A RECIPE FOR SALVATION BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev and President
Ahmet Necdet Sezer signed the agreement for delivery of natural gas
from Azerbaijan. At the first stage, 2 billion cubic meters of gas
will be delivered annually, gradually increasing to 6 billion cubic
meters. The agreement, valid for 15 years, has two main conditions.
First, parties will simultaneously construct the natural gas pipelines
and Baku-Ceyhan oil pipelines. Second, parties will commit themselves
to assist the efforts of Turkmenistan if she decides to activate her
trans-Caspian natural gas project. Sezer and Aliyev signed 9 separate
agreements, including the two concerning the energy projects. Two
presidents also discussed the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. During his
five-day visit in Turkey, President Aliyev will deliver a speech in
the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Aliyev will also meet the
ninth President, Suleyman Demirel, Deputy Prime Minister Devlet
Bahceli and Mesut Yilmaz. /Milliyet/
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz stated the
framework of the new economic program would be drawn next Thursday,
and that it would be announced to the public Monday. Meanwhile, Deputy
Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said there was no need to be
pessimistic. Before the banquet given by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
in honor of Azerbaijani President Haydar Aliyev, Chief of the General
Staff, General Huseyin Kivrikoglu, answered questions from journalists
and said, "I do not know whether the issue of the short-term
military tax is included in the new economic package." /Aksam/
The International Money Fund (IMF) announced it
will facilitate the efforts of State Minister Responsible for Economic
Affairs, Kemal Dervis, to normalize the economic conditions in Turkey.
IMF External Relations Director, Thomas Dawson said it would be too
early to talk about the type of assistance to be given unless Turkey
refines its economic program. Dawson said, "We have great
confidence in Kemal Dervis and believe that he and Turkey will design
and successfully implement the economic program. Kemal Dervis is known
and well-appreciated in the IMF and the World Bank circles and has
international respect. This will facilitate his efforts for a
start." /Milliyet/
The latest problems in the Turkish economy and the
abandonment of the economic program supported by the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) after 14 months, increased US opposition to the
World Bank and the IMF. Chairman of the Advisory Council, Allan H.
Meltzer, presented a report criticizing the IMF and the World Bank to
the US Congress. He gave a speech at the US Congress' Economic
Committee saying the operations to rescue Turkey and Argentina proved
there were a lot of things to do. /Hurriyet/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said there is no need
to worry about the conditions of the banks. Ecevit said, "Our
work on the national economic program will continue for a couple more
days. We are discussing the main points of the program, especially the
problems regarding the banks. However, I assure you there is no reason
for depositors and entrepreneurs to worry. The indicators are
positive." In the meantime, the decrees regarding the assignment
for the posts of Treasury Undersecretary and Head of Banking
Supervision and Regulation Board (BDDK) will be sent to the President
after the oath of Kemal Dervis at the Turkish Grand National Assembly
(TGNA). /Milliyet/
"Newsweek" stated Turkey is the last
largest economy fighting against hyperinflation. An article analyzing
the current economic situation in Turkey said, "If this struggle
is successful, in fact it will, this will be the last victory in the
global fight against hyperinflation." The article written by
Fareed Zakaria, said the stabilization program prepared by the IMF
proved unsuccessful. /Milliyet/
Visiting the Greek-Cypriot Administration, Greek
Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated the EU has begun necessary
legal studies to accept Greek Cypriot Administration's membership
whether or not the Cyprus problem is solved. He said after the
Greek-Cypriots' full EU membership is accepted, the way to the EU for
Turkish Cypriots will also open. /Sabah/
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Monday that European Union membership
carries the risk of depriving Turkish-Cypriots of their rights and
property. He added, "We will not consider EU membership without
certain guarantees." Denktas said at his regular weekly meeting
with Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa
Akinci that Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had called on
Turkish-Cypriots to 'enter the EU hand-in-hand." Denktas
continued: "If EU norms are going to be applied, which is
something the Greeks want, they think they will have the chance to
return to Girne. But we will, by no means, consider EU membership
without certain guarantees to secure our property and rights."
/Turkish News/
Paruyr Hayrikyan, Chairman of the Human Rights
Commission of the Armenian Head of State Office, asked for the
annulment of the 1921 Kars Treaty, claiming Armenia gave her
territory, namely Kars, Ardahan and Nahcivan, to Turkey and
Azerbaijan. Starting a campaign for this purpose, Hayrikyan called
upon all of the political parties in Armenia for their support.
