TEST OF FRIENDSHIP BY GUNGOR MENGI (SABAH)
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer issued a message on the occasion of the Maritime and Cabotage Day yesterday. Stating Turkey should give more importance and priority to maritime affairs, Sezer said it was unacceptable to think the Straits as a place which can be used for oil transportation. He said the oil transportation through the Straits was very risky and dangerous not just for the Straits themselves but also for all Marmara, the Black Sea and Aegean regions. Sezer said, "Turkey is doing her part well in ensuring the regional security of the Straits and she expects companies and international circles to be more sensitive about such an issue upon which Turkish nation has deep concerns." /Cumhuriyet/
Yesterday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit joined a TV program and evaluated Turkey's recent economic and political issues. Stressing that they are continuing to look for a new local finance source, Ecevit said, IMF's demand for the soon implementation of the Emlakbank Law, is not possible, as it is already being examined by the President. He said, "Negotiations with the IMF has been always difficult for all countries. We enacted all priority laws before the Parliament's summer recess. The law regarding Emlakbank was also passed, however, it should be examined by the President also. Turkey is a democratic country and has ceratin rules." Ecevit also stated the situation is not suitable for an election. He said, "Turkey has begun new breakthroughs on very important topics. Without getting results from these reforms, an election would harm Turkey. The government is working in harmony and we have the majority in Parliament." /Turkiye/
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) leader, Devlet Bahceli attended the 7th MHP Beysehir Anatolia Convention yesterday. Delivering a speech at the convention, Bahceli said the recent economic crisis affected all citizens negatively, especially citizens with low income. Stressing that the state is under a heavy burden of debth, Bahceli said, "If we do not stand some difficulties today, tomorrow may be harder. I believe our economy will be on a right track soon." /Turkiye/
Motherland Party (ANAP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said the coalition parties had taken risks with the new economic program and that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also should meet its undertakings so the confidence in the markets can be rebuilt. Yilmaz laid the foundation of the Turkkonut houses in Ankara and then visited the party offices in Sincan and Etimesgut and answered journalists' questions. Yilmaz said, "All the laws have been enacted before the recess of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA). The TGNA has worked really hard. However, the TRNC's and the government's efforts to build confidence might not be necessary. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) should also meet its undertakings concerning Turkey." /Sabah/
Deniz Baykal was elected as the Chairman at the 29th regular congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP). While Baykal received 732 votes, his opponents Ertugrul Gunay received 380 and Birol Basaran 6 votes. /Cumhuriyet/
During the first step of his 11-day visit abroad, State Minister Kemal Dervis attended the Crans-Montana Forum, and continued his bilateral contacts. While speaking with the press members, Dervis said "More qualified negotiations, which are not aggressive, should be made in Turkey." He said the Turkish citizens wanted welfare and employment and added, "Writing various scenarios depending on rumors are not true and healthy. Of course there will be debates but decreasing the level of aggression will be beneficial for Turkey." Dervis also pointed out that he was very happy that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was the fifth country who has opened a stand at the Crans-Montana Congress Hall together with Romania, Monaco, Tunusia and Madagascar. Dervis further stated that he had met the TRNC's Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, and the Minister of Finance, Mehmet Bayram, and that they had evaluated the economic situation of the TRNC together. /Sabah/
State Minister Kemal Dervis has maintained bilateral contacts with the Romanian President, Tunusian Prime Minister, Morocco's Minister of Finance, Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Kosovo's Head of State, the day before. Dervis met Madagascar's Prime Minister and the United Arab Emirates' Minister of Economy this morning. Dervis said, "In the global world, one should be global." Dervis also pointed out the great importance of the meetings with the countries' leaders. /Sabah/
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas attended the graduation ceremony at the Near East University in Cyprus. Addressing a speech at the ceremony, Denktas said, they support the Turkish-Greek rapprochement. Pointing to Ataturks idiom, "Peace at home, peace in the world", Denktas said, "However, if they want to take your country, you cannot obey them for peace. You can think peace only after recognition of your sovereignity." Meanwhile, State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel also joined the ceremony and said they want to make TRNC an education center of the Eastern Mediterreanean. /Turkiye/
Minister of Justice Hikmet Sami Turk said that news prisons are needed in Istanbul, as the existing prisons are already filled up to more than their capacities. Turk visited an area where a prison is planned to be constructed in Silivri, Istanbul. Listening to oppositions of the villagers for the construction of a prison in the region, Turk said that if the studies find the region suitable for the construction, the decison on the location will not change. /Turkish Daily News/
