ANKARA (A.A) - 10.08.2002 - State Minister Kemal Dervis resigned from his post on Saturday.
Dervis carried out the post of State Ministry in charge of Treasury since the beginning of March, 2001. Dervis graduated from London School of Economics, a leading economy school in the world and he got his masters and Phd degrees from Princeton University of the U.S.
Dervis was consultant of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit during the period between 1973-1976 and he was in charge of economy and international relations.
Dervis who was professor both in the Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe University in Ankara, and in Princeton University in New York in economy and international relations, joined World Bank in 1978. Dervis became the Director of Industrial Strategy and Policy of Industry Department in 1982.
Dervis was appointed as the chief economist in charge of Europe, Middle East and North Africa in 1986. Dervis worked as director in Central European Department from 1987 to 1991 and later he became director in North African department. Dervis later became the Vice President in charge of Middle East and North Africa. Dervis became Vice President and Network Head for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management in May 2000.
Dervis, who is 53 years old, has two books and many articles published in various magazines.

DERVIS:''I STILL HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR ECEVIT''
Dervis has said that he was working to remove the political dividedness of Turkish politics and he was told by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit that having these efforts and staying in the government contradicted with each other.
''I've sent my resignation letter to the prime ministry. I know it won't be a surprise,'' he said.
Prior to his departure to Istanbul, Dervis announced his resignation to reporters at the Treasury Undersecretariat.
Referring to his meeting with Ecevit on Friday, Dervis said ''It wasn't easy. We know each other for 30 years and I have great respect for him. After working for 22 years abroad, Ecevit invited me to Turkey and I'm grateful to him. We chatted yesterday and he implied that I should think a little more. I tried to take the best decision by considering his words. I still have great respect for the prime minister and he had great services for Turkey. He also was a leading force in developing central left and social democracy in Turkey.''
Dervis said that everybody has to think about Nov. 4 from today, adding that ''it will be difficult on Nov. 4 to say that 'we made a mistake,' because its cost would be very high. Turkey has many things to do. Turkey can be successful in them, but it is not easy. Turkey needs a government which is in full harmony to provide economic growth, employment and properisty. I think that Turkey needs a government among persons who agree with the things that need to be done and on the method of doing these things, rather than only a coalition government. Therefore the political division is a serious problem, I believe that we must overcome it and I launch efforts to do that. I explained these to Mr. Prime Minister. I think that there has to be Democratic Left Party (DSP) in this effort, in central left. DSP deputies have to join this effort. However Mr. Prime Minister told two days ago that my status in the government and my effort to this end contradicted with each other, and he confirmed it also yesterday. He told me that it was not correct for me to both continue this effort and to remain in the government. I decided to resign today and I sent my petition to Prime Ministry. I know it won't be a surprise.''

YTP LEADER CEM SAYS HE RESPECTS DERVIS'S DECISION
New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem said on Saturday that he respected the decision of Kemal Dervis who resigned from State Ministry the same day.
Issuing a written statement on the issue, Cem said that Kemal Dervis undertook his mission on very difficult times of Turkish economy, adding that ''he served the country significantly both in overcoming the economic difficulties and also undertaking institutional reforms.''
Cem said that he considered the formation of New Turkey together with Husamettin Ozkan and Kemal Dervis, adding that ''Mr. Dervis announced his approach about New Turkey at various opportunities. His joining the party will bring a new momentum to New Turkey movement. I believe that Mr. Dervis will continue his contributions to Turkey.''

HISARCIKLIOGLU SAYS RESIGNATION OF DEVIS WAS EXPECTED AND IT WOULDN'T AFFECT ECONOMY
Commenting on the resignation of State Minister Kemal Dervis, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu said that his resignation was expected and it wouldn't affect the economy.
When asked if the votes of the party which Dervis would join increase, Hisarciklioglu said this depends on the formation of the party.
Hisarciklioglu who came to Van on Saturday morning, will later go to Hakkari. After visiting Hakkari Governor, Hisarciklioglu will attend the Eastern Anatolia Regional Assessment Meeting.

BAHCELI: DERVIS'S DECISION COMES LATE
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader, State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli said on Saturday that ''Mr. Kemal Dervis kept busy the agenda of Turkey for a long time, his resignation came late.''
Responding to questions of journalists, Bahceli said that postponement of early elections was not on the agenda. ''Search for alliances during elections is made in order to escape from elections and they manipulate EU as political and commercial tool,'' Bahceli commented.
When asked if alliances among parties would decrease the votes of MHP, Bahceli said that ''MHP will be the most powerful party of this election. MHP does not have any rival.''
Upon a question asking if Bahceli would apply to Constitutional Court for the part of the EU adjustment law about abolution of death penalty, Bahceli said that experts examine the law and that the application would be made later. Bahceli said that if there are contradictions with the Constitution in other parts of the law, they would also bring them before the Court.
Responding to a question about separatist organization, Bahceli claimed that there are six parties supporting seperatist terrorism today.