Selections From Todays Turkish Press

The reports are from the selection by Turkish Directorate General of Press and İnformation online publication. The authenticity and validty of the content is under the source's responsibility

Ecevit: "No New Projects in State Institutions"

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit demanded the state institutions not to bring new projects which would last more than one year except for emergency situations. The Principles for Preparation of the investment Program was published in the Official Gazette. According to the Principles TL 5 quadrillion 53 trillion was allocated for the investment appropriations. /Milliyet/

Yilmaz: "There Were Some Mistakes"

Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz said the leaders were determined to be successful concerning the economic program, in spite of all the problems, which have occurred up to now and the possible problems that might occur in the future. Yilmaz said, "While implementing the program, there were some political and technical problems. However, it should be admitted that these mistakes were corrected in a short time. The existency of the government's political will concerning the changes in Turkey also should not be denied." /Milliyet/

Dervis Expects To See Recovery in Late Autumn

Economy Minister Kemal Dervis said on Saturday Turkey was bound to experience ups and downs as it overcomes the financial crisis, but he was confident stability would return by autumn. "The process of exiting the crisis is bound to see some fluctuations. There is a recovery and then there is distress again for one or two weeks," Dervis said at the launch of a ship at Tuzla near Istanbul. "I certainly believe we will have recovered from the very severe crisis that began in February towards autumn or the end of the year," Dervis said. /Turkish News/

Celasin: "Turkey Should Be Able To Participate in ESDP"

Air force Commander Gen. Ergin Celasin voiced strong objections against efforts to keep Turkey out of the European Defense and Security Policy, (ESDP), initiative in a statement he gave to US weekly Defense News on Friday. "NATO should be the primary and basic defense institution for all its members, some which are also ESDP members. for 50 years, Turkey has assumed important duties within NATO, especially during the Cold War period. "Therefore, Turkey should be treated equally with the other members, as far as the ESDP initiative is concerned, and Ankara should be given the right to take part in ESDP's decision-making mechanisms as an active and important NATO country," he said. /Turkish News/

YAS Meeting

The countdown for the Supreme Military Council (YAS) meeting which will begin on August 1st has begun in the Turkish Armed forces (TSK). The rank of command for the next 10 years, new appointments and promotions will be determined during the meeting. /Cumhuriyet/

Support for Turkey in G-8 Summit

The G-8 Summit which was held by the seven richest countries in the world and Russia ended yesterday. The leaders promulgated a final declaration. The declaration supports the reforms in developing countries such as Turkey and Argentine. Delivering a speech at the end of the summit, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi said no one could ignore the concerns over the crises in Turkey and Argentine. /Milliyet/

Turkey Acts As A Mediator in The Middle East Conflict

The news that Israel will deploy troops on the Palestinian border and start an attack against Palestine has increased the tension to the maximum heights. Thus, Ankara is preparing to gather a committee, consisting of the official representatives of the two countries, in a neutral country. Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is giving a new direction to the friendly Turkish-Israeli relations, which he has ensured through the letters and phone conversations with the former Israeli Minister of foreign Affairs, Ehud Barak. Ecevit will suggest a formula, which will resemble the Turkish-Armenian Peace Committee that was established previously, for the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who wanted Ecevit to be a mediator. Ecevit will mention this formula to Sharon during his visit to Turkey on 5th-6th August. According to the information received, the parts' officials will part at the peace committee that is planned to be established. However, this formation will not be an official one. /Milliyet/

Turkey Signs A Record 1 Billion Us Dollars Defense Deal With South Korea

Turkey and South Korea signed in Seoul on July 20th a record 1 billion US dollars defense deal for the procurement of howitzers, marking Turkey's determination for diversifying its arms suppliers in the face of ongoing restrictions imposed by some of its allies over technology transfers due to Ankara's bad human rights record. The Ankara-Seoul deal had became possible when Germany earlier refused to transfer technology to Turkey required for howitzers. /Turkish Daily News/

Azerbaijani Gas To Be Transported Through Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Through the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan main petroleum pipeline, the Azerbaijani natural gas will be transported as well. The gas pipeline will be laid parallel to the petroleum pipeline. Following long negotiations, an agreement was reached between Georgia and Azerbaijan. The two countries' heads of State will meet in Baku this week and sign the agreement concerning the natural gas pipeline. According to the information received, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer also sent a letter to the Azerbaijani and the Georgian Head of State. in these letters, it was suggested that Turkey would be the mediator between the two countries. Following these letters, Georgia and Azerbaijan have reached a consensus. /Turkiye/

