MAKE HASTE BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
One of the stages, of utmost importance for Turkey's full
membership to the European Union (EU), is completed. The Plenary
Session of the European Parliament (EP) approved the Framework
Regulation, making the delivery of financial aid possible, and
forming the legal basis of the Accession Partnership Document.
Approval of the Framework Regulation makes it possible to collect
all financial aid to be delivered to Turkey under one umbrella
until it becomes a full member of the EU. The financial aid to be
given to Turkey by the EU, 177 million euros each year over the
next five years, also became official. 127 million euros of this
aid will be received from the Mediterranean Development Aid
(MEDA), 45 million euros will be received from the aid bureau
supporting political and economic development, and 5 million
euros will be received from aid given to support the Customs
Union. During the EP voting the proposed changes made by
Australian reporter Johannes Swoboda were accepted. In this
respect, it was pointed out that Turkey should be treated the
same as other candidate countries. /Aksam/
The European Parliament's (EP) Turkish reporter, Austrian
Socialist Parliamentarian Johannes Swoboda stated Turkey should
carry out its reforms in five years and begin the full membership
negotiations. During the meeting held at the Plenary Session of
the EP yesterday, Swoboda spoke first during the Framework
Regulation discussions. He said that unless Turkey meets the
political criteria, full membership negotiations cannot be
started and suggested Ankara not be too late. Swoboda further
stated that if reforms could not be carried out in this
timeframe, then another cooperation agreement between Turkey and
the European Union might be on the agenda." He also referred to
the so-called Armenian genocide law saying he was personally
against foreign parliaments' enacting laws concerning this issue.
/Aksam/
After the Israeli elections, efforts to return to the Peace
Process continue. Palestinian leader Yaser Arafat, who wants
Turkey to play a role in the Middle East Peace Process, paid a
surprise visit to Turkey after visiting Egypt, Tunisia and
Jordan. Arafat visited Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer,
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Ismail Cem. During his visits, Arafat repeated his request for
the international powers to stop the violence. Arafat wants
Turkish soldiers to be included in the force that will be
established in Gaza. Meanwhile, Ankara wants an end to the street
violence. It was learned that during his meeting with Arafat,
Ecevit said there was no alternative except peace. Ecevit also
said the search for cooperation should continue in spite of
everything. /Aksam/
Israeli Chief of General Staff General Mofaz Shaul postponed his
visit which was supposed to begin yesterday. Israeli diplomatic
sources stated Shaul delayed his visit due to the recent increase
of violent incidents in Israel. However, Shaul's sudden decision
is noteworthy as it coincided with Palestinian leader Yasser
Arafat's surprise visit to Ankara. Meanwhile, Palestinian leader
Arafat met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem. In a press
conference held after the meeting, Arafat said Israel used "nerve
gas" on Palestinian civils. Responding to questions on the recent
bus incident which resulted in eight dead, Arafat said,
"According to the information I received on the incident, it was
just a traffic accident." Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy to
Ankara said Arafat's statement on the use of nerve gas against
civilians by Israeli soldiers was nothing but a lie with no
proof." The Embassy also stated Arafat's evaluation of the
incident as a traffic accident was a problem as there was clear
evidence to prove the Palestinian driver was a terrorist.
