Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
The Supreme Military Council (YAS), which will determine the
Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) renewed command structure, review the
situation of the commanders to be retired and decide on
'discipline files' of those military personnel accused of
fundamentalist activities and other disciplinary charges, met
yesterday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
at the General Staff headquarters in Ankara.
The meeting was attended by Chief of General Staff Gen.Huseyin
Kivrikoglu, Defence Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu, Land Forces
Commander Gen.Atilla Ates, Air Force Commander Gen.Ilhan Kilic,
Naval Forces Commander Adm.Salim Dervisoglu, Gendarmerie Forces
Commander Gen.Rasim Betir and other high-ranking generals. The
YAS meeting will end on Thursday. /All papers/
The international rating agency Standard and Poor's (S & P) has
maintained Turkey's 'B' rating and continues to see the outlook
for the country as 'stagnant'. As S & P delegation had arrived in
Turkey for talks 10 days before declaring its latest rating. A
statement issued by S & P yesterday indicated that a fragmented
political outlook has led to frequent government changes in
Turkey and that the failure to implement needed economic policies
prevented the maintenance of sustainable growth.
S & P signaled that it might increase Turkey's rating in the
coming period. If the government emphasizes proposals that would
solve the existing economic problems and avoids populist policies
in the draft budget for 2000, then the outlook for the Turkish
economy could be converted to positive and the rating raised, the
agency stressed. In spite of its short term in office, there is a
consensus that the government will take effective measures, said
S & P, citing as examples Parliament's passage of a banking bill
and its preparations to legislate social security reform that
will raise the retirement age from 38 to 58 for women and from 43
to 60 for men. However, the effect of the social security reform
is not expected to be seen in the short-term, and its full effect
will only be apparent in 2010 after complementary reforms are
enacted. /All papers/
Stating the most important duty of the 57th government as
developing human rights in Turkey, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
issued a circular yesterday calling for priority to be given to
human rights education in in-service seminars held at public
institutions. The circular focuses on human rights education in
public institutions and announce preparations by the Supreme
Board of Human Rights for developing and protecting human rights
in Turkey, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
The circular notes that the Supreme Board of Human Rights has
established a Decade of Education on Human Rights National
Committee in order to implement the National Action Plan prepared
within the framework of the UN Decade of Education on Human
Rights in 1998. The ministers of justice, education and the
interior will submit to the Supreme Board of Human Rights reports
related to their projects dealing with human rights issues every
three months starting from April 1, 2000.
The Turkish company TURKCELL, is continuing its investments
abroad. TURKCELL GSM operator implemented its fourth investment
abroad in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The
Northern Cyprus TURKCELL was opened by President Rauf Denktas
yesterday. In his speech Denktas thanked to TURKCELL
representatives personally as they had invested in the TRNC. He
added that the TRNC needed more foreign investments in order to
develop more rapidly. TURKCELL General Director Cuneyt Turktan
said for his part that they would try to improve communication
services in the TRNC. He added that they had completed the
investment within three months and it had cost $ 20 million.
/Aksam/
The State Monopolies (TEKEL) General Director Mehmet Akbay said
that their target was to obtain $ 2.5 billion income by the end
of 1999. He added, "TEKEL is the institution which has earnt the
Treasury the most revenue. We will construct a cigarette factory
in Moldovia. We are also seeking investment opportunities in
Belarussia, Azerbaijan, Kyrygzstan and other Central Asian
Republics. Moreover, we will open an office in Hamburg, Germany."
/Aksam/
The World Bank Director to Turkey, Ajay Chhibber, said that they
are watching till September to see which of the reforms Turkey
will achieve which have been foreseen by the 57th government. He
added that in September they would decide on the Turkish economy.
In his speech during the signing ceremony for the $ 407.5 million
credit to be given to Turkey for use in industrial projects and
in financing exports he said that they believed that the credit
would contribute a great deal to Turkish industry. /Aksam/
It is has been learned that the Russian-made S-300 missiles which
were placed on the Greek island of Crete instead of Southern
Cyprus are ready to be used. According to news from Greek-Cypriot
radio quoting an official from the Greek Defence Ministry, the
missiles are ready to be used in an operation whenever needed. It
added that the missiles were certainly in harmony with the
defence doctrine of both Greece and the Greek-Cypriots. /Aksam/
The Mint has printed two different types of silver coins to
commemorate of the last solar eclipse of the century. The coins,
which were designed by Suat Ozyonum, will be on sale on 4 August
in Ankara and Istanbul. /Aksam/
Inflation has been decreasing, exports have been increasing,
Standard and Poor's is ready to increase our credit grade and
tourism revenues have been increasing quicker than expected.