/Turkiye/
Turkish officials are continuing to meet with
Albanian officials to end Albanian terrorist activities in the
Balkans. Deputy Undersecretary Ambassador Yigit Alpogan met with
Albanian Foreign Minister Pellumb Xhufi yesterday. Term President of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Romanian
Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, will arrive in Turkey tomorrow.
/Cumhuriyet/
Iranian President Muhammed Hatemi traveled to the
Russian Federation yesterday for a 4-day official visit. Although the
declared aim of Hatemi's Russia visit is to improve the commercial and
technical cooperation between the two countries, military issues are
expected to top the meeting's agenda. It was stated the US
Administration was observing the developments very closely as it
considers the recent rapprochement extraordinary and worrisome.
Iranian President Hatemi first met with Russian Head of State Vladimir
Putin. The two leaders signed an agreement foreseeing an improvement
in bilateral relations, with mutual non-aggression pacts.
Additionally, the two countries are seen as likely to form a block
opposing Turkey over the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. /Cumhuriyet/
Ilham Aliyev, son of Azeri President Haydar Aliyev,
visited Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Faruk
Logoglu. Ilham Aliyev arrived in Ankara with his father yesterday and
met with Logoglu for about a half an hour. Following the meeting,
Ambassador Logoglu recalled that Ilham Aliyev was a member of the
Azeri Parliament, as well as the head of the national oil company. He
added that they had a fruitful meeting. /Turkiye/
After completing his contacts in the US, State
Minister Kemal Dervis returned to Ankara to take his oath at the
Plenary Session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Dervis,
who will go to the Plenary Session for the first time, will be sworn
in according to the 81st Article of the Constitution. After taking his
oath, Dervis will take his place among the Ministers. /Aksam/
The time given to the Virtue Party (FP) for
delivery of the "additional defense" report to the
Constitutional Court is up. A FP deputy from Kahramanmaras, Mustafa
Kamalak, submitted the 40-paper report to the Constitutional Court
yesterday. /Turkiye/
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz will travel to
Slovakia March 15 at the invitation of his Slovakian counterpart,
Pavol Hamzik. Yilmaz and Hamzik will discuss topics related to the two
countries' EU membership. /Sabah/
Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party and Deputy
Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli stated there were four main foreign
currency resources: "First, exports, second tourism, third
foreign capital investing and producing in Turkey and fourth is the
savings of Turkish workers abroad. It is estimated the savings from
Turkish workers in Germany is DM 100 billion. Certain measures are
necessary for at least a portion of these savings to come to
Turkey." /Sabah/
Belgian Public Prosecutor Philippe Meire presented
his opinion to the Council of State saying Fehriye Erdal could be
tried in Belgium for the Sabanci assassination. Meire stated that the
Belgian courts had the authority to undertake the trial according to
the European Convention of Anti-Terrorism, even though the crime was
committed in Turkey. He added this issue was within the authority of
the Constitution. The Council of State will examine whether Fehriye
Erdal can be judged or not for the crimes she committed in Turkey on
15 March. /Hurriyet/
A Belgian Parliamentarian from the Liberal Party
(VLD), Hugo Coveliers, said Fehriye Erdal, one of the culprits in the
Sabanci Assasination, should be punished. Prior to the March 15 suit
by the Sabanci family, Coveliers, (the only Belgium parliamentarian
not supporting Erdal), said, "I am sorry for the murder of three
innocent people. The case was taken up only with political concerns.
Is not killing a crime by itself? If Belgium does not extradite Erdal
to Turkey, then, aside from her crimes in Belgium, she should be tried
for the crimes she committed in Turkey." /Turkiye/
The 80th Anniversary of the Turkish National Anthem
was celebrated yesterday at the II National Assembly building.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Culture Istemihan Talay said,
"Since the TGNA is the place where our War of Independence began
and ended with a victory, we all need to experience the atmosphere
here." The Turkish Writers Union Association also held a ceremony
marking the anniversary. /Cumhuriyet/
Ceremonies for the 86th anniversary of the
Canakkale Battle Victory began yesterday and will last till March 18.
