WHAT EUROPE SAYS BY ERTUG YASAR (AKSAM)
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said many important laws could be
enacted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Ecevit,
stating an economic strategy should be determined, said, "We have
to find a national economic strategy, which would be in
compliance with both the program to be presented to the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the National Programme to
be presented to the European Union (EU). After meeting with
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Ecevit delivered statements to the
journalists at the Prime Ministry, saying, "I have briefed Sezer
on the legislation activities in particular. I believe that by
debating the urgent laws before the TGNA, the former speed can be
ensured. Today the National Security Council (MGK) and
the Supreme Planning Council meetings will be held. In addition,
the Economic and Social Council will convene, which is of the
utmost importance. The support of the Virtue Party (FP) for the
TGNA enactment of fifteen laws is pleasing." /Turkiye/
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, on an official visit to the US,
addressed the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Affairs on
Wednesday. The Institute is a leading US think-tank. Cem said
Turkey may take some measures to prevent excessive oil tanker
traffic passing through the Turkish Straits. Transportation of
Kazakh oil to Western markets will obviously mean tankers will
have to carry this oil through the Straits, increasing the risk
of dangerous accidents and pollution. Istanbul, Turkey's largest
city with apopulation of 10 million, is located on the Straits.
Mr. Cem is scheduled to meet with key figures of
the US Administration, including President Bush's National
Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice, US Vice President, Dick
Cheney, Secretary of State, Colin Powell and Defence Secretary,
Donald Rumsfield. /Turkish News/
State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis met yesterday with
French Finance Minister Laurent Fabius. Dervis said he gave
information regarding the economic program to the French
officials. Dervis also said he wanted to meet with other G-7
Finance Ministers. /Milliyet/
The Higher Planning Board(YPK) will convene today under the lead
of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Macroeconomic targets, such as
inflation and growth rates will be discussed during the meeting.
An average exchange rate will be determined for the budget law. A
inflation rate around 40-45-50 % and a growth rate of minus
2-2.5% is projected. The additional budget will be the one quarter
of the 2001 budget. The former budget deficit estimations of $5.2
billion will rise to $15 billion. /Milliyet/
Speaking after the Interior Coordination and Harmonization meeting,
Turkish Secretary General for EU, Volkan Vural, said they aimed
to send legal regulations for the short term targets mentioned in
the National Programme to the TGNA by the end of the year. He
added, "The National programme should not be left on paper."
/Cumhuriyet/
State Minister Responsible for Maritime, Ramazan Mirzaoglu,
warned that transportation of Kazakh petroleum through the
Turkish Straits would negatively affect shipping traffic and
world trade. Mirzaoglu said it would be more appropriate to
transport the petroleum through the pipeline. Mirzaoglu attended
the planting ceremony of 2,000 trees, organized at the garden of
the Directorate General of State Meteorological Works yesterday.
After planting a tree, he answered journalists' questions saying,
"The transportation of Kazakh petroleum through the Turkish
Straits will end the trade of all Black Sea countries." /Turkiye/
Turkish Parliament Speaker Omer Izgi met with his Kazakh
counterpart Jarmahan Tuyakbay, and was received by President
Nursultan Nazarbayev. Izgi addressed the Kazakh Parliament
yesterday. In his speech, Izgi asked for continued Kazakh support
of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline projects.The pipelines that
will create an alternative method of transporting Kazakh oil to
world markets. Izgi and the accompanying delegation will travel
to Kyrgyzstan April 1. /Turkish Daily News/
The Greek Parliament has ratified seven agreements with
Turkey designed to improve relations between the two traditional
rivals, the Greek Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The approved
agreements include cooperation in customs; sea transportation;
tourism; science and technology; economic cooperation; protection
of investments and the environment. The ratification comes ahead
of a scheduled trip to Ankara by Greek Foreign Minister George
Papandreou. Discussions during the working visit are expected to
include bilateral relations, Turkey's efforts to join the EU, and
the recent economic crisis. The agreements were signed
during a period of improved relations in 1999, but their
ratification was delayed last year following renewed tension
between the neighbors. /Turkish News/
Hizbullah militant Hasan Sariagac, believed to be one of the
shooters in the assassination of Diyarbakir Police Chief Gaffar
Okkan, and five policemen was killed in a clash in Baglar,
Diyarbakir. On a telephone tip from an informer, police forces
swooped down on the house where Sariagac was staying. After the
clash, one man, three women and five children, who were also in
the house with Sariagac, were taken into custody. Issuing a
written statement after the operation, Diyarbakir Governor Ahmet
Cemil Serhadli said a weapon which was used in Okkan's
assassination was seized during the operation. /Cumhuriyet/
Group Deputy Chairman of the Virtue Party (FP), Bulent Arinc,
said they would support the enaction of the laws requested by the
State Minister Responsible for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, so
Turkey can find peace and overcome its economic criris. Arinc
held a press conference on behalf of his party at the Turkish
Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and mentioned the issue of the
TGNA enacting of some laws. He said, "If the enaction of fifteen
laws are necessary for the welfare of Turkey, we will support
Mr. Dervis as the FP, on behalf of the Turkish nation."
