Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
CONTENTS
White House officials issued a statement following the meeting
between U.S. President Bill Clinton and Turkish Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit yesterday in which it was stated that the Cyprus
issue was one of the topics discussed during the meeting. It
declared that Clinton would send his Special Representative on
Cyprus, Alfred Moses, to the region to hold a series of talks in
order to enable the unconditional meetings to begin under UN
supervision. They pointed out that the recent positive
development in Turco-Greek relations and initiatives to further
continue this development had also been taken up.
Other topics deliberated during the Clinton-Ecevit meeting were
the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the stand-by agreement to be signed
between Turkey and the IMF, relations with Armenia, the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem, the Middle East peace process, the
European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) and the fight
against the PKK terrorist organization, in addition to the
increase in textile quotas. Clinton stated that the U.S. was in
support of Turkey concerning the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
thanked Ecevit for the role Turkey played in the solution to the
Kosovo crisis. Then Ecevit outlined the losses suffered by Turkey
due to the UN embargo imposed on Iraq.
Officials also remarked that Clinton was in support of Turkey's
integration with the EU, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
The State Minister Responsible for Privatization, Yuksel Yalova,
said that there was a great desire to engage in joint investments
in Turkey and in the Turkish-Speaking Republics among British
businessmen and institutions. Yalova, who was in Britain on a
three-day official visit as the guest of the British Government,
yesterday met high-level officials from the Treasury and experts
in privatization. Yalova evaluated his visit for the Anatolia
News Agency and said that those who want to invest in Turkey
regard Turkey as an effective partner with whom to undertake
joint investments in the Turkish-Speaking Republics. Yalova
stated that this was an important development. He also remarked
that he had the opportunity to listen to the views and
experiences of the representatives of some institutions involved
in privatization. Yalova will go to New York today and join Prime
Minister Bulent Ecevit, who is currently paying an official visit
to the U.S., the Anatolia News Agency reports.
The seventh Joint Meeting of the Turco-Russian Business Council
will be held in Antalya on October 14-16. A statement issued by
the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) said that during
the meeting, in addition to the current situation of
Turco-Russian economic relations, future developments in various
sectors in the next century will be discussed in detail.
Ministers, politicians and nearly 400 Turkish and Russian
businessmen are expected to attend the meeting, the Anatolia News
Agency reports.
President Suleyman Demirel said that China was a major player
among world states and remarked he was confident that
Turco-Chinese relations would improve. Demirel issued a statement
during a reception held to mark the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of the People's Republic of China and said that the
achievements recorded by China in recent years were outstanding.
Demirel recalled that the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, would
visit Turkey next year and stated that this visit would further
develop relations between the two countries. Turkish Parliament
Speaker Yildirim Akbulut said that Turco-Chinese relations dated
back many years and stated that they wanted to strengthen these
relations. Akbulut pointed out that the Chinese contribution to
world peace was of great significance, the Anatolia News Agency
reports.
Sanliura Governor Sehabettin Harput and an accompnaying
delegation went to Aleppo, Syria yesterday. During a meeting
between the delegations of the two countries, various issues
especially those concerning border security and trade will be
discussed. The Syrian delegation is headed by Aleppo Governor
Muhammet Mustafa Miro. The Turkish delegation, which will also
visit the Suleyman Sah Tomb, will return to Turkey today, the
Anatolia News Agency reports.
The head of the PKK terrorist organization, Abdullah Ocalan,
declared, "PKK members are ready to lay down their weapons and
strengthen the understanding of a democratic republic. If my call
is not taken into consideration, some undesired developments
could be experienced". Ocalan remarked that the source of
Turkey's structural problems was the Kurdish issue and stated
that they wanted to create conditions amenable to the solution of
the problem, peacefully and democratically. /Cumhuriyet/
A few days are left in the bidding for the tender to construct
the 'Ship Traffic Management and Information Systems' project
envisaged by the Maritime Undersecretariat to control maritime
traffic along the Straits of Istanbul and Canakkale. The State
Minister responsible for Maritime Affairs, Ramazan Mirzaoglu,
said that the proposals received from four global companies have
been evaluated and the final decision on the turn-key job would
depend on the report of the Tender Commission, established to
select the firm, and would be announced following the visit of
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit to the U.S. /Cumhuriyet/
During a raid carried out in Konokke, a tourist region in
Belgium, three members of the illegal DHKP-C organization, Musa
Asoglu, Kaya Saz and Nese Yildirim, were arrested.
