DERVIS HAS TO ENTER POLITICS BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are
preparing to discuss the issue of the full EU membership of the
Greek Cypriot Administration in order to determine the
international outcomes of a possible membership. Foreign Minister
Ismail Cem met yesterday with TRNC President Rauf Denktas to
evaluate the recent developments. Authorities from the Foreign
Ministry stated that Turkey must do her utmost and plan the next
1-2 years very carefully. Meanwhile Cem is expected to meet with
Turkish Peace Forces Commander in TRNC, General Sukru Sariisik,
Republican Assembly Chairman Ertugrul Hasiboglu, Prime Minister
Dervis Eroglu and Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Akinci in the
morning today. He will meet in the afternoon with the Chairmen of
the opposition parties, representatives from business circles and
the media. He is expected to return to Turkey tomorrow. The most
important topic to be discussed during his meetings is whether to
return to the proximity talks held within the framework of the UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan's goodwill mission. They will also
discuss a new strategy to be pursued until 2002 which is the
possible date for the approval of the Greek Cypriot
Administration's EU membership. /Cumhuriyet/
Although Turkey, announced as a candidate European Union member
at the Helsinki Summit, was not really treated as a candidate
member during the term presidencies of France and Sweden, it
seems that Turkey-EU affairs will gain impetus during the Belgian
term of presidency, which kicks off in July. Belgian Prime
Minister Guy Verhofstadt, unlike the prime ministers of previous
terms presidents who preferred to isolate Turkey, despite its
candidate membership, has invited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to
a meeting on "The Future of EU" due to take place on June 26,
shortly before Belgium assumes the term presidency. Ecevit will
take part in the summit, which will host the prime ministers of
15 EU members and 13 candidate members, as a "Doyen Premier,"
being the longest-served politician in Europe. /Turkish News/
At the Council of Ministers' meeting, Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit said, "We should clearly explain the economic program, and
what we want to achieve to the public. We should adopt the law
that need to be urgently implemented. We should make everybody
see that we back the economic program and are determined to
implement it." At the meeting, a decision was taken to keep
constant the interest rates applied to the credits of the
farmers. /Milliyet/
Turkey and Costa Rica signed an agreement concerning a political
and technical cooperation between the two countries. After the
contacts held during Costa Rica Foreign Minister Roberto Rojas's
official Turkey visit, a memorandum concerning the establishment
of a political consultation mechanism between the two countries
and a framework convention on technical cooperation were signed.
/Cumhuriyet/
A bill to allow the use of modern technology in population
registration has been presented to Parliament, Anatolia News
Agency reported on Monday. The bill envisions certain amendments
to the Population Law, according to which births inside the
country will have to be reported within 30 days, and those
outside the country within 60 days. Besides registry books,
population registration details will be kept on computer.
Moreover, under the bill, identity cards will not be confiscated.
Besides personal and administration information, individuals'
identity numbers and religion will also be logged into the
computer database. /Turkish News/
The Council of Ministers stated that it supported the economic
program, announced by the State Minister Responsible for Economy,
Kemal Dervis on last Saturday. The consensus was reached that the
Turkish economy would recover and it would enter into a growth
trend during the second half of the year. Following the meeting
chaired by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, a statement was issued
by the State Minister and the Government Spokesman Rustu Kazim
Yucelen. Six of the urgent laws were taken into the agenda of the
Council of Ministers. Yucelen, further stated that the Banking
Law and the Borrowing Law would be sent to the Turkish Grand
National Assembly (TGNA) after it is presented to the Prime
Ministry. He added that the Civil Aviation, Natural Gas, Central
Bank and the Nationalization Laws would be debated at the TGNA
this week. /Hurriyet/
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shimon Peres, considered the
claims of the Armenian lobby in the US that they have suffered
from genocide as meaningless. The Armenians in the US reacted
negatively to Peres' statement. The Israeli Consulate General in
Los Angeles stated, "This issue should be left not to the
politicians, but to the historians." The Armenian lobby then
started a campaign of message, denouncing the statements. The
American National Armenian Council called on the Armenians in the
US to denounce Peres' statements. /Hurriyet/
The Jewish lobby in the US sent a letter to President Bush
requesting the US Administration's support for Turkey in its
efforts to resolve the economic crisis and in its relations with
the IMF. The head of the American Jewish Community, Bruce Ramer,
and director Shula Bahat said in the letter they appreciated
Bush's personal support for Turkey. The letter stressed the
development of Turkey's political and economic modernization is
necessary for US strategic, political and economic interests in
the region. /Milliyet/
Mehmet Fidance, accused of being an accomplice in Diyarbakir's
Head of Security, Gaffar Okkan's assassination was captured.