Operation Against PKK

The units affiliated with the Special Action Group Command held an operation against the PKK terrorist organization in Elazig two days ago. While Lieutenant Erol Uykusuz was killed by the terrorists, a terrorist was killed by the security forces. /Cumhuriyet/

Two Ministers in The Bulgarian Cabinet

The list of the Ministers of the coalition government, which was established by the 2nd Simeon National Movement (NDSV) and the Rights and Freedoms Movement (HOH) that was formed by Turks, was determined. Press Secretary of the NDSV, Tsvetelina Uzunova, said among the list of the names, in which two Turkish Ministers also take place, will not be announced until the meeting between the 2nd Simone and the President Stoyanov is held. Thus, the Turkish minority will be represented on a ministerial level in the administration of the country for the first time in contemporary Bulgarian history. /Turkiye/

First Sp Group Meeting Today

The first parliamentary group meeting of the Contentment Party (SP) will be held today. During the group meeting led by party Chairman Recai Kutan, the organizational work and summer program of the party will be evaluated. According to the summer program, 52 SP deputies will make trips to all the cities in the country and organize local branches of the newly established party. After the group meeting, later on this week members of the executive board and deputy leaders of the group will be elected in the meeting of the party General Executive Board. /Turkish Daily News/

Rauf Denktas Visits Kuala Lumpur

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas flew to Malaysia in order to attend a conference and hold meetings with Malaysian officials. Denktas stated that Malaysia is an important member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), and said, "We hope Malaysia's interest in the Cyprus issue always continues," during a press meeting in Ercan Airport before flying to Malaysia. /Turkish Daily News/

Turkey And Bulgaria To Hold A Joint Military Maneuver

As part of the bilateral military exercises, military units on the border of Turkey and Bulgaria will conduct training exercises on July 23-24 in both Turkey and Bulgaria. According to a written statement from the Land forces Command (KKK), a military team exchange will be held on July 23 and they will return after training exercises held on July 24 in Kapikule Border gate. /Turkish Daily News/

Warning To Russian Federation on Oil Facilities

The Minister of Environment Fevzi Aytekin stated that the Russian Federation was warned, as 16 of her 18 oil facilities located along the borders of the Black Sea did not meet the international standards. Stating they demanded support from the European investment Bank for cleaning the hazardous barrels in the Black Sea, Aytekin said the works within the scope of the project, on burning and reserving the solid waste materials were going well. Aytekin said, "We are conducting certain researches via our Embassy in Moscow. We want these Russian oil facilities to be modernized. We will launch the necessary initiatives after the research is done." He also said that they would also show their reaction openly to Russia who has accepted to reserve the nuclear waste within her borders. /Cumhuriyet/

The Economist's Article on Crisis in Turkey

The British economy magazine "The Economist" gave wide coverage to the crises in Turkey and Argentine in its article titled "Developing Countries." The article said the Turkish economy had a critical balance. The article said both countries were determined to repay their debts. /Cumhuriyet/

Treasury's Last Bid in July

The Treasury will hold the last bid of July this week. The bid foresees a debt of TL 772 trillion. The repayment is expected to be made on October 24. /Cumhuriyet/

Searches for foreign Partners increase

Searches for new foreign partners in economy have increased since the recent crisis. Finansbank is holding meetings for partnership with the French BNP Paribas and Garanti Bank with the Italian intesa Group. Demirbank is expected to be sold to one of the biggest banks in the world, London-based HSBC. Additionally, the Dardanel Group had previously announced that they formed a partnership with an American finance company. /Milliyet/

Turkish Companies' Partners

international Finance Cooperation (IFC), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and 8,011 companies or people from 111 countries (except for those who take very small shares due to their standing in the company's position) are the partners of 5,470 companies with foreign capital in Turkey. According to the data of the Undersecretariat of Treasury on March 2001, the companies with foreign capital in Turkey 7,988 companies and people are the partners of 111 countries (including the semi independent and autonomous regions). in addition, the IFC is partners with 10 and IDB with 13 companies. /Turkiye

Central Bank To Sell 200 Million Us Dollars

Within the framework of the two foreign exchange sale bidding, the Central Bank will sell a minimum of 200 million US dollars. According to the Central Bank's July-August foreign exchange sale bidding program, the first foreign exchange rate bidding of the week will be made on July 25th with a minimum of 100 million US dollars. Within the framework of the program, the last foreign exchange bidding of July will be made with 100 million US dollars on July 27th. /Turkiye/