Meanwhile, a tractor hit a mine laid on the road in the village
of Tasdelen in the Uludere district in Sirnak, killing three
people: Hadi Cetin, Ramazan Dundar and Aldulkerim Zeybek.
/Cumhuriyet/
An expert on Turkey from The Washington Institute, Alan Makovsky,
has prepared a report on the visit of Turkish Prime Minister
Bulent Ecevit to the U.S. In the report, Makovsky recalled that
Turkey had just given up U.S.-guaranteed bonds and described this
decision as a 'last minute surprise'. He also said that this
decision made it difficult for the U.S. to pressurize Turkey into
making a compromise. He also pointed out the extent of the
sympathy displayed by the American people towards Turkey in the
aftermath of the earthquake disaster in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/
The Summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE), to be held in Istanbul on November 18-19, has been
described as an important opportunity for Turkey to strengthen
her chance for EU candidacy. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is
expected to meet the Foreign Ministers of 15 EU-member countries,
while President Suleyman Demirel will meet the President of
Finland, the country which is the current EU President. It is
reported that the Foreign Ministers of Belgium and Holland will
pay official visits to Turkey separate from the Summit. Technical
talks are also expected between the EU and Turkey in the upcoming
months. /Cumhuriyet/
The Art Nouveau section, newly-added to the palace museum of
Yildiz Palace in Istanbul, will be opened today. Art Nouveau is
known as an art genre which emerged at the end of the 19th
century in the major European cities. /Cumhuriyet/
During a raid yesterday in the Nusaybin district of Mardin, a PKK
terrorist of Syrian origin was captured. A written statement
issued by Mardin Security Office said that Djvin Ahmet,
code-named 'Berivan-Dilvin', had been captured carrying many
illegal documents, two hand-grenades and one pistol. /Turkiye/
An article published in the 'Washington Post', a leading U.S.
newspaper, described Turkey as a 'unique ally'. The article
stated that a Free Trade Agreement to be signed between Turkey
and the U.S. would be extremely beneficial. It added that Turkey
enjoyed vital importance from the standpoint of U.S. interests
since it is the only country among Muslim countries which has a
strong secular democracy. /Sabah/
The Turkish General Staff issued a statement strongly rejecting
the calls made by the PKK terrorist organization. "The PKK
terrorists' existence in Iran, Iraq and Syria is still considered
a threat against Turkey" the statement said. "The last gasps of
the terrorists should not be defined as peace efforts and it is
impossible to understand those who applaud these efforts", said
the military statement. "The Turkish General Staff will continue
its struggle against terrorism, until the last terrorist is
killed", it added. /All papers/
Marc Grossman, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs,
and Mark Parris, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, in a joint press
conference yesterday expressed the U.S. Administration's
expectations of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's official visit to
the U.S. and his meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton.
"Turkey is a very important long-term fiend and ally of the U.S.
and we have been very much looking forward to this visit by
Ecevit", said Grossman, adding that the U.S. has been working
very closely with the Prime Minister since he won his vote of
confidence, and has tried very hard to stay in contact with him
since then. Grossman and Paris explained that cooperation in
security issues such as Kosovo and Iraq, and all issues of
military cooperation between the two countries, would be on the
agenda of the meeting between Ecevit and Clinton. /All papers/
The fourth International Defence Industry, Aerospace and Maritime
Fair (IDEF '99) opened in Ankara yesterday, attended by some 200
companies from 25 countries and high-level Turkish and foreign
officials. The Fair is being held at the Turkkusu facilities
outside Ankara and covers a total area of 50,000 square metres;
it will remain open to visitors until Friday. During the Fair,
Turkish officials will sign several bilateral agreements with
their foreign counterparts. /All papers/
A request for proposals from consulting and engineering firms
interested in bidding for the construction of the planned
Bosphorus tunnel will be announced within the next 10-15 days,
according to the Minister of Transport, Enis Oksuz. Oksuz said
that the request will be formally announced over the Internet in
both Turkish and English. Following this, a consulting firm will
be selected and a tender launched to choose an engineering firm,
the Minister explained, sttating that construction of the project
should begin within a year. The cost of the tunnel project, which
will connect the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, is
estimated at $2.8 billion. /All papers/
The Set Group Holding Company will donate 50 prefabricated houses
to the victims of the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region.
