SUPPORT TO DERVIS BY ESEN UNUR (STAR)
Yesterday, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Azerbaijani President
Haydar Aliyev attended a conference at the War Academy Command in
Istanbul. During the conference, President Sezer delivered a
speech. Stressing the necessity of working hard to keep up with
the information age, Mr. Sezer said, "We have to attach great
importance to research and development." After the conference,
Sezer and Alivey returned to Ankara. /Turkiye/
State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, will meet with
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today. Dervis will brief Sezer on
the new economic program and request support. Dervis will also
meet with Chief of the General Staff, Huseyin Kivrikoglu. /Star/
State Minister for Economy, Kemal Dervis announced yesterday the
urgent economic measures package. Dervis said they will determine
next week the amount of foreign resources required from the
international public and from private financial institutions.
Dervis said with urgent measures taken for normalizing the fiscal
markets, they will try to build confidence in the economy. The
duty losses of state-owned banks will be transferred directly to
the state budget and the banks will only perform the usual
banking services. Dervis said the crisis recovery will be
completed in three stages. In the first stage, confidence for the
economy will be built. In the second stage, from June on,
inflation will be put on a downward trend. Third stage, beginning
in the second half of the year will see economic growth. Dervis
said the economic problem cannot only be solved through large
sums of foreign resources, domestic resources should also be
utilized. /Milliyet/
During yesterday coalition government leaders' meeting, Faik
Oztrak's appointment to the Undersecretariat of Treasury and
Engin Akcakoca to the Banking Regulation and Supervision Board
(BDDK) Chairmanship were determined. The decrees which foresee
Oztrak and Akcakoca's appointments were presented for the
ministers approval. /Turkiye/
Economy Minister Kemal Dervis contacted labor leaders yesterday
in an effort to secure a national consensus over the new economic
program, the details of which are expected to be made public by
next week. Yesterday Dervis visited Suleyman Celebi, Chairman of
the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DISK), in the
first stop of his tour to raise support from social parties for
new economic policies. In the afternoon, he met with Bayram
Meral, Chairman of the major labor confederation, Turk-Is. Both
meetings were open to the press and aired live on television
channels. Dervis said a three-stage plan would be implemented to
resolve the current economic crisis, which entail a set of
stopgap emergency measures as the first stage. Dervis warned,
however, that he had no miracle cures. /Turkish Daily News/
World Bank Turkey Director Ajay Chhibber said the appointment of
Kemal Dervis as the Minister for the Economy was an appropriate
decision. Chhibber said the IMF and the World Bank will
collectively support the new economic program. Works have been
carried out to finance the duty losses of state-owned banks, but
it is not possible to cover all the losses. /Milliyet/
The EU Representative to Turkey, Ambassador Karen Fogg said she
will engage in talks in Brussels to obtain support from the EU
for Dervis's economic program. Fogg said the assistance of the EU
may differentiate from that of the IMF and the World Bank.
"Technical assistance may be provided for the program," said
Fogg. /Milliyet/
The IMF says it cannot be held responsible for the failure of the
economic program. The ensuing crisis is the result of not paying
attention to the recommendations of the IMF. IMF Turkey Director,
Michael Deppler, said the delay in implementing reforms in
banking sector is the cause of the crisis. The program was
designed to specifically meet the needs of Turkish economy and
the demands of the government. The Turkish government has the
sole responsibility for the failure. Deppler said if Turkey
hastens the banking reforms it will be successful. /Milliyet/
Term President for the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE), Romania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mircea
Geona arrived in Ankara on an official visit. Geona first visited
Ataturk's Mauseloum. Meeting with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem,
Geona said Romania was Turkey's strategic partner. /Cumhuriyet/
The bill on prohibiting the activities of 21 terrorist
organizations, including the PKK and DHKP-C, was brought to the
British Parliament agenda. Explaining his reasons for preparing
such a bill, Interior Minister Jack Straw said the activities of
these terrorist organizations should be prohibited in Britain as
their use of violence and terrorism could not be tolerated. He
used the PKK as an example during his speech. /Cumhuriyet/
Researcher and author Andrew Mango and Prof. Justin McCarthy will
discuss the 'Past, Present and Future of the Turco-Armenian
Relations' during a conference organized by the Foundation of
Democratic Principles at Marmara Hotel this evening. An expert in
Modern Middle East history, Prof. Justin McCarthy's latest book
titled 'The Ottoman Peoples and the End of an Empire' was
recently published. Andrew Mango has also written many books on
Turkey. /Aksam/
The Foreign Ministry has responded to the Armenian campaign to
cancel the Kars Treaty by saying, "No one has the right to demand
land from Turkey." Huseyin Dirioz, Spokesman for the Ministry,
said it is impossible to get along with the Armenian Republic as
long as it keeps trying to cancel the Kars Treaty, which
determines the border between the two countries. Dirioz said the
call for goodwill made by the Turkish Republic is still valid.
