ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their brief stories in Turkey's press on April 19, 2003. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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MR. ZEKI, WHAT KIND OF WORDS THESE ARE
Public Works and Housing Minister Zeki Ergezen, who asked Turkish contractors not to undertake contracts in Iraq by saying that ''the money in Iraq was bloody'' was harshly warned by both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Erdogan said, ''these words only bind him. This can't be the view of our government'' while Gul spoke to Ergezen by phone aboard the plane and asked him if he made such a statement or not. Ergezen said that his words published by Hurriyet daily on Friday were misunderstood.
PROMISE TO IMF: REDUNDANT POSITIONS IN SEEs WILL BE REDUCED 45 THOUSAND
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board released 701 million U.S. dollars of loan worth of a total of 1.6 billion U.S. dollars foreseen for Turkey. The government promised to reduce the redundant positions in the State Economic Enterprises (SEEs) by 45 thousand 800 by the end of 2003. The rises in salaries and wages will be moderate. There will not be any tax amnesty from now on.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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IMF MISSILES
International Monetary Fund (IMF) released 701 million U.S. dollars in loans to Turkey on Friday, part of an 18 billion U.S. dollars package promised in February. But IMF also warned the government. IMF said that the government made mistake and lost confidence in financial markets. Interest rates should be decreased and economic program should be implemented. The government's strong commitments to stabilization and economic reform are welcome, and essential, given the economic challenges Turkey faces, said Anne Krueger, acting chairwoman of the IMF executive board. Still, fallout from the war has added to the financial turmoil, she said. At the start of the conflict, Turkish interest rates rose to around 70 percent, raising the possibility that further market turmoil could force the country to default on its massive debt.
OZTRAK'S RESIGNATION SADDENS
Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak resigned from his post as of April 21, 2003. Officials said that Oztrak presented his letter to State Minister Ali Babacan. Oztrak has served as Treasury Undersecretary since March 16, 2001. International Monetary Fund (IMF) felt sad about Oztrak's resignation. Upon a question, a high level official of the IMF said that Oztrak was closely interested in all issues and worked very hard and noted that they felt sad about his resignation.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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LOAN COMES, OZTRAK GOES
Treasury Undersecretary Faik Oztrak presented his resignation to State Minister Ali Babacan yesterday. When Oztrak resigned, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it released 701 million U.S. dollars of loan for Turkey.
CONFIDENCE IS BUILD BY WORK NOT BY WORD
Koc Holding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) F. Bulend Ozaydinli gave a message to the government in which he said, ''confidence has been shaken due to voluntary donation, wealth tax and appointments. Confidence can be build by work not by words.''
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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STATE PROTOCOL TO DENOMINATIONAL VISION
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul claimed that the Denominational Vision was harmless in an official note he sent to the Turkish embassies in Europe on April 16. Support to Denominational Vision and schools of Fethullah Gulen was demanded. In Gul's letter, it was said, ''ambassadors and diplomats should attend the receptions of the Denominational Vision when necessary. This organization should be included in the programs of the official delegations from now on.'' Thus, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) included the Denominational Vision, which was considered among ''fundamentalist organizations'' after February 28 process and against which efficient measures were asked to be taken, in the state protocol.
TERRORISM ALARM
The General Directorate of Security's Anti-Terrorism Department stated that 35 terrorists entered Turkey from Northern Iraq. The terrorists were said to be in preparation of attacks against embassies, facilities and organizations of Turkey, the United States, Britain, Israel, Spain and Australia.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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GOVERNMENT HAS TO CHANGE NINE ARTICLES OF CONSTITUTION
Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government which aims to transfer authorities of central government to local administrations will have difficult days. Nine articles of the Constitution should be amended to legalize the public management reform prepared by the AK Party.
OZKOK: ''TURKEY CAN ALSO PLAY ROLE IN RE-BULDING PROCESS OF IRAQ''
General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok said, ''Turkey and Georgia are determined to carry out an influential and sound determination in fight against joint threats.'' General Ozkok met with Defense Minister David Tevzadze of Georgia. Ozkok said that Turkey could play a role in re-building process of Iraq. Pointing out that Iraq's political and territorial integrity should be protected and that this was under the responsibility of all international institutions and regional countries, Gen. Ozkok said various international institutions may start initiatives in the near future to contribute to rebuilding process of Iraq, and noted that Turkey and Georgia may ask for undertaking role in those initiatives.''
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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GUL ASKS AL-SHARA WHERE SADDAM IS
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who went to Riyadh for regional consultation meeting, met with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara. Gul said that he had opportunity to chat with Al-Shara and stated that he and Al-Shara discussed Iraq issue. Foreign Minister Gul said that he asked Al-Shara whether or not he had any information about to where former Iraqi leaders were. ''No one knows it. They don't have any information about the issue. As I saw, everybody talked about more or less the issue. But, foreign ministers don't have any information about it,'' Gul stated.
IMF APPROVES USD 701 MILLION DISBURSEMENT UNDER STAND-BY CREDIT TO TURKEY
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the fourth review of Turkey's economic performance under the Stand-By Arrangement. This will enable Turkey to draw about 701 million U.S. dollars immediately from the IMF. Issuing a brief statement, IMF said that the Stand-By Arrangement was approved on February 4, 2002 in a total amount of about 18 billion U.S. dollars. So far, Turkey has drawn about 14 billion U.S. dollars under the current Stand-By Arrangement.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ERDOGAN: ''WE WILL TAKE PART IN RECONSTRUCTION OF IRAQ''
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would be one of the most active countries in the reconstruction of Iraq. Erdogan, who defined the statement of Public Works and Housing Minister Zeki Ergezen regarding Iraq as misfortune, said, ''we will take our place in the Iraq market.''
QUAKE PANIC IN AEGEAN
People of Aegean who rushed into streets due to earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale which was recorded in Urla town of western Izmir province a week ago felt the same fear the previous night. An earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale was recorded in Seferihisar town this time.
(EÖ-BRC) 19.04.2003