Selections From Todays Turkish Press

Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the 6th Black Sea Turk Meeting in Samsun, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli said that neither the Turkish nation nor the Nationalist Action Movement were responsible for the recent economic crisis Turkey suffered. Speaking about the criticisms against the MHP accusing it of serving for short-term interests, Bahceli said no one had the right to criticize the MHP in this way. He added, "The ones who frustrated our economy with foreign and domestic debts and who cannot manage to decrease the high interest rates for years are responsible for this crisis. It is a clear fact that irresponsible governments and irrational policies are responsible for the current situation. I believe that the positive effects of the reforms the current government carried out will begin to help economy recover in the near future. The maintenance of the foreign resources is very important in overcoming the crisis. The MHP serves only for the interests of Turkish nation. He also said IMF First Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer's visit to Turkey was very productive. /Turkiye/

CEM TO TRAVEL TO CAIRO

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Cem, will travel to Egypt today. Cem, who is expected to meet with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Mahir and Secretary General for the Arab League, Amr Musa, will discuss the proposals, which aim to end violence in the Middle East. Cem's visit is considered as very important and critical by the political circles, since it predates Israeli Prime Minister Arel Sharon's Turkey visit to take place in the beginning of August. /Cumhuriyet/

CAKMAKOGLU : "ECONOMY WILL RECOVER IN SEPTEMBER"

Minister of Defense Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said over the weekend that Turkish people were continuing to trust the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), underlining the fact that the new political parties would have no influence on the MHP. In a statement, Cakmakoglu said that Turkey had been going through a transition period for the past two years, but that the coalition government of which his party was a partner would overcome all the problems of period. Cakmakoglu said, "Turkish people continue to trust the MHP, because our party defends the basic values of the Turkish society. Our greatest problem today is the economic hardships we are going through. According to what government officials say, the economy will start recovering from September." /Turkish News/

ECHR DECISION ON THE WELFARE PARTY TO BE MADE TOMORROW

European Court of Human Rights (ESHR) is expected to make a decision on the case filed by former Chairman of the banned Welfare Party (RP), Necmettin Erbakan. Erbakan applied to the ECHR upon the closure decision of the RP. RP was closed in 1998 by the Constitutional Court since it became a center for anti-secular movements. Erbakan was also barred from politics. /Cumhuriyet/

ISRAEL BANS COVERAGE OF MOFAZ'S VISIT TO TURKEY

The Israeli press was banned from broadcasting Israel's Chief of General Staff Shaul Mofaz's visit to Turkey. The Ha'aretz newspaper wrote that during Mofaz's visit to Turkey, talks were held with Turkish defense officials where the strengthening security ties between the two countries were discussed, however the Isreli press was banned from broadcasting the content of the talks. It is a common thing to have a press ban regarding issues that have the potential to "harm Israel's security." /Turkish News/

WORLD BANK SUPPORTS TURK TELEKOM

The World Bank prepared a proposal for carrying out a common project to reinforce and improve the position of the Turk Telekom in the world markets. The World Bank delegation met with the authorities from the Turk Telekom Directorate General after the members of the Telecommunications. The delegation was informed about the Turk Telekom's financial, administrational and technological status. Promising a loan to Turk Telekom, The World Bank will also provide know-how to Turk Telekom in selecting a consultation firm. /Cumhuriyet/

'PARTICULAR' INTEREST OF THE IMF ON TURKEY

The IMF has extended the biggest amount of loans made ever to two countries being Turkey and Argentina. Fischer has emphasized this amount and the awareness of the international finance institutions. But the interest of the IMF on Turkey is not only the 19 billion dollars of credit support, but also obviously Mr. Fisher's visit. Mr. Fischer, the Deputy Chairman of the IMF, came to Turkey just as the periodic observation team of the IMF were working on Turkey. He gave messages concerning directly the public and met the leaders personnally to receive the views of the political leaders on the program, and convinced the people. It is generally said that though the interest of IMF on the countries it supported is quite a normal event, the interest he showed in Turkey was extremely higher and extraordinary than usual./Milliyet/