Another reaction to Armenia's demand for land came from Erzurum
Mayor Mahmut Uykusuz. He responded to the claims of Paruir
Hayrikyan, Chairman of the Armenian Human Rights Commission, who
believes the treaty gave land to Turkey and Azerbaijan which
actually belongs to Armenia. Uykusuz said, "Turkey does not even
have an inch of land to give to anybody". /Turkish Daily News/
The Interior Affairs Commission will discuss today the Chairman
of TGNA Foreign Affairs Commission Kamran Inan's bill on the
allegations of the so-called Armenian genocide. The bill states
Turkey considers Armenia's persistent allegations, a distortion
of historical facts and a hostile attitude. The bill rejects all
Armenian allegations and denounces the support given to the ASALA
terrorist organization. /Cumhuriyet/
The so-called Armenian genocide thesis has come to the political
agenda in the US. A bill similar to the one rejected in November
will be submitted to the House of Representatives in the coming
weeks. In the meantime, the New Mexicon state senate adopted a
resolution to commemorate "Genocide Day" on April 24, supposedly
the anniversary of so-called Armenian genocide. 25 of 50 states
in the US have adopted April 24 as the anniversary of the
so-called Armenian genocide. /Milliyet/
The Ministers of Defense from Balkan countries will meet in
Skopje in April to discuss the problems stemming from the killing
of three Macedonian soldiers by Albanian soldiers on the
Macedonia-Kosovo border. Turkey and Romania will also be invited
to the meeting which was held before participation by Macedonia's
neighbors. /Cumhuriyet/
The Greek-Cypriot Administration has begun propaganda activities
in order to gain entrance to the European Union (EU) Army.
Greek-Cypriots, who aim at destroying the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC), invited the EU Army to the Island. The
Greek-Cypriot Administration stated they would contribute to the
EU Army with the Baphos Air Headquarters, Larnaka and Limasol
Harbors, Greek-Cypriot National Guard Army's radars and an
armored unit of 200 people. The Greek-Cypriot Administration's
Defense Ministry sent an invitation to the representatives of the
Organization of Security and Cooperation for Europe (OSCE)
members to tour the military facilities in the Greek-Cypriot
Administration. Representatives of the OSCE countries will visit
the Greek-Cypriot Region June 5-8. Meanwhile, President of the
TRNC said the Greek-Cypriot Administration's initiative to
provide headquarters for the EU Army would result in a clash
between Turkey and the EU. /Aksam/
Minister of Energy and Natural Sources Cumhur Ersumer attended
the ceremony held to celebrate the energy cooperation among
Syria, Jordan and Egypt yesterday in Damascus. Syrian Head of
State Besir Esad, Egyptian President Husnu Mubarek and King of
Jordan Abdullah II and Lebanon Prime Minister Refik Hariri also
attended the ceremonies. /Cumhuriyet/
Diyarbakir Metropolitan Mayor Feridun Celik traveled to
Strasbourg to hold contacts in the European Parliament. Celik
will attend the Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting today and
will deliver a speech at the meeting. Celik is also expected to
meet with the representatives of political groups in the European
Parliament. /Cumhuriyet/
Merve Kavakci, elected to National Assembly from the Virtue Party
(FP) as deputy for Istanbul in the 1999 elections, has lost her
deputy status. Since she refused to take off her headscarf at the
Plenary Session, she drew all the attention in the ensuing
discussions of secularism and the turban. Later it was disclosed
that she had obtained a US nationality without securing the
permission of Turkish authorities. The TGNA Presidency presented
a note at the Plenary Session pointing out that after a drawn out
trial at the Council of State, the Cabinet decision to revoke
Kavakci's nationality had been legally upheld. The note stated
that as such Kavakci was no longer entitled to be a parliamentary
deputy in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet-Turkish Daily News/
The Belgian Council of State will discuss today the case of
Fehriye Erdal who is in custody in Belgium. According to the
lawyer for the Sabanci family, Fernand Schmitz stated a case was
brought against Erdal due to their initiatives. A coroner was
appointed for the case which will be discussed at the Council of
State. /Cumhuriyet/
It was stated that Turkey sent humanitarian aid to Georgia and
Chechens living in Georgia. According to the Foreign Ministry
statement, "Georgia suffers from the worst drought in 30 years.