Speaking at the initial ceremony, Canakkale Provisional Governor
Suleyman Kamci, said the Canakkale Battles hold a significant place in
world history. /Cumhuriyet/
The Treasury said the borrowing program for March
will be announced after negotiations with the banks. According to the
announcement the Treasury obtained $3.2 billion minus-interest
surplus. /Milliyet/
One of the most important regulations of the
economic program is to be made in public banking. Within the framework
of new regulations, Emlakbank and Ziraat Bank will merge. An
accelerated privatization program will also be implemented in the
banking sector within a year. Additionally, a 20% share of Vakifbank
will be sold. /Sabah/
Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said
through Turkey's trade volume with her neighbors, an opportunity for
additional exports amounting $500-600 million will emerge. Tuzmen said
improving commercial relations with her neighbors was Turkey's new
strategy. /Cumhuriyet/
Eregli Iron and Steel Factories (ERDEMIR) signed a
Acidification Lines Project Contract, costing $25,800,000 with
expected completion within 22 months. ERDEMIR Directorate General
stated they signed the contract together with Mitsu Co. Limited
Company/Japan, Nippon Steel Corp./Japan, Deltan Brands Inc./the US and
Gemont/Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/
TNT Logistics and Distribution Company, jointly
established by the world's huge logistics company, TNT Logistics and
Koc Holding in Turkey, became active. TNT Logistics and Distribution
Company, established last November, aims at presenting integrated
logistic solutions with advanced technology to the Turkish market and
providing the enterprises with cost advantage, productivity and a
competitive edge. /Hurriyet/
Female parliamentary deputies from the Turkish
Parliament attended the Second European-Mediterranean Women
Parliamentarians Forum in Malta over March 1-3 and said the meeting
was of great help in promoting Turkey. At a press conference they said
the effects of globalization on women was discussed. /Turkish Daily
News/
'The Guardian', which is among the most respected
daily newspapers in England, published articles by four female
columnists from three continents making the 8 March World Women's Day.
The Guardian chose Ferai Tinc, a columnist from the Turkish 'Hurriyet'
daily as 'one of the four leading female authors in the world'. The
article discussed the lives of the writers in their respective
countries as a way of commemorating the day. The article was about the
conditions of women in Australia, India, Hong Kong and Turkey.
/Hurriyet/
Istanbul, a candidate city for the Olympics 2008,
will be tested in eight days by 17 IOC members. To get ready, Istanbul
is being decorated with 2008 Olympics flags and posters. These 17
experts will tour sports facilities, hotels, metro and hospitals in
Istanbul and examine whether or not Istanbul is technically ready for
the Olympic games. They will also investigate the people's approach
towards the Olympics. /Hurriyet/
Istanbul Technical University has started work on
the "Project of Urban Renovation" which will make Mardin the
third most protected city in the world. The Culture Ministry declared
Mardin a protected zone, and non-governmental organizations have begun
attempts to make UNESCO recognize Mardin as the third protected city,
after Jerusalem and Venice in the world. /Turkish Daily News/
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna comments on the recent
economic crisis and the plans to overcome it. A summary of his column
is as follows: "The Government must announce the new economic
plan, explain it thoroughly, implement it immediately, refrain from
idle talk, and obtain concrete results. The stock exchange index
should increase, fresh cash should enter the country, Turkey's rating
should be upgraded, the inflation target should not be forgotten and
the economy should be invigorated. The trials of corruption should be
completed as soon as possible without any sensational demonstration,
and the amounts stolen from the state must absolutely be returned to
the Treasury. If these measures are not taken the Government must
resign. However, these measures are not sufficient by themselves.
State reforms should be announced and implemented immediately.
Otherwise, the economy and democracy which have certain shortcomings
in Turkey, will go bankrupt altogether. The Turkish nation will be
deprived of human rights and sink into poverty. Extraordinary
solutions which cannot be explained by democracy may be displayed.
Turkey will be left out the civilized world and will be excluded from
many international organizations. State reform should start with the
Turkish Grand National Assembly which is the highest organization of
the State, and continue in the Council of Ministers. Then, amendments
to the Constitution should be made , and changes to the election and
political parties laws. The nation should be freed of State Economic
Enterprises and State banks which have turned into places most
suitable for conducting corrupt activities. Legislative and Executive
powers, which have regained their credibility and legal authority,
will be of an impeccable example to the judicial power. More reforms
could be made. These arrangements are already mentioned in the
Copenhagen Criteria. These arrangements made by both Latvia and
Slovakia can also be made by Turkey. The issue at hand is the success
of the Republic of Turkey. Radical changes cannot be accomplished not
only in Turkey but also in many other parts of the world, at any time,
with people who do not believe in reforms or understand them.
Societies who are not able to develop are those who could not carry
out such reforms. Politicians and people who do not believe in, or
cannot accomplish them, should stay away from politics and
administration. Those who seem to know it all are people who have
accomplished the least. A revision is necessary in the cabinet. A new
mentality, a new program and a new budget are required. Kemal Dervis
is the correct choice. However, it is not enough."