Fidanci said he served as a watchman during the incident and
fired his gun when he was escaping. /Milliyet/
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit gave information regarding some new
activities in the F-type prisons. Ecevit said, "Justice Ministry
will change some implementations in the F-Type prisons. Common
rooms will be arranged for inmates to participate in activities
together. Sports places and libraries are to be organized and
handicraft courses will be held." /Milliyet/
In line with harmonization efforts for the full EU membership,
the Office of the General Staff began a new program for preparing
half of the population that is being drafted, to adapt to the
European Culture. The Office published a book "Information of
Citizenship" giving information about democracy, human rights and
functioning of the state. The book will be taught to the
soldiers. /Sabah/
The modernization of Leopard tanks located mostly in the Thrace
against a possible clash with Greece was postponed with other 31
projects that were delayed by the Office of the General Staff due
to the economic crisis. The tank production project costing $7
billion was postponed. On the other hand, the Office of the
General Staff hastened the modernization of American tanks
positioned on the borders with Syria, Armenia and Iran.
/Milliyet/
The bill concerning a regulation in the Banking Law and prepared
by the Banking Supervision and Regulation Board (BDDK) was
presented to the related State Ministry. The bill includes
certain articles to prevent the abuse of the banks for private
interests. /Cumhuriyet/
Foreign press is continuing to give wide coverage to Turkey's new
economic program declared by the Economics Minister Kemal Dervis.
Prominent French Daily Le Monde stated this was a critical period
for Kemal Dervis. Le Monde said Dervis was honest and courageous
while preparing the economic program. In addition, Le Figaro
stated the Turkish Government would pursue a belt tightening
policy and wanted to accelerate the privatization process.
Stating the IMF positively reacted to the new economic program,
the Wall Street Journal said the new laws to be enacted in Turkey
would bring about the liberalizations of the sugar, tobacco,
natural gas, airways and telecommunications sectors. Meanwhile,
the Japanese press also gave coverage to the new economic
program. The daily Yomiuri Shimbun stated the reforms which are a
priority to the Turkish government are reducing the expenditures,
expediting privatization and regulating the state banks.
/Cumhuriyet/
The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) Speaker, Omer Izgi,
said they would give full support to the Economic Program. Izgi
said, "There should not be any obstacles in front of the
government. I also support giving the government the authority to
enact decrees with the power of law (KHKs). He added, "I said
previously to Mr. Dervis that we could enact the necessary laws
in 15 days. There are also other laws foreseen by the National
Programme. We should do everything to support the government."
/Cumhuriyet/
Financial markets gave a positive response yesterday upon the
announcement of the economic program on Saturday. The Istanbul
Stock Exchange Index rose by 4.9 % and currency exchange rates
and interest rates declined. /Milliyet/
The First Joint Economic Council (JEC) meeting between Turkey and
Uzbekistan will convene in Ankara on April 18-20. While Turkey
will be represented by State Minister Abdulhaluk Cay, the Uzbek
delegation will be headed by Foreign Economic Relations Minister
Elyar Ganiyev. Ganiyev will arrive in Turkey with a delegation of
five high-level officials on April 18. The agreement between the
two countries to create a joint economic council was signed on
July 9, 1995 in Tashkent. /Turkish Daily News/
The first positive response to the call of the State Minister
Responsible for Economy, Kemal Dervis, to invest in Turkey came
from Germany. German Minister of Finance, Hans Eichel, called for
German companies to invest in Turkey in terms of projects. Eichel
particularly suggested to the German companies that if Turk
Telekom is privatized, it would be a highly profitable
investment. It was also revealed that Eichel has promised Dervis
that he would call on the German companies to invest in Turkey
during Dervis' visit to Berlin on 23 March. /Hurriyet/
After the new economic program is announced, the Undersecretary
of Treasury is preparing its first bidding today. The borrowing
will amount to 300 trillion TL in the eight months term bidding.
The participation in the bidding and the new interest rate will
be a test of the new economic program. /Hurriyet/
Reportedly, the World Bank welcomed the economic program declared
by State Minister for Economics, Kemal Dervis, last weekend. In a
statement regarding the new economic program, the World Bank said
Turkey can overcome the crisis by implementing the program
effectively and with the support of international finance
establishments. The World Bank particularly appreciates the
structural reforms and easing the situation for foreign
investors, as well as social programs. /Turkiye/
State Minister for Economics Kemal Dervis will travel to
Washington at the end of April to participate in the IMF-World
Bank Spring Period meetings. During the meetings between April 26
and 30, Dervis is also expected to meet with international
finance circles and authorities from G-7 countries as they arrive
in Washington for the meeting. He will inform them about the
economic program and ask them for support. On his way to the US,
Dervis will visit Frankfurt and London to meet with international
banking circles. /Turkiye/
The bill regarding the new powers of the Turkish Central Bank was
submitted to the Parliament. According to the bill, Central Bank
will have an autonomous structure and have the sole power to
design and implement the monetary policy. A monetary policy board
will be established within the Bank. /Milliyet/
Following the declaration of the new economic program, the IMF
started to prepare a finance package to support it. Reportedly,
the IMF will grant $5-6 billion in addition to its previously
stated amount of $7.5 billion. Detailed work on the package will
continue after completion of the IMF delegation's work in Turkey.