Istanbul Fire Department Prepares for Modernization

The Istanbul Fire Department is planning to build mini fire stations in 100 districts and 20 mobile stations on TEM stations. Sabri Yalin, Istanbul Greater City Municipality Fire Department Chairman, told Anatolia New Agency that dealing with fires in the narrow streets was a great problem for the Fire Department in Istanbul. for that reason, vehicles, which can move around in these narrow streets are needed, and 15 vehicles with the required capabilities will be purchased, said Yalin. in addition, 15 more Fire Department vehicles will be purchased, and this will cost the municipality TL 10 trillion in total. /Turkish News/

Some 11,000 Homes To Be Delivered To Survivors

Some 11,502 new homes, which were constructed by the Prime Ministry Project Application Department (PUB) with World Bank credits in Kocaeli, Adapazari, and Duzce, will be delivered to earthquake survivors on Aug. 17th. PUB Golcuk District Director Huseyin Canga said that 3,568 permanent homes, three elementary schools and two village clinics had been finished in Golcuk. /Turkish News/

interim Government By Yilmaz Oztuna (Turkiye)

Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna debates the possible consequences of an interim regime. A summary of his column is as follows: "The deep crisis we are experiencing is the result of irrational political mistakes of the Coalition Government. However, an interim government or a cabinet of technocrats is not an alternative to this situation. An alternative will come out of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The composition of the TGNA is reflected by a plebiscite. for example if an interim government is guided by the US, Turkey cannot endure this and the EU will not. Such a government cannot carry out radical reforms. It will only share seats with such a claim. It will depend on certain groups of interest. in addition, it is not easy to believe that values, which are not inherent in the TGNA, will be found in bureaucracy. It is the fault of the leaders, which led the people for such searches. They have to bring forth honest, politically able, valuable people while choosing representatives or ministers. Otherwise they will restrict their ability for action and lead themselves into trouble. It is something else to listen to instructions from the US and another to harmonize with the EU principles. It has been feared and evaded to comply with these principles. There is nothing to damage our national pride in doing so. If there had been such a situation neither France, nor Germany, United Kingdom or other members would accept it. Turkish national pride is neither more nor less than any other nation's. It is a difficult argument to defend, leading country into poverty due to national pride held higher than others'. If we had been able to adapt to the conditions of the EU as much as the countries who had freed themselves from Moscow's yoke only 10 years ago, we would have more sincere, friendly and smooth relations with the EU. Autumn will have a determining affect on Republic of Turkey's future if the leaders of the six parties which have a group in the parliament can see where the regime is heading."

Eu Tour With Ms.Fogg By Derya Sazak (Milliyet)

Columnist Derya Sazak writes on his conversation with Karen Fogg, EU Representative in Ankara. A summary of his column is as follows: "at first I wanted to ask questions on the protests against globalization and the G-8 meeting in Genoa to Ms.Karen Fogg, EU Ambassador to Ankara. However, the conversation was locked over the EU and the new political formations in Turkey. The views of Karen Fogg are not official views of Brussels and do not bind the EU in any way. Karen Fogg conveys the official views of the EU to her counterparts at the Ministry of foreign Affairs. Therefore we asked her personal views on various subjects. According to Ms. Fogg the reactions to globalization are also global. She believes that until today the global economic, political problems were experienced on a national level. The new currents call for programs to achieve a fairer world, sustainable development and environmental consciousness. Movements on cultural diversity, equality of sexes are opening up abroad with the help of communication in closed societies. The fight for democracy is waged over internet today. Closed and authoritarian regimes are losing control with every passing day. A basic point to be criticized is the power of the international companies overriding the governments of the countries and their influences over the markets. However, in Europe a balance is trying to be formed with the international solidarity of trade unions. New funds are being used for education and health. Social policies are used to prevent poverty. The EU Ambassador is experienced enough not to believe everything she hears. She is not affected by doomsday scenarios. However, she points out the lack of optimism in the public. She is hopeful on Turkey's full EU membership. She recalls EU Commissioner Verheugen's words that Turkey is within the 27 member European family. Karen Fogg is closely following developments new political formations focused around Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Dervis. He finds the role attributed to Dervis highly politicized. Her message is clear, the road to EU passes through dialogue."