/Cumhuriyet/
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem's two-day visit to Tehran
improved Turco-Iranian relations. Now the countries will enter a
new phase during which bilateral cooperation on the economy and
politics will be maintained. Cem emphasized two points during his
visit in Tehran: 1) Turkey supports President Hatemi and his
reforms. 2) There are security problems between the two
countries. However these problems can be solved with new security
measures. Improvement in political relations will also affect
economic relations. Turkey proposed a new mechanism to be
established in the fight against the PKK terrorist organization,
with cooperation of both countries' Offices of the Chief of the
General Staff and intelligence organizations. Another important
development between the two countries concerns Iran's sale of
natural gas to Turkey. Turkey is expected to purchase three
billion meter cubes natural gas by July, 2001. /Cumhuriyet/
Patriarch of the Turkish Armenians, Mesrob Mutafyan, said, there
had been so many disagreements due to provocations of foreigners
throughout history and that religious leaders should set an
example for society through their work. After visiting the
President, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA), Prime Minister and the Chief of the General Staff,
Mutafyan visited the Chairman of Religious Affairs, Mehmet Nuri
Yilmaz. Mutafyan said, "I consider Yilmaz not only to be the
Chairman of Religious Affairs, but also as a friend to the other
religious societies living in the country. The recent
interreligious dialogues created a positive atmosphere in Turkey
as well." Meanwhile, Yilmaz thanked Mutafyan for his statement
concerning the so-called Armenian genocide saying, "There is no
problem in Turkey concerning minorities. We have embraced members
of other religions with a great deal of tolerance throughout the
course of history." /Aksam/
The so-called Armenian genocide bill has been withdrawn from the
Russian Duma. After the bill was included at agenda of the
Plenary Session of the Duma by the Chairmanship Council, Turkey's
Embassy to Moscow launched initiatives by the Russian Parliament
and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent the bill from being
discussed. Alexei Mitrophanov, who brought the bill to the
agenda, said yesterday there was a need to elaborate on the bill
and withdrew his proposal. /Cumhuriyet/
An article published in the French 'Liberation' daily stated that
economic relations between the two countries would not be
affected by the tension over the recent approval of the so-called
Armenian genocide. The article titled, 'The Impossible Divorce
Between Turkey and France', puts forth the idea that, in spite of
Turkish threats to retaliate economically, the bilateral economic
relations are entwined to be easily spoiled. The article further
stated that France is a major investor in Turkey, and that many
Turkish and French companies have joint initiatives. As a result,
Turkey's economic retaliations would not be so credible. The
Liberation daily also included the worries of a Turco-French
Chamber of Commerce member who reflection on the tension between
the two countries. /Aksam/
French Chairman of the World Bridge Federation, Jose Damiani,
issued several interesting statements concerning the so-called
Armenian genocide bill that was approved by the French
Parliament. He said, "France should account for the Corsicans
massacred during the Napoleon era. Damiani visited Istanbul and
toured the Lutfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition Hall. After the
tour, Damiani answered journalists' questions and directed harsh
criticisims at France over the approval of the bill. He said, "I
am of Corsican origin. Everyone knows what Napoleon did while
attaching Corsica to France 200 years ago. These facts should not
be forgotten. France is the last country in the world who should
speak on the genocide issue. However, the Armenian law does not
bind us because we are interested in the sports element of the
issue. We have nothing to do with the political discussions." He
added that Istanbul was one of the cities most convenient for the
Bridge Olympics. /Aksam/
The Ankara Chamber of Trade (ATO) has prepared a book titled "The
Unfounded Armenian allegations and the cruelties carried out by
Armenians against Turks". The 228-page book was compiled by Ismet
Binark. The book refutes the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations and exposes the cruelties carried out by Armenians
against Turks in Anaolia during the First World War. /Turkiye/
Albenian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, currently holding contacts
in Ankara met with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday. Cem
said, "Good relations between Turkey and Albania is the guarantee
for security and economic stability in the Balkans." He added
that because Albania is the president of the Southeastern
European Cooperation, Turkey and Albania would begin discussing
common problems and regional issues. /Cumhuriyet/
A Turkish parliamentary delegation was received by the Iraqi
Deputy Head of State Taha Yasin Ramazan. Ramazan said recent
visits by Turkish delegations to Iraq were of great importance in
terms of making the dynamics of real issues more obvious and
easier to solve. The visits helped the improvement of the
relations between the two countries. /All papers/
Justice Ministry Assistant Undersecretary Assc.Professor Seref
Unal was elected to the European Court of Nuclear Energy on
February 7, 2001. A written statement from the Justice Ministry
Public Relations office said the court was established on
December 20, 1957, to be a third party responsible for solving
differences regarding the interpretation and practice of the 1960
Paris Convention and the 1963 Brussels Convention. The seven
members of the court are elected by the OECD countries from the
judges recommended by the signatory countries to the convention.