Therefore, Turkey has sent foodstuffs amounting to $1 million to
Georgia." /Cumhuriyet/
Over half the basic engineering studies on the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline which will transfer
Azerbaijan oil to Western markets has been completed. Part of the
basic engineering studies involves determining a 10 kilometer
transit corridor through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, as well
as fixing the best location for a 500-meter portion of this
corridor. /Turkish Daily News/
During a meeting, 40 former provincial leaders decided to
establish a party called the 'Social Democrat Party'. 25 former
provincial leaders announced they would be in compliance with the
decision. Meanwhile, 12 lecturers resigned from the Republican
People's Party (CHP). /Aksam/
The Tusas Aviation and Space Industries Company will attend the
INDEX-2001 trade fare in the city of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab
Emirates March 18-22. INDEX 2000 is one of the world's largest
defense industry trade fares. Defense Minister Sabahattin
Cakmakoglu, Defense Industry Undersecretary Prof. Dursun Ali
Ercan, and 12 companies active in the defense industry sector
will reportedly attend the fare. /Turkish Daily News/
The death of journalist Cetin Emec, was commemorated yesterday
with graveside ceremonies in the Zincirlikuyu cemetery on the
11th anniversary of his assassination. The ceremony was attended
by Emec's wife Bilge, his daughter Mehves, daily Hurriyet Chief
Editor Ertugrul Ozkok, Turkish Journalists' Association Deputy
Chairman Orhan Erinc, and many journalists and friends. /Turkish
Daily News/
A period for Professional and Cultural Cooperation between
Turkish and Greek architects was initiated to contribute the
peace and friendship. Turkish Chamber of Architects, architecture
organizations in Greece and International Council for Monuments
and Sites (ICOMOS) are the initiators of the cooperation. At the
March 9 meeting in the ICOMOS building in Athens, the parties
reached a consensus to jointly protect the historical heritages
of the two countries. /Cumhuriyet/
The French media undermined the violence which occurred during
yesterday's match in Paris between Galatasaray and Paris Saint
German soccer teams. While broadcasting the match, French
channels neither filmed the violence against Turkish spectators,
nor mentioned it. The UEFA Disciplinary Board will review the
events March 21. the Turkish Foreign Ministry is continuing
diplomatic initiatives for punishment of the perpetrators.
/Turkiye/
The symposium entitled "Regulation and Competition" organized due
on the fourth anniversary of the Competition Board's
establishment will begin today. Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of State Devlet Bahceli, Ministers of State Sukru Sina
Gurel and Yuksel Yalova and Minister of Industry and Commerce
Ahmet Kenan Tanrikulu will deliver the opening speeches of the
symposium. /Cumhuriyet/
Aria, the third GSM operator in Turkey, is expected to begin
service this month. The Is-Tim Telecommunications Service Joint
Company, a partnership established by Turkiye Is Bank and Italia
Mobile, hopes to reach 50% of the Turkish public in two years and
90% in five years. /Turkiye/
Turkish Airlines' (THY) new plane, the Boeing 737-800 will land
in Istanbul today. The number of planes THY owns will rise to 65.
/Milliyet/
The Kunt Film Company will make a movie about the Dumlupinar Submarine Accident.
A Turkish submarine returning from a NATO maneuvers sank after crashing into a
Swedish flagged cargo ship.
The accident resulted in 81 deaths. The scenario is based on
information and documents provided by the surviving officers
aboard the submarine during the accident. /Cumhuriyet/
Antalya Harbor is included in the routes of the cruise ships
carrying tourists from the US, Italy, France and Britain. Middle
East Antalya Harbor Management Joint Stock Company Manager
Hayrettin Akartuna said the number of tourists visiting Turkey by
ship is expected to reach 60,000. Akartuna said the agreements
with luxury and cruise ships are already completed. /Cumhuriyet/
Intema, Kipa and Arcelik Companies were deemed worthy of 'the
companies whose principle is to please customers' award. In a
statement, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Kenan Tanrikulu,
said the Council of Customers, convened at least once a year,
will be held March 19-20 this year. The awards will be presented
during the first day of the Council meeting. /Aksam/
Columnist Esen Unur comments on State Minister Kemal Dervis and
Turkey's economic crisis. A summary of his column is as follows:
"I have had the opportunity to follow the recent crisis and the
developments in the US from afar. During his press conference in
Washington, State Minister Dervis seemed more like a realist
economist than a savior. He was candid in describing Turkey's
situation as 'critical'. As far as I can see, he is continuing
his candid approach. Dervis stressed the seriousness of the
situation several times during his contacts with labor
organizations. He stressed another point saying, 'The urgent
measures package and the national program should be supported by
all coalition parties.'
Although there is no alternative for the coalition parties but to
support him, it is interesting that Dervis has reiterated this at
every opportunity. The Minister, who has lived abroad for many
years, seems to recall some events in the past. It is a positive
step that Dervis has begun searching for support from trade
unions.
Whatever the urgent measures package may be, however perfectly
the national program is prepared in the end, Turkey will look to
Washington. No one in Washington thinks they should loan money to
Turkey just because Kemal Dervis is in charge. They say, if we
are convinced the program can be implemented and there is social
support behind the program, we shall do everything possible.
Certainly the circles in Washington are closely following the
developments in Turkey. Kemal Dervis is a new hope for the
society. We do not have the luxury of losing this chance.
Therefore, the Government needs the support of everyone. It is
naive to believe only one person can save the nation. We should
all support him. "