General Director Celal Kozanoglu stated that the prefabicated
houses were earthquake-proof. Meanwhile, the American
International Group (AIG) has also granted $500,000 to the
victims. The German BMW Group donated 15 Land Rover Defender
vehicles to be used in the disaster region. The Merinos Carpet
Factory sent 4,000 carpets worth 35 billion TL to the victims.
/Milliyet/
At a press conference yesterday, the Aegean region's multi-share
joint-stock company, the Aegean Clothing Industry (EGS), declared
that the company has increased its main capital from 25 trillion
TL to 75 trillion TL. The Chairman of the Executive Board of the
Company, Selami Gurguc, said that the company has increased its
main capital three-fold since last year and increased its number
of share holders by the same amount. He also stated, concerning
the visit of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, "We are very hopeful
about the U.S. visit and we want it to result in the
implementation of our 'Free Zone and City Projects'. With this
new project, which aims to enable Turkey, Israel and the U.S. to
trade freely with each other, the Turkish textile sector's
exports will increase dramatically". /All papers/
During crack-downs in the Southeastern region, five terrorists
were killed, while one was seized, and another surrendered to
security forces. Security operations are underway in the region,
the Anatolia News Agency reports.
After the earthquake disaster, which paralyzed the Marmara
Region, foreign humanitarian aid is still continuing to arrive in
the region. According to a statement issued by the Foreign
Ministery, transport planes, including one each from the U.S.
and Kuwait and three others from Austria, have arrived in the
last three days; the total number of planes which have brought
various humanitarian aid supplies and medicines here since the
quake, has reached 369. Meanwhile, the Embassy of the Czech
Republic issued a statement to the effect that a Czech company
has dispatched three healthcare centers and 27 temporary houses
for the victims; the houses are due in Turkey in the first week
of October, the Anatolia News Agency reports.
A guarantee was received by Turkey concerning the PKK from a
powerful name in Northern Iraq, the leader of the IKDP, Mesut
Barzani. Barzani evaluated the possibility of the PKK's leaving
Turkey and settling in Northern Iraq and said, "We cannot allow
the PKK to settle in the region. We do not want an independent
Kurdish government." Sebgetullah Seydaoglu, Nurettin Dilek and
Macit Piruzbeyoglu from the Motherland Party (ANAP), Mustafa
Kemal Tugmaner from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Seyyid
Hasim Hasimi from the Virtue Party (FP), who went to the Northern
Iraq following the invitation of Barzani and touched on certain
subjects of interest, came back with these interesting signals.
During the meeting, Barzani said that they would be loyal to the
agreement that was signed in the U.S., and harshly rejected the
PKK's request for permission to establish themselves there.
/Aksam/
The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC),
Rauf Denktas, said that there is no need to worry about the
possibility that the U.S. might try to impose a solution by
force. Denktas stated that the Americans had no intention of
forcing anyone to accept anything involuntarily and that they
didn't even have a plan. Denktas further added that they only
wished to help both parties under the initiatives of the UN
Secretary-General. /Aksam/
NATO evaluated the results of the earthquake that occurred in
Turkey and decided to strengthen its civilian defence abilities.