IRAN BEGINS TO EXPORT NATURAL GAS TO TURKEY TODAY

Iranian Minister of Oil, Bijen Namdar Zengene said Iran would begin to export natural gas to Turkey today. Stating they would not demand an indemnity from Turkey because of the delay, Zengene said if Turkey was not ready to purchase natural gas from Iran by today, the payment of indemnity would be brought to the agenda according to the agreement signed between the two countries last year. Iran is expected to export three million meter cubes natural gas to Turkey for the first year. /Turkiye/

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS HELP ECONOMY RECOVER

Foreign investors signed joint investments totaling $2.3 billion in Turkey for the first half of this year. Between January and June, 130 investment projects were approved, which will be carried out jointly by the foreign partners. Foreign investments' contribution to the investments totaled a sum of $477.3 million in the same period. /Cumhuriyet/

EXPORTS TO GERMANY INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY

Turkey's exports to Germany have exceeded her imports from the same country in May this year. According to the data by the State Institute for Statistics (SIS), Turkey's exports to Germany increased by 19.1 % and her imports decreased by 24.7% in May compared to last year's same period. /Turkiye/

OSMANLI BANK SEALS $45 MLN CLUB LOAN

Osmanli Bank has secured $45 million in club loans from seven European and American banks, the bank announced yesterday. According to a written statement by Osmanli Bank, the loan agreement was sealed in London on Thursday. /Turkish Daily News/

ILO SUPPORT EFFORTS FOR THE CHILDREN IN STREETS

International Labour Organisation (ILO) has decided to participate in the national education campaign with a project to educate the children on streets in boarding schools. The Support For The National Education Campaign is being coordinated by Mrs. Semra Sezer, the wife of President A. Necdet Sezer. The ILO sent a representative to the meetings which is being held at the presidental palace to participate in the "The Support Campaign for National Education ". The ILO designated project for the children to be educated in boarding schools which will be incorporated with the support ofs the Administration of Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), Confederation of Turkish Workers' Unions (Turk-İş) Children Protection Association, will go into effect on September 8th. Nearly 2300 children are planned to be accommodated in the regional elemantary boarding schools. /Milliyet/

GERMAN TOURISTS PREFER TURKEY

Tour operators carrying tourists to Turkey from Germany increased their shares in the tourism market by an average between 40% and 100%. German tourists usually prefer the Antalya region for their vacations. Meanwhile, Anatolia Tours and the Blue Sea Voyage attract many German tourists. Turkey places the second after Spain in the countries German tourists prefer to visit mostly. /Turkiye/

TURKISH SCIENTIST'S SUCCESS

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Young Investigators Awards recognizing young investigators for their excellence in bone and mineral research has selected "Burak Demiralp" for his project, for which he won the third place for Warner Lambert Hottom award in the senior (PhD) category for his research, which focuses on the mechanisms of how parathyrod hormones (PTH) stimulate new bone formation. A $1,000 check and a plague commemorating the award will be presented to dentist Demiralp, who is an assistant at Hacettepe University's department of dentistry, at a reception to be held on October 14th. /Turkish Daily News/

ANKARA EUROPEAN CITY

Ankara has been rewarded with the "European Commission 2001 Honorary Flag" award. Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor I. Melih Gokcek stated that Ankara had truly become a European capital with its infrastructure, green areas and education and cultural facilities. Ankara is hosting guests from the award committee of the European Commission. /Turkish Daily News/

'FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE CLIMB' ON AGRI

Thirty mountain climbers, including State Minister Fikret Unlu, Search and Rescue (AKUT) leader Nasuh Mahruki and Mountaineering Federation Chairman Alaattin Karaca, climbed mountain "Agri". Whereas Mahruki and other AKUT members completed the climb yesterday, Unlu and Karaca are expected to start the return climb today. Caglar Akgungor, who is responsible for AKUT communications, stated that informing the world how their climb was going proves that Mount Agri is a safe place to climb. Akgungor said they hoped to attract more tourists with this method. /Turkish Daily News/