/Turkiye/
German Federal Interior Affairs Minister Otto Schilly said there
is no evidence the PKK terrorist organization has given up
violent activities and found a more peaceful method for its
struggle. Schilly said the PKK could resume violent activities in
Turkey and Europe. He added the decrease in the number of PKK
activities in 2000 (791) compared to 1999 (2536) was related to
Abdullah Ocalan's capture by the Turkish police forces.
/Cumhuriyet/
A report on the recent situation in Northern Iraq says the PKK
terrorist organization is receiving support from Iran, Iraq and
the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The report said PKK's
control in the region has shifted to the Gara region at the order
of Iran. Iraqis train PKK terrorists at the Mahmur Camp to pass
into Turkey. The KDP and Iraqis help PKK terrorists move freely
between Gara and Musul. /Turkiye/
Turkish police forces have taken broad measures against the
possibility of terrorist activities perpetrated against US,
Israeli and British representatives in Turkey at the order of
international Saudi terrorist, Usame bin Ladin. The Directorate
General of Security has sent a warning circular to the
directorates of all security forces. The circular emphasized a
speech by Usame bin Ladin which alluded to taking revenge for the
joint American and British air attack to Iraq. Stating that
retaliatory attacks could occur in Turkey, the circular demanded
special security measures be taken at the US, British and Israeli
Embassies, Consulates and residences. Officials from the three
countries were informed of the issue and measures being
taken. /Cumhuriyet/
US President George W. Bush has repeated his promise to recognize
the so-called Armenian genocide. Representatives of the Armenian
National Committee (ANC) claimed Bush said, in the letter he
wrote in February that he attached importance to his campaign
promise. Armenian lobbies have initiated a new campaign demanding
Bush keep his promise to recognize the so-called Armenian
genocide. House Representative George Radanovich is preparing a
new bill on the issue. As Turkish officials are closely following
the recent developments, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem , currently
in Washington, is expected to convey Turkey's wishes for a
continuation of the old US Administration's support for Turkey on
the issue. /Cumhuriyet/
Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Foreign Relations
Commission members form a lobby in the US (where the Armenian
lobbies were powerful) to prevent attempts to have the so-called
Armenian allegations recognized. Commission members will actively
lobby before the April 24 Commemoration Day for the so-called
Armenian genocide. The delegation chaired by Foreign Relations
Commission Chairman Kamran Inan, will arrive in the US April 2.
/Cumhuriyet/
At long last, bidding for the Istanbul-Ankara rapid train project
will be launched April 20. The Project will be largest government
project after the GAP. Minister of Transportation, Enis Oksuz,
said the train is scheduled to begin running in 2003. The trip
would take 135 minutes, and the speed of the trains will be 230
Km/hr. /Turkiye/
Minister of Environment, Fevzi Aytekin, said measures must be
taken to prevent the enviromental pollution which may result from the
transport of Kazakh oil through the Straits. Stating Turkey must
develop a new enviromental policy, the Minister said
international agreements prepared long ago should be reviewed. He
added, "It should be known, if petroluem tankers cause
enviromental pollution then very heavy fines will be levied."
/Turkiye/
Ankara 6th Administrative Court has stopped enforcing the tender
requirement for the sale conditions of 33.5% of Turk Telekom
Corporation shares. In an action brought by the Central
Foundation for Developing Public Management (KIGEM), the Court
decided to 'stop the enforcement' on the grounds that 'this was
against the law and if carried out, would cause damage, difficult
or impossible to eradicate'. /Aksam/
Turkey, looking for resources to overcome its economic crisis,
requested US support to faciliate contracts, delayed by the
United Nations (UN), and to increase the textile quotas.
Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, Kursat Tuzmen, currently in the
US, said issues concerning commercial agreements with Iraq,
increasing commercial relations with the US, textile quotas and
the Turco-US Free Trade Agreement were discussed during meetings
with American commerce officials. Tuzmen held a press conference
at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, saying, "We have a contract
amounting to 650 million US dollars with Iraq. However, one third
of the biddings are here in Turkey, whereas the remaining ones
are being held up by the UN. Taking the latest economic crisis
into consideration, we pointed out the operations were being
carried out slowly and demanded the faciliation of these issues."