Fruitful expectations for the second half of the year have been
increasing. The State Planning Organization (DTP) announced that
exports will rise and the foreign trade deficit is going to
narrow in the next term. It is added with the new financial
policies, supported by structural reforms, economic activities
will increase in the second half of the year.
Second, an agreement with the World Bank was signed yesterday in
Ankara. According to the agreement the World Bank will extend $
407.5 million credit to be used to finance the exports and
industrial technology projects.
Finally, conditions have been normalizing in tourism. Following
Abdullah Ocalan being capture, an anti-Turkey campaign started in
Europe. Turkish Ministry of Tourism, public institutions related
to tourism and private tourism agencies have started a wide
promotion organization throughout Europe. As a result of this
successful organization the number of tourists arriving Turkey
has been increasing since June. /Turkiye/
Iranian Ambassador to Ankara, Muhammed Huseyin Lavasani, is
summoned to Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to give
information about the recent situation of the two Turkish
soldiers who are still imprisoned in Iran. After his meeting with
the General Director of the Middle East Desk of the Foreign
Ministry, Ambassador Turkekul Kurttekin, Lavasani told to the
members of the press that there was no crisis between Turkey and
Iran. He added that Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kemal
Harrazi, paid great efforts to set free the two Turkish soldiers.
In his announcement Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry,
Sermet Atacanli asked the members of the press not to exaggerate
the incidents in their news in order not to give harm to the
relations between the two countries. He recalled that the main
aganda of the meeting between the Turkish and Iranian delegations
on 9 August will be on the security of borders, the situation of
the soldiers will not be the basic topic of the meeting, he
added. /Turkiye/
Within the 1999 exhibition programme, Pamukbank Photograph
Gallery presents "Europeans" photograph exhibition to the taste
of art lovers with the cooperation of Turkish History Foundation.
French photographer Henry Cartier-Bresson's photographs, which he
took between 1920 and 1970 not only in Turkey but also throughout
Europe, will be exhibited today at the Darphane-i Amire of
Topkapi Palace. The exhibition will end on 30 September.
/Turkiye/
Deputy General Director of TARISBANK, Akay Cakir, said that banks
have been directed towards individual credits last year which
aims to decrease the rate of risk. And that, he added, banks have
been giving various services through credit cards. After the
announcement of the new economic package by Prime Minister Bulent
Ecevit last week, there has been a clear decrease in interest
rates, said Cakir reminding that the rate of the Incentive Fund
is decreased from 8 % to 3 %. All these developments will cause
enlivement in the financial market, claimed Cakir. /Star/
Culture Minister Istemihan Talay held a press conference
yesterday at the Painting and Sculpture Museum to introduce a new
book entitled 'Turkish Army', the Anatolia News Agency reports.
Speaking at the press conference, Talay said that the
documentary-style book sheds light on the history and the future
of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSDK) and that the work is a present
from the Culture Ministry to the Turkish Army.
The book, comprised of eight sections, includes 170 photograhps
and is the most conclusive work published about the TSK. During
the preparation of the book, the General Staff, Defence Ministry
and land, navy, air and gendarmerie commanders' offices provided
information and photographs.
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, one of the international investment
banks, enabled the Head of the Central Bank, Gazi Ercel, to meet
international fund administrators. In a conference headed by the
Head of the Research Department of Developing European Markets,
Ricardo Barbieri, Ercel stated that the amount of hot money in
Turkey was not over 1-2 billion DM. Barbieri remarked that
positive developments experienced in Turkey last month were
hope-inspiring for them and for investors. Barbieri said: "In
order to establish a lasting economic stability, determined
political steps are needed. From this standpoint, Turkey is at a
turning point". /Hurriyet/
Firms which have offered their proposals for 145 land-air fighter
helicopters worth $5 billion as part of the 21st century
modernization project of the Turkish Armed Forces will initially
compete at the International Defence Industry Aviation and
Maritime Fair, IDEF '99. The tender for the project will be put
out in November. Prior to the tender, IDEF will be jointly
organized by the Foundation for the Strengthening of the Turkish
Armed Forces (TSKGV) and the CNR International Fair Company
between September 28-October 1. /Hurriyet/
Greek Defence Minister Akis Cuhacopulos confirmed the news
published by the daily 'Hurriyet' newspaper saying that the
Simitis Government will recognize Turkish identity under the
'rights of the minority' in the Council of Europe without
changing the article of the Lausanne Treaty concerning the
'Muslim minority'. Cuhacopulos made a statement yesterday and
said that the Government would present the minority rights
agreement of the Council of Europe to the Greek Parliament for
approval in September. Cuhacopulos pointed out that the
definition in the Lausanne Treaty would not be amended by this
agreement. /Hurriyet/
The Istanbul State Security Court Chief Prosecutor's Office has
opened a trial against nine members of the illegal IBDA-C
organization who allegedly placed a bomb in a car beloning to the
Kartal Municipality and bombed the house of the Deputy Mayor,
Hasan Altintas. Imprisonment of between 4.5 and 47.5 years is
desired for the IBDA-C members. /Hurriyet/
Sonera, the Finnish Telecom Operator, stated that its partner
Turkcell would be launched on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (IMKB),
and probably foreign Stock Exchanges as well, in the year 2000.