The Deputy Secretary-General of NATO, Oivint Baker, wrote a
report after investigating the earthquake-hit regions, which
provoked many debates within the Alliance. In his report, Baker
explains that the Turkish authorities prioritized the setting-up
of prefabricated houses and the clearing-away of the rubble and
that the people were fearful and were unable to return to their
houses, even though they had not collapsed. Baker also writes
about the meeting that was held with representatives of AKUT. He
adds something about the cooperation which occurred between the
civilian and military forces. He also states the example of
Turkish civilian search and rescue teams's being sent to Greece
rapidly. Turkey, who implemented NATO's "Civilian State of
Emergency Plan" during the earthquake disaster, briefed the
Allies on the needs of the people and supplied them with data on
the disaster. After the disaster in Turkey, this question was on
the agenda: "If such a disaster occurs in one of the Allies'
countries, what should NATO do to act more effectively?"
The Allies, who agree that NATO's civilian defence plan and
mechanisms should be developed, called the various committees of
the Allieance to action. Alliance sources stated that the
earthquake that occurred in Turkey was a "catalyst" and that the
scientific and research committees had begun to work on the
issue. In this framework of research, military and civilian
delegations will come to Turkey to investigate the situation. The
experts, who will make it a priority to determe and stock the
emergency equipment and educate the teams, will ensure NATO's
civilian defence plans are up-to-date. /Aksam/
The Turkish data-processing world is preparing for Turkey's
oldest computer fair, Compex'99; 527 Turkish and foreign firms
will attend the Fair, which will be organized in Tepebasi, Tuyap
between 6th and 10th October. Online invitation-cards for the
Fair can be found on the Internet (www.compex.com.tr). The number
of people who were willing to attend reached 22,000 last night.
During the Fair, the latest consumer rights and Year 2000
compliance will be discussed. /Aksam/
Germany stated that they would contribute to the reconstruction
of Golcuk by establishing a `children's village' on 12,500 square
metres of land. The construction of the children's village will
be undertaken by the Turco-German Foundation. The children's
village, in which will be a primary school and many activity
areas that the children can benefit from, will provide services
to 200 children. The Turco-German Foundation's representative for
Turkey, Huseyin Baraner, issued information on the project and
said that donations had been collected by many firms in Germany
and that the construction of the children's village would cost
2-2.5 million dollars. It was stated that the earnings of the
match between Trabzonspor and Hamburg would be given to the
project and that an aid-concert would be organized in February.
/Milliyet/
The Turkish Minister of Finance, Sumer Oral, stated that the
Budget for the year 2000 was very important due to its being the
"first Budget of the century". Sumer said, "This Budget will be a
very important step in order to keep the financial balance of
Turkey firmly in check."
Oral said that the work on the Budget for the year 2000 was
underway on the technical level and that he would pay attention
to this work after the first week of October. Oral further added
that they would meet the Ministers one by one and would conclude
the preparation of the Budget. He also said that the Budget would
be discussed by the Council of Ministers and that it would be
presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on 17th
October. /Aksam/
During the World Bank annual meeting held in Washington, the
first good news for Turkey came yesterday. The G-7 countries,
representing the world's most developed countries, decided to
form the G-20 Group which is to be the next link, representing
the world economy after them; it has been decided to include
Turkey in this group. In choosing the G-20 countries, their place
in the world economy was regarded. /Star/
The Export General Directorate's Head of the Incentive of
Industry Department, Avni Dagdeviren, stated that exports of
automotive by-products during the 1999 January-August period
increased by 48 percent, reaching about 1.5 billion dollars.