The Vatican Minister of Economy Cardial Sergio Sebastiani visited Turkish Religious Affairs Director Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz. Stating that Pope Jean Paul II paid great importance to inter-religion dialogue, Sebastiani said that the Pope had wanted to visit Turkey, but thanks to his health problems, he was unable to realize his visit. Mehmet Nuri Yilmaz said that inter-religion wars had been left behind and expressed his pleasure with the visit. /Turkiye/
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Yusuf bin Alavi bin Abdullah, arrived in Ankara yesterday. He was welcomed at the Esenboga Airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem. Cem said he was glad to see Bin Abdullah and accompanying delegation in Turkey and the two countries have very good relations. /Turkiye/
New Israeli Ambassador to Turkey, David Sultan arrived in Ankara yesterday to begin his new appointment. Sultan, successor of Uri Bar-Ner, will be received by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on July 6 to present his letter of credentials. /Turkiye/
Ankara Esenboge Airport was decorated by a video camera controlled security system. Accordingly, the airport will be under surveillance for 24 hours with 114 cameras. The system will go into effect in one month. The project cost $2.150 million. /Turkiye/
Maritime and Cabotage Day was celebrated with ceremonies in Istanbul yesterday. The Minister of State Ramazan Mirzaoglu and Istanbul's Governor Erol Cakir attended the ceremonies. Mirzaoglu said with the enactment of the Cabotage Law, foreigners could no longer make use of Turkish Seas. /Cumhuriyet/
Edirne's Governor Fahri Yucel announced yesterday that the Bulgarian citizens who demand to enter Turkey through the Kapikule Border-gate are not obliged to obtain visas any more. /Cumhuriyet/
The Air Forces Command, which lost its two planes due to the "freezing" this year, is preparing to wage a judicial war on CASA which did not inform Turkey about the "anti-freezing valve change" in the planes. According to the contract signed by the two parties in August 1999, the firm is obliged to give any land of information about the changes which affect the flight security on the planes. /Milliyet/
The first F-4E/2020 jet fighter to be modernized in Turkey will be delivered to the Turkish Air Force on Tuesday in an official ceremony. Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu, together with Air, Land and Naval Force Commanders, will take part in the ceremony. Air Force Commander Ergin Celasin will be the first to fly the F-4E/2020 fighter, as he did in an F-4 jet fighter, which was the first of its kind to be modernized by Israel. The project calls for the modernization of 26 jet fighters in Israel, and 28 more at the Turkish supply and maintenance center in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir. Israel has completed modernization of 16 of the 26 jet fighters, and delivered them to the Turkish Air Force. /Turkish News/
In order to determine the strategy for the "Aegean Earthquake Project," which is being headed by New York Colombia University, a work meeting will be held in Greece on July 30-Aug. 1, which will follow with a cooperation protocol that will be signed between the parties. Reportedly, the aim of the project is to reveal the risks of an earthquake on the Northern Anatolia fault line. Studies will be carried out by Turkish, American, Greek and Italian scientists and engineers. /Turkish News/
The Banking Regulation and Supervision Board (BDDK) annuls the rights of the Interbank and Esbank to carry out any banking processes today upon the decision to merge these two banks under the roof of Etibank. All Interbank and Esbank branches will begin to give service as the branches of Etibank by Monday. /Cumhuriyet/
The recent economic crisis in Turkey and the new economic program will be discussed at the European Economy Summit organized by the World Economy Forum in Salzbourg. The Chairman of the Privatization Board, Ugur Bayar will deliver a speech at the summit which began yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/
The Treasury will hold the first bid of the July this week. The bidding for five-month term bonds will be held on Tuesday, July 3rd. The bidding foresees a TL 50 trillion debt. The repayment will take place on December 5. /Hurriyet/
The Minister of Transportation, Enis Oksuz, said the first bid for the "Tube Passage Project" in the Bosphorus was completed and that the necessary signatures would be obtained in the next week. Oksuz said the passage would be a bridge between the continents of Asia and Europe. /Cumhuriyet/
Pianist Turev Berki gave a concert at Carnegie Hall, New York, within the scope of the activities organized by the Moon and Stars Project. Haluk Akakce, the graffiti artist, opened an exhibition at the Aldrich Modern Arts Museum in Connecticut. /Cumhuriyet/
The Italian magazine, Elle, gave wide coverage to Turkish tourism praising it. In its last edition, Elle named Turkey as the "Moon Country" while mentioning prominent architect Pierro Pintoi's Istanbul experiences with the photographs of the Marco Casiraghi. /Cumhuriyet/
The virtual tourism agency, established by a Turkish citizen living in Germany, Ali Dogan, was elected the most successful site last year. TUI, which is one of the leading tourism agencies in Germany, has made much more sales than Neckermann and Oger's internet sites. "Focus", one of the most important magazines of the country, wrote about the success of Dogan. In "Focus" magazine, it was written, "There are 1,000 online travel agencies on the internet. These agencies sell holiday programs on the internet. 250,000 people in Germany have made online reservations. Ali Dogan also sent many people to holidays to various places in the world. He has a total of six offices and his endorsement amounts to 30 million Deutsche Marks per year. /Sabah/