The Financial Director of Sonera, Kaj-Erik Relander, held a press
conference yesterday and stressed that even though no certain
decision has been made yet, Turkcell is preparing for the launch
on the IMKB and there is a possibility that Turkcell shares will
be bought and sold on the London and New York Stock Exchanges.
/Milliyet/
The 13th World Education Congress will begin in Istanbul today.
During the Congress, developments in the education of
highly-gifted children will be discussed. The Head of the
Congress, Prof.Edna McMillan, who has been in Turkey for one
year, is engaged in these developments. /Cumhuriyet/
The Council of Ministers has granted permission for a sugar
factory to be built in the Cumra district of Konya. The factory
to be set up by the Cumra Sugar Industry and Trade Joint Stock
Company will work with a daily 9,000-ton capacity. The factory
cannot go into operation before the year 2003 according to the
permit from the Council of Ministers but will be completed in
five years at the latest. /Cumhuriyet/
Turkish trucks carrying a large amount of petroleum have been
denied permission to leave Iran and so have been waiting at the
Gurbulak border gate for two days. Truck drivers remarked that
they have been waiting at the border gate for two days in a
desperate situation. One Turkish truck driver, Nadir Bektas,
stated that they had brought their situation to the attention of
the International Carriers' Association, however, so far they had
been unable to receive any response. /Cumhuriyet/
As a result of a forest fire which broke out near the Emirdogan
Village in Aydin, 2.5 hectares of forest have been burnt.
Officials from the Aydin Forestry Directorate said that the fire
has been brought under control. /Cumhuriyet/
The Culture Ministry has announced a project to light up the
ancient city of Ephesus. Under the new plan, Ephesus, one of the
first three cities in history to have street lights, will be open
to visitors 24 hours a day. The development is timed to coincide
with an influx of tourists expected to visit the area in
celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus
Christ. /All papers/
In its "Emerging Europe" model, Deutsche Bank increased Turkey's
and Russia's rate. Yesterday in an investigation by the bank it
was estimated that Turkey and Russia will be the countries where
people will earn the most in the following year. In its model
Deutsche Bank decreased Greek's rate to neutral. /Sabah/
Last night, former Minister of the Interior, retired General-Air
Chief Irfan Ozaydinli died at American Hospital where he had been
treated for a period of time. Irfan Ozaydinli's body will be
transferred to Karacaahmet Cemetery with a military funeral.
Ozaydinli was elected the Balikesir Deputy from the Republican
People's Party in the general elections in 1977. Ozaydinli was
the Minister of the Interior in the Ecevit Government but then he
gave his resignation in 1979.
Furthermore, former Minister of Tourism, Barlas Kuntay died at
Esma Hatun Hospital where he was treated because of chronic
kidney insufficiency. Kuntay's body will be buried at the
Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. Barlas Kuntay, born in Mus in 1935,
graduated from Ankara University, Law Faculty. Kuntay, the owner
of Press Honour Card, entered into politics as the Head of
Justice Party Youth Organization. Kuntay, who was the Bursa
Deputy between 1965 and 1973, was also in charge of Bursa
Senatorship between 1975 and 1980. While he was a Deputy, he was
the "youngest deputy" and while he was a Senator, he was the
"youngest senator". /Sabah/
Celebrations for the 'Aiding the East Package', prepared by the
Ankara Trade Bourse (ATB), will be held on August 3 in Ankara.
The ATB has prepared aid packages for 1,200 poor families living
in the eastern cities of Diyarbakir, Mus and Bitlis. The families
which will be supported were chosen by the Emergency Rule Region
Governor's Office. ATB Assembly Chairman Ibrahim Ozturk will be
present in the east while the aid is distributed.
The third Antalya International Stone Sculpture Symposium will be
held between September 2 and 30. The application date for the
Symposium which aims to bring together Turkish and world artists
and enrich many sites in the cities with contemporary works of
art, will end on August 13. Ten successful sculptors will be
awarded with a total of $3,500. /Hurriyet/
Columnist Semih Idiz comments on the relations between Turkey and
Syria. A summary of his column is as follows:
"Syria is a country with whom Turkey has problems over the PKK
terrorist organization and the waters of Euphrates. Syria, one of
the main protectors of international terrorism for a long time,
today is a country trying hard to get out of international
isolation. Most important of all she seeks ways to make peace
with Israel. When Damascus yielded to Turkey's pressure and
expelled Ocalan from the country Israelis were surprised. A
high-level Israeli official expressed their surprise with these
words, "Syria who had resisted superior military power of Israel,
gave up in the face of Turkish threats, or at least seemed to
give up. She must have a reason."