/Star/
The Chairman of the Izmir Trade Chamber (IZTO), Ekrem Demirtas,
in sending a letter to the Greek Prime Mİnister, Kostas Simitis,
and the Chairman of the Mitylene Trade Chamber, Panagidis
Mathiellis, called for the proclamation of the year 2000 as the
'Turco-Greek Friendship Year'. Stressing that with the visits of
the members of the IZTO to Rhodes in 1997 and Mitylene in 1998,
they had initiated developments in relations with the islands,
Demirtas said, "We wish to ensure the same friendship between
Turkey and Greece permanently. We share the same sea and air, the
same destiny. We wish to be a friend of these islands and of
Greece, and also to deal with them. Only weapons manufacturers
gain from hostility between the two countries." /Turkiye/
Continuing her research into new and alternative energy sources,
Turkey has included one more natural gas pipeline project on her
agenda, called 'the Project of the Century'. Turkey and Egypt
signed an agreement on July 26th 1999 for the purchase of
Egyptian natural gas. To mobilize this agreement, a new study
group has been formed between the technical authorities of the
two countries. The General Directorate of Botas' and officials of
the Egyptian natural gas company, Gasco, will participate in the
joint study group. The capacity and the cost of the venture will
be determined after their research is complete. /Aksam/
The Konya Trade Chamber, the Commercial Counsellor of the Turkish
Embassy in Bucharest and the Romanian Trade and Industry Chamber
will open a marketing Fair at the 'Turkish Business Showroom' in
Bucharest. According to the Chairman of the Konya Trade Chamber,
Mehmet Ali İnan, stands at the Fair will be rented to Turkish
firms for at least two months after Oct. 25th. Firms which desire
to participate in the Fair can obtain a free Fair Catalogue;
application forms will be given to Romexpo's Istanbul agency up
to Oct. 15th. /Aksam/
The General Secretary of YASED, Abdurrahman Ariman, informed the
public about the World Investment Report of the United Nations'
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which was declared
the day before. According to the report, Turkey fell to 55th.
with its 800 million dollars of foreign investment, in the list
of the countries most attractive to foreign investors. Ariman
emphasized that foreign investors invest in Croatia, Poland and
Equador more than in Turkey. He also said that foreign investors
last year mostly turned to developed countries, and the
developing countries will experience greater difficulty in
attracting foreign investors over the next few years. /Aksam/
Columnist Ercan Kumcu comments on relations between Turkey and
the US and the expectations of both parties from each other. A
summary of his column is as follows:
"The expectations of both parties before the meeting between
Ecevit and Clinton seem to differ widely. Turks believed that
they would return home with a large amount of aid granted by the
US. However, the atmosphere prevalent among US officials was
different. They believed that Turkish expectations were greatly
exaggerated and Alan Makovsky has voiced this opinion best.
Makovsky is a specialist in Turco-US relations and he explained
to us how important Turkey was for US foreign policy. At present,
Turkey is more important for the US than she was in the days of
the Cold War. Both the US and Turkey were aware of the fact and
therefore, the US Administration supported Turkey on every
platform. The US is working hard for Turkey to obtain a strong
place in the region.
The US Administration is pressuring the IMF and the World Bank to
extend a helping hand to Turkey. Makovsky stated that at this
stage the amount of aid the US would loan to Turkey could not
exceed this. Turkey was more hopeful on the issue of quotas, but
it was understood that the US did not accept a net increase in
the quotas she applies for Turkish exports. Some US institutions
were able to guarantee loans to be used in reconstructing the
buildings which collapsed during the recent earthquake. No one
expects this aid, which requires the approval of Congress, to
exceed $300 or 400 million; the need for Congressional approval
may not be such a good idea after all.
Even though the US Administration is shying away from steps which
would lead this visit to be considered successful by Turkey, she
would like it to be viewed contructively by the US public.
Makovsky points out the two different stances by the US. First of
all, she would not pressurize Turkey over Cyprus as Turkey
anticipates and secondly, would praise Turkey to the US public
and talk of the achievements of the Ecevit Government.
If the situation can be summarized as this, the visit to
Washington the Prime Minister can be described as the dashing of
great expectations. However, if expectations are moderate, the
visit can be interpreted as an important step in Turco-US
relations."
Columnist Fikret Bila comments on the meeting between Prime
Minister Ecevit and President Clinton. A summary of his column is
as follows:
"The meeting between Prime Minister Ecevit and the US President,
Bill Clinton, can neither be described as Turkey asking for money
nor as the US requesting a concession on Cyprus. The best
description for the meeting between the two leaders may be a
'visionary exchange'. Ecevit and Clinton held a meeting reviewing
the regional and world problems and evaluating the places of the
two countries in the new world situation.