/All papers/
Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorbjon Jagland will pay an official
visit to Turkey on February 15-16. The Foreign Ministry announced
that bilateral relations, regional issues such as the peace
process in the Middle East, the enlargement of the EU, the UN
sanctions on Iraq and the European Security and Defence Identity
(ESDI) will be discussed during the meetings with Jagland. /All
papers/
After striking a blow to the PKK separatist terrorist
organization, the goverment has accelerated its development work
in the South Eastern Region of Turkey in hopes of finding a
permanent solution. By the order of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit,
who published a circular for this purpose, the 'Southeastern
Commission' was established. The Southeastern Commission,
consists of representatives of some Ministries and institutions,
and will convene once a month to give progress reports to Ecevit.
/Aksam/
PKK terrorist organization sympathizers held demonstrations in
Istanbul yesterday commemorating the first anniversary of PKK
leader Abdullah Ocalan's capture in Kenya, February 15, 1999.
Istanbul Police Chief Kazim Abanoz stated they took all necessary
measures against the provocators. Abanoz said messages from
abroad were sent demanding sympathizers keep the issue in the
foreground by holding demonstrations. /Cumhuriyet/
Dog Fish 2001, one of the planned NATO maneuvers, begins today in
the Ionian Sea. The maneuvers will end February 28. Turkey,
Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Britain, the US and submarines, ships and
planes affiliated with the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean
will participate in the maneuvers. The TCG 18 March submarine
will represent Turkey in the maneuvers. /Cumhuriyet/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit evaluated the latest economic
developments in a meeting of his political party. Ecevit said the
government would protect and follow the stability program
maintaining a dynamic stability rather than a stagnant one while
taking measures to solve economic problems. Stating the banking
sector problems were being gradually solved, Ecevit said, "
However, a functional harmony between the real sector and the
banking sector has not been achieved yet. The Banking sector can
not meet the demands of investors and entrepreneurs." Relaying
information on last week's meetings at the Office of the Prime
Minister, Ecevit said, "All entrepreneurs attending the meetings
agreed to pursue the program till the end, despite all obstacles
and difficulties. A rapid decrease in inflation is being seen. A
fall in the interest rates is now expected. Therefore, one of the
biggest obstacles to investment will be removed." Ecevit said
that despite all negative developments such as dramatic rise in
the oil prices, and the fall in the value of Euro and widespread
drought, the decrease in the inflation rate and increase in the
development rate are important developments. Ecevit emphasized
the government's launching of wide initiative to accelerate
investments and maintain the salary balance. He said, "Meanwhile,
we began working to protect peasants from the effects of the
drought. We will keep following the economic program while taking
measures. " /Cumhuriyet/
Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) officials stated the company
successfully completed 24 separate defence industry projects in
2000, as the Anatolia News Agency reports. TAI's successes were
not limited only to the defence industry sector last year. TAI
also produced 200 wingtips for the Boeing 737 aircraft as well as
cabin panels. In addition, TAI achieved success in manufacturing
of crop spraying planes. /All papers/
Treasury Undersecretary Selcuk Demiralp said making Turk Telecom
more attractive would involve eliminating obstacles to the
planned sell-off, including legal problems and others. "The
Telecom sell-off is a key element in this program, it is a basic
indicator", Demiralp was quoted by the Anatolia News Agency as
saying yesterday.
"We are giving our utmost effort to make it happen. The
government is reviewing potential legal obstacles and will send a
bill of one or two articles to Parliament if necessary. We are
going to comply with market conditions. We are trying to make
Telecom privatizable from both legal and other aspects". /All
papers/
Akbank posted TL 344 trillion 2000 in net earnings, the bank
announced yesterday. Akbank General Manager Zafer Kurtul
commented the bank achieved its most significant development in
the loan department. Akbank's loans increased by 91 % over the
year. /All papers/
General Director of Turk Eximbank Ahmet Kilicoglu said Turk
Eximbank would give financial support amounting to 4.1 billion US
dollars. 3.7 billion US dollars is a short term loan and 400
million US dollars is a middle and long term loan. While
answering questions posed by the Reuters news agency, Kilicoglu
said, "Together, with the insurance and guarantee amounting to
3.3 billion US dollars, the total financing that will be given to
exports will amount to 7.5 billion US dollars. Furthermore, the
Treasury is planning to transfer 300 trillion TL to Eximbank. The
sooner this money enters the system, the sooner it will heal the
wounds." /Aksam/
Iron and Steel Factories in Eregli (ERDEMIR) took the Certificate
of Investment Permission for the first step of the Capacity
Increase and Modernisation Project (KAM-3). According to a
statement issued by ERDEMIR, the project's fixed investment
amounts to 2.2 billion US dollars. 40% of this project will be
financed by equity capital and 60% of it will be financed by
foreign sources. The first phrase of the project is planned to be
completed by the end of 2004. /Aksam/
International Monetary Fund's (IMF) European Director, Michael
Deppler, said, "Turkey met the conditions of the agreement made
in December more than was expected." Meanwhile, the clearance of
25 funds was adopted by the Budget Commission of the Turkish
Grand National Assembly (TGNA), another development to relieve
the markets. Thus, the Stock Exchange went up 586 points and made
a premium of 6.25% daily. Brokers say the positive news about the
program was a motivating factor. /Aksam/
The World Gold Council stated Turkey's gold request increased by
49% in 2000 reaching a record level of 207 tons. Turkey is among
the top five leading gold consuming countries in the world.