Columnist Sedat Sertoglu comments on the recent talks regarding the European Security and Defense Identity. A summary of his column is as follows:
In order for the European Security and Defense Identity, otherwise known as the European Army to succeed, the European countries have to find a solution satisfactory to Turkey. The initiatives to back down on the document signed at the Washington Summit and leave Turkey in an uncertain position which is neither in nor out of the ESDI have not succeeded until now. Turkey believes her British friends can enable the EU and Turkey to meet at a common platform. Meanwhile, this may be a platform developed by the USA. Retired General Cevik Bir, in an interview with the magazine Ulusal Strateji (National Strategy), said, 'Helsinki Summit, has erased the advantages Turkey had achieved in the EU and did not recognize her an equal right in the defense of Europe. Therefore, Turkey must follow a policy in line with her own interests and the geography surfacing post-Cold War. In the resolution accepted at the Helsinki Summit concerning security and defense, Turkey is slowly being deprived of the capabilities recognized by Europe and therefore is being excluded from Europe. The contributions of Turkey who sustained the greatest and most effective army in NATO, only second to the US, to the defense of Europe as a wing country which is more than any other European country has done, and fulfilled her commitments duly are being forgotten. Her services are not being appreciated, as they should be. The importance Turkey has within the new world order, and particularly according to the new strategic threat concept adopted by NATO is being deliberately ignored. It should not be forgotten that 13 of the 16 problematic scenarios determined by NATO closely concern Turkey and stability cannot be achieved without the contribution of Turkey to these problems. Turkey is being subjected to double standards in the use of NATO infrastructure where she has a common share. Europe will correct this mistake in the end.'
We expect that, a common path will be found to get out of this crisis between Turkey and the EU. There is no other way out. However, both sides have to take steps towards each other to find this path. In order to take these steps, our British friends should present Ankara a new plan. In fact, if they prepare this plan together with Ankara the crisis will be overcome sooner. British Ambassador to Ankara is a most capable diplomat. His efforts may have an important role in surmounting this problem...Therefore, instead of London preparing and sending a plan to her ambassador; the participation of the Ambassador in the preparations may prove more beneficial."
Columnist Gungor Mengi comments the recent political developments. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Turkey is like a ship sailing in turbulent seas. She has the chance to reach calm waters. However the conditions are not easy. The crises have worn the people out. Even though there may be a harmonious and determined Government, the pains of the operations have
left the public depressed and caused a loss of confidence in the ruling parties. Habits of populist politics are gaining ground in the society with a disoriented psychology. Meanwhile, the tumors in the etatist economic system leading to robberies are being taken out. Reforms that will lead to the closure of black holes in agriculture, and will solve the problems of state banks are carried out. Funds, which are the tools of spending that cannot be controlled, are being closed. The budget is taken under a discipline, the pressure from the people to bring economy and politics in line with universal norms are increasing day by day. This speedy process may have both good and results. If we do not run into any problem, a clean, transparent, and democratic life-style may be realized even in our lifetime. However, this also bears the danger of a social reaction. This should in no way be allowed.
Independence and national honor are very important for Turks. The idiom, 'Poor have no dignity' is not valid for us. The miracle achieved during the War of Independence in poverty is the denunciation of this saying by the Turkish nation. Therefore, it is very important for us to know and defend that every step taken for reforms, every cost paid by the nation is a result of our own decisions. It is a great irresponsibility to say that these decisions are taken upon the pressure of the IMF. However, these rumors are spread either by the circles, which will be harmed by a change in the system or by politicians who want to hold on to the support of the people and sometimes by the press.
It is an example of great irresponsibility to turn the telecom problem into a crisis making the headlines of the newspapers. To turn a controversy into a crisis which could be solved one way or the other, using the threat of IMF lacked foresight. The Chairman of the IMF Kohler complained to Prime Minister Ecevit that law concerning Emlakbank was not enacted. The law passed is passed by the TGNA and is waiting for the approval of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. In order to silence the propaganda that the IMF directives are governing Turkey, he can let it wait. In such a situation the IMF will pass through an important goodwill test. If the meeting is postponed just because the law is not approved or the Executive Council does not release the credit at the end of the meeting, this will be a harsh blow on the stability program, the Government and the IMF. We hope that the IMF directors comprehend that a gamble to test Turkish sensitivity on national honor cannot be regarded as friendship. They may realize that a people who has lost its dignity will be able to do anything."