The events developing from that time on show this reason clearly.
Esad is investing in the future. Syria does not want to be
mentioned among the countries supporting terrorism, and desires
to participate in the international community as an ordinary
country.
Therefore, it can be said that Turkey's pressure over Ocalan may
even have helped Syria in this respect. In a statement he made
Esad said that peace was an honourable goal the region urgently
needed. The statements by the Syrian Head of State point to the
fact that the winds of peace are blowing strongly in the region.
This is very important for Turkey, as Syria who wants to make
peace with Israel will not choose tension in her relations with
Turkey. In other words, Syria has opened the door for the
solution of problems which have poisoned the relations between
the two countries.
Certainly, Ankara will evaluate this stance, and as in the case
of Greece will start a process of dialogue with Syria aiming at
finding solutions to problems."
Columnist Hasan Cemal discusses the arguments on a Constitutional
Amendment for the acceptance of international arbitration. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"The discussion on international arbitration has taken an
interesting turn. Some believe that national sovereignty will be
lost with the acceptance of international arbitration and find it
tantamount to treason. There are some who believe that the period
of capitulations will return. These are all exaggerated
ideological claims not consistent with the realities of our
times.
Both privatization and the amendment on international arbitration
are right in principle. They may considered constructive steps
for our country to catch up with the modern states in economy.
In fact, the political and economic instability in the country is
the main reason why foreign investments in Turkey are left at an
insufficient level. High inflation is another factor frightening
the foreign capital. However, there is one sector which will
accelerate the inflow of foreign capital in the short term, if
the amendment on international arbitration is made and that is
the energy sector...
Turkey needs new investments in the energy sector as soon as
possible. Otherwise we may be faced with shortage of electricity.
Arbitration may prevent a bottleneck to be faced in this sector.
It is a fact that foreign capital which may be invested in
infrastructure is waiting for international arbitration. If
arbitration is not accepted foreign capital may still come but
the cost will be higher. We will all pay high price for this.
None of the parties in the parliament today are in favour of a
closed economy. All of them support liberal economy and playing
the game according to its rules. Therefore the Constitutional
amendments concerning privatization and internatonal arbitration
brought by the Ecevit Government should be accepted by the
Parliament without having to resort to referendum. These
amendments are in favour of Turkey's national interests."
President Suleyman Demirel will go to Kosovo next week to hold
some important meetings. Demirel will listen to the problems of
the Turkish minority, which is currently experiencing some
difficulties with the Muslim Albanians in the region. Demirel
will also meet Kosovar officials. /Hurriyet/
END
FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....
SPECIAL KOSOVO
MILITARY'S TOP BRASS MEET TO DECIDE PROMOTIONS, EXPULSIONS
S & P KEEPS TURKEY'S B RATING
ECEVIT ISSUES HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION CIRCULAR
TRNC MEETS THE WORLD
TEKEL TARGETS $ 2.5 BILLION REVENUE
CHHIBBER: "WE ARE WATCHING TURKEY"
S-300 RUSSIAN-MADE MISSILES ARE READY
SPECIAL MONEY TO COMMEMORATE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE
ECONOMY IS IMPROVING
IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA SUMMONED TO FOREIGN MINISTRY
EUROPEANS IN ISTANBUL
INDIVIDUAL CREDITS FROM BANKS
CULTURE MINISTRY INTRODUCES 'TURKISH ARMY' BOOK
ERCEL: "TURKEY HAS NO HOT MONEY RISK"
IDEF FAIR
CUHACOPULOS CONFIRMS 'HURRIYET'
47.5 YEAR-IMPRISONMENT FOR IBDA-C MEMBERS
TURKCELL ON IMKB IN 2000
WORLD 13TH EDUCATION CONGRESS
SUGAR FACTORY IN CUMRA
TURKISH TRUCKS WAITING AT THE TURCO-IRANIAN BORDER
FOREST FIRE IN AYDIN
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS FOR THE ANCIENT CITY OF EPHESUS
PEOPLE WILL EARN MONEY IN 2000 IN TURKEY
TWO DIGNITARIES DIE
ANKARA TRADE BOURSE PREPARES AID PACKAGES TO EAST
ANTALYA STONE SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUM
FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....FROM THE COLUMNS....
TIME FOR DIALOGUE WITH SYRIA -BY SEMIH IDIZ (STAR)
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION -BY HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET)
SPECIAL KOSOVO
DEMIREL TO KOSOVO