According to the Council's statement, in spite of the economic
crises and the increasing investment rates in Turkey, the gold
request increased 90% during the last quarter of the year, when
compared to the same period last year. /Aksam/
Israeli Airport Administration (IAA) preferred the Turkish
companies for the construction of the new terminal building and
electricity equipment works of the International Ben Gurion
Airport. IAA decided to give these undertakings to be given to
the Turkish companies, Cuhadaroglu and Nurol Holding Companies.
IAA stated that they have made such a decision while considering
the experience of Cuhadaroglu and Nurol Holding Companies to
finish the work as soon as possible. /Aksam/
The Traditional Fashion Week has begun in New York. Turkish
fashion designers will open department stores in Paris, New York
and London under the promotion campaign prepared by the Foreign
Trade Undersecretary and Istanbul Textile and Manufacturing
Exports Union (ITHIB). The Chairman of ITHIB Oguz Satici said,
"Our slogan will be Turquality, meaning Turkish quality. When the
project ends, 150 stores will be opened by about 30 designers."
/Sabah/
Officials from the the Turkish Airlines (THY) stated they
attended the Tourissimo Fair in Strasbourg and attracted a lot of
attention. A written statement issued said THY was attending
fairs in countries they fly to. Attending the fairs also serves
to promote the country. /Turkiye/
Leading Turkish press and publications institutions have rolled
up their sleeves to compete for the 2008 Olympics selection. A
campaign slogan: "Let the world gather in the place where
continents meet" has been launched to promote Istanbul. The
campaign will last until July 13 when the winning city will be
announced in Moscow. /Hurriyet/
Columnist Gungor Mengi writes on the request of the President
regarding a change in election laws as soon as possible. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"President Ahmet Necdet Sezer requested the laws regarding
political parties and elections be changed as soon as possible,
as the dominance of leadership was blocking any advances in the
political arena. Sezer told the administrators of the Turkish
Democracy Foundation that he would like the representatives of
the people to be freer. Therefore, he added these laws should be
changed as soon as possible.
The European Parliament ratified the Framework Regulation
regarding Turkey's financial cooperation with the EU and aid to
be received. Turkish Reporter, EU parliamentarian from Austria,
Johannes Swoboda, warned that full membership negotiations would
not begin until the politicial criteria were implemented. What
happens if negotiations do not begin?
We shall either complete the reforms in five years and be ready
for full-membership, or Turkey will be a party to another kind of
partnership agreement. That is to say, a second class partner. In
turn this means she has not reached the modern standards of
living but is still waiting on the sidelines. Those governing
Turkey should not put personal gains before the fate of this
country, her youth and her future. This is the real, unforgivable
treason.
This fate can only be changed by freeing the people from having
to choose between parties in order to be able to elect the right
people for the job. We certainly know the only way to break the
dominance of the current leaders is through two-round and
narrow-constituency electoral system. Finding the real leader of
the people by leaving out the intrigues is only possible in a
presidential system. If not, the Prime Minister should be
directly elected by the public as in Israel.
Daily considerations should not stop us from opening the door to
the future. We must make haste. As Mevlana said, 'Make haste, as
time is like a sharp sword!'"