BARGAINING POWER BY FERAI TINC (HURRIYET)

Columnist Ferai Tinc writes on the meeting of businessmen with the IMF Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer. A summary of her column is as follows. "Businessmen left the meeting with the IMF Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer satisfied. It seems that a green light has been lit for incentives to the manufacturing industry. Last week, Deputy Chairman of Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association, Aldo Kaslowski was saying that incentives were necessary in order not to crush the manufacturing industry during the crisis and claiming that bargains could be made with the EU and the IMF, which are opposed to these incentives. Kaslowski is an influential businessman who played an important role during Turkey's Customs Union process and believing in the aim to enter the EU. He would like exports to be supported in order to balance boom in imports in February. Kaslowski says, 'Both the EU and the IMF are opposed to incentives. However, bargains can be made with the EU on certain issues. If we cannot bargain during such a crisis when will we do it?' The EU is sensitive on the issue of subsidies. However, Turkish business world, which is paying the cost of the Customs Union Agreement unilaterally, is in distress and has demands to overcome this situation. It could be bargained with the EU but a sound program and a determined political will is required for this purpose. The candidacy for the EU or the efforts to get in step with globalization does not mean the eradication of local powers. In fact, if the local powers are not strong enough there can be no universal integration. It can be stated that after the proclamation of the Republic, Turkish industry grew depending on subsidies and therefore industrialists should pay the price of the crisis as well as everyone. Since the diminution of the State is seen as the prerequisite for overcoming the crisis, it can be a matter of question 'where did the issue of subsidies come from'. However, a certain standard should be applied. Reducing the powers of the state and saying 'take care of yourself' is not the same thing. Both the European and the US business worlds wield an influence on the economies of their countries. Globalization is moving towards the unification of national interests in a common point. Kaslowski believes that Turkey can explain the situation to the EU that their exports are twice as much as Turkish export to the union. The crisis has led the manufacturing industry to shrink and therefore a six-months subsidy should be granted. Such a demand is neither contrary to Maastricht decisions nor the Copenhagen criteria. However, as this is being done, it should be stated clearly that this does not mean the continuation of the corruption system both to the foreign countries and us. This is a matter of project. Convincing projects, which determine the needs and priorities, increase the bargaining power. "

LIKE A WHIRLWIND BY SEDAT SERTOGLU (SABAH)

Columnist Sedat Sertoglu writes on the visit of the IMF Deputy Chairman Stanley Fischer. A summary of his column is as follows: "Deputy Chairman of the IMF Stanley Fischer passed like a whirlwind from Turkey. He did not say anything unexpected. He advised us to have trust in ourselves and when there was self-confidence the exchange rate of the dollar would decrease, the rate of interests would fall, and the inflation monster would be beaten. However, he did not say how this trust would be installed and did not stress the need that the Government, which had taken successful steps until now, had to secure this trust. Turks who are suffocated and confused with the economic jargon used for days, are waiting for the second half of August, as Fischer said the situation would ease up only then. However, the State Minister responsible for the economy, Kemal Dervis is more cautious. He stated that a relief in the economy could be seen in the months of September or October. His evaluation can be more realistic as he is aware of the situation in Turkey for some time. All the economy writers and academicians have been saying for weeks that the political system was responsible for a lack of trust. Therefore, the necessary confidence cannot be seen in markets. The Government is determined to follow the economic program to the end. We shall see how the hopeful statements of Fischer will be reflected in the markets. We believe that the only condition for the success of this program is convincing all sectors of the society and shouldering the burden by all segments. If we expect sacrifice only from one part of the society, the program will not be successful. Everyone should undertake responsibility. If the Government wants to convince the people, it should show that it is tightening its own belt. Shimon Peres had explained how they beat inflation in Israel in the following words, 'We agreed with the employers and workers. Belts should be tightened, as we did not have any alternative. Suddenly we realized that for the people to support the program, first the Government had to show that it was tightening its belt. We did this and took serious measures at that. People seeing our determination were ready to follow suit.' This is as simple as that."