/Aksam/
Today is the deadline for all proposals in the bidding opened to
privatize Turkish Airlines (THY). The Administration of the
Privatization Board (OIB) invited tenders with announcements from
14.12.2000 for the privatization of the THY. /Turkiye/
The TGNA adopted a law for the establishment of three foundation
universities, Yasar University, Izmir Economy University and
Istanbul Trade University. Also, the TGNA empowered the
government to open, merge and close faculties, institutes and
senior high schools. /Star/
It is estimated that the number of German tourists visiting
Turkey will increase by 27 % and reach three million. Turkish
Research Center Chairman, Faruk Sen, said the Turkish tourism
sector will improve significantly with the contribution of the EU
funds. Sen added, "According to the research, 85 % of the German
population have not yet visited Turkey. This is a great potential
market." /Cumhuriyet/
Turkey is preparing for celebrations to mark the "European
Languages Year" announced by the European Council to stress the
importance of foreign languages. A national committee has been
established to coordinate ceremonies, including representatives
from the Foreign Ministry, the Turkish Radio and Television
Corporation (TRT), the Turkish Language Association (TDK), and
universities. The celebration will be held across Europe between
May 5-11. /Turkish News/
Director Dervis Zaim will deliver a speech at a conference titled
"Mediterranean Representation Policies in the Post-Colonial
Period" chaired by famous theorist, Frederic Jameson, at American
Duke University April 5. Dervis will present his bulletin titled,
"Remake of 'Psycho': Mimicry and Turkish Cinema". His first film
"Somersault in a Coffin" will be screened at the Mediterranean
Cinema and Photography conference. His second film 'Elephant and
Grass' will also be released at various festivals in the US.
/Cumhuriyet/
Columnist Sami Kohen writes on former President Suleyman
Demirel's call to both sides regarding the Middle East issue. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"Former President Suleyman Demirel a member of the international
commission formed to investigate the Israeli- Palestinian
conflict, advised both sides to talk over the matters between
themselves. He suggested the parties discuss the security
problems and take a step forward to begin negotiations.
Demirel expressed his deep concern over the escalating clashes
saying the Middle East peace procee was at its most fragile
point. Peace concerns not only both sides in the conflict, but
everyone in the immediate region, and close neighbours such as
Turkey. If the violence continues and the situation deteriorates
it could spill over the borders. This in turn would result in new
developments in the region. Will the escalating clashes in the
Middle East result in an all out war in the region?
Demirel believes that terrorist and fundamentalist movements
would cross the borders of the neighbouring countries rather than
risk an outbreak of all out war. Therefore, he suggests both
sides end the violence.
The duty of the international group, known as the 'Mitchell
Commission' was formed at the initiative of the US and the UN.
The group isrestricted to investigating the causes of the present
clashes and finding ways to end them. It does not have a
mediating mission. However, as a leader who has followed these
incidents for 35 years, Demirel is expressing his opinions to
both sides, saying that the peace is at a very fragile point.
Therefore, negotiations must be started promptly. At present,
security issues could be discussed. Demirel has said that there
won't be security without peace.
Demirel can speak to both Arafat and to Israeli leaders more
frankly than other commission members. However, the lack of trust
between the two sides has reached such a point that no one can
break out of the vicious circle. Is there any other way to stop
the violence? Can sending an international observer group to the
region bring any results? The group does not have the authority
to make such a suggestion. An idea,not accepted by both parties,
cannot be proposed. However, Demirel is repeating what he has
said during his recent contacts: take the initiatives and talk
over the measures which would end the violence. Only then can the
peace process begin.
There is no other way to prevent the spread of violence and end
clashes which reached dramatic dimensions. However, at present
there is no accord in sight which can ensure a cease-fire."
Columnist Ertug Yasar writes on the National Programme prepared
for the EU. A summary of his column is as follows:
"In Turkey, where the agenda changes swiftly, the National
Programme prepared for the EU is almost forgotten. However, a
document titled 'National Programme for Harmonization with
Community Acquis' presented to the EU officials is seen as the
starting point for the structural reforms required for Turkey to
become a modern democracy. The EU Commissioner Responsible for
Enlargement, Gunter Verheugen, has described the programme as
such. Europe is attaching great importance to this document,
which we seem to have forgotten. Our European friends see this
programme as the first condition for EU membership bringing
reforms to Turkish political life.
It may be recalled that Turkey has had a long EU membership
adventure beginning in 1959. Disregarding any developments since
then, the most important date for Turkey is December 1999 when
her candidacy status was recognized at an EU Summit. Turkey's
candidacy came at a time when countries like the Czech Republic,
Poland, Slovenia and Estonia were almost ready for full EU
membership.
The problems between Turkey and the EU can be summarized under
five points: respect for human rights, respect for minority
rights, issues between Turkey and Greece, Cyprus, and the
functions of the military in political life. The National
Programme was not expected to bring any novel solutions to the
problems with Greece and the Cyprus issue. However, there were
certain anticipations on human rights, minority rights and the
functions of the military in political life.
The first reaction by EU circles was disappointment- they did not
see their expectations come true. We believe Turkey is losing
another historical chance and this will delay our membership
beyond 2010."