President Clinton's description of Turkey as a strategic partner
coincides with Ecevit's words that new conditions in the world
have enhanced political and military cooperation between both
countries.
President Clinton's views can be summarized thus:
The US President would like Turkey to state her requirements
concerning a return to normal after the earthquake. He promised
that the US would do everything in her power to meet these needs.
He also stated that he would support the transfer of resources
by the IMF and the World Bank to Turkey and the signing of a
stand-by agreement during the process. On the energy issue,
Clinton stated that the US would continue to support the
Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project. However, the Clinton Administration
is against the erasing of FMS credits. The White House believes
that such an act would put Washington in a difficult position.
Another issue greatly supported by the US is Turkey's entrance to
the European Union. She believes that this integration will not
only be of benefit to Turkey but to the advantage of the whole
world. Therefore, President Clinton points out the necessity of
the continuation of the dialogue process between Turkey and
Greece, started following the earthquake disaster.
On the Cyprus issue, President Clinton repeated the G-8 request
to start an unconditional dialogue and added that the US will
send Cyprus Special Envoy Moses to the region.
The US President expressed his pleasure at the steps taken by the
Ecevit Government towards democratization and the improvement of
human rights. He also expressed his support for the economic
reforms which would lead to international arbitration. Clinton
also praised Turkey's role in Kosovo and selfless consideration
she showed during the Gulf crisis.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Ecevit stressed that economic
cooperation should be added to political and military
cooperation. He pointed out in particular joint investments to be
undertaken in the energy field and stressed the importance of the
Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. He also asked for the quotas on textiles to
be enlarged and diversification of trade between the two
countries to be implemented.
He added that Turkey had suffered great losses due to the Gulf
Crisis and these should be compensated for. On Cyprus, he
reiterated Turkey's view and stated that the equal political and
national status of the TRNC should be recognized, and no change
should be expected in the Turkish stance unless this was met.
Ecevit stated that Turkey only asks for her rights stemming from
past agreements concerning the European Union; due to her
cultural and historic ties, she sees herself as a European
country. He stressed the improvements Turkey made in a short time
in human rights and democratization and added that such
improvements would continue to be made."
END
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
CLINTON-ECEVIT MEETING
YALOVA FINISHES TALKS IN LONDON
TURCO-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL CONVENES
DEMIREL: "OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA WILL IMPROVE"
SANLIURFA GOVERNOR IN SYRIA
OCALAN THREATENS
MARITIME CONTROL SYSTEM IN STRAITS
DHKP-C MEMBERS ARRESTED
ALAN MAKOVSKY REPORT ON TURKEY
SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY
ART NOUVEAU IN YILDIZ PALACE
SYRIAN TERRORIST CAPTURED
WASHINGTON POST: "TURKEY IS A UNIQUE ALLY"
GENERAL STAFF REJECTS PKK CALLS
U.S. OFFICIALS HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE
IDEF '99 OPENS
STRAITS TUNNEL PROJECT
AID FOR VICTIMS
EGS TO INCREASE CAPITAL TO 75 TRL TL
CRACK-DOWN IN SOUTHEASTERN REGION
FOREIGN AID FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
KURDISH GOVERNMENT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED
"U.S. CANNOT IMPOSE SOLUTION BY FORCE"
MARMARA: LESSON FOR NATO
COMPEX'99 EXCITEMENT IN THE COMPUTER WORLD
GERMANY WILL ESTABLISH `CHILDREN'S VILLAGE'
FINANCIAL BALANCE WILL BE ESTABLISHED AGAIN
TURKEY IN G-20 GROUP
AUTOMOTIVE BY-PRODUCTS UP
2000: YEAR OF FRIENDSHIP
EGYPTIAN NATURAL GAS
SHOWROOM IN BUCHAREST
UNCTAD AND TURKEY
FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...
TURKEY-US RELATIONS -BY ERCAN MUMCU (HURRIYET)
TOUR OF VISION -BY FIKRET BILA (MILLIYET)