/Turkiye/
Turkish firms will attend various international fairs in the
coming days to open to the world markets. Accordingly, they will
participate in following fairs: April 26-29, 2001/Turkish Export
Products Fair/Ghana, July 4-6, 2001/Leatherware Fair/Moscow, July
30- Aug.1, 2001/Fashion Show/ Tel Aviv, etc. /Turkiye/
The underwater wealth of Turkey can strengthen Turkish tourism in
the international arena, said a report prepared by the Izmir
Branch of the chamber of Maritime Trade (DTO). According to the
report, there were more than 300 diving centers in Turkey. "In
the diving centers, while there are guides who will accompany
people to dive, international diving certificates are issued",
the report said. /Turkish Daily News/
A "Turkish Monuments in Mongolia" panel was held at Gazi
University in Ankara. During the panel the work carried out by a
team headed by Prof. Hakki Acun in 2000 on the Orhun Monuments in
Mongolia was discussed. In his opening speech, State Minister
Abdulhaluk Cay recalled the Turkish and Mongolian governments
signed a protocol in 1995 for carrying out excavations in the
region and agreed to take the monuments under protection.
Minister Cay said he believes the Orhun Monuments together with
some 7-8 tombs will enlighten Turkish history. He also emphasized
the monuments are not only artefacts that give us historical
information, but they are also invaluable literary examples.
/Turkiye/
One of the most prominent theater groups in Germany, the
Schaubuhne, and Izmit Greater City Municipality Provincial
Theater Group initiated an attempt to work together. Theater
dramaturge Emre Koyuncuoglu traveled to Berlin to be a observer
in the rehearsals of Yugoslavian writer Biljina Srblijanovich's
play "Supermarket", to be performed by the Schaubuhne. The Goethe
Institute also supports this project. /Cumhuriyet/
America's prestigious magazine, 'Food and Wine', promoted Turkish
cuisine with the famous journalist and gourmet, Engin Akin, in
its latest issue. The article in 'Food and Wine' titled 'Engin's
Empire' was written by Anya Von Bremzen and photographed by Zubin
Shroff. The magazin also praised Engin Akin, who also prepares
chat programs for the radio and authors cook books. The author of
the magazine article also went shopping in Istanbul with Akin,
who will give a banquet for ten people. Her article promoted
original Turkish foods and provided recipes. /Hurriyet/
The painting exhibition organized by the "Keeping the Culture of
Ankara Alive" Association during the Tourism Week was opened at
the Ministry of Culture 75th year Culture Center. The paintings
of Azerbaijani artists are to be exhibited until April 21.
/Cumhuriyet/
Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the need for the State Minister
for the Economy, Kemal Dervis to enter politics. A summary of
his column is as follows:
"Certain circles are disturbed by the invitation of Kemal Dervis
to Turkey. It is needless to say that those disturbed come mostly
from political circles. As soon as he arrived, he occupied a
place in the minds of the people. Most politicians work all their
lives to achieve such popularity but cannot succeed. Meanwhile
there are rumours to the effect that restlessness is growing
within the Democratic Socialist Party(DSP).The reason for this
restlessness is apparent.
Sensing this, Dervis was saying all along that he did not intend
to enter politics in the future. However, with the announcement
he made at the weekend it seems this situation will change. He
accepted that his 'above politics' position was not normal and
therefore he has to change this situation soon. He expressed his
preference for social democracy. He has both declared his
political tendencies and given an address for the future. This
has encouraged the Republican People's Party(CHP). Some time ago
RPP Chairman Deniz Baykal had said that there was always a place
for people like Dervis in his party. It seems that leftist
parties will compete with each other to attract Dervis to their
parties.
Kemal Dervis' policy of staying aloof from politics was not
correct as he convincingly projected the air of a man in service
to his people. Dervis has gathered all necessary elements for
politics in his personality. First of all, the public has
accepted him in no time. Secondly, he is the 'new face' the
voters are longing for. Thirdly, there are no rumours concerning
him. Fourthly, he has the self-confidence which is an essential
characteristic for a politician to sport. Meanwhile, he portrays
a multilingual Turk aware of the developments throughout the
world.
The surveys conducted show that Dervis still maintains his
credibility among the people. There may be some who may be
working against him behind his back as Dervis' success will show
their failure. However, even these activities serve to increase
his popularity. If Dervis cannot succeed in his mission, no one
will blame him for failure, as everyone will be thinking that he
was not given the opportunity to succeed.
We would like to see Mr. Dervis in politics. How he enters the
political arena, either from an existing party or a newly formed
one is up to him. However, if he has undertaken the difficult
mission of restoring the economy he must enter politics. Economy
and politics are intertwined and one cannot survive without the
other. There does not seem to be anyone on the horizon who can
combine these two other than Mr.Dervis."
