC to the whole world.
Leading TV channels in various countries discussed the TRNC and
the presidential election held there. While they also mentioned
that Turkey was the only State recognizing the TRNC,
nevertheless, a reality was openly voiced."
Former Ambassador Ilter Turkmen comments on the European Security
and Defence Identity. A summary of his column is as follows:
"For years the establishment of The European Security and Defence
Identity (ESDI) by the EU has being discussed. During the Summit
held in 1994, NATO supported this concept. However it took time
for the project to be carried out. First of all, there had to be
a change in the stances of the key countries. The US accepted
a separate European identity on the condition that it should
have organic ties with NATO. France took one more step towards
cooperation within NATO, while England supported a more European
approach. In the end England and France agreed that they should
have a military force with an autonomous operational capability.
At present ESDI is in the implementation stage. The West European
Union (WEU) is being included in the EU. The aim is to form an
operational force of 60,000 which could be mobilized in 60 days.
The Europeans were made aware of their military shortcomings and
weaknesses during the Balkan crises.
The interesting part of the ESDI concept is that the area of
intervention is wide. ESDI will not only undertake
responsibilities in Europe or in the wide area covered by OSCE,
but will work in any part of the world. However, its duties are
limited to those within the Petersburg missions (humanitarian
aims, rescue operations, war missions within the framework of
crisis management, contribution to peace) as mentioned in the
1997 Amsterdam Agreement. 'Defence of territory' is not among
them. This basic defence duty is among the responsibilities of
NATO.
Turkey will not be able to continue its WEU status in ESDI.
Although the WEU was not doing much Turkey was an associate
member there. Maybe it did not have a vote on decisions, but it
was present at all stages of the decision-making process. There
will be not such opportunity in the ESDI. Turkey will be
consulted before the decision is made, and if it wants to
participate in the operation it should attend the studies
concerning these operations. However, Turkey wants a method close
to that which the WEU accepted. During the Association Council
meeting in Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem repeated this
request and added that Turkey was ready to allocate a brigade
supported by naval and airforce units to participate in the
Petersburg missions.
Whether Turkey's request is accepted or not, ESDI cannot do
without Turkey in the operations it will be engaged in, with or
without NATO. This factor should not be forgotten when
considering EU membership. Within the EU, Turkey will have the
opportunity to use its potential in all regions where it can be
influential due to its geo-political location."
ECEVIT'S STATEMENT CONCERNING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
GROSSMAN'S STATEMENT ABOUT TURKEY AND THE EU
FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO VISIT ALGERIA
STATE MINISTER CAY TO VISIT TURKMENISTAN
EFFORTS TO BOOST TRADE WITH NEIGHBOURS
PRIME MINISTER ECEVIT MEETS ELCIBEY
SUPPORT FOR TOURISM
IHSANOGLU'S GREAT SUCCESS
ERCEL: "INFLATION RATE WILL DECREASE"
POAS' PROFIT INCREASES BY 121%
FUTURE CALL SUMMIT 2000
STOLL: "TURKEY'S FUTURE IS BRIGHT"
ERDEMIR'S PROFIT WORTH 34.9 TRILLION TL
ONAL'S VISIT TO U.S.
TURCO-GREEK FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION FAIR
TREASURY HOLDS TWO AUCTIONS
AUTOMOTIVE EXPORTS UP 103.1 % IN FIRST THREE MONTHS
GSM BIDDING
SURPLUS INCOME IN BUDGET
DECREASE IN IMKB INDEX
GOVERNMENT PUTS UP TENDERS TO SELL OFF IRON AND STEEL MILLS
TURKISH-SLOVENIAN FREE TRADE TO TAKE EFFECT NEXT YEAR
85TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANZAC OPERATION
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS' STATEMENT ON UEFA SEMIFINAL
MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP FROM LOGAN
'THERE WON'T BE A KURDISH STATE IN IRAQ'
SEVEN HIZBULLAH MEMBERS CAPTURED
FOREIGN MINISTRY: "TURKEY'S VIEWS TOWARD GREEK-CYPRIOTS WON'T
CHANGE"
'EURO 2000' SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE DISCUSSED IN TURKEY
TURKEY SENDS ENVOYS TO GREECE FOR BRIEFING ON EU
CAMPAIGN FOR TURK WRONGED BY US JUSTICE SYSTEM
FAIR OF "FRANCE 2000"
OTTOMAN FASHION IN GREECE
FESTIVAL IN THE TRNC
FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....
THE MESSAGE OF TURKISH CYPRIOT VOTERS BY SAMI KOHEN (MILLIYET)
EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY BY ILTER TURKMEN (HURRIYET)